Oh, jeez, wow, am I ever excited for tomorrow! KRROFEST is tomorrow. Slipknot, Korn, All That Remains, The Used... some other bands, haha. Hours of enjoyment, I tell you what. I am so freakin' excited to see Slipknot. I can't wait to take videos and pictures and hopefully meet the band. I at least want to meet Corey. I luuuurve Corey. I'm not really sure why, either, but the man just has something that draws me to him. Maybe because he seems so pissed off and for some reason that intrigues me. I love pissed off people.

I just bought the new All That Remains CD on Saturday and it was great. I love A Song For The Hopeless. I love Phil's vocals and I just adore the fact that Jeanne is the bassist. I love female bassists. Third band that I like with a female bassist. Guitarists are cool, too, haha.

I ran into my friend Brittani in Wal Mart today (I bought 250 plastic hangers as gifts for my class for graduation, they had BETTER like them) and we were talking about what we were wearing tomorrow. She's like, "Maybe I'll just wear this." She was wearing sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt. It's supposed to be in the seventies tomorrow and it's an outdoor venue. Oh, but look at that--it's supposed to rain. -_-

Oh, and I get to see my sister tomorrow. I miss her so much. I get to see her on Saturday for my graduation, but still. Twice in one week is so way awesome. I feel kinda bad that I'll be at her house at noon and have to leave at 2 and then she works at 10 that night to like 6 in the morning. I feel even worse that I'm getting her out of bed to see me. The kinds of things her and I do to see each other.

Argh, Wednesday morning I have my government semester test. So I'm out all night tomorrow, at a metal concert no less, and then at 8 the next morning I'm trying to churn out the names of legislators and why the 14th amendment is so darn important to the US government. Like I care? No, I'm kidding. I love government class, so we'll see how that goes. That's my only test, I think. I may have to take my math test. I FAILED my math test today. I got a 63% on PROBABILITIES. How... dumb... am... I. But it was tough. I hadn't learned anything and I was gone for a week (sick with the flu) so I had no idea what I was doing. My friends Jake and Ricky got Ds. They got higher than I did and they depend on me to do their daily assignments. How does that happen?

I have Bs all across the board and that makes me angry. I'm used to As and this year I just totally didn't care so I have Bs and, quite possibly, one C. Grrrr. There went my GPA. Bah well. When I'm done with college, I won't even care about a GPA. It's funny that the things I feel pressured about now don't matter tomorrow, you know?

Anywhoser, I have rambled something terrible. I need to go find a bigger blanket and contemplate whether or not I'm going to bring a jacket to the venue tomorrow. Also... should I write? Haha. I tried last night, but it just turned into a reference for some future thing I'm thinking about. With the amount of thinking I do you'd think I could do something great, but, yet, there my pencil lies--untouched.

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>Oooooooh my Goooooooood. I had a freakin' awesome time at KRROFEST. It was so way awesome. Dirtfed was really good. I totally admire that dude's vocals, haha. Clutch was all right, I felt bad when everyone booed them, though. I guess it was just the wrong genre for the venue, you know? But they were good. I was like the only one in my group to be interested. -_-

All That Remains was AMAZING. I got a few videos of them (mainly Phil, haha) and some pictures. The Used was really great. But at the beginning of their set someone ran into me and I turned around and there's this huge mosh pit taking form and this girl kept pushing me. So I turned around and went, "I'm really fucking sorry, but you're starting to piss me off," and I pushed her back. I pushed her a few times and there was a guy that kept pushing my friend Chantell so I pushed him, too. And there was a guy leaning on Brittany so I tapped him and told him to stand up straight and get off my friend. Totally didn't listen. I ended up getting smushed against my friend Nick. I was practically molded to his body at the beginning of the Korn set. It was particularly awkward. There was a guy pressed tight up against me from behind and then I was smashed into Nick and then somehow the top half of my body kept moving to the right so I was half laying on my friend Austin and then my waist was against Nick's waist and the guy behind me was pretty much flat against me.

I took hold of Austin right before Korn took the stage and wrapped my arm around his. Some kid with really bad B.O. pushed me an... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24585578/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24585578/ Mon, 04 May 2009 14:44:58 PDT
We took a ton of really awesome pictures today. It was kind of boring, actually. We walked around town and took a picture on the bridge (which is just a tiny thing over the ditch in front of the school, heh), one on the train, one at the baseball park, one on this silo thingy, one at the elevator (I stood at the bottom, because I'm deathly afraid of heights), one in front of this spooky house where I guess some guy killed himself (not sure why the girls wanted a picture there, but all righty), one in front of our friend Hunter's house (he wasn't there this morning as he was in Minnesota for a cancer screening), one on the bus, and then the girls crammed onto the slide on the playground and said cheese. That last one hurt so bad. I was half under another girl and squished flat against a much thinner girl. It was awkward and weird and straining, haha.

But the girls wanted us all to go on top of the American Legion and take a picture sitting on top. I'm afraid of heights so I said no. Then someone said the boys should do it so they all got up there. The entire time the boys were crawling up I had this terrible feeling, except it was only directed at my friend Jake. I didn't want him up there, I didn't even want him trying to get up there. Well, he goes to get up and he pulls on the wire thing and the pole starts falling and breaking apart from the building and then he lets go right before the entire electrical box explodes and there are sparks EVERYWHERE. He falls on the ground and girls are screaming and running and someone pushed Jordan over so she was on the ground. And the boys were laughing and I screamed, "It's really nice that you guys checked to make sure Jake is ok!" So I went over to him and helped him off the ground. He was fine. He said he was going to start twitching for dramatic effect and I told him I would have punched him in the face had he done that. I was all ready so scared that I was shaking and my eyes were tearing up. I told him in art that I was freaking out because of that bad feeling and then Breanna goes, "Are you sure you don't just like Jake a little too much?" Is she kidding me? I don't think I could ever like Jakey like that. Wonderful guy, but he's one of my best friends and the only thing I was thinking about was his safety. I was thinking about it on my way home and I started crying. Jesus, I don't know what I would do if he had gotten hurt or had gotten shocked and died. Nolan was right when he said that would have been something to have a funeral right before our graduation. I wouldn't have walked in graduation. Wouldn't have even gone. I couldn't lose my best friend and then try to be happy for the entire town while his family was at home mourning. No way.

But my friend Cassie said it was cool and we should have gotten a picture of the sparks going and Jake falling. I was so angry when she said that. It was funny, because he didn't die, but right now I can't even think about that without feeling some sort of dread. A picture would be torture for me.

Anyway, art went well. I'm doing good with my aliens now. I'm almost done. On Friday I have to do a background and then I'm all done with a few days to spare. I also asked my friend Austin to go to Star Trek with me. At first I thought he was going to say no, because he just sat there and then he nodded and said, "Yeah, I can do that." And when I told him it would just be us he started smiling. He's such a dork. But I'm not sure about going. I mean college is in a few months and I'm going 1200 miles away and do I really want a boyfriend through the summer and then have to hurt? But I don't want to not go with him. I don't know. I have until Saturday morning to decide.

