Hello August!

Hi, fellow BEDA writers, welcome to August.

I promise to go through all the people on the BEDA list and follow their blogs, but today that's kind of too much for me. I have vertigo (it basically means I'm constantly dizzy which sucks about 300x worse than you're thinking it does) which right now is really horrible and making it very difficult to sit up, let alone type, so I apologize for the shortness of this post.

I look forward to reading the blogs of the people I met through this last year, and meeting new bloggers.

I'm going to do a quick introduction like thing, if you have any questions or just want to know anything about me, leave a comment and I will get back to you tomorrow.

Who are you?
I am Deanna, I'm 24, and I currently live in Southern New Hampshire

Why are you doing this?
Maureen Johnson told me do, and frankly, I do everything Maureen tells me to do.

Why will I be reading for the next 31 days?
I blog mostly about my life, which is boring, very boring. Unlike last year, however, I have friends now! and a job! so my life isn't quite as boring, but there is only so much I can tell you about the inter-workings of being a Walmart cashier.

My manager is an interesting person, however, so expect to hear about him a lot.

I will also probably, depending on what everyone else does, post meme's and such to keep it interesting.

Also on Tuesdays I go to an improv show, only, if you are a regular reader of the blog you'll understand this, there will be a lot less talking about Jake Ryan, because Jake Ryan is a jerkface with an apparently secret girlfriend, but on Tuesdays expect excitement about improv and on Wednesdays expect hand spams of what happened the night before.

Hogwarts House:
I am a Slytherin.

Anything else?
At the end of my blog I always have a "how many books I've read this year" and a "currently reading" as well as a "why today was awesome". I'm really far behind my goal for reading this year, mostly due to work, being sick, and my work schedule... I also end every blog post with the phrase "AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY" because I love John Irving novels.

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY
Today is awesome because glaring at my Manager is just as effective, if not more, than talking to him.

Books read: *cough* 11 *cough
Currently reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Let's talk about Glee, because it's Thursday and I'm still mad

Okay, so I know there is A LOT going on in the world right now, crazy horrible things, but I'm going to talk about Glee, not because I don't care about everything else in the world, but because I'm in the same room as my mom, who is re-watching this week's episode, and I'm in a rage.

I know it's just a stupid television show, but honestly they had a real chance to make a difference about something that is a huge problem in the United States, and probably other places, and they didn't, if anything, they probably added to the problem. Am I saying the Glee could have single handedly stopped teenage/ underage drinking? No. What I'm saying is they gave some high school freshman who sees Rachel Berry as a role model the excuse they've been looking for to try it. 

It's not like the writers of the show don't know who their demographic is. Sure, people my age love this show, but so does my 15 year old cousin and her friends who have glee watching parties on Tuesday night after they do their homework. More than half the people I follow of tumblr are under 21, and if you've ever had the misfortune of being on Tumblr during Glee, you'd think nothing else has ever happened in the world other than that show. The writers of this show did not need to glorify underage drinking like it was. 

There needed to be consequences. During Blame in on the Alcohol, there is no way that a teacher would have looked at that group of kids and not noticed that there was something wrong with them. Mr. Schue spends an obnoxious amount of time with those kids, it doesn't take a genius to realize they were under the influence. After Tik Tok, when half the fucking Glee club vomited on stage, the Principal shouldn't have rewarded them. If he was stupid enough not to realize they were drinking, Schue should have said something. That's what my teachers would have done, that's what a responsible adult would have done.

Another thing that REALLY bothered me about this episode is how Mr. Schue's drinking was taken the same way as the glee club drinking was. Mr. Schue is what, 30ish? the glee club members may be in their mid twenties in real life, but on that show, they are 16/17 years old. They should not be telling him that because he does it, they should be allowed to. The first thing about out Mr. Schue's mouth when Quinn said that should have been: "You're a teenager, I'm an adult. when you turn 21 you can make the choice for yourself."

