Well, that was pretty greatly fun. :)

Zinni and Loni got here around 9.30 or so last night, it was really good to see Zinni again, and Loni's really nice. :) Also very spur-of-the-moment. *giggles* We'd only just brought in their things and set up a bed on the floor, when Loni declared she wanted to go swimming. Admitedly, it was VERY, very hot and sticky and things still. So I said that I'd heard of a place somewhere along the creek in town where it got deep enough to swim, and though I made no promises about being able to find that spot, I could get us to the creek at least. Tom and Zinni were a little skeptical at first (actually Tom STAYED skeptical *giggles* not that that's a surprise), but Loni was really excited, and I was up for a random adventure, so we all put on bathing suits and t-shirts and went.

We ended up parking out behind Pucci's and finding a path down to the creek over by the fire department - I've walked along that part of the creek a few times during the day, so I knew it'd be safe enough to get down to. We also brought a flashlight. It took a bit, but eventually we were all wading in the creek, moving veeeery slowly along it, as the bottom is RIDICULOUSLY rocky, as well as VERY slippery in places. So this is not something I would recommend for a frequent nighttime adventure. ^^; But Loni forged on ahead, Zinni following, then me, staggering and losing my balance all over the place...and Tom soon came up to walk closer to me, to help. ^^; I am such a little spazzy wimp.
There were little fish. Lots and lots of little fish. Who apparently didn't feel threatened by large moving pillars invading their space, as they kept bumping into and nibbling at us. *giggles* It was very disconcerting. But we found a few places where the water got deeper, and Zinni splashed in to swim around a tiny bit, though the water was only a bit over our knees. She and Loni splashed around a little, Tom stayed up near the shallower part keeping the flashlight safe. And also we laughed at the two of them, Loni in particular, who would yell at the fish to keep away from her legs, but half a second later would try to coax them into her hands. *giggles*

We ventured along a little further, leaving landmarks of shoes and pants and things... Hung around another deeper spot, Zinni found a nice rock to perch on, while Loni investigated some other rocks with the flashlight... "Is that a water spider?"
Tom quickly made his way over to the opposite shore.
The water spider entered the water. Loni kept the flashlight trained on it until we saw it leave the water. ickick. It was so bit, it was really creepy.
Soooooo then we made our way back, a little less enthusiastic than before. *giggles*

We stopped by Wendy's and got some munchies and Frostys, then I kept forgetting to tell Loni when to turn so we took a bit of a strange way back to the apartment. ^^;; oops. But we were all giggly and had fun.

They left a little bit ago, they're heading back down to Erie for the Cherry Festival there. I feel bad, I didn't even feed them at all, though I offered. ^^; heh.

So today the Woodwind Camp kids (including Devon and a few other of Mel's friends) who invaded our campus are having a concert, going to go drop by there for awhile. Then! It's in to town for the Victorian Dazzle thing! *bounces* While we were driving around last night, we passed a horse-and-carriage full of people - that's got to've been the ghost tour thing. *bounces* I neeeeed to do, omg. I hope to goodness it's not all booked up, if it is I'm going to be very sad. You wouldn't think it'd be so busy out here in July, but we passed a loooot of cars at like 11 at night. Granted it was Friday night and there are plenty of bars, but, still.

Anyway. *giggles* So yes. Happy weekend so far. Tom's a bit sullen because he'd rather stay in than go out, but he's being a dear and indulging me anyway. (Though I do feel bad about the water spider.) And I'm not dragging him to the concert, anyway. And I'll buy him a fried something in town or something. *g*

 
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

So I downloaded a wonderful torrent of what proports to be EVERY nes game ever - and with like 1200+ games, that sounds about right. Granted, this includes a large number only in japanese, which I sort of muddle my way through, but---

THE LABRYNITH GAME!!!!! IS INCLUDED!!!!!!!!! OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *spazzydances all over*

Unfortunately, this is another one that's all in Japanese, so I've not a whole lot of idea what's going on, and can tell nothing of what's being said (apart from what I think was a laugh on Jareth's part when I lost, given that it was two characters repeated about three times over), and they made the close-up Jareth creepy, but the little 8bit Jareth!! SO CUTE!! And the owl! And the worm!!! <333 And even the lil Sara is adorable, hee.

And hearing all the Labrynith songs in Nintendo-form. omFg love. <333

(Anyone wants, just let me know, and if you need I can point you in the direction of a good emulator as well. <3)

 
So, being bored on the internet the other day, I remembered the little details lj community, and have started keeping an eye on that again. I love so much, I learn all sorts of fun things, and they're FAST at awesome answers. And sometimes I can even help. :)
Also, a recent post about secret underground tunnels got me iiiitching to write a story including one. (Random baseless angst last night led me to start writing a scene, which doesn't have one but has an abandoned run-down house at least. I realised I need to get back to writing and/or music, because they're better conduits for releasing heavier emotions, particularly upset ones, than the computer-art I've been focused on lately.)

