Mood: anxious
Music: Switchfoot "Dare You to Move" (I think)

And now for something completely different...

Okay, instead of binging on either fulls rants or quizzes, I'm going to combine them.

So let's get started. I talked to Aja last night, which was really fun, because I got some interesting insight into LUW, which make sme want to re-read it with some new things in mind. While I'm talking about the HP fandom, let me note I had a rather interesting revelation this morning which I might have made earlier if I wasn't BLIND. Besides my revelation, my own writing is going particularly well, as I've received two first round questions back. Hopefully the rest will be in next week.

In other writing news, yesterday I had a brainstorming session at Old Hometown about our book. I hate the topic, it's as boring as dirt, so I've been focusing more on layout and design than writing. I've always liked writing so much, I made Heather draw up my layouts and never gave it much thought, but apparently I have been picking up journalism over the years because we came up with some really neat stuff, so even if the book is shit, it'll look good.




The jerk guy in that movie scared me when I was little.

Since I'm the brainy Belle, I'll talk a bit about Scholar's Bowl. Technically I'm an alternate on the A-team (tied for fourth spot, and not quite as dedicated as Nicole), but I have much more fun playing, so I've opted to be the Captain of the B-team. Today we played in our tournament, and it was so much fun. I played better than I have in months, and had a great time. Although we had four players, Sean and I were really the only ones buzzing, we were really our own team (because Ryan and Victoria barely speak to us). We made it to the semi-finals, and then barely (and I mean a tiny margin here, and if we had played out the whole round, it might've ended differently) lost the consolation match (well, there were two really good teams we knew would win) to our A-team. It was great, and I can't remember the last time I felt so confident being intellectual. Not that I'm trying to be pretentious, but I generally haven't felt that stimulated in school lately, so this was a good day.


Which Sex and the City Player Are You? Find out @ She's Crafty


I rarely, rarely watch this show, but I had to take the quiz. On the subject of sexuality, I had an interesting conversation with a friend today about human sexuality in general and slash as a sub-catagory. She made some really good points about blurring the lines of real life, and accepting something as true in certain situations (i.e. willing suspension of disbelief, the I-wouldn't-do-it,-but-you-can syndrome). To quote Moody, we need constant vigillance in all areas of life to remain balanced people. I've really been contemplating my online time lately, and what I've finally decided is I will not choose my computer over a RL alternative. A friend of mine left the online community she founded last year because she was addicted to her online "fantasy" life (see, Mary Sue's can be dangerous!). She decided to pursue a real life, and I definitely think when you reach the point of having more of a life online than off, you need to back off and figure out if that's what you really want. Bridget Jones has her long-term wine bottle relationship, and many others have the same dependence on their computers. I think I'm on a fine line right now, and I just have to make sure I maintain my RL relationships. On that note, none of this stops me from wanting a LiveJournal.



Would you survive a horror movie? Find out @ She's Crafty

No psycho slayer is going to get between you and your right to life. You're an ass-kicker, a charge taker, and if need be, a monster masher. You're level-headed in sticky situations, you trust yout instincts, and you're not afraid to get a little dirty while getting the job done. Simply put, you rock! But don't get carried away. Even though your little brother might act like a creep sometimes, you definately shouldn't be driving stakes through his heart!


Go me!

Tonight I played a Roman guard in our Living Stations of the Cross. I wasn't really moved by the experience (it's hard to be spiritual about your friends in costumes) until the part where we nail Jesus to the cross. Now, I was behind the scenes, and could see the special effects being done, but that didn't stop me from gasping when I saw James' face. James is not an incredible actor, nor was his make-up esp. good, but I hadn't seen his face yet while he was in character, because he kept hid head bowed the whole time.

For a fleeting instant, I saw a man suffering death.

It was really cool.

Sometimes I'm really amazed by the power of Christ. I can't really go off about this, because it's more than I can explain.

-Morgan

Mood: still going a zillion miles a minute
Music: Puddle of Mudd "Blurry"

Okay, I forgot to mention this earlier, but I read the latest chapter of Aja's Love Under Will today, and it was awesome.

I love this story because Aja's intense, vivid style is as engaging as the plot. The story is not without fault (this one line is so stiff, it's my only dislike; the "Ever the proud Gryffindor; Ever the haughty Slytherin" bit), but it is very high quality. My favorite thing about LUW is how a lot of the narrative is spent inside the character's heads, stream-of-conciousness, but there is still action going on. It's a really good mix. Anyways, that's all I have to say about that...

