Kristen

books!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:58:21 GMT

Please recommend them to me. I read any kinds of them (except math textbooks), and would love to rack up an extensive winter break list-- right now there are only 4 on the list. Plus, i have final papers, and no moving to do, so that adds about 2 weeks to my break.

Any great books?

I <3 Vonnegut so many!!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:53:31 GMT

In his book Bagombo Snuff Box: Uncollected Short Fiction, Vonnegut listed eight rules for writing a short story:

Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.
Start as close to the end as possible.
Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them—in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To hell with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.

advice

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:49:06 GMT

the unsolicited:
* Agency. You have it.
Spend some time in your day to think about the good things going on in your life. (note: if you say there aren't any, please go straight to the bathroom and flush your head down the toilet, you irritating person.) There are plenty of great things happening in life, and people tend to fixate on the negative. As Cat Stevens said, you can worry about how you'll pay the electric bill, or you can consider it an opportunity to burn some candles. The way you view the world is entirely up to you. let me repeat that: the way you view the world is ENTIRELY UP TO YOU. So, if you focus on what's positive, you will have a great day! If you choose to be miserable, please do it near someone else.

*Remember when you were younger and grownups told you not to worry about what other people think. Forget that, it's bullshit.
Please consider how your actions will affect others. If you say something hurtful or angering, without regard for other peoples feelings, it makes you an asshole. also, if you live with a bunch of other people (like many of you do), be aware of how your actions afect your living space. If you are not considerate of the people you live with, you'll create a shitty living environment. I'm not just talking about doing your dishes, and refraining from shitting on chairs. Really try to consider how other people will feel about the things you say or do. Trying to live for yourself only works if you are a narcisistic asshole living all on your own outside of society. If that's not you, please think of others.

not a complaint.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:06:46 GMT

just a realization. Life is busy and full. and tiresome, at times.

Halloween was pretty great... Jeremiah and Chris made a creepy ass haunted staircase, which scared some of the party guests. Our gangster-bitch costumes were pretty fun, and we dressed Brianna up as some kind of a harlot. Also, Tanya's day of the dead outfit was kick-ass, Lizzy made a really sweet sexy-batman, and Chris and Marissa's Men in Black were awesome, despite being one penis short.

Today was relaxing and filled with Flu. Jeremiah's temperature got to 102.7 (which means 1.3 degrees away from super scary hospital time!). In order to get his temperature down, i had to cover his head and chest in cool wet rags. This process was rather like dipping a cat in freezing water, if the cat was too sick to move. Through yowling and cursing, i got his neck and chest cooled off, at which point he said that if i touch him with the cursed cloth again, he will summon his last remaining strength to punch me, and then die. Fortunately, we got him cooled off and rested, and he seems happier now-- he's not threatening violence in any case...

Tomorrow will be hellish. I have two large projects coming up this month. One is easy, but requires the reading of an additional book. The other is time consuming, frustrating, and requires the reading of at least 4 more books. Beyond that, i've taken on an additional 6 hours of work this week, and i would still really like to find time to bluebook.

Plus, this week is advising and class picking. I still need a sponsor for my wicked cool Euro Studies special project, and (if all goes well) i only need one more class and one more special project to graduate. Of course, knowing life, things will likely not go well...

Still, good friends, good food, and adorable (yet monstrous) pug puppy, and a really sweet (yet flem-filled) fiancee. Things could be worse by far.

HALLOWEEN!!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:06:24 GMT

Super cool party tonight!

Gangsters!! Jeremiah, Welsey and I are 1940's gangsters!!

Vampire cookies!! Butter cookies with jam in the middle, and bite marks on top!

LARP tonight!! It's chirstmas time!

also

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:54:22 GMT

i just added some folks as friends, from off Tanya's friends.

I think you are people i know , but if you aren't just let me know and we don't have to be friends.

Also, could you all at some point let me know who you are, if your profile is ambiguous.