Anyway, my point was, I found this post which is particularly relelvent to me, as I have a habit of writing in the past. The Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series. (I'm making a note as much for myself as anything, so I have the title with me when I'm at the library next. XD) Looks FANTASTIC, omFg, there's a book on basically any era I'd like to be writing in.

Also via that post, I found The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life, which's far less comprehensive but a bit more price-possible at $20/book, rather than $50. These are on Amazon, and I think I want the 1800s one. <333 And probably the Regency/Victorian one as well, as I seem to wind up in that time period an awful lot. I can't begin to count the number of times I've scoured the internet for hours on trying to get cultural details of a particular time period... though that method does usually turn up some pretty interesting things, hee. And there are some amazing sites out there on the Victorian era, particularly in england - Victorian London is pretty phenomenal.

I've missed writing. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to shift back into a writing-phase, but I've missed it, and if I can sort out who on earth this character is I put into last night's scene, I might run with that awhile.

Or do something with secret tunnels. <333

 
On a brighter note *giggles*:

ZINNI'S COMING TO VISIT!!!!!!!!!! *dances* She and Loni (who I'll finally get to meet) are coming up tonight and staying over until sometime tomorrow before taking off for Erie, and yay I'm so happy. :)

I so need to finish cleaning. ^^;;

Also of happiness, Mel's friend Devon, along with a few other friends and a slew of high school kids, have invaded the campus for a summer music program. So I stopped by yesterday and tried to find Devon a computer to use (no luck, every lab is closed by 4pm on Thursday, wtfh), and it was cool. If the timing works out with when Zinni's going to be here, I'll probably drop by and see their concert tomorrow, just for fun.

Also, it's the Victorian Dazzle festival-thing in town this weekend! *bounces* I've ALWAYS wanted to be around for that. I want to go hang out and look around and things. Now, how to convince Tom to come along with me?..
O_O!!!!! GHOST TOURS?!?!?!/!?!?!??!/!!1 omFG I AM GOING. Sooooon of a bitch I should've picked up tickets last time I was in town, I hope to goodness I can still do that (and that it's not too much ^^; ).

Yay I like it when there are things going on. :) It's been way too quiet way too long around here.

 
AAAAAAAAAAAARG I HATE NOT HAVING WATER!!!
Especially on one of the hottest days so far, when I've been sticky and icky all night long and can't shower and can't even splash cold water on my face. iiiick.

...they're replacing some water-thing for the apartments, this is the first of goodness only knows how many installments of doing so. We got a notice earlier this week that, once a month, they'll be replacing..*checks* "3 mixer, shower valves each month". No clue how many months, but goodness I hope not that many. Idek what that IS they're replacing. But there's been some massively loud noises all morning, a low mechanical hum and some sharper cutting/drilling type sounds. Some chains, I think. And some guy yelling loudly for some other guy "Mark" numerous times.

I can't go "be nosy" and see what's going on though, I'm all sticky and disgusting and in nice lightweight pjs until I can shower. grr. 8am to 2fuckpm. damnit.

 
Guess what! Emulsion is back! Fresh updates, and more to come whenever I take pictures. Done backdating, that was such a pain and I never wanted to do it and was never going to catch up. So go check it out, there are pretty things again. :)

 
I GOT A JOB I GOT A JOB I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT PAPER FACTORY!!!!!!!!! *dances and spazzes and bounces all over* I am SO freaking happy right now, I'm so excited. They're really really nice there, and--- omfg YAY. ^___________________^

So I stopped by Friday to ask if they'd be hiring soon, having applied there like a week or two before, Ann (one of the owners) took down my name and then called me yesterday. Went in for an interview like an hour ago, with my cute new pants on hee. <3 So comfy. Anyway. So I go in and she sits me down at the table in the wedding room (they have EVERYTHING in this one little store it's amazing) and comes back with my resume, and says she was so busy the other day when I was in that she didn't realise who I was, and asked how Dad's doing. *giggles* It was so funny, I was introduced to like four people and they all instantly asked how Dad was, everyone remembers him. Which's good, cos he made friends with like every one of his accounts when he was a sales rep. I think me mentioning that I'd worked with him at Michael's and things a few times definitely worked in my favor.
But yeah, so, like, even though I've never worked retail really, I do have positive people interaction skills (inasmuch as I told them I've worked at after-school programs and daycares and things, 'least that's something), and they said being friendly and helpful with the customers goes so far with them, that really matters more than anything. Which's good, cos I can do that. :) Everyone there is so friendly and it's really comfortable and positive there. AND!!! Turns out they could use someone to help sorting out colors and matting options with people in the framing department, which gets very busy for them, and my art background would work well with that. AND!!!!! They JUST got in a computer system for making banners and things, but only one person knows how to use it right now, so they could really use someone else to fill in for him sometimes and things, and, hi, computer graphics were my freaking MAJOR. *dances!*

They hired me on the freaking spot.
^__________________________________________^

I start next week, Tues-Fri, 10-4, light hours at first so they can see how I work (I'm not worried) and to train me on register and blowing up balloons and whatnot. I'm so psyched. It takes like 15-20 minutes for me to get there on bike, though that was riding at a pretty calm pace (not what I usually do). I do have a massive intersection to cross, unfortunately, one of the ones where people turn a lot so there's never too much of a lull in traffic, but it wasn't really bad at quarter to eleven this morning, I think it's just late afternoon that it's a problem. And the bus goes right near there - doesn't usually stop there, but the morning bus driver usually will if you ask nicely (and I'm friends with most of the drivers anyway), and either which way I can get let off right nearby, the bus goes through that intersection.