One last note:

I want a Live Journal! I want to be able to link to everyone else, and feel special. I'm not above begging here, if you have an LJ code and want to give it to me, or you want to e-mail me to comment on anything I've posted here, it's ccNightrider@yahoo.com

-Morgan

Mood: nervy
Music: Moulin Rouge!

Do you ever just roll the windows down, turn the volume up, and sing off-key really loud?

Mood: bored
Music: Delirious "Deeper"

Once again I found myself ignoring my classmates (apparently to some people, explicating poetry means summarizing the life of Milton, Keats, or Byron) and reading Shaw's epilogue to Pygmalion.

His vision ends with Eliza marrying Freddy (why? why?) while still living with Pickering and Higgins (who views her marriage as a joke and Freddy as a fool). Eliza and Freddy are completely helpless losers, living off of the charity of others (namey Col. Pickering).

Eventually, they open a flower shop, but have no business skills and have to learn book keeping, which is apparently utterly humiliating.

Despite her marriage to Freddy (again, what would posess her?), Eliza continues living with Pickering and Higgins. Henry and Eliza continue their bizarre relationship, alternately clashing and behaving amicably. All the while, however, (and I'm quoting Shaw here) "Eliza wishes she could get him alone on a desert island, away from all ties and with nobody else in the world to consider, and just drag him off his pedestal and see him making love like any common man."

The winds that shape our fate are fickle, indeed.

I'm torn, because while I think Eliza and Freddy's relationship in unbalanced and somewhat squicky, Eliza's relationship with Henry would be unrealistic as well. note: this whole analysis is really kind of weird, I'm not really a huge My Fair Lady/Pygmalion fan, I just thught this aspect was really interesting. Again, quoting Shaw, "Galatea never does quite like Pygmalion; his relation to her is too godlike to be altogether agreeable."

Moving onward...

Now, as I mentioned, my English class was discussing seventeenth century poets, and thus we eventually got to Lord Byron, where I stopped reading about Pygmalion, and started paying attention because the other day, in passing, it occured to me that fanon Draco is a near perfect Byronic hero, and I wanted to expand on this theory.

Using Cassie's Draco as the typical fanon Draco (reformed, sexy, dark, witty, etc.), let's take a look.

Draco will never be a classic hero like Harry. Harry is Joseph Campbell's hero, a modern day Aeneas. Draco is an edgier, darker hero, angsty and tormented. He is dangerous, capable of unflinching evil, but is trying to live his life as a good person (according to the relative scale of morality). He is passionate, defiant, and smoldering. Lord Byron said of his heroes, "he is one in whom there is much to love and to hate." Plus, Byron's heroes are really a remake of Milton's Satan. What else could fit Draco better? I see hero!Draco portrayed as a struggling good guy with a lingering darkness.

I'll end this random pot with just a few more things.

I can't wait to read IP12. It's driving me crazy to know it's sitting finished on Rhysenn's computer, just sitting there, waiting to be read, and I'm not reading it. urgh.

I'm v. excited because Cassie said she's going to post a cookie for DV next week. Woo-hoo!

Lastly, I thought this quote was really interesting, because it's true. The people who could potentially be the greatests lovers (not just physically), often think of love as less important than their first passion, whatever it may be.

"To those who have the greatest power of loving, love is a secondary affair."
-Walter Savage Lander

-Morgan

I'm such a survey whore...


Which Action Star Are You? Find out @ She's Crafty

I love you man. You are probably the drink with the most fan clubs ever. A lot of people depend of you and your caffeine content to keep them up all night. Others are just addicted.
Find your inner cola.

I'm really Diet Coke...

Mood: Refreshed
Music: Red Hot Chili Peppers "Aeroplane"

I'm a punk/hardcore fangirl I like screaming, I like kicking it up in the mosh pit, and damn do I like spikey hair.

What kind of fangirl are you?

I think this is cute, but I'm not really a punky fangirl. If I could go to any concert, my top five would be:
1. Josh Joplin Group
I know all the words, and they have a great sound.
2. U2
Imagine jumping up and down and screaming out "Elevation" live, not to mention singing, "and I STILLLLLL haven't found what I'm lookin' for..."
3. Bob Rice
He's just so darn cool.
4. Indigo Girls
I wish I had enough money to get their newest CD.
5. Rolling Stones
It would just be SO classic.

Mood: Anxious
Music: Josh Joplin Group "Camera One"
I've quite a bit to say today, so it will be divided into categories.

