I'll just put some quotes up that I found while I was cleaning. Guess it's good for something after all.

That which will never come again is what makes life so sweet. --Emily Dickinson

It's always helpful to learn from your mistakes because then your mistakes seem worthwhile. --Garry Marshall

The highest reward for an man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. --John Ruskin

Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans. --John Lennon

and you can't post quotes without at least one anonymous one...

A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn.

fucking cleaning.

Posted by Jen at 12:20 AM | Permalink |

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Thank you to all the Spirits that have signed my guestbook! It's so much fun to have entries and if you haven't checked it out recently, why don't you go sign it?

Posted by Jen at 3:15 PM | Permalink

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Children: don't stop dancing...
Believe...
you can fly....away
--Creed, Don't Stop Dancing

A couple of weeks ago I learned that my grandparents were being bought out of their farm down in Richland Missouri. This is really saddening and disheartening, as I wanted to be able to take my kids there. Course, it's probably better for my grandparents, health-wise, but this means that most likely they'll move down to Corning Arkansas where the rest of their relatives live. Farther away from us and no more near the Gasconade river. There's so much there that I'm going to miss. All the memories, all the places. I'm not sure how much longer they have down there, but it's not long enough. I love my grandparents.

Nothing I can do about it, though. Life sucks. I still need a job, and this is my last week at the Nolta lab. Ah well. Anyone knowing of job openings, let me know. I should just apply to Borders and school myself to temperance.

Posted by Jen at 9:22 AM | Permalink |

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**Of the characters who continued from FOTR, who did you think came off the best as a character, not necessarily as a performance) in TTT?

Did you think anyone got really short-changed?

Did you favorite character(s) change from FOTR to TTT?**

(see the rest of the Ringers... beware of popups)

Well, I do think they developed Aragorn's character more. And they gave Legolas more lines so I'm happy. He's no longer just the elf with the bow, he's got Skilz! I think Faramir did get (short)changed. Probably for the good, we'll have to wait till we see RotK. I don't like how he was portrayed but I understand the reasons that PJ and Co made the reversal in character. Legolas changed, of course...he got more screen-time! And he got that nice looking armor and the sword...man I can't wait till the extended version of TTT, where hopefully we'll see more of Ginsu Elf and perhaps more orc-killing action? lol.

So I'm working on this blend for the new layout of this site. I guess it looks pretty good. Trying out colorizing and things. But you'll have to wait for a while till I can get it online, as cleaning my room currently takes up all my time.

For any of you wanting to join the AATE clique: rest assured I got your submission, it's just gonna be a while cause I'm gonna make a new layout for that site as well. Yay, layout ideas! There's gotta be someone out there who wants to give me a web design job...maybe once I learn PHP...or not...

Posted by Jen at 12:05 PM | Permalink |

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Gabby has a beautiful layout using the RotK calendar pics...Moll has a beautimous Frodo layout...Bonnie has a great new domain! lol. And there goes my first pluggage. Enjoy, please!

And just to show off:

Posted by Jen at 12:23 AM | Permalink |

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Someone get me this poster

Posted by Jen at 2:30 PM | Permalink

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Send a Water Globe!

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I made a couple of buttons last night and actually got them uploaded. Also moved some old buttons in so they're all in one place. I'll make a permanent place for these sometime, I promise. And it will even have a swanky background and such, but for now you'll have to deal with just the names. Enjoy, and swipe 'em!

Links directory

And the exchange should work better now. I just have to change the code page and work out a few little weird things.

Posted by Jen at 1:30 AM | Permalink

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Breah from The Wizard's Quest gave me Site of the Week!

Thank you Breah! Glad you had a good time here

So I'm working on the Aspire Exchange trying to make the code easier. Lose a little functionality but only one thing to paste. Please join if you've got a site, eh?

TTT didn't win any GG's. I didn't entirely expect it to. I feel sorry for Sean Astin, having to sit through all of that with just clapping to do. Ah well. Here's hoping for Oscars...*fingers crossed*

I thought about...the Army... Needing a job here, I am...