I bought a Frosty from Wendy's on the way home in celebration. *dances* I am so happy right now.

 
So. I just got another phone call.
From Quality this time.
Where I applied lord only knows how long ago. Like weeks and weeks. I checked back once and they said they wouldn't be hiring soon.
But now I feel bad cos Tom applied there too, but hasn't heard anything (though Blockbuster will undoubtedly snatch him once they can, he's talked with them a few times now).

Soooo, good thing my cute pants came today. Only they're purple more than brown, the picture was insanely misleading on that. But they are THE comfiest pants I have ever worn omg. <3 And they're still cute, this just limits my options a lil. I have a few white shirts that'll work nicely though, not sure what else offhand.

Interview tomorrow at 11 and then Wednesday "anytime after 11".

...after weeks of absolutely nothing, this is throwing me a bit, heh.

 
HOLY CRAP the people on LibraryThing's Livejournal are *astounding*. Y'know my beautiful (if a bit worn) old copies of the Blue and Green Fairy Books? That have no dates in them, and though I searched for hours online a few days ago, could find NO information on aside from someone selling one?
I put up a post on LT's lj, with a few pictures and all the relevant info I could cull from the books and what I'd found online, and within TEN FREAKING MINUTES, before I'd even had time to cross-post my query to LT's GoogleGroup (which I've now decided not to bother with), I had three leads! People know a lot, good lord, they're much better at searching out book info than I am.

Best guess: 1894 or 1895. *BOUNCES* That's insane. The book in my lap is a hundred and ten years old.

omg.

<333

 
EEEEEEEEEEEE! So she's really really nice and said I had my pick of whenever I'd like to come in so I picked tomorrow because I'd've liked to pick today but I neeeed my dressy pants and also it might well thunderstorm today and not so big on the riding bike in a thunderstorm so tomorrow's supposed to be better and also I won't feel so insanely shittily tired tomorrow though I'm going to go nuts in the meantime.
But she sounds really nice and friendly and all (and Dad's told me good things anyway, this used to be one of his accounts) so so so----

I really, really hope, it's a bit more out of the way from basically anywhere in Fredonia, but, I'd rather work there than about anywhere I've applied, it's so cool over there they have like eeeeverything, and the people are all really nice.

Wish me luck omfg going to need it.

 
And where the hell are my cute new dressy pants? I need! REALLYREALLYNEED. *spazzes over to check tracking info on usps's site*
...
...oh. well good. They got to Fredonia at 11am yesterday, but yesterday being Sunday, they're not in my needy lil hands yet.

Here's hoping today's an early mail day (11ish) rather than a late mail day (4ish). (No I don't understand our mailperson(s?)'s schedule yet either.)

 
*shaky* Woke up to find a message on the voicemail from one of the owners of the Paper Factory, saying she looked over my application and would like me to interview THIS WEEK.
This is EXACTLY why I'm up earlier than usual today, in case I got called for interviews, as places said they'd be calling people this week and next.
Wasn't expecting one so soon.
I feel like shite. I'm so tired and bleary.
Giant bags under my eyes.
Used to 10ish hours of sleep rather than 8ish (yes I got spoiled). Figured I'd have most of this week to gently move my wake-up time back, though I knew today would be rough.
Ohgodohgod please let her not want me in today.
I need to call back but I'm waiting a few 'til my voice settles and it doesn't sound like I just rolled out of bed.
ohgodohgod.

(Can you tell I'm still new to this job-thing?)

 
Well, since I just spent 20-some hours uploading it for Megs (who said I didn't need to but I wanted to ^_^), might's well open it up to anyone else who wants, cos, good lord that took forever. ^^;;

Fantasia! The original one, which, having watched them back to back, I've decided is by far the better one. So, so beautiful. <333 I love.

No promises on how quickly/slowly this will download, I really don't know. But you have three days starting now to get it. Gogo.

(.avi format, there are a few other little files zipped in with it, just click on the avi and play in media player or divx or what have you. about two seconds of weird color glitchies at the very beginning, but don't fret, that's the only bad spot and you only miss curtains opening.)

 
Damnit I need to stop looking at the emails I get sent by target and everywhere else. They make me want things.

THE COOLEST PLATES EVER! (Especially the "spiral" ones linked farther down the page.)

wtfh I'm spazzing over PLATES.