Education

I have a major problem with the public school system in America. For the past three days my high school (rather appropriately dubbed "Ghetto High" by my Econ. instructor) has undergone the hell known as standardized testing. I believe standardized testing is appropriate to measure students against the rest of the country and world, in order to make sure our children are becoming properly educated, but the FCAT measures students again other Florida students. What is the point of that? Why are wasting our budget and cutting special programs (Gifted programs, several elementary schools, Old Hometown) to find out how Florida students compare to one another? Sorry Jeb, the FCAT is a foul pile of shit.

Furthermore, I maintain the public school system has destroyed thw thirst for knowldege. By mandating curriculum and directing students' interest towards specified classes, we are not allowing them the level of exploration they deserve. I love the learning process. New skills fascinate me, I love learning about history and poets and occasionally even about science, but I detest being forced into meaningless mind-numbing classes like Economics and Life Management Skills. Our school systems are in a sad state when they take bright, eager minds, and transform them into people with a wish to learn and a negative attitude towards school. Maybe I'm just very ready to leave. Must repeat mantra; only two more months, only two more months...

Platonic Friendships

This is as much of a myth as the Astronomy Tower being used for Astronomy. Helen Fielding touches upon this humourously in Bridget Jones's Diary (the pashmina convo), but the truth is, there is no such thing as a platonic friendship. I was discussing this with Lindsay (www.LindsayMyers.blogspot.com) today, and it's a basic Sociological fact. Men and women (and often, in same sex relationships as well) can not simply be friends. One or the other, or perhaps both want something more out of the relationship. This could simply be a reflection of our society, and how we are taught to view people as objects, but I think it runs deeper, to the basic human need for companionship. We are so isolated, we are desparately seeking companionship and love from almost everyone we meet. I don't understand why, but I think it's true, and I pray everyone gets the love they need.

Added note:
The reasoning behind this last was because I've been reading George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, and contemplating Eliza's relationship with Prof. Higgins. Now I personally always assumed they got married after the movie, but I was reading the Epilogue in my Lit. book, and it said if you really look at the last scene (and in the play this is true, in the movie, it is more ambiguous), Henry is proposing to live together with both of them becoming "confirmed old bachelors" and I found this rather difficult to accept because of my views about platonic relationships, etc

Prejudice

About six months ago, a friend of mine tried to start a Gay/Straight Alliance at my High School. Now, I have nothing against homosexuality, and have several friends who are gay, but this was not a good idea, as time showed. Besides getting a range of uninformative and biased publicity, a few people were beaten up and such for their sexual orientation. I think this is wrong, and is one of the biggest problems in today's society. I believe in tolerence. Now, I'm not saying everyone should be allowed to do whatever they want, because that would obviously result in chaos, but I think everyone needs to be a little more open minded. During this whole GSA fiasco, my Sr. Gov't class was divided up and I, along with several others, was placed in a Freshman Geography class which was debating the aforesaid club.

I was absolutely shocked at the things they said.

I'm not the most open minded or liberal person in the world, I'm actually rather conservative and prudish, but I couldn't believe the lack of compassion coming from these kids.

Now, I've used homosexuality as an example, but here's my real point. If our teenagers, who sociologically and psychologically are the most likely to be open minded, are already biased and mean spirited, what will they be like when they get older? It's a proven fact that people become more conservative and unwilling to change as they age, and these 14 and 15 year old kids were unwilling to even listen to other peoples viewpoints. I find that sad. I think we should all pray for (or if you aren't a practicing anything, just work towards it) peace and understanding.


Love

To quote Xena (it was so good the first three seasons, and then it started going downhill as the writers tried to incorporate more slashy subtext; they should have just left everything to progress as it would) I am in a love free zone. Not an inkling of romance anywhere on the horizon. And while I don't exactly begrudge people their little affairs, I reject being exposed to sappy Country love songs.

Today at Mass...

I was zoning in and out of the homily today because of my preoccupation with other things, but Fr. Dominic snapped me out of it when he started talking about how God does not want us judging anyone, and God does not want us to judge ourselves. As I go about my daily life, I constantly berate myself for one thing or another. I had a volleyball coach who once said she was there to tear us down, and we were there to build each other back up. I suppose I should let God judge me and simply accept that I fail, and I fall, and it will happen. So I think we should all take this lesson to heart; I will try to stop judging myself so much.

Okay, that's all for now, as an added note, I'm v. excited about the upcoming chapter of Rhysenn's Irresistable Poison, coming soon to the FA Underground (otherwise known as www.FictionAlley.org).
-Morgan

I was at Mass today, and I just wanted to share the phrase that captures the meaning of Lent, and the priest says this at some point before the consecration.

It is: You ask us to master our sinfulness and conquer our pride
I love that. Okay, back to the fluff.

