Jane Austen, 1

PBS is airing The Complete Jane Austen. Last night was the first--Persuasion. (This version.) The only things I knew about this book was that I own it (I own the entire Jane Austen collection), have never read it, and everything they say in The Lakehouse. I had been wanting to read it, but it wasn't high on my priority list, so I was rather excited to watch it last night. Two people fall in love, the love is forbidden by her father, the two part. 8 years later, the story begins when he re-enters her life. Will they get back together? Will he ever forgive her for succumbing to her father's will? Will he marry another girl out of honor? Will she fall in love with another? I spent half of the movie anxiously moving around, gasping and groaning. Oh, and may I mention that Rupert Penry-Jones, the man who plays Captain Wentworth, is very attractive?

The movie was only an hour and a half. It felt far too short. It's very clear that there is so much more to the story. It's now next on my list to read, once I finish Myst: The Book of D'ni. Actually, the entire Jane Austin Collection and Jane Eyre are up once I finish Myst.

I'm sure the entire experience would have been much more pleasurable had I not had an excruciating headache the entire time. Sometimes I wonder what a migraine feels like... because I'm sure last night was really close to one. Food, water, shower, ibuprophen, neck rubs, Spice Traders Oil... nothing really helped. They all provided some relief, but only a good night's rest was able to relieve the pain.

All in all, I loved the movie. I would definitely watch it again.

The Dating Game, 3

I wrote a Board answer today talking about 4 of my favorite dates and why. I'd link you to it, but it won't post for 78 more hours. Perhaps if someone reminds me after that... It was good for me. It reminded me of really good dating experiences in my past. It reminded me that things really can be fun and exciting. It made me want to go on one of those dates again... just to remember those thrills and emotions. I'm a little less nervous now. But only a bit.

The Dating Game, 2

Dating is exhausting. Emotionally draining. To go on a simple date, there is much planning. There is disagreement on what would be a good date (something outside in the freezing cold? "isn't that why you go out in the cold with a date so that he can warm you up" or perhaps aerobics? "nothing strenghtens a romance like being in perfect step with each other throughout an entire aerobic workout video" ... commentary courtesy of Sister). There's the uncertainty of what the other person thinks. The period of time between first date and blissful courtship is awkward. It can be fun, don't get me wrong, but it's also tiring. I'd forgotten about that... it's been a long time since I've been there. (For which I am grateful.)

I was going to end this asking if I have the energy for this.... but then I realized that I'm simply incredibly tired and should just go to bed. Perhaps once I catch up on sleep, I'll be more enthusiastic about, once more, entering the dating game as a full-fledged player. For now I'm debating on if I shouldn't just stay on the sidelines for just a bit longer. Unless, of course, there is some handsome prince on a white steed that is willing to drag me out and fight battles for me. In that case, bring it on.

Infiltration into my mind

Yesterday I was driving home from work, listening to my music. Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse came on (which will always remind me of Jolly Green Giant, but that's utterly beside the point). I started tapping my foot to the beat and quickly noticed that I was tapping my foot at the same speed that the yellow dashed lines were passing me on the road. Just then, the lane turned to one dashed and one solid. Suddenly I was playing Guitar Hero to the tune of Hanging by a Moment. I only had two notes, but they'd switch from short notes to long stretches. Sometimes both of them, sometimes one or the other. It fit the song amazingly well.

Curse you, Yellow.

Accomplished

I did it!

Y'all should be proud.

The Dating Game, 1

Boy: "We should do something sometime."

Girl: "Sure!"

Boy: "I'll call you sometime next week and we can set something up.  Or you can call me."

Girl: "Umm.. ok."

Almost two weeks later, Boy has not called Girl.  Should she...

a) Give up on Boy and move on with life.

b) Be stubborn and wait for him to call.

c) Give in and call Boy.

Let it be known that Girl hates calling boys.

Would you stop leaving your clothes at my house?

Found

1 pair of boy's socks--white with grey toes and heels. 

Found under the coffee table at my house.

Reward

1 pair of boy's socks

Life would be so much easier if I didn't have morals.

I went to the ATM today to deposit some checks. I waited patiently for the red suburban in front of me to finish his transaction. He left, I pulled up to the ATM—a perfect distance away. Pleased with myself, I rolled down my window to find the ATM beeping at me. Unsure why, I started looking around to see if, perhaps, there was a bomb attached. Nope, no bomb. Instead, it was screaming at me, telling me to take the $200 cash sitting in in. Assuming it belonged to the red suburban who was still trying to turn left onto 9th East, I pulled forward, ready to jump out of my car and run up to him. Just as I unlocked my door, he pulled out onto the street. I backed back into the ATM all crooked, about to crash into the brick pillar, just far enough away that I had to open my door and squeeze out to get an envelope, then turn at an awkward angle to get everything in. That's what I get for trying to give this guy his money. I put the money in an envelope, planning on returning it to the bank on Monday, since I assume they keep records of who withdrew money at what time and can get the money back to Mr. Red Suburban.

I'm just glad my momma taught me good values so that I'm not actually tempted to keep it.

Books, Tools, and Diving

I was reading the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi last night before bed. I read the first part of the chapter, all about a vineyard and olive tree and followed the story with understanding. Then the chapter transitioned into Woe to Israel, and I followed that part of the chapter with understanding. But as I read the Woe to Israel, I stopped and thought, y'know, I know that Isaiah just told me that the interpretation to the first part of the chapter is the second part of the chapter, and if I really want a good understanding of what he's talking about, I should re-read the first part with the knowledge gained from the second part.

Suddenly it hit me that that is yet another way in which we are accountable for the knowledge God has given us. Especially books like Isaiah. God has given us the text and the tools to understand it. Do we just read the text? Or do we take the time and put forth the effort to use the tools to understand it? Perhaps I should stop trying to read one chapter at night. Because when I do that, I just want to read the chapter so I can go to sleep. I don't have the energy to delve in more. I need to delve.

Wrinkle Day #1

2008 is a leap year. I learned today that that means it is allowed for girls to chase guys this year. I found this intriguing and against all of my better judgment. We'll see if I actually do anything with this newly found knowledge.

Hey, my visiting teacher's mother said it... it must be true.