The only thing about this episode that I thought was responsible was Mr. Schue handing out his number to those kids. He's a least a (mostly) responsible person that the kids can trust. 

Glee had a social obligation  to it's viewers, and if they treated teen drinking, which kills people every day, the same way they treated bullying, it could have been a wonderful episode, and they could have used the same songs, instead they made it a joke, which really just pissed me off.

Watching that episode, I couldn't help but think of memorable teen drinking episodes of the shows of my childhood. The one I really remembered, was Boy Meets World. In that teen drinking episode, Cory and Shawn are arrested, while the experience hits home with Cory, it doesn't really with Shawn. In the Matthew's kitchen there is moment almost exactly like the moment in the Choir room when Cory says to his dad something along the lines of "You drink, why shouldn't I." Mr. Matthews says "Because I'm an adult and you're not." Like Mr. Schue should have, because that's what someone you look up to as a role model should say at that point in time.

 Throughout the rest of that episode (which I believes takes place over a week or so) Shawn continues to drink. He does worse in school. Mr. Feeny and Mr. Matthews step in with no real changes being made. Jack yells at him and finally Shawn hits his girlfriend Angela.  I was, like 9 or 10, the first time I saw that episode. I've seen it a whole bunch of times since, and honestly it's one of those moments when I know television changed something in me.

That moment is repeated over and over again for the last three seasons of that show. Every time Shawn drinks, or Cory drinks or Eric or Jack or anyone, the point of the show when Shawn hit Angela is brought up. It's re enforced in the kids watching the show, whether they were in high school or college, or like me, 13 watching that show, that there will be consequences for your actions.

I love Glee, a horrible plotless show, yes, but i still love it. I just really wish this episode played out a lot differently. 

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY

today is awesome: because it's LAUNDRY DAY! 

Book read: 2!! 

Currently reading: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

week 3: I'm going to do a challenge.

Because I have an uninteresting life. But first, I want to thank everyone who left comments on my last blog post. See that you guys, my friends that I've never met feel the same way, it just... just, you know makes me feel better about feeling the way I feel. So thanks. :)

So Whimsy set a challenge of sorts in her blog this week, which was "who are your top 5 (or however many you want to say) fictional characters. As I read the blog I was like "I can do this," however, it was WAY harder than I thought it would be.

TOP 5 FICTIONAL CHARACTERS IN DEANNA'S LIFE


1. OWEN MEANY (A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving): If you haven't read this book, seriously, give it a try, I'm not saying you'll like it, but it's really worth a read. I first met OWEN when I was 17, a junior in High School. He was a paper back novel that I figured I would look  up on spark notes before the test, but I actually read this book, every page, and that little guy changed my life forever. OWEN MEANY is speaks in a way the whole world can hear. For a girl that didn't have a voice, OWEN was is the reason I have one now. OWEN MEANY changed my life. No other character, or real life person wait, I take that back, there is one real life person who has done more for my life than OWEN, but nothing means more to me than that character in that book. I can't imagine being who I am without him.

2. Topanga Lawrence (Boy Meets World) I'm not what one would call "normal" I'm not as odd as Topanga  (Seasons 1-3 Topanga she got kind of normal toward the end there.) by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm not normal. Being 7 or 8 years old and seeing a girl like her on television allowed me to just be who I was without caring. The show may have ended 10 years ago, but characters like Topanga are relevant, important even today. I honestly wish I could point to another television character and say "That girl, she's going to show girls that it's okay to be who they are, just like Topanga did."

3. Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter) Dumbledore is flawed yes, but he is always the greatest wizard of our time. He's that first real father figure in Harry's life, the first person he really trusts. Dumbledore is witty and perfect and exactly the kind of wizard an 11 year old girl needs in her life.

4. I know I'm new to the fandom but really The Doctor (Doctor Who) I have never, ever felt like this about a fictional character. It's hard not to love The Doctor, for me, more in a Donna way than a Rose way. Who doesn't dream of getting away, traveling the world, time, space.