Something that irks me

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:45:33 GMT

religion.

more specifically, the fact that religion is socially exempt from the question "why?". It has become increasingly obvious to me (in part due to my own curiosities) that asking someone to explain why they believe what they believe is considered rude and offensive. It is not socially acceptable to question someone's religious beliefs. This is astonishing to me.

In my mind, it follows logically that if you are going to dedicate your life to upholding a particular set of moral values, you should know why you uphold those values. Religious beliefs are at the core of so many people's way of life. If i ask you why you enjoy video games, or why you believe that Literature is the best major for you, most people are ready with a well reasoned response. Why not also with religion?

I have always stated that i believe what i do because it is the best way of living based on what i know. I also have upheld that claim, and have spent three years in a state of logical perusing of religions and spiritual paths. I am careful about the force i use to discuss my personal beliefs, because i still hold that they will change if something more sensical presents itself.

I think it is horrible that discussing religious beliefs is so taboo in our culture because it allows people to adhere firmly to beliefs they haven't fully considered. A person truly comfortable and confident in their spiritual path shouldn't shy away from discussions of their beliefs. Beyond that, if a person is willing to dedicate their life to following one religious practice, they should know enough about it to defend why they chose that one over all other possible religions or spiritual paths.

Bear in mind, i'm not saying that people should write a dissertation about how they have looked at all the worlds religions and settled on one in particular-- i recognize that spirituality isn't as strong a force in everyone's life. But, having some idea why you follow what you do is necessary, even if it's as little as "This is the only thing i have been exposed to".

Bottom line, it irks me that it is socially taboo to discuss religion because it means that many people are saved the necessity of understanding why they believe what they believe. Antiquated notions of belief are preserved because they are never questioned. Logic shouldn't be exempt from any aspect of life, and it bothers me that the modern world sees religion as an exemption to logical discussion.

holy crap.

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:59:28 GMT

so, tomorrow, classes begin.

friday is the Abyssal larp-- awesome!

winter break will be great... this semester has been incredibly draining, and i know next semester will be really harsh. But, during winter break, i intend to read for fun, relax, and start some academic projects. It'll be great.

i'm getting married in about 4 months... geee-eeesh. I'm looking forward to it, mostly. there's a family aspect that i dread, but the rest should be fun. Plus, honeymoon= awesome vacation with jeremiah. maybe we'll go to california's wine country.

And, of course, i'll be graduating in may, and i'll be staring down the barrel of a year off before graduate school.

so, tonight i'm going to eat Honeycombs(tm) and relax with my friends.

Reporting from Sausagefest 2009

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:26:19 GMT

Your correspondent: Kristen McCarthy

Last night, i was a first hand witness to the secret world of men. After much libation, four members of the male sex proceeded to discuss all manner of matters, allowing me to learn classified information about how men think and what men want. I learned about preferances, types, fears, penis sizes, hang ups, and patented moves. Also, there were some memorable lines that can't help but be shared. So, for the ladies, here is some of the information i learned.

1. Stop listening to advertisements. Many men like a woman with a little cushion for the pushin'. Stick skinny isn't what most of them are looking for, so stop agonizing over it.
2. Most of them are terrified of making "the" move. They feel like its a do or die situation-- they make their move and either they have sex or you walk away and leave them. Go easy on them.
3. They don't get why women are mean to each other-- backstabbing and gossiping like. They all just get along, though they do establish an alpha of the group.
4. They are only two kinds of men, "Assholes" and "Bitches".
5. They get surprise erections throughout the day, for no reason. They hide it and go about with their day. They all have a technique for hiding it.
6. They sing ABBA. just thought you should know.