And now our class is setting up the senior party and the senior skip day. Last year the seniors all made up the work and then went on their day. We're just skipping and going to go party in Twin Lakes. It's going to be pretty fun and we've got everyone in on it, even a few people I didn't think would be game (myself included, actually) and a few people are going to school the next day when they probably shouldn't. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it. My friend Brandon is SO pumped to watch me get drunk. I was joking around and saying I was going to get trashed at our senior party after school got out and his eyes got all big and he's like, "OH MY GOD, REALLY?!" I just shook my head. Of course I'm not. He looked pretty let down and went, "Amanda, you would be so cool if you got drunk." Then I told him I was going to get drunk on senior skip day and he lit up again and I was like, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you want me to be drunk?" But everyone thinks it would be funny. Austin and Breanna want to see me to do it, too, but that's so lame. Not saying it's lame if you yourself drink, but I'm just not into that kind of stuff. I'm more into picking my friends off the floor and... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24557944/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24557944/ Sun, 03 May 2009 00:49:27 PDT
Anywho, then the rest of the motley crew got there so Brittany and I quit bowling to bullcrap with Amanda, Brittani, Makala, Haeli, Chantell, and Taneisha. And Shadoe came back over and talked to me for a little bit about Spenzer and what he was doing. Then Austin came over to chat and put his cigarette ash all over my jeans(!). Tilly and Amanda were kind of angry with Austin, but I kind of ignored them, ha (bad friend alert), and talked to him and Shadoe. Then Austin was trying to get Amanda to take a hit from his cigarette so to shut him up I did that. I never smoke. It was gross. Bleh.

Then we left and we went to a parking lot (tons-o-fun, right) and talked for a bit. Then we went to Brittani's house and talked for a bit more. Then we left and I went to Brittany's house and had some dinner (fish and pasta salad, yum) and now I am home.

I finished Dracula today after I did my laundry. The ending was REALLY good. I think it had just the right amount of drama and wit and suspense and it was fantastic. And it took me forever to read this. Like a week! I could have finished it in one day if I would have had the time to sit down.

But this week I need to sit down and get some more writing done. I have a scholarship to do and I only have two weeks left of school so I really need to buckle down and get things done.

On a side note, I am going to the Slipknot concert with Brittany, Brittani, and Tilly. How fun?! I'm so excited. I can't wait. It's going to be awesome.

Ok, bedtime. I'm exhausted.

Later. <3

Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24446041/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24446041/ Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:04:11 PDT We called eachother dear and sweetheart and hun
And sometimes I wondered if you even knew I had a name
But I was too afraid to ask, in case you quit calling me what no one else did</sub>

I'unno what that is, haha. I was looking at my arm yesterday (how intense my days get) and the words started coming and then they just quit. What's up with that? So I'll keep them here for safety. I'm in the process of cleaning out my computer to try to get it to move a little faster so everything is in danger at the moment. I just deleted 6,000 files from my computer. THAT'S INSANE! Most were my brother's, so I hope he doesn't mind, but his stuff was turning my comp into sludge. It's like a car without proper oil.

Anywho, I have been sick this whole weekend and in and out of consciousness. I'm fighting sleep right now to update this, haha. During my awake periods I've been reading Dracula. I'm almost to the end. I've got about a hundred pages left. When I picked this up I didn't know it was going to be such a long book. Good thing is that it's not boring. There really aren't any parts that I've found where I'm really disliking anything. There's a lot of researching and right now they're kind of organizing and plotting. Van Helsing has convinced Lord Godalming that Lucy is a vampire and they've killed her and they're all now moving on to get Dracula (all meaning Lord Godalming, Dr. Seward, Mina and Jonathan Harker, Van Helsing, and Quincey Morris). I must say though that Bram Stoker's attitude towards women is a bit odd, but there aren't really any damsel in distress moments so I'll let it go. I am confused about this Renfield character, though. What the hell is he besides a nutter in an asylum? I don't really get what he has to do with Dracula, but obviously there's something or he wouldn't keep busting out of his room to go over to Dracula's home.

Anywho, hope I didn't ruin it for anyone, but who doesn't know the story of Dracula? And if you read the introduction to the story before the book, it's all pretty much messed up for you anyhow.

Anyways, let me drag myself away from here so I can write a quick literary analysis for my writing class. I get to do it on "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, which is actually my favorite poem by him. I memorized a bit of that for my psych class this last fall and had to analyze it. ANYWAY... lol... I'll be doing. Hopefully read some more and write a bit not having to deal with Robert Frost by the end of the night.

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>P.S.

Everyone needs to check out this band:

The Red Deltas

They're like indie pop and from Liverpool and really quite good. Danny Jones from McFLY suggested them on Twitter (one of his friends is in the band) and he has good taste, haha.

EDIT: I just watched the House episode where Amber dies and I bawled. Now THAT, my friends, is emotion. The guy that plays Wilson acted that out incredibly and it absolutely broke my heart.</sub>

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24398662/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24398662/ Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:38:02 PDT
On the downside, I am now sick. Sore throat, upset stomach, and my nose is all sorts of messed up right now. Starting getting sick last night and it really sucked after I got home from school today.

No time for being sick, though, because we're painting in art now. Painting ceiling tiles. For the final project. That means it's a HUGE chunk of the grade. I'm doing aliens. Shocker, right? The teacher hates them and feels like I didn't put enough effort into being creative. Meanwhile the girl beside me put DOTS on her freakin' tile. DOTS. Where's the creativity in making dots and writing the school's name in them? I feel very singled out, but that's ok, because my aliens kick butt. I'm using Cricket, Flutter, and Hermann and they look absolutely adorable. Hermann and Flutter have their arms around Cricket, because they're just bestest friends. It's cute and I love it. The guys and Breanna like it, too, and Breanna liking it is something. Her tile is way beyond awesome. Hers is some way cool thing filled with trees, mist, tear drops, heart, and footprints. It's really cool. I'll take a picture of her finished one, too.

Anywho, wow am I ever tired. Went for a walk today to try to make myself feel better and made myself worse. Plus, it was ninety four degrees out so I was BAKING by the time I got back in. Anyways, I'm going to go down a gallon of water to try to nurse my throat and then I think I'm going to go to bed and read some Dracula. Maybe I'll do a bit of writing.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24278123/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24278123/ Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:13:25 PDT
Kind of back at square one on the whole 'what am I gonna do' path. I'm not sure about being a pastor. For awhile there I was pretty set on it, but then I was talking to my brother when I picked him up for work and just let flow that I was freaked out about everything. Without school I don't know where I am. I don't know how I'll be when I graduate from college or what I'm going to do. I'm not sure if I'm prepared to get up in front of people and talk about God and faith and all that bullcrap when I'm unsure about it myself. Just a bit lost, I suppose. Sticking with the theology and humanities, though. I'm not switching on that just because I'm confused on what my career is going to be. I think it's a bit much to ask of an eighteen year old to have their entire life figured out. That's... scary. How can I possibly know what I want to do? Besides music and writing, I don't know. What's practical?

Writing... right. Hating everything I produce. Kind of in a mood right now where everything isn't good enough. I suppose I'm just trying to make it through the next month and then I'll figure it out. 30 days until my graduation. Then what? Get a job, make some money, try to change myself, and hope I grow up within the three months I have a break from life. But I am writing. I'm still working through those prompts. Still working, working, working. I think I've got another piece done, but it's kind of crap. What isn't that I produce, though? Blargh. Crap mood.

Gotta be stronger. Gotta work harder. Gotta have faith, right? *deepbreath* Lots of faith, haha. Everything will work out.

Features





http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24152455/ Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:26:22 PDT
Well, they're going to be in Sioux Falls on the 12th of next month and I am so excited!

