Tiff

LOL! Wow! Possessing the power to turn a gay guy straight. Go me! I just like to torture myself with endless readings and paper-writing. And my Mom said I might not cut it as an English major, but that's another story. My Mom is a fan of the "tough love." Forensics major! That's so cool! I like the show "Bones" and she's a forensic anthropologist and is just so smart and everything. Man, that's so awesome. What kind of classes do you take? (going way off topic, I know!) I have several books on true tales of Holocaust survivors. Emotional. Oh yeah, do you happen to know how the "man of steel" took his coffee?

Mmm, peanut butter and chocolate. Yummy...must go find something peanut buttery/chocolately to eat now..... HAHAHHAHAA. I'd love to watch the history segment on Hitler and his reign of terror. Actually, I'd rather read about it. I could read and read and read about that. WW2 is one of my favorite time periods in history. Btw, I'm a history major, and I completely understand that it's not for everyone.

I think this forum thread has activated my coffee addiction. Find myself getting a cup every single day before class. Now it seems I need it. Thanks a lot, guys! I'm running broke and I'm having sleep problems! I'm staying up into the wee hours of the morning watching reruns of Friends, Will and Grace, and George Lopez

Oh, living in Vegas...cool. My recent trip there, I wondered what it would be like to live in Vegas and kind of live in a touristy place. Well, awesome on saving money! Between airfare and hotels, it gets expensive, even for a weekend. Anyway, hit up the strip. Walk around. That can take at least a day or so. I'm trying to plan my next trip out there....probably visit my sister in LA, then either make the 5 or so hour drive to Vegas (road trip!!!) or a super short flight. I'm excited for you! I love Vegas!

What hotel are you staying at? I liked planet hollywood because there were some decent restaurants in there, and the mall was right in that hotel, so you don't have to walk too far. Walgreens is really close for cheap water and snacks. Umm, Fatburger and other food joints. I don't know what to do, being under 21.....just shop and eat! Paris has a lot of awesome pastry places. I love seeing cirque du soleils, but they're pretty pricey.

This was a really beautiful article. I printed it out so I could read it again. This article represents how a lot of closeted gay men must feel in a lot of the non-gay friendly countries. They're scared and unhappy and are forced to live the unhappily just to please the government, the law, etc. Or moving to another country and leaving their home in order to be free. It's not right. It will take a long time to change becauses change never happens overnight, but articles like these can at least bring us some hope and possibly move is in the right direction. I really feel for the couple that committed suicide; it was the only option for them since they were not allowed to be together. I wish the world was more tolerant and terrible things could be prevented. Sometimes you wonder, what is wrong with the world and people? Why do they stick so stringently to the bible or old ways of thinking? Why not change and move forward- just like was stated in the article concerning slavery, women's rights, etc. Really, these feelings and thoughts and ideas are passed down. No one is born and has these beliefs instilled in them If one person stands up and gathers more people for the cause, then new things can develop, and finally, the future generation will be taught how to love and accept everyone no matter what-regardless of race or sexual orientation. Only than can we, people, truly thrive, whether we live in canada, Europe, the US, Asia, etc. This was such a lengthy speech, but thanks for the article. I really liked it and was moved by it.

That's interesting. I've always used personal stories, my own history, or that of friends, or even interactions with people I know to create characters and scenes, but I've never made up something about a random person I saw. I'd like to give that a try; see if I have the creativity to look at someone in a coffee shop, bookstore, or movie theater, and create a whole new person judging by the way they act, look, or talk. I've never liked to people watch really, because I'd be staring blankly at them, but now if I can use some mental energy behind that people-watching, perhaps it will be more entertaining.

I read his stuff a long time ago on Nifty. It was a really good mystery/thriller, which I always love to read. I remember that thread about that story. Isn't it super long? But now that you mention it being such a light, feel-good piece, I kind of want to read it now. Note to self: search the archives for it. I just finished reading Devil in the White City. It was about the Chicago World Fair and how it changed the scope of American architecture, but at the same time, there was a Doctor who used the world fair to kill lots of women and children. He created a house with secret passages, a soundproof vault, a kiln that could burn up to 3000 degrees. It was insane and gross- reading the descriptions of the bodies/flesh. Or how the women disappeared without a trace. Again, thriller, murder mysteries, are enjoyable reads, finding out the ending, etc. Even better was that it was a true story.

I had it worse; my brain does not function on a scientific or mathematical level, whatsoever! It just shuts down. I think my Chem prof. in high school felt sorry for me and curved my grades/passed me. Not a shining moment in my life.

I hate exam times. It gets so stressful and as a way to alleviate that stress, I end up ditching it completely and becoming immersed in something else. A very vicious cycle. Good luck with your exams btw! I hope I did well last night; I could use a pretty miracle right about now. Procrastination is an amazing thing- the pressure somehow gives you a good kick in the butt to somehow manage to do everything in time, or create something really great.

