I remember days full of restlessness and fury

50 things about me

2009-02-23T02:27:17Z

Just because I was bored...

50 things

50. I have more Disney movies than someone without kids probably should.

49. I only like the song "Hey There, Delilah" because it was the first song I heard a good friend play. It was a random moment, unexpected after much harassment to hear something. Up until then, I couldn't see what the big deal was about the song. Now it has meaning.

48. I have never walked out of a movie, no matter how bad it was.

47. I have walked out of a resturaunt because the service was so bad.

46. Aside from a couple trips to Tijuana for drinking purposes (which really doesn't count) I have never been outside the United States

45. My middle name is Annette, which I so rarely use I usually have to think about when asked.

44. My first name was chosen because my mom liked the way a little girl on a commerical for the Mickey Mouse talking phone said "Shannon".

43. I could probably give you a guided tour of Disneyland that surpasses the one you'd pay for... except for all the really cool behind the scenes access they would give you!

42. I used to go to coffee houses in downtown San Diego til all hours of the night with friends, then have breakfast at Denny's when they closed.

41. I have never been a coffee drinker.

40. At one point, I carried a pack of menthol cigarattes with me because I liked the smell, and let my friends bum them off me, because I don't smoke.

39. I used to write a lot and actually had dreams of being published by something more than a school publication. I even went so far as to get submission guidelines from a couple of publishing companies.

38. I have written things for people, knowing they will never see it.

37. I'm a good cook, but hate leftovers, and typically make too much food for just one or two people... so I don't actually cook very often

36. Some of my fondest memories involve me dressed in a bodice with a flower, dagger, pickle, strawberry, etc, tucked between my boobs.

35. I will never learn to sew. My mother tried to teach me to use her sewing machine, and I broke 3 needles trying to learn to sew straight lines on notebook paper.

34. I have a fascination with Jack the Ripper.

33. I did not get the handle "Whitechapel" from the band. I have been "Whitechapel" longer than they have been around. I can't even bring myself to give them a chance because (thanks to them) its near impossible to even get the screenname "Whitechapel" now, unless I want to be "Wh1t3ch4p3l" which i don't. If I get one more comment from someone online about how the band rocks, i think i'll scream.

32. My first major concert was to see Morrissey. Say what you will about him being emo, he puts on an amazing live show.

31. I am terrible at losing my keys, and keep them all on one keychain so i have less to keep track of. I once had a serious panic attack driving home from my sisters because I couldn't remember where my house keys were or how I'd get in my house because my roommate was out of town for the weekend. (Do you see the humor in that...?)

30. My favorite color is blue... and almost always makes me smile.

29. I have seen the musical Phantom of the Opera 8 times. Four times in LA (2x with Michael Crawford, 1x with Robert Guillaume, 1x with someone I can't remember), 4 times here in San Diego. I would like to see it again.

28. I have the wit to win.

27. I like to shoot pool. I play better when I'm drunk.

26. I currently have 2121 songs on my ipod, totaling 5.7 days of consecutive music. I've only loaded about 1/3 of the cd's I own.

25. I own 7 copies of "Monopoly".

24. My music tends to fall into categories. "Home" "Breath" "Black" and "Cold" seem to be at the forefront.

23. I used to go swing dancing.

22. I am the youngest of 5 children. There is a 13 year gap between me and the next oldest.

21. I have always slept with stuffed animals. Currently it's tiger and cheetah "Pillow Pals" which are probably the best $40 i've ever spent for cat toy.

20. Yes... I buy my cats Birthday and Christmas presents. Including $40 pillows that they don't sleep on...

19. Two stuffed animals that I've kept forever: I have my first teddy bear (boxed up so it doesn't get thrown away...), which is in surprisingly good condition, and a stuffed dog (although you'd never know thats what it was) that is my personal velveteen rabbit --- he's seen me through more ups and downs than any friend ever will.

18. One of my biggest pet peeves is loud eating. You have no idea...

17. I firmly believe that everything not in the dessert family tastes better with ranch dressing.

16. I have no sense of direction, and drive by landmarks.

15. I love reading maps, but still think in terms of "Up" "Down" and "Over There".

14. I love camping but have never really "roughed" it.

13. I make killer s'mores.

12. I once spent all night on the beach talking with a guy I had a crush on, and nothing happened. The crush passed, but we ended up being pretty good friends for a few years.

11. I went out with my high school boyfriend for over 3 years. We never had sex and I never cheated on him.

10. I lettered in Drama in high school.

09. I spent years in choir, competitive madrigal choir, and muscial theatre. I still don't think I can sing, and very few people have ever actually heard me.

08. My senior year I had a one act play I that had written produced. The play was converted to prose and was my final for creative writing my first semester in college. In turn, it became one of the few pieces of fiction I've had published in any way when the professor submitted it to the school lit mag. I still conisder it one of the best pieces I've written.

07. My cats are named for Disney characters (Meeko and Stitch). This was not initially my idea. I wanted to name them Ronin (Meeko) and Sawyer (Stitch). Alton insisted we name one Stitch... and I wasn't going to let one have a Disney name and not the other.

