The storm of blogging

I haven't blogged consistently recently, but I've been saving up topics! I'll probably schedule new posts to come out over every few hours, but some of these things can be condensed. So here are the small ones that don't deserve their own posts:

The apartment stuff is working out splendidly. I'll be moving out in June.
On that note, I walked over two miles from the apartments to church looking for businesses to consider applying to. The great thing about Austin is that there are SO MANY funky little businesses, and they aren't all whataburgers and the like. I want to work at Hobby Lobby, though, if I can get that job. Some people from my church saw me walking and drove me the last half mile or so to church. That was nice of them.

I've been going to an art group on Wednesday nights. Those guys love to argue, and it's not the rational deflection of specific points that I like. It's more of a batting down the other person's entire opinion and sometimes I have opinions, but I'm not keen on being shot down. XD

We got some eggs from Emma's family and snap, they're great. So yellow, so cool.

I started going through my stuff and sorting out what I'm leaving at home.

I had a weird blood mystery! Here's what happened. I was laying in my bed Tuesday night, when I got this dumb urge to check if my alarms were set. I was already late to bed and had to get up at six. I had set BOTH my alarms just that evening before I sat in bed and drew a little. Finally, I got up and they were both set, but when I returned to my bed, there was a brown spot right below my pillow, where my shoulders might have been when I was laying down. On my new orange sheets. What? I was disturbed by this. I sniffed it. It smelled funny but I couldn't identify it for sure. It was dry. Blood was my first thought. I had eaten some M&Ms in bed on Monday evening, but it definitely didn't smell like chocolate, and besides, a crushed m&m would be uncomfortable to sleep on all that time.
I went down and got wet rags. I rubbed that spot out! (the whole thing pretty much came right out.) On the mattress pad below it was definitely brown (on the orange it almost looked black). But when I rubbed it thin on the rag, it took on that rust shade and definitely looked like blood.
I  wasn't bleeding. I checked. There was nothing on my clothes. It was probably dry before I got in bed that night. But HOW DIDN'T I SEE IT? and HOW DID IT GET THERE? These are things I may never know. The sheets are farely new, and I know I haven't had any wounds or other things that would make me bleed that much since then. Even if I had a pimple or something on my back that was bleeding, it wouldn't have bled like THAT. It was more than an inch square. I just can't figure it out.

Lastly, a school update.
I drew this picture of my family for Japanese class:

Yesterday, we were supposed to talk about our families and I was thinking I'd go early on, but raising hands does not come naturally to me. In any case, I was ready, and I began raising my hand higher each time. Finally the teacher said "three more people" and on that second one I legit rose my hand so that it was immistakable... and she was looking at the other side of the classroom and called on someone else. And then she STOPPED. After saying 3 people she only called 2... I was moderately upset about that. Not only does it mean I have to wait in EAGER ANTICIPATION OF STANDING IN FRONT OF MY CLASS, it means I didn't get the "courageous do it on the first day bonus" that teachers like to give.
Oh well. Bygones are bygones.
As for school in general, gee, it's winding down. Three weeks remain. I keep thinking of how things will change toward the end of the semester with weather and such but suddenly I'm on the cusp of it!
After I turn in this analysis for Creative Writing, I only have a few smaller assignments, revision, and the portfolio left.
In Japanese there are some tests and culture reports and review.
In geography I'm headed toward the last test which will be the end of it.
In History, once I take my final test on Monday, I only have to finish one book report.

I skipped an extra credit assignment in geography, which says something about my confidence in that class. It's improved! I did well on my last test, and everyone got extra points in the first two tests because teachers like to have a C average. So my self-predicted B in that class miiiiiiight become a low A!

Well, that's the little stories. Now I have to write up the "bigger" ones.

Me Bikey

I think I mentioned that I duct-taped up my bike and made it all stripey. Want a picture? (or four?)