I got the nerve to ask my dad tonight and he feigned interest. He didn't even want to hear me out. He didn't even want to consider me going to a concert, because he has these paranoid ideas that I'm going to get clobbered and possibly murdered at the event. It's possible, but probably not going to happen. I'll be with a huge group of friends [Breanna, Austin, Jackson, Amanda, Chantel, Brittany and Nate are the ones that I know are going] and we're all sticking close. I'll at least be by Chantel, Amanda, Nate, and Brittany the whole night. And, in worst case scenarios, my brother makes me carry around a little thing of pepper spray.

Anywho, Pop basically said no. So, I went to my brother. The moment I say I want forty dollars to go see Slipknot, Korn, and The Used he forks it over. This never happens. I was surprised. He was in the ultimate good mood today. I think he may have a new girlfriend. Anyway... I'm going to the concert with Amanda, her brother (Nate), her sister (Chantel), and Brittany and we'll meet up with Austin, Jackson, Breanna, quite possibly Brandon, Tyler, Joey, Josh, and Kersti. Woo fun night!

So, this weekend, I want to make up the remaining thirty dollars to get a VIP ticket for myself and Amanda. I'll be at 's making fishing lures and cleaning house. I would give my left foot for the chance to meet Corey so a bit of house work and making fishing lures is no big deal for me. I am way too excited to let a little labor put me down.

Later. <3

--Amanda

_{P.S.
I just got a new phone with a lovely camera on it and will take a ton of pictures at the concert for everyone to see! It'll be great, but in crappy quality lol.}

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24118366/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24118366/ Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:02:45 PDT
[link]

Just click the link and there I am. This Twitter thing seems interesting, but it's kind of like a bunch of Facebook statuses, hm? Oh, well, seems cool. This way I can keep up with bands a lot faster. It seems like the Pensive guys update a lot more on that and there are a ton from McFLY, as well. Right now just trying to find SOMEBODY I know, but I can't find ANYONE. Just bands. *sighs* Ah well.

Anywho... looks to be about bedtime. I've got to drive my brother to work in the morning, which means I'll be late for my first period class... awesome.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24075589/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/24075589/ Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:45:32 PDT of course! I can't wait. I am just way too excited for it.

But, since that is still far off, we need to focus in the now, eh? I'm rereading The Host by Stephenie Meyer and I've been reading a lot of lit deviations. I'm getting ready for that feature I'm supposed to be doing at the end of the month. I won't even lie, yesterday I just put things in my feature folder and barely gave them a glance. EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE FEATURED, I say. I'll go through it before the big day to clean that up, though, haha. And, remember, if you have any suggestions for the LIT feature, please, get them in.

The main thing I'm trying to do right now, though, is spark some creativity in myself. I've looked at so many images of fairies, Nazgul, hobbits, jedis, and even the dogs on All Dogs Go To Heaven to get something flowing. And, guess what? It worked. My mind is working over time. Not only do I want to write sci-fi (which I've never written, surprisingly) and fantasy, but I want to try my hand at the love thing again. I also want to do something that could quite possibly resemble What Happened To Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci. I don't know, yet, though. My mind is working at a fast pace, but I'm tired, haha. I know what I want to write, but my brain isn't cooperating with me. It's sluggish right now. I just need it to come out of hibernation and WORK WITH ME, which I'm hoping it will once the snow goes away. I'm thinking that by the end of the month I'll have returned to Keepsake and churned out a few good short stories and poems. I'm hoping anyway. That's all I can do.

Oh, right, and there's this little thing called college I have to start getting ready for. There is SO much I need to buy! I'm getting a job this summer in Chamberlain, hopefully. I'm going to try to convince my dad to let me movie in with my aunt until, at least, the middle of July so I can rake in the cash at the AmericInn there. Then, when I come back, I'm taking Breanna and Cassie shopping so they can show me what to buy. I need big girl clothes now! Enough Care Bears and Tweety Bird, I say. I need stuff from PacSun and Hollister and what have you, but I don't know my way around the mall and I would be hopeless shopping by myself. Breanna knows what girly things to buy and I'm sure Cassie can help me when it comes to Spencer's or whatever. I saw the most awesome Slipknot shirt in there, but I'll refrain from touching stuff like that. Band shirts probably aren't what I should be buying. Or should I be? I don't know what people wear in college, but they definitely don't have Grumpy Bear on them. I want skirts and dresses and cute leggings and stuff, though. I kind of have a fifties image in mind for what I want, but I'll take whatever version of that I can buy. But maybe something a little rockabilly. Can you even get stuff like that in the mall?

But, that's in the future, too. For now... writing and The Host.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23948875/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23948875/ Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:28:19 PDT
The whole place was dismantled within five minutes. Balloons were popped, ropes were torn down, the red carpet was torn apart and tossed aside, and the little things holding up the cameras were picked up and tossed around.

Stuck with a specific group, as always. Desirae, Alli, Keely, Josh, Lauren, Brittany, Venessa, Schuyler, Jasmine, Alex... wonderful group. We had a fun time dancing. Even managed some time to try to get Emma and Kayla to try to dance. It almost worked. *shrugs* And I have no idea what happened to my "date". Poor Kevin.

So, after being stepped on twice by Alex, putting Des' dress back together, hiding Ashley's ripped back, and feeling generally angry, it was time for after prom! Yay for bowling until 3:30 in the morning. I was so tired. It was way ridiculous. I got a microwave (yep, a microwave), a DVD (that I gave to Schuyler since I all ready owned it), an ugly blanket, some popcorn, and a thing of Cookie Dough candy. Not bad.

Then I went to 's house and crashed. Woke up at 10:30. Only slept for like 6 hours, but that's not bad. Kind of tired now. Might do some laundry and then go back to bed. ^-^

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23902112/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23902112/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:13:41 PDT
In other news, I'm going to be signing up for my classes next Tuesday. That's really soon. I have to take a math placement test to see if I can get into Math 1011. It seems scary. I'm not very good at math. What if I need to know trig? I can barely do algebra. I can't even do my integrated math and that's supposed to be for the "dumb" kids. I shouldn't have dropped physics.

Anywho, just finished another writing piece. Numero quatro in the 31 prompts I'm doing. This one is '_birthday'. I'm trying to get back to where I want to be, which means that everything I write is going to be a little dark and a little demented. You know, ten year old girls talking to ghosts & shooting their mothers, vampires draining the life source from their victims, people contemplating suicide, and the normal teen, angsty bullshit that every writer seems to feel the need to get out there.

But I think I'm getting too far away from that. I'm trying to write something I'm not feeling and I'm not liking that. I like vampires and werewolves, banshees and mermaids, witches and goblins, murder and mayhem, and really anything to do with blood, brain matter, and zombies. While there's plenty of murder in the stuff I write, there isn't enough of the other stuff. Especially goblins. There aren't enough stories about goblins in general. The last thing I read that even said anything about goblins (putting Spiderman and the Green Goblin aside) was Harry Potter. Goblins are given very, very little love in the mythical world. There should be more goblins. Goblin warriors and knights and what not. Why aren't they given more of a role than thieves, plunderers, and things that run banks? And more banshees. Definitely more banshees.