06. I want to someday have a red Abyssinian, and plan to name it Blue.

05. Breakfast is my favorite meal, and the one I usually skip.

04. I have ghosts.

03. I used to collect Barbie Dolls. At this point I've really only saved my X-Files Barbie. I still secretly hope to someday get one of the Mackie's.

02. My class ring is the most expensive piece of jewelry I own.

01. My idea of heaven is room service.

Actual Job Posting

2007-10-14T04:50:57Z

So I was looking online at jobs in Vegas... and found this one... (I added the red and italics)

SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON TO FILL OUR ICONIC TEQUILA GODDESS POSITION FOR ISLA, TI'S AWARD WINNING MEXICAN RESTAURANT. THIS PERSON SHOULD HAVE AN OUTGOING, FUN ATTITUDE AND BE WILLING TO BE TRAINED IN THE VAST WORLD OF TEQUILAS

I wonder what the training would be like.......

Lloyd Alexander

2007-05-20T04:58:20Z

Lloyd Alexander

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Lloyd Alexander, a prolific writer of children's books including the five-book series "The Chronicles of Prydain," has died. He was 83.Alexander died Thursday (May 17, 2007) at his home in the Philadelphia suburb of Drexel Hill, said Jennifer Abbots, spokeswoman for his publishing company, Henry Holt Books For Young Readers. He had cancer, she said.The final book in Alexander's Prydain series, "The High King," won the Newbery Medal from the American Library Association in 1969, being recognized as the best children's book of the year. Another book in the series, "The Black Cauldron," was named a runner-up for the medal in 1966, a status now known as a Newbery Honor Book.His final novel, "The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio," is scheduled to be published by Holt in August. The publisher described it as an adventure in the tradition of Middle Eastern folk tales.Alexander joined the Army at the start of World War II and got much of his training in Wales. His experiences in the area inspired many of his books.He met Janine Denni, whom he married in 1946, while attending the University of Paris. She died two weeks before he did, Holt said in a statement.

When I was much younger, I read a lot. By the time I entered middle school (7^th grade) I had already read though the Chronicles of Narnia so much that I could recite many many passages, not to mention gotten through the Lord of the Rings series, as well as (the Hobbit). I was also a huge Disney fan (always have been, always will be). When I found out Disney was making a movie based on a book called “The Black Cauldron” I had to find it to read.

The Black Cauldron is actually the second in the series. So, I had to go and pick up the whole set. And I read them and loved them. As much as I loved the Narnia books, I loved Prydain more. Based loosely on Welsh mythology, they opened a whole new world for me, gave me a playground my imagination loved to play in.

After I read the books, I wrote the author a letter, to let him know how much I enjoyed them. Keep in mind, I was probably about twelve at the time. I didn’t expect anything back. Or if I did get anything, it would probably be something generic. I was shocked when I received a very nice letter back, along with a small booklet about the author that included a pronunciation guide for many of the names in the Prydain books. Something in that letter caused me to respond, and we corresponded off and on for close to two years. I received two Christmas cards from him, both had been hand drawn and had cats on them. But, I stopped writing, so he stopped answering. I had left Prydain behind for places like Pern and Valdemar.

I had thought recently about him, wondered if he was still writing. And then I saw the headline on Friday. It didn’t stay up on msn very long. But I saw it and it struck me. It was like receiving word that a favorite uncle you hadn't seen in years had died.

Sadly, the letters seem to have disappeared at some point over the years. I would have liked to read over them again today. I guess I will just have to dust off the old paperbacks and visit Prydain again instead.

MMO Addiction...

2007-05-15T17:03:35Z

MMO Addiction….

EQ – been there, done that. For about 4 years… Was actually some of the most fun I’ve had in an MMO. Lotta games since have had better aspects, but this one has – I think – the fondest memories.

Anarchy Online – meh…. Was ok. Ok, Phear Leets were probably the most amusing mobs in an MMO, but aside from that…

Lineage II – Ran around in the Korean Beta (don’t ask, long story) and not understanding anything going on around me may have been part of what turned me off to the game.

WoW – rivaling EQ for /played now. Sooo sad… What’s sadder, the two characters I spend the most time on are Night Elf Priests… on the same server (really, I am leveling something other than a priest… she’s just out of double xp at the moment!) It’s a solid game, that’s a lot of fun (for the most part).

EQII – Probably one of the best games I’ve played – too bad the system requirements would make even a top of the line alienware look like a commodore 64. The crafting system in this game is top notch. And the item you make are actually USEFUL! Plus, you can get in game houses and decorate them. I think that’s the main reason I’ve had an active account for so long… but none of my toons ever seem to level…

LotRO – OMG, its SOOOOOO pretty! Game play is a bit lacking. I like the crafting system, just because it’s an interesting concept. Oh, and running around Rivendale is fun J Probably wasn’t worth running out and buying the game (like I did) but I’ll give it a couple months to see how it goes. It is neat to be involved in the LotR storyline (even though you’re not one of THE Fellowship, you do get to help out on the sidelines and encounter the big names from the story). Biggest downside of the game: fanboi’s bitching “That’s not how it happened in the movie!” and the constant spam of movie quotes in OOC. I think this will probably have the staying power of the company’s last game – DnD Online. Most people I know who tried that one were bored within a month. On a side note, this is the first MMO where my first impulse wasn’t to play the healer class (although, I do have an alt and, yes, she is Whitechapel).