There you go. Consider this proof of my ownership if it's ever stolen. (unless the thief removes all those pieces of tape... too much trouble, maybe?
 Now I'm off to organize something and/or surf the web... sigh

Minimalism FAIL

Let's face it, minimalism is practically incompatible with being an artist, unless you do all your work digitally.
However, the idea of living with less appeals to me. Since I'm moving into a much smaller space soon, it's the perfect time to cut down, especially since everything I don't bring I can leave in my parents' attic and come home and get it if I REALLY need it.

Minimalism is almost incompatible with being a geek too. How do those little Loki figurines or Mori plushies or various geeky collectibles serve a useful purpose... D:

Obviously, I won't be able to easily give up my stuff. DX But the important thing is to have a place for everything, and to think about what I really NEED.

Some things I know I'm not taking:
My drawing desk. I don't use that thing anyway, it's terrible.
My filing drawer chair (well, it's really my mother's...). I keep my art stuff in the drawer part, but as a chair it's not comfortable and I don't like chairs for the most part anyway.
My Avengers display. It's just a large piece of cardboard. Yeah, it's cool! But it's too heavy to hang like a poster, and it just takes up floor space. It needs a good home... and not with my bothers! (bothers ≠ good care)
My fabric scraps and my grandma's sewing machine (and my mom's sewing machine!). I do like sewing things on the spur of the moment, but that's a lot of space that could be better used. I'll just need to plan my projects ahead of time and if I need to mend things I'll take a visit to home or something.
My 5 head lamp. The colored shells are breaking and I don't feel like replacing them. besides, that would leave my current room with no lighting unless they moved the 3 head lamp back in from the playroom... eh. I don't really think I need it.
The tripod. It's not exactly mine... and I rarely use it. If I need one, I can probably borrow it.
DDR. No wii or TV, so what good would it do? I've gotten to the level where I can get passing grades on many expert songs, so when I go, I'll leave it in the care of my brothers (we'll see how long it lasts)
My old markers/pencils. Currently I bring them to childcare, but we're in a room that usually has crayons out, so I don't need to bring 'em...

Things I'm not sure about (Bethany, Emma, Peggy if you read this, feel free to help me out).
My cosplay stuff. It's fun. I could store it with normal clothes, minus the accessories. But there are several of them... Maybe I could just bring the completed ones/the ones I'm committed to finishing. Yeah. Good idea, Claire. Thanks, Claire.
Roller blades. My primary use of these is rolling around the house. Maybe would be frowned upon in an apartment (skating on the floors. Could be noisy if someone is below, or damage things.) I have claimed LaRissa's old four-wheelers, and I like that kind of skate better, so I can use those for cruising around town and they're a bit smaller. The only thing is they're a tiny bit tight, so if they give me blisters, I'll have to get rid of 'em. At that point I guess I could rescue my in-lines from the house. Good idea, Claire. Thanks, Claire. (as you can see, a little thought is deciding these things for me.)
All of the dishes I have. I have tons of cups. I definitely don't need them all since I think all of us have several cups. Also, I might not need the picnic plates. I'll figure that out.
All of my bags. I'll probably leave behind the purple rolly one and the spotty laptop messenger bag and the zip up binder, because I don't use those often. Also, it will be a little painful, but I won't bring the plaid backpack since it's falling apart. Maybe I'll put some of the stuff I'm leaving at home in it.
My printer. I'm leaning toward no. Because I think there's supposed to be a printer we can use at the apartments, and I don't even know if mine works...
Sleeping bag. If I need to go camping, I'm sure I can get it from home?
Random decoration items. Large paper lanterns, my jellyfish (okay no jellyfish is a for sure coming), the peace tea cans I've been collecting, string and cup telephone I brought home from church... homemade nightlight, sticks and leaves... probably don't need most of those. Ones I do want to keep include a couple bottles, a candle.
The plethora of pictures on my walls. Okay, I KNOW I'm not taking all of them. But what of the ones I like? Pictures people have given me? Maybe I'll take photos of pictures I don't need to hold. As for my Kingdom Hearts poster, I like the art but have never played the game. Maybe I can cut it up and make an art project. Hmmm.
Small green end table. Well, it's cute and table like, but it could just end up taking up space.
Trash/recycling bins. I don't know what our situation with such things shall be.