Also, the following:
"Zach wears asshole-colored glasses" ~Kristen

"Surprise wood-- it's like the nosferatu curse. We just don't talk about it" ~Zach

"There's a big difference between dumb and crazy, and someday Chris can tell you all about it" ~Kristen
"I'll give you the difference-- I'm dumb and they're crazy" ~Chris

"My mom is a person who i trust and confide in" ~Zach

"You guys are harsh on his trashy, emo chicks" ~Kristen
"Well, yeah, he likes Boxie" ~Jeremiah

"How does [Jeremiah] get all the chicks" ~Nathan
"It's because he's Buddhist" ~Zach

"I do not have a woman steering liscence" ~Zach

"Jeremiah likes his women like he likes his Bonsai trees" ~Nathan

"Child psychology is bullshit. Who knows what the little bastards are thinking" ~Zach

yeah.

interesting discoveries

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:59:00 GMT

It takes me 45 minutes to write a 4 page paper. It will take much longer to edit and make it presentable.

Wesley has learned how to use the backspace key. This makes typing more difficult. Typing is also more difficult when he wages war with my sleeve.

The cheese muffins at the Java Joint are well worth eating.

Anthropology is the lamest of disciplines. The few good things it has to offer should be titled under a different subject (forensic anthropology = biology) The worst of its offerings take a different discipline (linguistics) , take out anything remotely challenging (structure, word origin, pejoration, ect.) and turn it into a therapy session (how do you think these words make people feel? ) Anything else is more appropriately joined with Sociology (because they are basically the same thing)

My body requires caffeine every four hours

I hate the LJ spell-check it tells me i miss spell something, but wont tell me how to spell it when i right click the word. ]

I have fuck all to do over break, and it's going to be awesome!

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:59:03 GMT

2 classes, 1 quiz, and a paper-lette. The break time. This fall break, i'm being ambitious. I want to read more of the Sidereals book, finish the Three Inch Golden Lotus, and catch up on my Cyborg Minds reading. There's also a few books i check out at the library that need my reading, including one about Cognitive Science and Literature, that only really interests me and the 4 people in that field. Should be a good read.

Also, massive apartment cleaning, and possibly furniture rearranging. And wesley's surgery is on Wednesday. Also, we're going to Elburn for a few days, to hang out with Jeremiah's parents. Believe it or not, this is very much like a vacation... spending a few days doing little besides watching the dogs play (they have 2 lab puppies!) and relaxing. Nothing like visiting my parents ;) .

And now , to class!

The Weirdest Proposition

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:07:57 GMT

So, i'm out walking Welsey today, and it's raining. We've made it to Walgreen's and are heading back home. We're stopped at a crosswalk, and i'm imploring Wesley to sit, when a man, 24-28 years old, pulls up in a silver car, and rolls down the window.
Guy: Is that a male or female?
Me: He's a boy.
Guy: Has he been , um, taken care of?
Me: (somehow picking up the code) Not until next week.
Guy: Oh! We've got a girl and we're wanting her to have puppies.
Me: (confused face)... oh?
Guy: We're looking for a male, and we'll pay for stud.
Me: Are you from around here?
Guy: yeah, we live in south beloit.
Me: (lost for words) Well, why don't i take your name and number. I'll have to talk to my fiancee about it, and we'll give you a call sometime soon.
Guy: great. (pen fumbling)

And now i have Chase's number on my cork board, and a wierd decision to make tonight. Strange day.

Kristen loves...

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:46:36 GMT

hot apple cider with spiced rum.

My cozy hand made throw blanket.

When Wesley sleeps in my lap.

The "Autumn Leaves" soap we got at the farmers market.

That fall break is 5 days away.

Reading. I've been reading about the Salem witch trials for class, finished reading Dexter's first book, and am starting the Three Inch Golden Lotus. Also, working through the Sidereals book.

Fresh made poetry.

Hanging with friends.

Sleeping cozily while the room is chilly.

The way Welsey plays in the leaves.

My wonderful fiancee.

Nap Time

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:30:24 GMT

pro: cozy, warm feeling. Snuggles with my puppy. Feels happy and nice.

Con: super groggy face.

