OMG

*takes really deep breath*

Wow. Ok. A lot has happened since the last time I posted. No, really. Let me explain... no, is too much... let me sum up...

-> Moved out of BG and back in with my mom. This lasted a grand total of 15 days. And here I thought I was going to have to redecorate my old room... I didn't even get a chance to unpack!

-> Interviewed with and got a job at Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT). It's an accredited online charter school, based in Columbus. I'm a Student Services Coordinator, which is kind of a cross between a researcher, a call center representative, and a teachers' aide. I've worked there over two months now (which I didn't even realize until I looked), and so far I like it quite a bit. Our position is new, and the teachers and counselors are so very happy to have us. My coworkers are pretty cool, and I've made some new friends, which in itself is pretty exciting. And lest you think I've totally abandoned my previous experience, I'm working one day a week at a 12-screen second run theater. Again, nice folks, and I don't have to work all that hard, because there's lots more customers, so there's lots more employees. (But I miss my old BG crew... it's just not quite the same...)

-> I found myself a nice one-bedroom apartment here in Columbus, in the part called Upper Arlington. Now, I'm told that UA is sort of a... what's the word I'm looking for... snotty area? I won't deny that when you drive around my immediate neighborhood, you can smell a little money in the air. But my apartment is targeted toward college students (we've got a lot of grads and med students), and so it's not as expensive as you might think. I mostly chose here because 1) it's a safe neighborhood, where I don't worry about myself or my car after dark, and 2) they gave me $500. No, I'm not kidding. Good reason to live in Upper Ritzington, no?

Don't you just love that a major life change can be summed up in three paragraphs? :)

Here's what's on the horizon for Teh Donna:
-> I'm working on decorating the new digs. The list includes a new computer desk (because even Sauder doesn't last through seven years and ten moves) and a new bed (because my current mattress is OLDER THAN I AM). Then I'm thinking maybe some accent painting, because these white walls are going to put me in a coma come February.
-> I've got to find a way to practice. Since I'm in an apartment building, I'm not going to be rude to my neighbors and try to play here. A boring weekend will probably mean a field trip to find the OSU music department, and see if I can crash their practice rooms. Also on the music front, I'm hoping to find a community band or choir to get involved with. I'm also thinking about learning the guitar. :)
-> Tomorrow starts this year's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It's a contest in which you write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. There's not really a prize, other than the fact that, forever after, you get to say you're an author. I'll have more details on the book in the coming month, and if you're interested in reading it (or just in providing moral support), let me know.
-> I'm also going to try to get back in touch with everyone. I know I've sort of been AWOL for, you know, almost three months, but I'm thinking about everyone, and I hope you're doing well. Let me know how you've been!

Today's happy fact: 18 days until Harry Potter!

28 Days Later...

Yes, I know. Way too long between posts. I always promise that I'm going to change, and yet somehow I never seem to follow through. Most of the time, I don't feel like I have much to write. My life, unfortunately, is not exciting in many enjoyable ways. But, since I'm about to share some news with the general public, I guess I'll have more things to write about in the coming weeks.

For the few folks who read this regularly, my news isn't really that new. By now you all know that I'm no longer a student at BG, due to an unceremonious issuing of walking papers from the College of Musical Arts. As much as I would love to get righteously indignant and rail on the CMA, it's mostly my doing. I could have worked harder, I found myself distracted by pesky things like Real Life, and when it comes right down to it, I'm most likely not cut out for the dog and pony show whirlwind of professional performance. Life, as they says, is what happens when you're making other plans.

Since I am no longer a student, I have also had my last days as an employee at the Music Library. They got pizza, I got presents, and I think my boss almost cried. It's sappy and sentimental, but I loved working there, and I wish that I could still work there. But it's just not in the cards, and as my boss said, there comes a time when you move on and start the next step of your life.

The problem now is that I don't really have a next step. I've been thinking about my situation a lot, and I know that BG isn't really the place for me anymore. I'm not in school here, with no potential to return in the near future. So many of my friends have moved on to new places, and the job market isn't exactly suited to my particular skills. Though it has been my home for eight years, it's just not the same anymore.

So where do I go? The first thought was back home, but it has all the problems BG has, only doubled. Plus, the pizza's rubbish. I looked into crazy distant jobs, even as far as New York and South Carolina. But the thought of picking up everything and moving to another state gives me cold chills down my spine. Ohio it is then, but where? I took a poll, and it seems that approximately nine million people I know live in the Columbus area. Compelling numbers, I know.