Point being, I don't like the stuff that I've written. I don't like What Is Love and Molly & Morgan, because they're things you don't really need imagination for. Imagination should go deeper than that. Eight year old me wanting to publish books about witches and vampires and twelve year old me was dealing with talking field mice. Eighteen year old me is dealing with a teenage boy that is abused by his alcoholic father. When did I grow up? I think 15 was the pinnacle and I'm not loving it. I can still have alcoholics and angst ridden teenage boys in my stories if there happen to be banshees and zombies involved. Maybe even a minotaur. Who doesn't love minotaurs?

I think these prompts, while I've only done four, are helping me figure out what I truly want to do and deal with. They're helping me find out what I want to gravitate towards and what I'll be happy with. Which is what should be the point of the prompts.

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23793875/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23793875/ Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:36:01 PDT
Maybe.

On Sunday, though, I am going to my aunt's so she can see the puppies. She'll like them and I hope her friend Judy falls in love with all of them and buys them! Haha. They've got about two weeks left until we can sell them and I am all for the little rats to be gone. I miss my Lacey being my heater at night. Having her locked in the porch with Pogo, Leo, Casper, and Matey is just not doing it for me.

Oh, but the puppies are cute. I love Casper. He's got a really big butt that flops from side to side when he moves. Pogo has the most darling face. Leo and Matey are my twin boys and they look like little German Shepherds. They're so cute!

I got my financial aid report from CU yesterday. I'm covered for $21, 350 which is about $8,710 short and I've all ready taken out an unsubsidized loan to cover $6,000 of the price tag. I kind of feel like I'm drowning. I'm going to be in so much debt when I'm done. Which bank do you guys think would be best to take a loan out of: CitiBank, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo? I was think Citi, but you never know. I'm actually thinking about asking the personal finance teacher for some help on it. Why is this so stressful? Why can't it just fall into place?

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>EDIT: On Friday night, I went to the bowling alley with and met up with and some other friends. Had a good time talking. Left at about 11 and then Britty and I drove around for a bit trying to find a place that was open so we could eat.

On Saturday night, went back to the bowling alley. Until about 10 it was really boring. Britty, Whitney, and I sat outside and threw rocks into the parking lot and got some gum balls. Then we talked to Breanna and Brittney and then they left to go hang out with Ski and some other randoms. At 10, we all congregated at the bowling alley again. Chantelle, Amanda, and I did the macarena to a Jonas Brothers song. Then Austin (Ski) came over to have a chat while Jake and Korean were being boring. But he left shortly after that because his cigarette smoke was too much and he doesn't like Britty.

Sunday, Britty and I spent the day at my aunt's house (which is an hour southeast of where I live). It was nice and fun. The trek home was a bit boring. Britty fell asleep before I got to Kaylor so I had a LONG ride home by myself. Then it started raining buckets and my windshield wipers are CRAP so I couldn't even see my lane.

In short, it was a great weekend, but I'm glad it's over. I'm very tired now, haha. I may crash at 7:30. As you will also know, I got zero writing done. I'm almost done with a poem, though. My friend Keely told me that I was doing a good job as she snuck a peek while I went out of the room to talk to Jordan during student reading block.</sub>

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23753079/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23753079/ Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:09:56 PDT
While I was going back, I was thinking about, well, whatever it is I think about while driving (which is quite a large range), and I wasn't paying attention whatsoever to the road in front of me. I learned last year that you always need to pay attention to gravel roads or you will kiss the steering wheel (or, in my case, the airbag). Airbags and steering wheels tend to be abusive kissers, so I tend to "steer" clear of them.

Anywho, I hit a patch of loose gravel (which was my problem last year) and I hit the brake as I came upon ANOTHER loose patch of gravel. My car swerved to the right and I find myself headed very quickly (in reality it was about 15 MPH) into the ditch. I push the brake to the floor and I come to a complete stop right at the edge of the ditch. I sit there for about a minute just staring at the grass, the embankment ten feet away, the fence, and the field on the other side of all of this. Flickering through my mind is that I'm driving the same car I wrecked last year, I'm going to Brittany's house this time instead of home from her house, I seem to be having a heart attack, and God is telling me something.

I put the car back in drive and go about 30 all the way to Brittany's house, where I'm still shaking. As I reach for the front door my body is practically convulsing and I manage to calm myself down enough to knock on the bathroom door to alert Brittany of my arrival. I decide, at that moment, to not tell her of my near crash. It's not important. I'm alive. I'm well. There are no scrapes on my face, my finger isn't cut, my knees aren't bruised, and my body doesn't feel like I've gotten into a fight with a sumo wrestler. I'm fine.

During my last wreck, things were a bit hazier. The first thing that I thought when I hit the loose gravel was that I was going to crash and I just let it happen. I blacked out as I turned the wheel (too much adrenaline for Menda) and I hit the embankment going about 40 MPH. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt and the airbag knocked my glasses into the backseat while burning my nose, chin, and cheek. When I woke up I felt like my nose was on my forehead and then I stumbled out of the car like a drunk and started screaming at the top of my lungs. Not for myself, but for my dog who was laying on the passenger side floor completely out cold. I thought I'd killed him. I had no concern for myself, in all honesty. I should have checked for broken limbs before getting out of the car, but it had never crossed my mind. I just checked for my dog and turned the engine off. That was it. Then I called my dad, who came rip roaring up the road, officially scaring my brother (who is the world's worst driver). But I was fine then, too. I was more concerned with my dog's safety than anything and he turned out fine. He's a little grumpier than before the accident, but he's always willing to go for a ride and rarely complains. But he sits in the backseat now, a lazy expression plastered on his face.

Anyway, this time instead of getting injured and putting my dad into a panic, I was just given a sharp tap by God. You see, I skipped the first half of my day today to lounge at Brittany's. Wrong. I do not do that. Last time I skipped school, I got the stomach flu while shopping with my brother. Bad things happen when I skip school. No more Ferris Bueller. Another thing is I have never lied to my dad more than I did today and I feel awful about it. I also lied to my principal, who is a thoroughly good man that I frequently like to have a chat with. I also involved my brother in my web of lies and made him an accomplice to whatever would happen. By sending me lurching towards the ditch at 15 MPH with adrenaline pulsing through my veins and images of my last wreck rampaging through my head, God got my attention. Maybe it's a weird lesson to get out of the near-crash, but that's what seemed to be jammed into my head as I calmed down. I need to go to school, I need to quit lying to the people I care about, and I need to not manipulate my brother's good graces (when he so sparingly has them).

This is just another small reminder to me to pay attention and wise up.

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>P.S.

Still working on those 31 Prompts. I have found so many excuses to not work on them. I even cleaned my room (full on dusted and vacuumed, too) just to procrastinate. I read a book, did laundry, took my dog out for a run, and then sat down to watch The OC knowing full well I had prompts to work on. Soon, I tell you. As soon as I finish this essay I was putting off. I am SO terrible about procrastinating.</sub>

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23672889/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23672889/ Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:37:31 PDT
Last weekend, I went to visit my sister (who I see about twice a year if I'm lucky). It was my nephew's birthday (he's 1!) so we had some cake (they did, I did not) and then we watched him open presents (I was actually outside during this with my cousin as he had his cigarette). I was pretty excited to see my cousin. He's been in lockup since December for drugs again so I liked that. Then we hopped off to the tattoo parlor. My nephew (who is 13?, I think) got a lip piercing. It looks pretty cool. But he wears a spiked dog collar now and really huge Tripp bondage pants. Not gonna lie, he looks like a moron with all of that. I wanted the pants when I was fourteen and am so glad I didn't. Not knocking anyone who owns them and likes them, I'm just saying them would have looked silly on me and they look really silly on my nephew. He'll look back on it and wonder what the hell he was thinking. Anywho, then my sister and I got tattoos. I was super nervous so I watched her gets hers and she looked bored. Then I got mine and it hurt quite a bit. I held my sister's hand like a little baby, but both her and the artist said I was doing good for a first timer. The artist was actually a friend of my sister's from school back in the day, so that was cool. He kept talking about my mom and my screw-up brother so I relaxed. I'll put up a picture of the tattoo in a bit. I was going to wait until I told my dad, but I don't think I'm going to tell him anymore. My secret, I suppose. It's cool, though.