Posted by Jen at 10:24 PM | Permalink

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So this time last month I was sitting in a theater watching The Two Towers for the first time at the midnight premiere. Now I'm listening to the soundtrack, which I just found out was almost ineligible for the Best Score Oscar cause it included themes from FotR. Silly Academy. It's over 88% original music! Sigh. I've seen TTT four times, and I think it's time to see it again...it's been over two weeks now...and tomorrow, wouldn't it be great if TTT wins some Golden Globes? I hope it wins...

The first track meet of the indoor season was today. Haven't heard how anyone did, hopefully well. I went to the mall to get something for Mom, and I shopped around a bit, mainly for boredom, and found some nice sweaters. Anyway, while I was shopping, I realized I didn't really have a need for anything, cause it's not like I had to dress up every weekend after a track meet. And it made me sad. I miss it. Oh, I don't miss the practices, but I miss the people. I miss being in shape. And whatever Alex might say, I am getting some poundage. I should take that tap-dance class if only to be doing something semi-athletic.

While at the mall I did one of those surveys they're forever pestering you about. This time I actually got to do something fun, and like I said, I was bored. Gave me something to do. So I got to watch the trailer for the second Lara Croft movie. Now, I saw the first when it came on cable. It's an ok movie, nice action, and I have to admit it's a nice change to see a female action heroine, even if she is heaving her amplified bosom too much for my taste. Just so you know, I've never played the game in any of its forms and I really had no clue they were going to make another one. This one looks interesting from what I saw of the trailer, and if asked I might go see it. Otherwise I'd probably just wait till it came out on cable. Makes you want to be an actress, though. Cool moves, nice costumes, exotic locales (or at least sets that look exotic)...although give me Middle Earth over the Middle East any day. Or Allehara. Just once I'd like to have a day like Jennifer Gardner or even Ms. Jolie.

So are you thoroughly confused now? I graduated with a major in biomedical engineering, and then I told you I wanted to be a writer or web designer (had you noticed either of those already?) And now I'm telling you I want to be an actress. Ah well. Dreams never hurt anybody.

Maybe someday. I've got a long time ahead, if it is right that He should think so

Oh, and I wrote more last night. Moonstone is coming together. Car'etol is cool. Intuition. Go check out the layout at aspire II, cause I'm proud of it. Good night.

Posted by Jen at 1:19 AM | Permalink

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Geez. It's weird, how you can just click a button and have your resume sent off to companies in Florida or Virginia. God knows what I'd do if I got jobs elsewhere than Missouri...it would be fun, leave the nest and all that, but scary at the same time. But the good kind of scary. I just hope I get *a* job, somewhere. Web design sure would be nice, eh? Maybe I should post some of my writing so those people looking for technical writers could read it. Yeah.

Posted by Jen at 6:30 PM | Permalink

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Gosh, what a week for birthdays. Yesterday was Orli's, and today is the WQ's...I've only been a part of this web comp for about five months, but I've had fun all the way here's to a great year!

Posted by Jen at 6:30 PM | Permalink

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Our very own Orlando Bloom is 26 today. Doesn't it seem weird to celebrate a celebrity's birthday? Ah well. I even went so far as to create something for the Orlando Bloom Birthday Project:
Happy Birthday!
(ed. note: not the original. Don't have the original on this comp so it's the slightly blurry version from the mockup.)

This year is gonna be pretty good for him, don't you think?

Posted by Jen at 12:47 AM | Permalink |

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Tonight on Lakewood Family Church, Pastor Joel's message was about how changing your perspective can make your life better. I probably need a dose of that. His example was how everyone thought Goliath was invincible until David showed them differently. Even though he was bigger, David saw something everyone else didn't. The rest of the people saw Goliath as too big to beat, but David saw him as too big to miss. Your problems may be high, but God is Most High, and he'll fight your battles for you.

Not to get all prosyletic on you, but I really need a prayer or two from you guys. I'm really depressed about work. I won't have a job come February, and I'm looking for another. A grant fell through and I'm not knowledgeable for my job level, so there I go. I need something that I can feel useful and smart at, and let me be happy. Where are all those web design jobs?

I went on my last shopping spree before I'll be jobless. Lots of books, a few dvds, a few cds. And some LotR:TTT valentines. so send me your addy and I'll send you a valentine

Don't forget to vote for me, please. I'd appreciate it muchly.

Posted by Jen at 12:10 AM | Permalink

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Either do not attempt it at all or go through with it.