7 things that make me smile.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:40:01 GMT

i'll start, then you try. The idea here is that by writing about things that make you happy, you become more happy. Also, its more interesting to read.

1. i discovered the documentary section of the library. This wouldn't make normal people smile, but the idea of a 60 minute knowledge boost really appeals to me. I don't have the time for lengthy non-fiction books, so this is awesome! This week, i got one on urban legends, one on american dialects, and one on hh holmes.

2. i went in to work today, to cover a three hour block, and learned that i'm not covering that till next week... pretty sweet.

3. i figured out what i'm doing with my life. I'm going to go to grad school for literature and discourse analysis-- a branch of linguistics that looks at the way communication happens. Basically, the words you use and tones and decisions to capitalize or not... Should be really intriguing. (to no body but me)

4. Wesley. He doesn't like fire. Crusading against a tealight at his level, he barked, stared, and got closer to sniff at it. When he got close enough, the flame danced because of his breath, and he freaked and started again at barking.

5. chocolate makes me smile, and chocolate chip cookie dough makes me smile even more... hopefully i'll have some in the near future.

6. i'm getting married in about 5 months. also, there are 2.5 weeks until fall break.

7. Scion. "it's like tripping on astrophysics"
"whats that saying about killing the messenger?" "Don't."
"balls more charismatic"

note: balls is now a unit of measurement. Use it.

now you try.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:17:50 GMT

post ten things that made you happy this week.
do it!

things that make me happy.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:05:58 GMT

it occured to me that i have a bad habit of posting negative things on LJ. Sure, shitty things happen, but some pretty awesome things also happen. So, to the things that make me happy. (Disclaimer, a lot of them have to do with wesley).

Today, while walking, i saw two perfectly formed spiderwebs. For as gross as the little fuckers are, i really love the webs they make, and it's not often you find a perfect one.

The BBC show Father Ted is awesome. 'nuff said.

This morning, after the alarm went off, wesley came and snuggled up to me. He likes to rest his head on my neak, like a horizontal hug.

I made delicios brownies. mmm... yummy.

I got some file folders. Do not mock me, but this makes me happy. Between classes, game, work, and bill paying i have a lot of papers and they are all happy to have found a new home.

I took a bath today. My spoiled baby, not wanting to be away from me, leaned over the edge of the tub drinking the bath water and barking at me. After Jeremiah shooed him away, he took a running jump and landed in the tub, on my face. Pretty funny.

Jeremiah's contacts for larp look really awesome!

Tanya didn't dream that i died last night.

Chris thinks i'm pretty cool. Also, we make an awesome quick-shopping team.

Tomorrow i have ballet. I really enjoy ballet... it's like a full body meditation, two straight hours of being painfully aware of what your body is doing.

I had coffee for linguistics, and it was deelicious. But not as tasty as the brownies.

Wesley's tail ticks back and forth when he walks, like a metronome.

Jeremiah thinks i draw well. I might take a class next semester.

I get to snuggle Jeremiah and Welsey tonight.

The thing that most grates my cheese.

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:20:45 GMT

Holy crap.

I've said this to many people individually, and i'm sure LJ wont reach many more people. But it's something important to say.

If you have a problem with someone, talk to them about it.
For example, if Tanya wears a shirt that really offends me, i should kindly tell her that her shirt offends me, and ask her to not wear it around me. silly example.

For the number of people who hear this and go "of course that's what you should no", absolutely freakin no body is doing it.
If you just talk to other people about it, that's gossip. It doesn't help the situation, it makes some people uncomfortable, and the issue isn't resolved.

Also, when confronting someone with a greivence, please try to do so in a way that is kind and caring. You should be telling people about your concerns because you want to make the situation better, not because you want to hurt the person that is pissing you off. Saying something about your concern may not make the situation go away, but it will help. At the very least, the offending person now knows what is found offensive. (IE Tanya now knows i don't liker her shirt. if she chooses to wear it in the future, she knows it will upset me). More likely, though, the offending person doesn't want to hurt you, and so will change their behavior, or at least try to. (IE, next time tanya dresses, she will consider the shirt before wearing it).