And the reason I write this?

I’m downloading CoH/CoV in the background….

/sigh

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2006-12-23T05:16:54Z

Whatever you celebrate...

I hope you have a very happy (and safe) holiday weekend! May you be surrounded by loved ones. And may Santa somehow slip something special under the tree for you when you aren't looking. Enjoy the eggnog (with extra "nog" if you're so inclined) - you only get it once a year! Endulge in an extra piece of pie - visions of sugar plums are sometimes found on the table.

Merry Christmas

Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men, women, cats, dogs, goldfish, ferrets, and everything else.

-Shannon

Bah! Humbug!!!

2006-12-03T17:06:33Z

Well... after some creative shopping, the bulk of my Christmas is done. *whew*

There are just two people left on the list that I have no clue on. And, of course, the hubby is no help (and they're HIS family!) So, any ideas would of course be welcome.

The first person is his step-father. Nice guy, but doesn't need anything. Makes more in a month than I probably do in 2 years. Likes good things - better than I can afford. I don't know his tastes very well, so I need something thoughtful, yet generic. My standard thoughtful, yet generic, gift --- ornaments --- won't work because he's Jewish, and I just feel odd giving him Christmas ornaments because of this. I was thinking maybe putting together a wine gift basket of some sort (have to brave Costco AND CostPlus today anyway....) Figured I'd find a nice red wine that was 90+ points.... Hrm... maybe I'll head out to Witch Creek and get something local...

Bah. Humbug!

The second is his sisters husband (they just got married this year). I did get "them" an "Our First Christmas" ornament, but I'd like to get him a little something else. Professional, couple years younger than I am, likes to have fun... I was leaning towards a wine gift basket as well... which is what made me realize I'm in a rut...

And the part that gets to me the most... I'M THE ONE WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT THIS!!!! DH could really care less.... Then again, the only person he has to shop for really is me... and that won't happen til Christmas Eve...

*sigh*

Well... its about time to go brave the stores... World Market is right next to Target. Maybe I'll wander the aisles once or twice there as well. For ideas. And the couple odds and ends that I need to get other people (not in a panic over that yet, tho...)

Black Friday

2006-11-26T17:56:45Z

Well... I lived anyway.

There was an article on MSN about Black Friday not being the busiest shopping day of the year. Obviously, the people that compiled that data have never worked in retail.

Admittedly, it probably isn't the BIGGEST shopping day of the year $$$-wise. Well, think about it, the best sales occur on the day after thanksgiving so people aren't really spending as much. But it is definately the BUSIEST. Christmas Eve, until about 1 or so really rivals it. But the day after Thanksgiving is still crazier.

And has some of the meanest customers. Which makes the sales associates surly. Which makes the customers mean... nice cycle we get going, eh?

But, anyway, I lived.

Even went out into the mall to brave a couple of stores on my lunch break and found a couple of deals. If anyone is looking for ornaments for Christmas, Bombay has some really cute ones this year. I bought a few to give as little gifts (most of the co-workers I'll buy for will get ornaments, it's kind of a tradition with the people I work with, which is good because I like getting ornaments).

Black Friday is over... now the "fun" of working in retail during the holidays really begins.

Feeling Better! But...

2006-11-19T00:57:10Z

Well, apparently 5 of the little blue pill will eventually crack the toughest migrane. And, don't worry, it wasn't 5 blue pills all at once. I took 2 pm's when I made that earlier post, and then three more about three hours later. And then I slept....

Til Meeko decided to dive from the top of the TV onto the back of my legs.

*Sigh*

So I'm poking around here trying to figure things out, and I spy a spotlighted profile for a company that lets you design shirts & stuffs and they produce it for you. Looks cool. I might play around with that. Of course, I also have a CafePress account/storefront that I never use. Ah well. We'll see if I can come up with anything creative.

Migraine!!!!

2006-11-18T02:55:56Z

I discovered today that there is only one thing worse than having a migraine.

Having a migraine, at work --- which is retail --- during the hoidays. It's very hard for me to be friendly and nice and sweet when I really want to crawl into a very dark and quiet cave a hide til the throbing stops.

Just popped a couple of PM's --- hopefully they'll kick in quick enough that I can hide my head under a pillow and sleep it out. And fingers are definately crossed hoping it's ALL GONE by tomorrow.... when I get to do it all again.

Hrm...

2006-11-16T05:01:19Z

So I'm new here... figured I could poke a couple friends this way since they won't visit me on MySpace... Besides... what's another online community to add to the rounds?

Poking around, trying to get a feel for the place. Doesn't quite feel home-y yet. Maybe it just needs a little "decorating". Hrmm... Will have to see.