Will probably bring but maybe not
My dolls. I'm only planning on keeping two of them, and I like 'em, but if they just end up being clutter...
Every blanket/plushie/pillow I have. I'm pretty sure I can't have too many of those. 
String lights. Come on. So cool!!
All my jackets. I have... seven? They're all special to me in their own ways, but it seems a little ridiculous to have so many... especially in Austin, Texas.

Really do want to keep
My desk. It's standing height. It is made of two book cases and a piece of counter, so it has storage space. A lot of it. It does take up quite a bit of space, though. That's my main concern. I probably could fit the end or head of my bed underneath of it. But let's get real, that would look terrible and/or negate its effect as a standing height desk.
My speakers and headphones. Music, dude. They're nice, too.
Camera, Laptop, iPod, phone. Yes, the "~essential technology~". All the cables, too.
My bed. SOOOO COMFY
My TARDIS bookcase. Takes a bit of space but can hold books, etc.
Art/craft stuff. This is where my "minimalism" has to fail. Tape, glue, markers, pencils, assorted papers... At least I'll have it flawlessly organized!
My books. I don't have many of those, so there's where I'm in luck. These and the art stuff can go in my bookcase, which I can share with Emma if she's cool with that. I would assume... it's a TARDIS...
Clothes, but isn't that a given? I am definitely cutting out the ones I don't wear anymore, however.

Well, that's what I can think of for now. Of course, there are storage containers etc that I haven't even mentioned, but eh. I'll figure them out. If you read all that, thanks for letting me think out loud. c:

style file, stale fail: Easter Edition

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I have the fashion sense of a rug--that is, it varies. A lot. Most of the time it's boring, sometimes it stands out because it just clashes, and occasionally, something works.
C'mon, rugs are the perfect metaphor.

Anyway, I'm thinking of doing an occasional "fashion" post whether in satire, despair, or a moment of brilliance.
This shall be called style file/stale fail and I will tag it under fashion to reel in poor, unsuspecting souls who think they'll be getting inspiration fresh off the griddle of a typical, fashionable teen.

To start us off, here's one of those moments of brill. On Easter Sunday, I wore this:
-goes to find picture and scan it because this was spur-of-the-moment and I am ill prepared-

TAH DAH

I know this outfit was a success because a) I liked wearing it, b) Peggy complimented me on it pretty much right away, c) actually no I only had two reasons

If you wish to replicate this look
well
 I was thinking about saying where I got these things but it's literally all thrift/secondhand
and it's pretty obvious what the components are (I don't understand style blogs that take apart an outfit when it's pretty obvious what the person is wearing? I guess they're trying to sell specific products because $)
Bonus about my style blogging: even if it's terrible, I won't try to get you to buy anything

probably

unless it's my art/comics

but that may be yet in the future

goodbye

Best Bus Driver

My usual bus driver is the gives-hope-for-humankind sort of person.

He's usually running late, but the traffic and construction between here and Austin is understandably the reason.

He's really helpful and friendly, not to mention just NICE. I just watched him discuss with a regular (who he knew by name) how he could get him to his job more on time.

When I first rode the bus he asked me if I was going to ACC (had an ACC pass) and he knew just what stop I needed. Even after an hour of driving he remembered to pull over there without me even pulling the cord. As I disembarked he told me exactly where I could catch the return.

I was a little confused, at first, about how the continuing service worked, but when I asked, he explained it and was very kind about the whole thing.

The regulars don't even have to pull the cord (though I do anyway). This driver just pulls to their stop and often they're up front waiting by that point.

He'll wait if he's pulling away and someone drives into the park'n'ride, and i've heard nice stories about him the time he wasn't driving and I think everyone wished he was. Cx

AWARD FOR BEST BUS DRIVER GOES TO oh i dont know if I should put his name

LET'S CALL HIM MR. T

MR T IS BEST BUS DRIVER