Speaking of my dad, he wants to get more involved with my college decisions now. Which is great, you know, since I've all ready picked my university and am set to go this fall. But now he's all fussed about how many kids are there, where it's located, what buildings are on campus, how much tuition is, where the scholarship money is going, and . He's making everything difficult, which is kind of his forte.

On Wednesday, there was an academic festival at Dakota Wesleyan. I go for grammar and literature every year and I never place. This year I got fifth in grammar, which disappointed me, because it was SUCH a fluke I placed. I know, lame reason to be disappointed. But the test was really hard and I didn't know anything. For lit, I lost out on placing, because I was .01 of a point off. .01 Soak that up, people. I didn't even lose by a point. I am tiffed about that, but ah well.

In two weeks it's prom. Yay. My friend's date just abandoned her, because he's going to Rapid City on the night of prom. Bad timing, eh? I do not have a date. I asked my brother's ex-best friend last night to go with me. We shall see what he says. He's changed a lot since they hung out so I don't know about that. I'm not sure if he's still the reliable guy I could ask for anything. He does a lot of drinking and drugs now, I guess. I'm a bit disappointed in him, really, because that's not who he was up until last year, you know? But people change, so whatever. But I've got the dress. I like it. It's a loan from a friend (the same friend who's date ditched her) and her sister so it's FREE, which is good. I think we make too big a deal about prom 'round here. Free dress. Doing my own hair. No date. It's how I roll, dontcha know?

Anywho, I've taken up Bailey's 31 Writing Prompt Challenge and shall be starting that here soon. I was going to last night, but I went to bed at 5:30 and miraculously slept until 8 this morning. I tell you what that time change messed me up real bad, haha. I was so tired last night it was ridiculous. Anyway, I'm going to go find my other nephew (who should be 15) on Facebook. See, I'm talking about all these nephews now... I have 15 nieces and nephews. This is the reason why I can't remember ages or birthdays or, sometimes, names, haha. Gets tough. Anywho... writing prompts.

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>EDIT: My dad just got the mail and called me downstairs. He bought me a copy of A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity by Bill O'Reilly. It's a signed copy. That's pretty cool. Probably don't know this about me, but I definitely idolize Mr. O'Reilly. Good guy and I'm sure this will be a great book. It's supposed to be his best yet. We'll see.

EDIT2: Kind of sad that I couldn't find Brett or Ethan on MySpace or Facebook. I haven't seen either of them in about nine years so I was hoping one of those could be a connection them. Guess not.</sub>

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23434689/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23434689/ Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:37:15 PST Okie, so here's the images I had been collecting for my feature (which has been converted to an all lit feature). The emotions range from your simple happy and sad to fright and nostalgia. I didn't get as many as I thought I would so all the emotions aren't shown, but here's what I have. I am very sorry if this slows your computer (because God knows it'll slow mine down! Haha). Some of these may have nothing to do with emotion, but were chosen because I watch those people and I find them to be lovely images.









*DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23339916/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23339916/ Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:59:39 PST (click here), I've decided to rethink my feature.

While I do think I've chosen some good works of art, there isn't NEARLY enough literature. You know why? Because I got lazy. I didn't search enough and the one person that helped me out never reads stuff unless it has something to do with some wacky thing she's found on I Am Bored. So the images that I've found for my feature, I will just put in a blog. The literature will stay in the feature section of my favorites until I've accumulated a suitable amount to actually make a news bulletin about it.

The point is that literature is INSANELY important and not enough people now realize that. So I want to post a lit feature. Probably no one will be interested in it, but literature is still an art. We create our own characters and we shape them and we detail them. We carve them into what we want the public to see and then they dare to shun us writers to the artistic corner. Well, we can't all be Stephenie Meyer, can we? Sorry, but my characters don't glitter and aren't devastatingly romantic. I'm sorry I don't fuel your fantasies with my fiction. It's still art. And as I leaf through the pages of dA and find prospective authors, it saddens me that they will maybe have 100 views. They deserve more. Much more attention than what Edward Cullen is getting right at this very moment.

SO... if you have any LITERATURE you would like to recommend to me for a FEATURE, go right on ahead. It can be your own or someone else's, I don't mind. Toot your own horn, go for it. It's all about lit now. And if you so happen to have something with glittering vampires that is devastatingly romantic, I wouldn't mind that, either. All lit is accepted. It just has to be good, because I think it's time that the lit community pushed against the visual community and tried to take back a little piece of the art world.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23237949/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23237949/ Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:15:20 PST So right now I'm working on the contest by InkedPage. You pick a prompt and write from it and see where it goes. I chose the one where you pick a lyric from a favorite song and write around that. I chose Don't Know Why by McFLY, because I am currently obsessed with the song. From the lyrics I chose "Dreams we have as kids all fade away".

So, I was thinking about my childhood dreams. The first was to be king of the world. That will, obviously, never come true since I'm a girl and world domination isn't something I'm really into anymore (Pinkie and the Brain messed me up when I was five lol). The next one was to become president. We'll see if that happens, because I am still interested. Then there was becoming a ballerina. Let's face it, I will never have the body frame to be a ballerina, but, God, would I love to do it. Even now I like practicing ballet while I'm at home... ALONE... with the windows drawn lol.

I was going to write a piece based on my own "failure" to becoming a ballerina, but then I figured that that's much too personal. So I got to thinking and it hit me. I'm on DeviantArt for a reason. It's a great artistic community and ideas are flowing all around.

So, tell me, what were YOUR childhood dreams? And did you ever accomplish them? And, if not, why do you think that is? As you can see with mine they all had their major problems. World domination is a no no, to be president you must be in your forties, and to be a ballerina you should be thin and be able to stand on your toes. I'm still thinking about the last two, though. You never know. I may be coming to a city near you and starring in the Nutcracker. I may even be the only president to star in that ballet, haha. We'll see.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23182088/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23182088/ Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:57:09 PST
First the rules:
1) Answer the questions below
2) Take each answer and type it into dA search box
3) Take a deviation from the first page of results (may use ' popular' or 'newest' ) and post thumb (for subscribers) or link (non-subscribers)
4) You can't copy the persons answers who posted this before you


1. The age you will be on your next birthday



2. A place you'd like to travel



3. Your favorite place



4. Your favorite object


5. Favorite food


6. Your favorite animal


7. Your favorite color


8. The town/state/etc in which you live


9. Name of past pet


10. A dream come true
[well, it would BE a dream come true!]

11. Your nickname/screenname


12. Middle name


13. Favorite Smell


14. Bad habit of yours


15. Your first job
*DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23029701/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/23029701/ Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:35:29 PST The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeff Zaslow and it was quite amazing. It's taken me about five days to read it since I always procrastinate HORRIBLY when in school. I prefer talking to reading and would much rather roam the halls with friends than sit down and do what I'm supposed to.