Is everybody very clear? If you want less drama, less frustration, and less offensive behavior say something to change it. Don't get angry, and don't ignore it, and please don't talk to other people about it instead. Just take care of it your freaking self.

(note: I have no problem with any of Tanya's wardrobe. The example given was purely fictitious, and i hope Tanya can forgive the use of her name and clothing).

graduation photos

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:25:51 GMT

guys, i put some pictures of the graduation ceremony on facebook... because i am mentally incapable of posting them on livejournal.

check them out!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027072&id=53601938&saved#/photos.php?id=53601938

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:13:24 GMT

i woke up last night in a panic. i'm really not sure why. i have nothing coming up that requires concern or preparation, nothing to be nervous about or anxious over. and yet, i was wide awake at 4 in the morning, really worried that whatever it is wouldn't work out. Strange.

After that, i had a dream that i had 3 pug puppies, 5 kittens, and a chocolate mole to find homes for. One of the puppies was purple. They were living in an oasis at my elementary school (which was also my house). the puppies were too small, and the kittens were all wet. i was playing with them, so i could learn about their personalities, to find them the right homes. then Wesley and i were trapped in "my" room in my parents house (i put in quotations because it was nothing like my old room, or like my parents house). There was no grass in the yard, and there were many boxes full of papers and vinyl records.

I woke up, played with Wesley, made pancakes, and came to work. Now, 2 hours later, i still feel anxious. strange.

5 things that really grate my cheese.

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:19:42 GMT

1. People who stick up for Twilight. Just don't do it.
As a Literature major i could give any would be Twilight fan a list of the reasons why Stephanie Meyer is an awful writer and should never again be allowed use of a pen. However, there is a tendency to fall back to, "i don't mind bad writing, i like the story"
As an avid reader, i would the be inclined to point out the fact that the storyline is a copied, watered down and desexualized version of True Blood. At best. Also, as a connaseur of Gothic Fiction, i would point out that Edward is not a vampire, just a pasty guy with a glitter problem.
If the Twilight fan still stands to their book and claims that they like the way it makes them feel, I would be forced to hit them on the head. With a shovel. Repeatedly until their eye sockets bleed.
The feminist in me would be wielding the shovel, because for all that can be said about bad writing and crappy plot, the crux of what pisses me off about Twilight is that Bella is a helpless madonna figure who spends a collective 1200 pages or so being saved by her abusive boyfriend and claiming that she'll love him forever no matter how many times she is brutalized and maimed. And this is the image of teen love being fed to our young women.
I have Twilight. I hate it's fans more.

2. People who view pets as chores. Its not that much effort to take the dog for a walk, or change the cats litter. Given how much you pet probably cares about you, follows you around and wants to do what your doing, how can you begrudge them a walk around the block, or a trip to the yard at 4 in the morning to pee.

3. People who refuse to not argue. Most of the time, the argument isn't worth it. I make a habit of abstaining from pointless argument because i don't have the energy to debate what the capitol of Zimbabwe is with you. This really peeves me when i know i'm right about something (i.e. The capitol of Illinois is Springfield, and someone says 'No, it's Chicago). There is no way for me to prove you're wrong just through dialogue, so we're stuck with you being stupid and me being annoyed.
Worse still is when we start discussing something more rooted in ideology, and regardless of what points are made, one party isn't budging. There is a difference between respecting someones opinion and trying to show them that their logic is faulty. This particular irritation usually surfaces in arguments about religion or politics. No matter that Bush's approval rating when leaving office was 18%, or that he left our country in a war and a huge budget deficit, I'll still argue that he's one of the best presidents we've had. If you were to look at the availible information and consider logically, you would be forced to change your opinion, and i think some people would rather be stubbornly ignorant than do so. grrr.