5. Marty McFly (Back to the Future) Shortly before Harry Potter was a huge part of my life, 11 year old me LOVED Marty McFly. I still love Marty McFly, I was Marty McFly for Halloween. He's my ultimate time traveling hero. Back to the Future was the first really "nerdy" thing I was into, no one else in my class had even see it at the time. This movie has been a weird life long obsession of mine, and Marty has EVERYTHING to do with it.

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY
Today is awesome because I spent a decent amount of the day in a blanket fort

Books read 1
Currently reading: The Once and Future King T.H. White.

Because Maggie Asked

Maggie said...

I think you can manage it. What have you considered in terms of jobs? What type of thing do you want to be doing? (Besides writing novels, of course. I already know you like doing that. XD)

I get asked this a lot, like, everyday, mostly in the form of "You have an English degree? Why aren't you teaching?" The only time it wasn't phrased that way was when I was asked by my High School English teacher, because if I ever became a teacher, he'd be the first person to die of shock, I'm legitimately that socially awkward and afraid of people. So I'm going to answer it, in blog form.

In the summer of 2009, I worked as an intern for the safety department of a big company, my basic job was to re-write the safety procedures and other such things, and I was pretty much the personal assistant of the head of the safety department. It was awesome. 

I would LOVE to do something along those lines again. Writing, being in an office, not standing at a cash register all day, having a normal 9-5 or 7-3 or whatever. I even enjoyed being the assistant. It was new, different, I actually looked forward to going to work. I would live to work for that company again, seriously, if I got that chance I would jump on it.

At this point, honestly, I'd settle for an office like job where I wasn't required to wear blue all day everyday.

I hope that made sense. Ideally, in 10 years I see myself being a sane version of Maureen Johnson. 

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY.

Oh, also I've decided to jump on the BOW 11 train, so you can expect more unquality, rambling, obnoxious blog posts for THIS GUY!

Today is awesome because my room is unbelievably organized right now.

Books read -1. currently still reading The Book Thief.

My resolutions.

As, here anyway, it's 12 hours until 2011, I felt I should post to the internet what my hopes and dreams are for the upcoming year. 2010 wasn't exactly anything special, or really even that good. I mean, I met some really awesome people, but I really didn't do anything fantastic or even a little bit interesting. I want to do something. I want to accomplish something. So here is my list.

• Lose weight. I've hated the way I look for a long time. I just have to start doing something about it. I mean, no one can love me until I love myself right? I better start taking the steps to be there. I'm tired of complaining but not doing anything about it.

• Get a real job. I mean, one that has anything to do with the degree I spent four years of my life working for. Don't get my wrong, I love the people I work with at WalMart, I almost like my job, but I've been cashiering my whole working life making shit for money. I want a real job, I need a real job.

• Move Out!  The apartment with my work friend, isn't going to work unless I have a real job. I can't afford to eat, drive to work, and pay rent on what I make now. I can't have one without the other, and I do not want to be 25 and still living with my parents. I need to get out of here.

• Write more. I want to have my novel edited by March, but I doubt that's going to happen, so I'm giving myself the deadline of June 1. I want the second draft to be written and happy by the end of 2011. I want to have something to show for my time spent doing nothing on the computer.

• This includes blogging more. The people that read and respond to this blog and the blogs I read, the people I met this August, I consider you guys amongst  my closest friends, seriously. I just want to hang out with you more.

• Do something about this Jake Ryan situation, *eye roll* because that hasn't been on my to do list since 2004.

• Go to Wisconsin to see Deathly Hallows with Casey. Sounds silly, but I really just want to see Harry Potter with someone who loves it as much as I do. I would like it to be the midnight premiere, but I have to work around the schedule of an Improv troupe. You don't understand, Stranger Than Fiction is more important than anything. 

• During this Epic trip to Wisconsin if I drive: Stop and meet/ hang out with Thursday and Friday of Nerds^5.

• Do everything I can to meet Tuesday. I mean, she lives the furthest away, and not anywhere along to road that leads to Wisconsin. I will meet her. I will.