But I think the time I took helped me appreciate it even more. It helped Randy's ideas sink into my head and I feel much happier now having evaluated them. I've learned a lot of lessons just coming out of his book. I must speak up, be persistent (but not pushy), have a smile on my face, and never sweat the small stuff. The smile on my face and speaking up are two of the things that have been coming easier since January and even moreso now. On Monday, as I was driving to school, I smiled for no reason. I walked up to the double doors at school humming tunelessly under my breath and a grin on my face. For no reason. I was just happy to be going to school and to be alive. It was a good day. It was a good week actually, filled with smiles and humming.

I also took the initiative to email a friend I've been feeling kind of awkward around for awhile. Hunter was diagnosed with cancer last May and since then it's been like he's an alien to me. We speak different languages. But I emailed him and let him know that I was sorry for being a jerk and that I was just feeling awkward about the diagnosis and I shouldn't have. He said it was all right, but it's not. I was so rude to leave him when he truly needed his friends. I'm glad now that I can talk to him.

I will be straight with you, as I was with Hunter, I've failed again. The Belleville story (you can find an excerpt in my gallery) has fallen through. It is the second attempt at a "book" and it's down the drain. The important thing is that I'm trying, but getting past page 53 is a toughy. There are other ideas mulling around in my head, so give me time! Until then I have to write a short story for a contest. I lost the contest I submitted Wrath of the Faeries to so I must come up with something better and work on my grammar and, quite possibly, have Mrs. B read through it for errors. This time I'm going to be much better about it. ^-^ I have also given up all hope on going back to Keepsake. Let's face it, folks, I'm not going to write any more of Spencer's story. I outlined and planned and I wrote without editing and did everything the sites and articles told me to do and I still couldn't bring Spencer through to the end. The sad thing is that his ENTIRE story is in my head. I just can't get the characters to speak or grow. I do believe that I will go back to it some day and write on it and finish it and bring Spencer into the world. Just, right now, the world isn't ready for Spencer Bell.

_{Also, remember that I'm doing a feature the end of this month/early next month. So if you have anything you want me to feature you can suggest it. The only catch is that it must evoke some kind of emotion. It can range from confusion or lust to happiness and swirling depression. It can be any medium--even clothes and food!}

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22924951/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22924951/ Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:32:37 PST Whatever.

Anyways, today I made oatmeal cookies. They're kind of blah. I thought I was craving oatmeal cookies, but I was just craving the manual work involved in baking the cookies. So I'll let my brother and dad eat them.

I bought a few new books yesterday. I got Peter Pan (like I don't all ready know the story by heart), Bringing Elizabeth Home (about Elizabeth Smart, that girl that got kidnapped and brainwashed a few years ago), All You Need Is Love and 99 other Life Lessons from Classic Rock Songs, The Virgin's Lover (about Elizabeth I, who I am obsessed with), and The Diary of a Chav. I'm also reading A Separate Peace and The Last Lecture. So I've got tons of reading to do.

Sorry no teapot has surfaced yet. The teacher hasn't graded Patrick Star's Rock Teapot. She is there on Monday so maybe she'll get the grade and make me feel horrible about it and then I can take a picture of it to show.

On the writing front, there isn't a whole lot. I did the Cold Bones thing and then last night I got a sprit of inspiration and started writing, but it fizzled after one paragraph. It's a good paragraph, though. I'm still working on Belleville. I haven't touched it in a few days, but I'm still thinking it over and wondering where Jeff's story will take me.

So, it's almost dinner now. I kind of want to go help my dad make the broccoli and cauliflower. I'm on a cooking binge this weekend. I can feel it. I kind of want brownies. *sighs*

Went to Pierre on Wednesday with my class to see the capitol building. It actually wasn't so bad. Brittney, Breanna, and I kept ourselves highly entertained with simple things like throwing Peach-O bits at Brandon while he slept and taking pictures of each other. The Legislature meetings weren't so awful either. Senator Adelstein was definitely my fave, though. He looked like the captain off the Titanic and his eyebrow was kind of quirked up like he was daring anyone to mess with him. When we sat in on the committee meeting that morning, my friend Shadoe fell asleep and we realized that he'd been on TV the entire time. Senator Abdallah was sleeping, too, so I guess it wasn't a big deal.

After we got back, I went over to Brittney's house and tried on her sister's prom dresses. Her senior year one fit me to the tee (although her boobs are about three sizes larger than mine). I'm just going to tie the back real tight so I don't have to get it altered or anything. It's a gorgeous dress, though. It's a purple one with spaghetti straps. Kristi said it looks great on me and Brittney said it gives me boobs. I can't wait to wear it!

Also, don't forget that I'm doing a feature late Feb/early March. It be whatever medium (even clothing and food) but it must evoke an emotion (ranging from confusion to euphoria and everything in between). I've collected a few pieces all ready and I can't wait to get more in there. There's no limit! Suggest away!

Aaaaand... Spookychild is holding a contest and you should all try it out.



<sub>1. What led you to write?
Um, I don't know. I started writing when I was about three, because I wanted to make the scribbles the grown-ups did, haha. Real writing, though, I started doing when I was about eight. I just wanted to write, because I was good at making stuff up. I wrote about vampires and witches, then... actually, not much has changed in almost eleven years, ha!

2. When did you start writing?
Woops, all ready answered that. But I guess, seriously writing, I started at about fifteen. That's when I knew I wanted to write an actual book. It wasn't any more fanfictions and stuff, it was me writing my own stuff to share with others.

3. What does writing represent in your life?
I guess everything, really. I like to write when I'm depressed, because that's when I get most of my thoughts out there. It's strange, but it works. But it represents so much more than two weeks of feeling sad about myself. It also represents who I am. I'm a crazy person with a lot of thoughts on the supernatural and on religious hypocrisy and on dealing with death. Most of my characters lose their mother at som... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22808154/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22808154/ Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:50:04 PST
Around 1, after two hours of Law & Order: SVU, I watched Slumdog Millionaire. I was all ready quite the fan of Dev Patel (he plays Anwar on Skins for any of you that think the name sounds familiar), but this movie sealed it for me. He is SUCH a good actor. And the movie is really quite good. Like really good. No wonder it's up for all sorts of awards. The music was good, acting was great, characters were believable, and I really liked the direction. Overall, just a good film. The closing credits are played over the cast dancing, which is kind of cool. Dev didn't do a lot of smiling in the movie so the ending credits' dance brought that out and he has such a beautiful smile. Another thing, I am now really digging the name Latika. I must find some way to use that name.

Update on my teapot? Well my art teacher didn't like it. She said she did to my face and I was all happy, but as soon as I left the room she dissed it. I'm so glad my friend Jakey told me that she did, because I was starting to warm to the lady. Then she told me my new project would just not work out (we're doing pointillism). So I brought her something else and she frowned at that, but my friend brought her a blurry picture and she loved it. I don't get it. I can do no right in the woman's eyes. I may as well not try. I should have dropped the freakin' class, but I must try and try again. Eventually she should get over it, right? Right? *hangs head in defeat* Anyways, I'll get a picture of my teapot on Tuesday and put it up for you all to see the horribleness that it is.