I e-mailed nearly twenty authors about being interviewed and so far Cassie, Aja, Al, John Walton, Heidi, Ebony, Barb, and Stacey have all said yes. I'm ultra-psyched about it. So more quizzes...

You will marry LEGOLAS from Lord of the Rings, live in an ancient elven palace in the middle of the forest, and spend your days walking on top of snow and rowing ivory boats and just being beautiful.

What's YOUR M * A * S * H future?

YEAH BABY!




Take the Final Fantasy X personality test here! by

This is officially the only video game I have EVER played, and I fell in love with the main character.

-Morgan

Find out who your inner rock boy is here! by

Go me!
On a completely different note, showing my multi-faceted personality:


Which Sanrio character are you? by woofiegrrl

Mood: v. excited
Music: listening to new Star Wars Trailer

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me repeat that:

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

The new Star Wars movie, Episode II: Attack of the Clones is going to be the best movie EVER, or at least since The Lord of the Rings. I'm so excited, I don't know how I'm going to wait until May 16. I just watched the newest trailer (go to www.starwars.com and check it out) and I'm so excited. More Ewan, more lightsabers, an army that looks suspiciously like future storm troopers, Chancellor Palpatine talking to a disgruntled Anakin....I don't know how I'm going to survive until then.

Okay, I just had to get that out.
-Morgan

Mood: sleep
Music: One Girl Revolution, Superchic[k] (this is my theme song, I want it to play every time I enter a room)

Before I get into other stuff, I would like to note while I greatly desire a live journal, blogspots are much more reliable, because LJ is down so much. Onward to the serious stuff.

Okay, one more light note. Also vying for fifth are Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn..fwaah) and Hugh Jackman.

Tonight we had practice for our annual Living Stations of the Cross. For those non-Catholics, the there are fourteen stations which break up the passion of Christ from his condemnation to his placement in the tomb. After three years, I finally have the role I want; I am a guard. I always get stuck reading and narrating, which is actually a bigger part, but I've always wanted to be a guard. I really connect with the stations of the cross, because each one has application in my own life. Everytime Jesus falls and is made fun of, and each time he rises again are significant to my own daily struggles. I urge everyone, Catholic, Christian, and anything else, to check out the stations, and the reflections along with them. Sometimes you just need to remember there was a man, whether you believe he was God or not, who died on a cross for his cause. Regardless of who we are, we each need that example in our lives.

Have a great day, and a reflective Lenten season.
-Morgan

I was rather ill today, and thus was not planning on blogging, as I had nothing of interest to say until Lin brought me my pressie from Atlanta (or Hotlanta if you want to sound "bling-bling"-in). It was a magazine with the v. sexy Joaquin Phoenix on the cover. After seeing him in Gladiator (v.g. movie) and Quills (a personal favourite, I love the whole repression theme...plus I'm Catholic, and find priests strangely attractive) I fell in love with him, and was so glad I jumped around screeching. Thus I was inspired to blog about my "Five Freebie List".

For those of you wondering what this is, it's a game from Friends (which I have never watched, but my roommate last summer introduced me to the game) where you pick five members of the opposite sex (or if you're gay, the same sex) who you would love to have wild, guilt-free sex with. Being a good Catholic-Christian, I believe in the beauty of my own sexuality and am a virgin, but if some alternate universe, I would shag the following people:

1. Joaquin Phoenix--
his piercing eyes and features and just amazing, and after seeing Quills, I know he's got a v. nice body as well.

2. Ewan McGregor--
I should hardly have to explain this one, but apparently there are people out there who don't think he's devastatingly attractive. Ewan's movie choices lead me to believe he's romantic, sensual, and willing to try almost anything. Definitely and interesting partner. And if you've seen Velvet Goldmine, you know he looks good. Lastly, to quote Victor/Victoria "and he sings too!"

3. Orlando Bloom--
he has this naive thing going on, playful, fun, and inventive. He's definitely the prettiest member of the party, and while I go for rugged good looks, he's doing fine without them.

4. Sean Biggerstaff--
I may have a dirty mind, but the scene where he wrestles the Bludgers in HP is simply too blatently sexualfor you NOT to want the boy. He screams, "I'm hot and innocent--have your wicked way with me!"

5. This last spot is a toss up. Colin Firth, Brad Pitt, Pierce Brosnan, and others jostle around for this one.
They all have advantages and disadvantages too numerous to list here.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed that, and if you read it, put your own list of freebies up, so I'm not the only one shouting about who I'm lusting after. -Morgan

I'm incredibly pathetic, but I found this one, and only one person I know has it, so I had to put it up. I'm a...



You are the classic yellow squeeky toy.

Find your inner rubber ducky.