• Complete the 50 book challenge. I should have done it this year. I really should have. 

• Be happy. Be productive. Be a better person. 

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY

Today is awesome because, if everything goes right, I'll be watching Disney movies with my friends come midnight. If it doesn't, I'll be watching Disney movies by myself at midnight. Either way: DISNEY MOVIES.

Books read: 39 

Currently reading: The Book Thief (gotta finish this by midnight!)

Book Blog part 3

Part 3 of my book blog. I hope I can get someone to pick up one of these books. ALSO if you have any recommendations for next years challenge, send them my way. I LOVE reading books that other people love. 

A Prayer of Owen Meany – John Irving

I’ve read this book 6 times now. It changed my life once, and I keep reading it to remind me of what Owen Meany means to me, what Owen Meany did for me. When I’m feeling lost or sad I re-read Owen Meany. I literally carry a copy with me everywhere. This book means more to me that I can explain. It’s kind of religious by kind of I mean a lot, and the opening chapter is the most boring chapter you will ever read in your life (it’s a lot of historical information and stuff like that mixed in with the story) but if you can get though that, read this book.

If I Stay – Gayle Forman

After I read this book I stopped reading for a week or so because I didn’t think that anything could be better than this book. It deals with death and what if you could make the choice to stay here living even though you’ve lost everything or die and be with the ones you love. It’s heart breaking, and really keeps  you guessing as to what the narrator will decide until the last page.

Twenty Boy Summer – Sarah Ockler

I knew after reading the back of this book that it wasn’t going to be one of those silly romance teen books like it sounds. It was really heart wrenching at points. One review on the back cover says “It tears you heart out then sews you back up again.” I think it’s missing the “And then rips it out again and stomps on it for a minute before giving you the healing moment. It is a love story, but also a death story and friendship story.

Skinny – Ibi Kaslik

I wasn’t as pleased with this book as I wanted to be. I’ve read several books dealing with eating disorders in the past and this one didn’t really live up the others. I’ve wanted to read it for a while and I really wanted it to be, like, the most amazing book ever. Maybe I just set my sights to high, but I wasn’t really thrilled with this book.

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Trilogy is excellent. If you haven’t read it, read it. It’s not about who Katniss loves but about what Katniss does, it’s great to see a young adult fiction series that deals with everything the Hunger Games deals with , wonderfully written. Highly HIGHLY recommend.

The Book Thief –Markus Zusak 

              I'm still reading this, but unless Mr. Zusak's head exploded two thirds of the way through this                       book, it will be one of my favorites of all time

Book Blog part 2

Part Two of my "Books I read this year" collection.

 13 Reasons Why – Jay Asher

Being someone who has been where the main character was, obviously I didn’t kill myself like she did, but you know, this book spoke so much to me. I don’t think I stopped crying the whole time I read this book. It was wonderful, skillfully written, excellent, excellent story telling. Jay Asher captured those moments, those hard horrible moments so wonderfully. If you’ve ever been depressed or suicidal, or know someone who has, read this book. Honestly this book is the best one I read all year. I can’t say enough about it. Read it.

 Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin

I read this one because my roommate read it and said “You’re a writer, something is wrong with this book. What is it?” I think it was a rushed story, it could have been more developed and the ending was weird. The story, oh the story is wonderful, but there could have been a lot more done with it. I think.

Good in Bed - Jennifer Weiner

I picked this one up because I ran out of books to read, and I picked a good one. It’s not about what you’d think by the title. It’s about an overweight lady and who I believe just turned or is about to turn 30 and she broke up with the guy she thought she was going to marry then finds out she’s pregnant, but there is so much more, that the basics really. It’s deep and emotional. If you’re looking for a grown up book to read, I recommend this one. I don’t read much “regular adult fiction” but if they were all like this book, I would read more of it.