I am trucking right along in my Belleville story. I said I discontinued it and I did for about a week. I was totally against working on it, but then I got bored in study hall and pulled it out and got to work. I wrote about twelve pages on it this weekend and that sucks by hand, ok? My hand is cramped up like you wouldn't believe. I'm going to get carpal tunnel, but it's all for you guys, all right? Well, ok, it isn't really. It's for me, because it's what I want to see. In all honesty, though, Belleville is probably the first story I've written where I didn't actually want to read the story. See with Keepsake and Time of Dying and The Edge, they all had things that interested me and that I wanted to read about but couldn't find the right book. Keepsake and Time of Dying are about religious corruption and coming of age and The Edge was about floating islands and escaping parents' despotism. Belleville is just where this kid's friend dies and he's put into a mental hospital, because he tries to commit suicide (unknowingly to himself). Eventually Jeff does admit that he was trying to kill himself, but at the time he hadn't really thought about it all. But I've got a book like Belleville, so why write it? Because it came about after 's friend passed away. She told me the story and I started getting obsessed with it and ended up writing. It was supposed to be a one-shot/short story and it evolved into something much bigger. It's got a lot of potholes in it and everything needs so much work, but it's chugging along.

Um. Um um. I'm trying to get to let me bring this drawing she made home with me. It's of my character Minc, who appears in Welcome To The Fearcus. I can't remember why she wanted to draw Minc and Boy, but she only ended up drawing Minc and she did a darn good job. I want you all to see it, though, and she just has it hanging up in her locker at school. I am also trying to draw the faces of my characters from Belleville but, let's face it, I'm a terrible artist. I can't draw faces, much less anything else that isn't a cartoonish alien. So it's coming along slowly. I did do some nice letters at the top, though. ^-^

So, I believe I've brought you up to speed now. I must go eat dinner and read a bit more and then slump off to sleep. I am exhausted. I went to bed at like 5 and got up at 9, because I can't sleep any later than 9. I told that to Brittany and she said I could, but I haven't in like... months. Every time I'm at her house I end up staring at the ceiling for hours or watching Bass Pro Fishing with Mark while I wait for her to wake up. Today I spread myself out... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22674144/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22674144/ Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:18:50 PST I've had this idea since I got my first sub in December. You know those features in the news that everyone clicks through like the 100 Artists Under 1,000 pageviews or 100 Artists Under 20? I want to do something like that, except not. I don't want to limit myself to any number of features. No 100 this or 100 that. I don't care if you're 13 or 130, I will feature you. The catch is is that it must be something that strikes emotion or makes you go 'Hmm'. I like artwork that makes you think or feel something. It also doesn't have to be just a photo or a painting or anything, it can also be writing or even fractal. I've seen some cool fractals out there. It can also be clothing. Although I'm not sure how much clothing makes you think. Maybe 'How'd she get that on?' or something? I dunno.

Anyways, so if you have a suggestion you can comment me. I'm going to go through my favorites and gather the ones I like and put them into a separate favorite file for features. All the ones you suggest, if you so happen to, will go there as well. I hope to get the feature up before March, but knowing me it could be April or May. I am known to procrastinate A LOT.

As a rule of courtesy, I will feature those that watch me. Mainly I do this because you're showing me support, for what I'unno, but I'll still feature you. So if you happen to watch my journal, send in a piece of yours that you like or I shall pick one myself and notify you. I'll also automatically be featuring those that I watch, whether big name (like Miss-Deathwish) or someone not a lot of people know (like GabrielMalkavian). So, you game?</sub>

Righto, away from that. My friend Keely finally gave me the portrait she drew me for Christmas. It's an anime styled Edward and Bella from the Twilight series. I don't really like anime and I'm a little 'argh' about Twilight, but I do really like the picture. I always appreciate home made gifts more than anything else in the world. That whole 'it's the thought that counts' thing always gets me. If you think about me enough to give me a picture, anime or abstract or bloody, I will love it and frame it and put it on my wall. For college I now have four pictures to put on my wall, so I'm excited. My dorm shall be beautiful this fall! Speaking of, if anyone lives in Portland, Oregon and you wouldn't mind hanging out with a fellow Deviant Artist I would like that. I'm sure I'll be lonely for my first few weeks.

I also made a teapot today in art class. Well, ok, it is mainly crafted by the old teacher's aide and my friend Breanna, but name's on the bottom, ok? It kind of looks like Patrick Star's rock and I still have to paint it. I'm thinking pink, green, and purple to keep the homage to Patrick going. When that's all done I'll take a picture so you can see Patrick's rock.

Right, I scrapped the "short" story I've been working on. I got disheartened. I feel so lame that I haven't brought you guys ANYTHING new in the writing department in so long. I'm sorry. I shall work on that and I hope to get something by May up.

Anyways, I have a government paper to do and sleeping to accomplish so I should tackle that.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22578836/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22578836/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:47:04 PST . The prizes were two things from her gallery (one print and one magnet). I chose the same image for both and this is that:



And I won a contest sponsored by . The prizes were 20 DevDollars and a one year sub. Obviously I'm using my sub and here's what I bought with my DevDollars!



And, as to not just toot my my own horn, here are some features! _{What a great way to use a sub, eh?}


Androgyny--Alien-She


The Fog Part Two--bigskystudio


Away Away--Miss-Deathwish


Don't Go Yet--alberich


coldheart--VaughnB


Agony--CrashxChaos


Innocence Lost--ainhoart


Paper Hearts Introduction--equineagenda


Ghost Hunters--DarcKnyt


Cute Autumn--agnesina


Hanagumori--Dianae


Aisha for Eevee--Felorah

Go forth and favorite.

Um, don't believe I have anything else to say..... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22524730/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22524730/ Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:26:25 PST Yesterday I went to 's house to do a photoshoot. We were both surprised my prom dress fit her and have now dubbed it the Sisterhood of the Traveling Prom Dress. Anyways, it took me three hours to do her hair. At first I wanted it teased and flyaway and then I wanted the crown teased and then I decided to just poof up her bangs and bring that back from her crown. I was surprised the latter even worked out. It took a million bobby pins and the divinity of hair spray to keep it all in place, but it worked out. While I was yanking at her hair to get the hair spray out she was like, "AHH! You don't like me do you?" Then she kept laughing when I did her make up so it looked terrible and she redid it and it looked much nicer. In total it took us SIX HOURS to get something done and then her mom came home and had to take a few pictures of her. It was so silly.

Today now all I've been thinking about is pictures. I found the cutest picture of a toddler on Photobucket shhing the photographer and I was like . Then I was listening to some music and it was like ! Needless to say I want to do another photo shoot, but I should be focusing on school work that I'm behind in. *rolls eyes* Or maybe the story I'm supposed to be writing. *zombie moans* Or even getting my doctor appointment set up so I can get these papers sent off to my college. *sighs* Or I could be trying to call Laurie to see about my senior pictures. *falls over* I would rather be messing with Britty's hair and clothes and taking pictures.

Of course the only downside to it all is that I shake too much with the camera and I get bored really easily. I want to move on and do something more exciting the moment after I start a new project. My problem is ADD, for sure. Well, the real problem is that I want to do everything and I want it all to look like it does in my head or I don't want to do it at all. I want things done my way or that's it. I'm much too stubborn.

Hmmm... I think I'm going to go make a cheesecake now. Maybe I'll fascinate myself with culinary art for the time being and get that photography thing out of my system. Even though I really should be doing my homework and working on Keely's and Britty's gifts and not worrying about pictures or cheesecake and God knows I don't need the latter. *shrugs* I'll walk it off, I suppose.