Of course the dumb ones come to you! lol...they're the ones that need the help. The smart ones just do the work on their own, no problem. But hey, if anything, you can get some laughs out of those stupid people. Btw, you remind me of my sister- she says that all the time. That's a great attitude, and one that everyone should have. Having time for yourself or enjoying a specific time in your life is important, especially before you head off into a new chapter of your life (higher education, new job, etc). I would love to chill around after graduation, but I'm lucky to get a five, maybe six month window of 'me' time. Parents are looming over me- lecturing, blahhh... :wacko: Oh how typical! I was terrible in all those subjects in high school. I had to rely on friends to get me through Chem. Lucky, lucky. Jealous, jealous. Well, if you can achieve that level of happiness with your work/career, more power to you. We should all strive for that, but it doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes you just gotta pay the rent/bills.

I've never had ideas come to me while trying to sleep, but I notice when I feel kind of mopey or down, or not in the mood to do schoolwork- reading/papers/etc- that then an idea or story strikes me. It's like, if I'm not focusing my energy and thoughts on one thing, then it gets diverted in another area. Weird. That's happened to me in the last few days. Had an exam last night to prepare for, but ended up mostly working on something new. I can't prioritize! If I don't write, I'm afraid I'll lose it!

GIRLISH figure!!! Brilliant. Yes, keeping that figure is important. But Diet drinks have a funny aftertaste. Artificial sugars.

Vitamin water!!!! I love it! Can drink several bottles a day, but then the sugar becomes overwhelming, so I have to switch it up with water sometimes. while eating junk food (pizza, fries, burgers) soda. Sometimes slurpees on a hot day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy your 18th! Make it an awesome celebration, but not too awesome---you're a legal adult now! No more fun stuff anymore, because then you could get into serious trouble. That's advice my sister always gave me- get into as much trouble as possible before your 18th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Aiy, all this coffee and Starbucks talk have created some serious cravings. I like Starbucks drinks, my favorite being the Iced White Chocolate mocha, although I like an extra espresso shot, or um two, because I crave more bitterness these days. Sometimes there is too much syrupt in those drinks. I get the large cause I'm greedy, but then my stomach feels like it's going to explode. mmm...starbucks, starbucks...before class....after class....mmm.

My God that cake DOES look good. Can it be my birthday, too?! Have a great birthday and an awesome celebration!

I chose the made me cry and hurt for reading....and hurting for something I heard. I read two very well written books for my literature course last semester, and it got me very emotional. It was possible it was due to the fact I was going through a difficult time at home, or I was questioning my own life, but it seemed to hit home. Or sometimes something was so beautifully written or developed, you couldn't help crying at its beauty. I've cried out of sadness when reading, becuse the character was so beautiful and so real...like that character represented how everyone felt in real life, and knowing that made me sad. It took me awhile to stop thinking about those books. It got me very down. Just like Tristan said, reading works, Vlista is a good example, and knowing that it does exist in real life makes me hurt and sometimes cry. It's the ugly reality that hits and really gets to me. Or like you said Rose, something just strikes you and sometimes you don't even have a clue why, but it does. Like on some subconscious level. That's the power of writing and reading. It's amazing. As for something I've heard, tragic news for example, it makes me hurt to know that stuff....that all these unfair things happen around the world or even at home. But I don't cry because with reading, it's expressed differently and I can grasp the situation on a more emotional level and thus I cry. Hope that makes sense. :wacko:

Ooh, Vantage Point is another one. An all-star cast. Was it really good? The only reason I'm hesitant to see that movie is fear of being confused. With all the little secrets and details, I might get lost. I sometimes lose focus when watching movies. Don't ask me how, but it happens.

I bet it makes you hyper, right? I imagine you to be like a monkey bouncing up and down, all the time, with or without stimulants. I don't get hyper from the smell of coffee, but it smells awfully good and it does make me feel more refreshed and alert, at least momentarily. Drinking it only helps me stay awake---even if I don't want to stay awake!

Coffee!!! A dark roast like Kona mixed with hot chocolate and skim. Or perhaps hazelnut coffee--I switch it up sometimes. The bitterness with a hint of sweetness really helps me get to class. It's a motivation thing. Addiction- not so much. My body doesn't crave it. My mind does. Cheers me up, enough so I can get out of the house. Passion, hardly. It's a drink! Tea- sometimes, when my mother preaches about cleansing your insides. And whatever Chinese thing she has hanging around the house.

That hypocritical behavior is what turned me off of religion. There are very few people who are religious, yet actually stick to it, as in how they live. The ones that do, I can respect, but the rest just disgust me. Nothing wrong with living a hedonistic lifestyle, just don't preach or look down at others for not being pure enough or whatever.

I don't see enough movies! At least not in theaters. I'm a huge DVD renter...so I can relax at home and watch it, occasionally pause if I have to, take a bathroom break without running in and out, disturbing others. Tripping on the stairs in the dark, etc. But I did want to see Step-Up....a silly, no plot, dance movie. It's one of those movies you can watch and enjoy, without really paying attention. Great for a multi-tasker like myself. Jumper because I love Hayden Christensen. He was good in Star Wars. As for other movies that I definitely want to check out: Definitely Juno. The reviews were just amazing.