 PS I Love You - Cecelia Ahern

If you’ve seen the movie, but not read the book, you are MISSING OUT. After reading the book, the movie sucked, like, sucked, and I know a lot of people who love that movie. I’m also one of those books are better people anyway, so yeah. The book is so much awesomer though, it more in depth and you cry more, and it’s really great. I like books that make me cry, what I can say. I’m not a big romance reader, but this love story, genius, A+

 Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green and David Levithan

John Green, David Levithan, Will Grayson. will grayson. Let’s just say I appreciate the hell out of Tiny Cooper. Nuff said.

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

This was the 2nd time I’d read the series all the way through. The first time was right after DH came out. I wanted to re-read them before the last movies. I could talk forever about Harry Potter and how much it’s changed my life. I believe that everyone who reads any place I post this blog post has read it, but if you haven’t there’s something wrong with you. It’s not just a children’s book. It’s the story that defines our generation. I am a proud member of the Harry Potter Generation.

Along for the Ride – Sarah Dessen

Not my favorite Dessen book, but excellent, per usual. I love her books, I think she’s wonderful her characters, everything. This one deals with step families and love mostly. I’ve mentioned before I’m not really into the whole “Romance” genre but her books are just so well written and well developed that the “romance” side of them isn’t the most important. This book is worth reading if you like her work or that non-angsty Young Adult style.

Dreamland

I know a friend in a similar situation to the main character in this book. I want more than anything to save her, this book, oh this book, shows domestic violence at its worst and tells the reader that there is really nothing we, as outsiders, can do but let it run its course. The psychology and imagery in this book; just read it.

Just Listen

Sarah Dessen does something amazing when she writes. She can take subjects like rape and eating disorders and make them the main focus of a book without focusing soley on that one subject. She’s a brilliant writer. I hope to someday write a book a quarter as good as this one.

Keeping the Moon

This is a good fun book, not one of my favorites, but still just the way Sarah Dessen writes is magical. This book deals with outcasts and “weird people” and what friendship really is.

That Summer

I felt there was something missing from this book, like it could have been longer and more too it, like of like it was rushed, but not really. This was Sarah Dessen’s first novel, and it kind of shows in a way. It’s still really good, but there’s something missing for me

Someone Like You

Teen pregnancy, death,  friendship, a really, really well written book. I wish I had more to say, because it was such a lovely book, but honestly, just read it.

Lock and Key

This was the first book I read by Sarah Dessen, it deals with abandonment, family, changing schools, friendship, love, abuse. Sarah Dessen is, just… just… brilliant.

This Lullaby

The science of the break up, the falling for the guy you never wanted to. I think this is the most “romantic” of the Sarah Dessen books, personally, and I really just loved it.

The Truth about Forever

This is my favorite Sarah Dessen Novel. I can’t really put my finger on why, but if you only read on Sarah Dessen book, I recommend this one the most.

Book Blog part 1

This post is broken into 3 parts because it's 7 MS word pages long. I am posting the next one in a few hours. These posts are the "reviews" of the books I've read this year. I'm kind of horrible at reviewing, but I hope it gets you a little incite into the books, hopefully enough to pick them up if you haven't already. 

Extras – Scott Westerfeld

I read the rest of these books at the end of 2009, and I loved them. Honestly, I think this one fell a little bit short of the other ones, but I still liked it. It was nice to see what happened the Tally after the end of Specials, but I kind of wish it was left as a Trilogy.

Sloppy Firsts Second Helpings Charmed Thirds Fourth Comings Perfect Fifths - Megan McCafferty

This SERIES! The Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty is BRILLIANT! I loved it. I actually drove in a blizzard to Bangor Maine to by the third book I needed to know what happened. I heard of these books through Hayley G Hoover of Youtube/fiveawesomegirls fame. From where I’m sitting, we have fairly similar tastes in books and movies and whatnot, so I figured I’d give it a whirl. They’re more adult than most books I read, but the same themes run through them, romance, friendship, school, college, losing friends, all that fun stuff. I HIGHLY recommend these books.