Later. <3

--Amanda

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22456686/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22456686/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:59:32 PST

I got accepted to Kansas State today.
--I'm going to Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, though.

I've just figured out my major and I'm quite happy.
--I will be majoring in Theology and minoring in Humanities. I might double major and do a minor in Missions--I'm still thinking about it. Either way, I'll be a pastor. I'll also continue on as a writer and a musician. I won't give up my dream, because I want to do something practical as well.

I dropped physics today.
--Hallelujah. I never have to think about velocity, acceleration, and fulcrums again. I got too sidetracked when Abbie mentioned 'fulcrum' anywho. I kept think about Volcom, haha. I took up integrated math, which is basically an easy math and an easy A. My GPA fell this last semester so I'm working hard to get it up.

I fixed everything with my art teacher.
--Well, not entirely. She still hates me and gets an attitude, but it's cool now, right? We're working with clay right now and it needs a handle and a spout and at first I was a little bitter about it, but I got to talking to the aide and now I'm excited. I kind of want to do an elephant's head with the trunk as the spout and the ears for handles. I may do a cow, though. That would be sweet. *le gasp* I COULD DO AN ALIEN! Holy ravioli. I shall come up with a new character tomorrow, sketch it out with a handle and spout, and start making it. It shall be awesome.

I'm trying to get something to put up.
--It's going very very slow haha.

Later. <3

--Amanda

<sub>P.S. LMAO! Just noticed I have another sub. Was looking at the footer and I was like 'what the heck is this?' And I checked my main page and I'm like 'Oh my gah! I have a new subby!' Aha, go me for observation. I've only been on dA since 4 PM!

128 days till I graduate!</sub>

]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22183198/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/22183198/ Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:55:37 PST Merry Christmas, Everyone. I suppose the proper thing these days is to wish you a happy holidays, but screw that. I don't care if you're atheist, Jewish, or celebrate Kwanzaa you deserve Christmas blessings. It's the one time of the year that Christians are "required" to be good as it is the Savior's birthday... yada yada. So blessings to you. Moving onward.

I requested that do a picture of an OC of mine. Her name is Helen Ritter and she is a main character in my Keepsake novel (which is now in the process of being called The Drift). She's got white hair (originally black), icy blue eyes, and pale skin. She's got a multitude of piercings (snakebites, nose ring, double eyebrow ring, three piercings in each ear, and is contemplating getting a belly ring, a tongue ring, and a monroe). Despite her in your face appearance, Helen's a sweet girl and a helper at heart. Her best friends are Paul Spitz (who she treats like a little brother) and Tanner Dwight. Her newest crush is Spencer Bell (my main character) and she helps him find a place within The Drift (Tanner's community of runaways). She's really outspoken and could care less what anyone thinks about her. She will do what she pleases when she wishes to do it and if you don't like--tough, she'll do it anyway. She's commonly known as Neleh by her friends and as 'you there' by her parents and brother.



Ta da! There she is all spookified. Pretty cool, eh?

Also, I got up at 5:30 this morning (*zombie moan*), because I couldn't breathe YET AGAIN so instead of just sitting in bed asphyxiating I got up. I got my notebook from beside my computer and started jotting down an idea that had been swirling in my head. When I was little my favorite movie (besides Hocus Pocus) was Thumbelina. The main fairy guy was named Cornelius and I always loved that name so I am now using it. I shortened the kid's name to Cory and I was halfway through the thing when I remembered that Cory from Boy Meets World's real name is Cornelius and he shortens it. I laughed about that.

Aaaand... here's a survey, because you don't know me that well and it's Christmas so let's get to know each other.

1. Introduce Yourself!
Hello, I am Amanda.

2. Three Things you LIKE about yourself
1) My immaturity
2) My eyes (I'm awfully vain about them)
3) My awkwardness

3. Three Things you wish you CHANGE about yourself
Hmm... ok, I know it sounds weird, but I don't have anything. I have tiny hands and strangely small feet and one toe that's too long and I have spots and I'm a little chubby, but I like me. Even the personality me. Is it strange that I don't wish to change anything about me?

4. What is your favorite Animal/s?
Snow leopard, cow, and zebra

5. What is your favorite color/s?
Hot pink, lime green, dark purple, crimson, electric yellow, bright orange, and black

6. A Television Show you WISH you could be on
Skins... I wanted to be Maxxie's stalker... aha lame or Wizards of Waverly Place, because Selena Gomez is so cool.

7. Who would you say is your BEST FRIEND on DA?
Hrm... I'm not really close with anyone on dA. I'll randomly chat, but I wouldn't say I'm close to anyone. But I guess I do have my real friend on here so and

8. Favorite Food?
Chicken fettucini alfredo

9. Any advice you would give to newer Deviants?
Don't buy into the drama and if you get offended easily, stay out of the music and complaint forums.


10. Any HINTS to getting easy Pageviews?
Be active...

11. What do you do in your free time?
Read, write, doodle, play bass, and generally just lounge around. Occasionally I will take a walk, sing in front of my mirror, dance around my room with my dog in tow, and talk to myself. o.0

12. Your Personal Quote=
I've no gems of wisdom for you. I'm not a quote worthy person, but I do go by one that Nick Jonas said which is actually located below in ze... ]]> *DudeRun http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/21936861/ http://DudeRun.deviantart.com/journal/21936861/ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:48:46 PST This morning I woke up to the sound of Marilyn Manson's 'The Death Song' and it seemed to be a good way to start the day. I pressed the mute button and read through the text. I was thoroughly overwhelmed to find out that my auntie had her baby safely this morning at 6 AM. The baby's name is Jane Morgan Lorraine Tesch and she's absolutely doll like, according to my aunt. I will be going to see them both tomorrow afternoon after school and I can't wait.

It was an amazing day in school today. I got a hug from Juan and managed to fend away Shadoe and I got to witness Jake's amazing dancing skills and an absolutely hilarious fight between Breanna and Josh. The only downside was my art teacher. She's a bitch. I forgot my final at home (sue me) and she yelled at me in front of the entire class and I was just like, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!" I just set my jaw and stared down at my book, willing every bone in my body to remain still and not attack her.

Oh, on the bright side, I get my physics homework. I actually am beginning to understand it a little bit. Yay for it only being the end of the first semester and me getting it haha. I will still not be pursuing a career as a physicist, though, haha.

Anyways, I got home today and my dad handed me an envelope from University of South Dakota. I just sighed as I ripped the top open, thinking it was just another scholarship notice. There was a bright pink sheet inside that said CONGRATULATIONS, though, and I was like ???. So I pulled everything out and it was my acceptance letter. Now I only have to deposit $100 to secure my place. Woo simple. -_- I'm not sure if I want it, though, so I'm still going to apply for K State and Concordia in Portland. I just really don't want to go to USD haha, but if I must I must, ya know?

All right, now I'm exhausted... so here's some stuff you should check out and I'm off to bed.


Rocker's Dream--sakiters


A Mad Tea Party--600v


Mirror of Reality--kimag3500


Wind--Mollyminimum


Self portrait--girl-of-art


The Bride of Dracula--GabrielMalkavian


Silence + Control--omigodimonfire


Purpose Driven--Memnalar


Last of the Light 1--Planet-H


The most beautiful sound--ChristineAmat

]]> *DudeRun