So, Columbus eh? The job hunt begins in relative earnest, though I have to say that job hunting over the internet is second only to dental surgery. Along with the speed and convenience of uploading resumes, we've also lost any common job-hunting courtesy. I have applied to at least 10 jobs. Only one sent a "thanks for applying" letter or email without being prompted. A few others replied after I poked them with a gentle email, but with a cut-and-paste form letter at best. Not one contacted me to let me know that the positions were filled. I know, they don't really do that sort of thing, it happens all the time, but it doesn't make it any less impolite. Doesn't seem like anyone considers that, ya know, folks might be mildly interested in finding out whether they might have a job in the near future. *suppresses rage, for the good of the kids*

So here I stand. The paths before me are murky. A deadline of August 7th creeps closer each day. I am so incredibly frightened that I am beside myself. It's not easy for me to talk about how I'm feeling with people. Most of the time, I just can't trust them. (Please note this doesn't have anything to do with my actual friends, and more to do with my Very Large Issues.) But right now, I am saying to you generous souls that I don't think I've felt more like a failure in my life. Now, the first thing you're thinking is, "It's not you! It's not your fault!" And I know that this path has been littered with unforseen occurrences, unfair treatment, and a smattering of poor decisions on my part. Not, by any stretch, "my fault." But at the same time, in the deep part of my heart that doesn't get much sunshine, I have failed. I've spent eight years studying music, and can't find a place to use it, or even earn a small measure of recognition for any talent I might have. I allowed myself to descend into a depression, not only ignoring and alienating my friends, but ignoring, and in some cases fighting against any well-intended efforts to assist me. Though I thought I had no expectations about the course of my life, it seems now that I had a few vague ideas, rumblings of "career" and "relationship" and "stable life", which I have spectaculary failed to achieve. And now, the life I have made will be completely and irrevocably altered in 28 days. It's time to enter the brave new world, and I'm scared to death.

Wow, what a cheery moment that was! If nothing, I exceed in bringing on a cloud of maudlin that would put Eeyore to shame. But fear not! for not every day is gloom and doom. However frightening it is, I know that life, in its own way, will soldier on. And, hopefully soon, the time will come when I'm excited for the tomorrow that's waiting for me. I just hope it's got chocolate. :)

I'll keep you updated on occurences as they happen. Have a cookie for me if you've got one. :)

Spring? cleaning...

*looks at calendar, where the date is in fact April 24*
*looks out window, where it is definitely snowing*
*wonders when she tripped and fell into a time warp*
*my head hurts, i'm having another ice cream bar*


So, it always seems to be about a month between times that I post. It's not intentional. Maybe I'm just boring. I'm thinking about getting a Livejournal account, but that would be a place for me to put other types of writing, and I haven't even figured out how to do it. That's really the only news right now. But, I've been wanting to do an entry for a little while now, so that I can share some little fun things I've come across. So, here we go... *grabs broom and dustpan*

First, many of you are familiar with the sport of Peep Jousting. I'm proud to report that Brian and I have had several excellent matches in this post-Easter season. He has a few pictures (that I haven't figured out how to post on here yet), and I have to say that my fighters have not been living up to their potential. I did, however, make a peep that looks like a mime, for which I am quite proud. When I figure out picturing, I'll share them for your enjoyment.

Second (and The Al has talked about this before, but it bears repeating), I think these Racetrack Goldfish Bowls are very amusing. Though, I learned on my favorite show Mythbusters that the "fact" that goldfish have virtually no long-term memory is a total myth. Goldfish are, in fact, trainable. So these bowls, while funny, would probably be pretty boring for the fish. But it looks good with the grass growing in it. :)

Now, I've had a bee in my bonnet for a little while now about feminism. There were some issues at a certain event called Take Back The Night that made me wish napalm was commercially available. I could get into it here, but frankly I don't know about anyone else's views, and I don't want to piss people off. I think some members of my gender need to get a little bit of a reality check, and I could try to give it to them, I guess, but I'd rather go have a sandwich. Or voluntary oral surgery. I just wanted to share a genius article I read, because I think everyone should read it. Do you think you're a feminist? Yes, You Are.


OK, and last but not least, some links that have been cluttering up my desktop. Please enjoy. :)

Fellowship of the Peep: a stirring telling of a classic tale.... with Peep bunnies.
Boromir Is The Butt of All Internet Jokes: Boromir's Imaginary Phone, and Boromir's Awesome Army
Because everyone needs to watch it: The Potter Potter Song
For Mac fans in the hizzle: The Applestore of the Future
Guaranteed time-waster: Fun Ways to Lace Your Shoes
For your favorite fandom nerd (i.e. probably just me or Katie): The Random Squee Store
If you have a Searching Addiction: YaGoohoo!gle
If you WANT TO GO INSANE FOR WEEKS: Petals Around the Rose (note: I now know what the secret is, but I can't tell you, cause I think a secret society will have me killed....)

Now that my desktop is a little cleaner, I'll leave you all to your snowy (WTF?!?!!?) Sunday. :)