So Yesterday- Scott Westerfeld

This one was different for me. I really enjoy Scott Westerfeld’s writing, this book was one of my favorites by him. It’s a bit of a mystery, and kind of a short book, so a very quick read. It’s one of those books that makes you think about life a little differently after you read it. I like that in a book

Liar- Justine Larbalestier

I had high expectations for this book and it feel a little short of them. It’s a good book don’t get me wrong, I just wasn’t into the story. It’s about a murder, and a wolf, and a liar. It gets confusing sometimes, and I think if I was more my taste in books than the book itself that kind of turned me off to it.

 Night in Twister River – John Irving

I LOVE John Irving novels, I LOVE THEM. This one is no exception. I think it takes a special kind of reader to like John Irving books, so if you’re read and like Hotel New Hampshire or The World According to Garp then there is a better chance that you’ll like this one than if you don’t. It’s not really for a first time Irving reader I don’t think, because of what the story is actually about when you sit down and think about it afterward. It’s thicker, not just page wise but intensity wise, it took me over two weeks to read it, which considering how quickly I normally read is a turtles pace. It’s deep, but really, really good. I love John Irving. I could write page after page about how much I love John Irving, and this book reminded me of why I love his writing so much. 

 Scarlett Fever- Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson is another one of those authors that I don’t think can ever write anything I don’t like. This is the second in the Suite Scarlett series, and personally I liked it better than the first one, more Spencer, I think is the reason of that (I named my cat after Spencer Martin. I love Spencer Martin.). You need to read the first one for this to make sense, but seriously, go rent or buy or borrow all of Maureen’s books right now, and read them. SERIOUSLY.

The 50 book challenge!

If you read this blog, you may have noticed that at the end of each post I keep a tally number of books I've read this year (in making this blog post I discovered the number was wrong, but that's not important). The point of that counting, was to complete the 50 BOOK CHALLENGE! this year, obviously, I feel 11 books sort, but I did read some amazing books this year.

I have written a blog, which is currently 7 MS word pages long talking about these books. So I'm going to post it over the next few days.

This is the list of books that I read this year: (bold means re-read)

1. 1.      Extras – Scott Westerfeld
   2.      Sloppy Firsts- Megan McCafferty
   3.      Second Helpings
   4.       Charmed Thirds
   5.      Fourth Comings
   6.       Perfect Fifths
   7.      So Yesterday- Scott Westerfeld
   8.      Liar- Justine Larbalestier
   9.      Night in Twister River – John Irving. 
   10.   Scarlett Fever- Maureen Johnson
   11.   13 Reasons Why – Jay Asher
   12.  Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin
   13.  Good in Bed - Jennifer Weiner
   14.   PS I Love You - Cecelia Ahern
   15.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green and David Levithan
   16.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- JK Rowling
   17.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
   18.   Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
   19.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
   20.  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
   21.  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
   22.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
   23.  Along for the Ride – Sarah Dessen
   24.  Dreamland
   25.  Just Listen
   26.  Keeping the Moon
   27.  That Summer
   28.  Someone Like You
   29.  Lock and Key
   30.  This Lullaby
   31.  The Truth about Forever
   32.  A Prayer of Owen Meany – John Irving
   33.  If I Stay – Gayle Forman
   34.  Twenty Boy Summer – Sarah Ockler
   35.  Skinny – Ibi Kaslik
   36.  The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
   37.  Catching Fire
   38.  Mockingjay
   39.  The Book Thief –Markus Zusak
   
   
   AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY
   Today is awesome because it's my best friend's birthday. 

I don't want to see you go

But it's not forever, not forever, and even if it was, you know that I would never let it get me down, cuz your a part of me that makes me better where ever I go. So I will try, not to cry, No one needs to say goodbye. - Days of Summer Team StarKid

I'm really sad that BEDA is over, that this is the last BEDA post of the year. I've said to before, and I have no problem repeating myself when it comes to this, I've really enjoyed reading and commenting and getting to know all of you. It made me feel like I was really a part of something. I haven't felt like I was a part of something in a long time. So thank you, everyone that read my angst filled annoying blog for the past month. Thanks for commenting and listening.