Ovid

I don't have anything of importance to say. And what I was going to say disappeared into the ether, so we'll try a different version.

I'm looking for a new job because this one is going kaput. Not enough money and not enough effort. My fault, her fault, everybody's fault. I hope I can get another job on the WU campus so I can keep my benefits. I think I'd take a pay cut wherever I go. I did make a rather professional website for the lab, if I do say so myself: The Nolta Lab. Maybe they'll keep paying me after I'm gone. Ha. I also made them a short-ish HTML primer. You can check it out too. Finally got around to making one.

I think it's terribly ironic that they noticed I like computers so much. I mean, I feel like I tried to get away from doing things so creative and tried to do something scientific. It's not working. There are more and more days when I feel like I should have just been an english major or an art student. But then I read articles like the ones in "Tissue Engineering" and I start thinking about my dreams again. I don't know why I can't keep my mind on my work. Or get a clue. I'm supposed to find a job that's creative and analytical, an oxymoron if you ask me. Too bad I can't get anyone to pay me for making websites. Why can't I find a Lord of the Rings fan with loads of money who just wants someone to make websites for them? I suppose the best thing would be making graphics for a scientific company. I wonder where those jobs are?

I still want to do something in the biomedical engineering field. Specifically tissue engineering. I just don't know if that's going to happen. Kind of like I wonder if my novel will ever get published. I was reading an article at Sara Douglass' site (she's the author of the Wayfarer Redemption books) about how to get published...I have to think up a synopsis for Moonstone. But I'm too lazy to do it. Any volunteers?

I really need DSL at home, and a comp update. I keep not doing things cause it would require firing up this comp (on the laptop right now) and transferring everything with Zips and then uploading on the slow slow slow modem connection. Or waiting till I get to work where I'd still have to use the Zips cause of the wireless network fiasco. Ah well. Life was not meant to be easy, I suppose. And for those of you owed letters, I promise I will get them out to you soon. I've got the paper ready...I've just got to figure out something to write. I guess I should shush here so I have something else to write about!

Enjoy your weekends, melloneamin. I think I'll sleep.

Posted by Jen at 4:56 PM | Permalink

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"a very curious number and a very respectable age for a Hobbit."

Thank you for bringing so much joy, fantasy, and mystery into the world.

Can you imagine what life would be like without him? There would be no Legolas! Gasp! Kidding.

Raise a glass at 9 pm tonight.

Posted by Jen at 4:07 PM | Permalink |

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A belated happy birthday to Shiri Appleby and Jason Behr. (Dec 7 and Dec 30, respectively) Can't believe I forgot Jason's, as is on same day as cousin Nick's. The (not-at-all) little buddy is 17 now! Gaah, I feel old.

Happy is me for internet is back up at work. Maybe temporarily, but it's up. Whahoo.

Posted by Jen at 4:49 PM | Permalink

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"Did you avoid spoilers for TTT? If so, why? If not, why?"

I didn't avoid much for TTT. I wanted to know what they were going to put in it. I watched every clip that I could, and at points I was worried that I was seeing too much, that I'd already seen what the movie would be like, but when I finally saw it I realized I hadn't seen much of it at all. And being that I had just finished the book...lol. the biggest spoiler of all. I knew what was supposed to happen. I just didn't know how it was going to be depicted on screen. And that was perfect.

btw, I've now seen the movie 4 times. Thank you Molly It's still damn good. I might have to wait a while to see it again, especially now that I've seen it four times in two weeks...I've got a popcorn bag and should be thoroughly sick of movie theater popcorn for some time now.

Irony: last night while walking to Molly's car I dropped the TTT soundtrack cd on the road and stepped on it. Rats. It's got a big scratch on it, and I'm listening to it right now to see if I killed it...of course it fell jelly side down. It's in rather good shape considering how it slid a bit and I mushed it into the ground. Ah well. If I need to I'll just get the regular version, lol...

Thank you to everyone who sent me a Christmas or New Years card. I've just been too lazy to fire up the other comp and make something for you guys, and we haven't had internet at work for the last few weeks. Maybe tomorrow. I miss all my 'day IM' friends...why don't you get on right now? lol. Hope I talk to you soon!

Posted by Jen at 9:06 PM | Permalink

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