4. People who don't merge when they should. When you see the sign, you merge. If you try to ride the ending lane, you just cause more trouble when your finally forced to merge. You are a total wanker and you shouldn't be on my road.

5. Fanatical people. There is nothing in this world so spectacular that it has no faults. If you can't recognize faults in something you love, than you are ridiculous and illogical. For example, i love pugs and think Welsey is pretty fantastic. However, pugs do have resperatory problems, they have facial folds than need cleaning, and it takes great patience to train the stubborn fuckers. This relates to my dislike of argumentative people, but goes a little deeper. Have a good reason for liking what you like, and further don't obsess because it makes you creepy and socially ostracized. So, if you really really love poodles, anime, Lord of the Rings, football, ect... be moderate in conversations.

Watch this link.

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:20:13 GMT

http://blip.tv/file/2261825

you will love it. i promise.

life stuff

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:14:39 GMT

I don’t have a single, overarching goal. I don’t want to be an astronaut. I don’t want to solve world hunger. I don’t want an Olympic gold medal. But, I don’t think I underachieve.

I want to learn how to take beautiful pictures. I want to learn Italian, Chinese, and Irish Gaelic. I want to keep reading books, and get paid to tell others how awesome they are. I want to write a book. I want to learn about the history of religion, and figure out why people believe what they do. I want to learn how to play the piano, and maybe the harp. I want to learn auto mechanics. I want to be a good cook. I want to cut hair. I want to dance, gracefully and captivatingly.

I want to stay in love. I want to teach children to reach for things they didn’t know they could have. I want to feed people who are hungry, and listen to people who need a friend. I want to smell flowers as I see them. I want to understand the actions I take, and their reactions. I want to say what I mean. I want to be strong in my convictions, knowing that I have though through my opinions and I am saying what I mean to say. I want to be articulate.

I want my living space to be clean. I want to be caught up on the latest movies, books, and games. I want to eat well and to pay my bills. I want to look my best. I want to have good grades. I want to laugh with my friends. I want to be supportive of my fiancée. I want to spend time with my dog.

I am busy all the time. I am working to have all the things I want. I will never be famous or renowned for accomplishing my goals. I will be happy, though.

puppy updates.

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:49:01 GMT

night 1: he's up at 1:30, wants a walk. The power goes out.
night 2: I wake him up at 1:00, after a bad dream. He goes to pee, wants to play, and the tornado sirens go off. Twice.

Welsey doesn't mind storms, or sirens, or rain. he hasn't freaked out about any noises, doesn't bark when people come in, or when he sees other dogs. He's happy to see everyone, and has no problem being carried. he likes to sit in laps. He doesn't bark, and only cries when we leave him alone.

He slept through the night last night, till 10am, and has had no accidents inside. He knows the commands "sit", "come", and "lie down".

He chews on nothing but his own toys, and doesn't explore other rooms unless there's someone in there.

He's fantastic and awesome, and there are pictures of him on my facebook. (LJ photo upload perplexes me)

Students vs gate

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:32:55 GMT

so, Jeremiah and i will pick up two month old Welsey today!!

Yesterday, in preparation for new puppy, we bought a house gate and puppy proofed the house--there are many fewer things for him to chew on now. During this process, we needed to find a way to make the puppy gate fit the abnormally large entrance to our living room. Seven undergraduate students were involved, from various grades and majors. The goal was to make a 5 ft gate close a 6 ft entry. The suggested solutions were as follows

Close the entrance with a couch
use legos
use cinder blocks
use boxes
make the wall larger with wood
use particleboard to create a fence
use the gate from wall to couch
from wall to chair
from wall to table
from wall to desk
buy a bigger gate
close the entrance with two chairs

it took an hour before we thought to just prop the gate... lean the gate against two chairs so the puppy cant push it down, and cant get out. A
whole hour.