I don't really think I can explain how much it means to know that no matter how ridiculous a post I write, someone will read and comment on it. I'm in that weird part of my life, as I've said before, where I just feel so alone and lost sometimes. To know that someone is there to listen, no matter how stupid that thing I have to say is, really, really means a lot. Thank you guys, I can't really put into words how much I just want to hug all of you.

This is my facebook page if you want to be my friend on there: http://www.facebook.com/Decoolz

I think, I'm probably wrong, but I can think whatever I want, that doing this, being here with you guys has made me a better blogger. I don't feel stupid posting some random thing about how all I did all day was sit around and eat ice cream feeling sorry for myself. I've learned that I have to get out and do something so I can report on it, and honestly, if BEDA didn't turn out to be as awesome as it did, I wouldn't have that mindset. Finding and having adventures saying "Yeah sure I'd love to" when someone asks me to hang out, is something that you guys gave me back. I can't explain how much that means. Thanks for helping me get my life back.

In this month, I've gotten a job and accepted friendship, two of the things that I've been hoping and praying for for almost a year. I love you guys. I really do. Thank you so much for being there.

I'm excited to continue to read your lives and see our next big adventure (NaNoWriMo? Epic Skype party?) But mostly I wish you all well, and I hope that you got a much out of this as I did.

ALSO: In yesterday's post, I said my Skype name was "Decoolz" it's actually "Decoolz27" I'm sure there are hundreds of other Decoolz on Skype, but you know, I should probably tell you that I don't know what I own name is.

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY
Today is awesome because I've finished packing for Hogwarts!

Books read 37

I am a follower

Everyone else is doing this, so I'm going to as well. I'm really going to miss this everyday blogging. I've had a lot of fun with it. I've enjoyed everyone's blogs and "meeting" new people who I can relate to. You guys have been really awesome, really. Thanks for being interested in my boring angst filled annoying life. I'm kind of sad that tomorrow is the last day. :(

So now some Triva!

Name: Deanna
Age: 23 *cough*old person *cough*

Location: New Hampshire or The Shire if you're awesome, which I am, so The Shire

School: Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. (also known as I have graduated from college and now I never have to go to school again.)

Major: I was an English communications major, which is why I currently live with my parents and work at Walmart

Job: Cashier at Walmart, because I DREAM BIG
Current Book: Skinny by Ibi Kaslisk but Thursday MockingJay!

Instrument: my Instrument is MS word or a Pencil

Single: FOREVER ALONE

Hungry: No

Clean: pretty much, I mean I spent the day at WalMart, so I'm covered in Walmart germs, but I showered today

Sick: No, but now I will be that I said I wasn't
Bored: always
Going to miss BEDA: VERY MUCH

Skype Name: decoolz

NaNoWriMo Account: decoolz (also my twitter name, and my tumblr name and my actual name... because I'm creative)

Should everyone add you?: SURE!

Will the Skype party be epic: I feel that it would be. We're pretty awesome, us BEDA-ers

Are you happier now: Yes! Yes I am

Will you type out a thoughtful blog more often: I will write twice a week after Tuesday. I promise
Even AFTER August: I promise

I love You!: Aww. I love you too, BEDA, Lord Voldemort, Neville, cookie dough Ice Cream, and Jake Ryan! *cough* and Michael J. Fox *cough*

I'm really going to miss this. I really am. *cries*


AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY
Today is awesome because I recently made plans to sit in my friend Kevin's train car on the way to Hogwarts on Wednesday.

Mentioned the books already in this entry, so yea.

Let's do this

I had a plan for this blog, but then I read Kristina's blog today, and I want to copy her. So I'm going to.

BUT FIRST!
I was working today, and this woman and her daughter (aged 5 or 6ish) came through my line, the girl was being kind of whiny and childlike, not overly annoying, but annoying enough. The girl was asking to hold things and stuff and I could tell that the mom was getting really annoyed. This behavior had been going on for most of the store, I guess. The mom was trying to punch in her PIN and the girl started to pull on the ladies coat, and saying "Mommy, I want to press the buttons!" The mother looked down at the little girl and said "Oh My God, Hermione, shut up." The little girl crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

I almost wet myself and bit the inside of my mouth until it started to bleed, to keep myself from laughing.

The most important part of that story is that there are 5 and 6 year old children in the world named Hermione; and although she may not be named after the character in Harry Potter, I'm just going to assume she is. I hope one day that girl grows up to be the cleverest witch of her age. And that woman, most likely un-knowingly, since she was, like 35, gets to make AVPM references all day, everyday.

Back to copying Kristina Horner:
She wrote about her life 10 years ago. In December, everyone on twitter was talking about what they were like in the year 2000 I sent couple tweets that looked a lot like this: #10yearsago I was 13, had a huge crush on that Lab Tech on CSI, Greg, Fave Song was Pin Ball Wizard by The Who, I had a freakishly large Zac Hanson poster and my favorite movie was Back To The Future, and I couldn't WAIT for Order of the Phoenix
I then sent out a tweet that went something like this: As apposed to know, were Greg is no longer in the Lab, but a real CSI, my Hanson poster contains all three brothers and all the Harry Potter books have been released.  #ImthesamepersonIwaswhenIwas13.

I remember reading the tweets of the people I get to my phone, as we weren't cool enough to have Internet in the apartment. A lot of people were saying things like "Ten years ago I was deciding if I wanted to be in television or become a teacher." (became a teacher, if you were wondering) or "ten years ago I was a cheerleader, now I want to kill all cheerleaders"

I bring this up, because looking back at my life, my interests haven't changed very much. However, I don't think that 13 year old Deanna would like 23 year old Deanna, I also think 13 year old Deanna would call me a nerd and probably kick me, because 13 year old Deanna was a bitch, she was also a nerd, but intolerant of other nerds, because she was the BEST nerd EVER.

I've always been a nerd, and I wore my nerd with pride, unashamed that I was weirder than anyone that had ever existed. (I've decided that this is a fact.) My post it note days were only a year away, but I did carry around little boxes for key chains that played music (Oh the nineties)  I had a B*Witched one and a SClub 7 one is I remember correctly. I also got them taken away a lot, because they would go off at random times. I carried unnecessary things and had a posters of both Michael J Fox and Zac Hanson in my locker.

I was not yet friends with the girl that would lead to my belief that being weird and strange was a bad thing, so I was just out there being me and not caring about it. I kind of miss that kid. My backward baseball cap days. I have a picture of 13 year old me, I'm at a formal, so no hat but here:

I'm the one with the glasses, the other girl is Queen Elizabeth I (inside jokes)

I look exactly the same, well i got new glasses, and I have braces in that picture, but I look exactly the same.

In her blog Kristina talked about how different she was as a young teen, and we're for the purposes of this blog, the same age (I'm a year older than her IRL). I just can't help looking at myself and seeing an nearly identical person. Everyone around me figured I'd grow out of the "Harry Potter thing" I always figured my weird obsession with MJF would eventually fade, but there is now "growing out of Harry Potter" and from where I sit, I can see hanging in my closet this outfit:

without MJF in it, obvs.

Thinking about how we're supposed to "grow up" and change and evolve as people, and seeing that I still love the same things just as passionately, if not MORE passionately than I did when I was 13 makes me wonder if I something is wrong with me. Or maybe there is just something so great about the things I loved when I was a kid, that I never should let go of it.

I don't know, what do you guys think?

AND THAT IS THE END OF THE STORY

Today is awesome because, well, mostly because the inside of my face still hurts from that child being told to shut up.

Books Read 36

Currently have 4 chapters left of Skinny by Ibi Kalisk (I'm usually a much faster reader.)