Even though I own not a Livejournal I can still have fun with the memes. Hee! Tricked ya, program! I DO have LJ friends! Er. Only three, but you know, it still works...

Posted by Jen at 4:08 PM | Permalink

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I am a Metal Monkey, which I already knew, but read it and see if you think it agrees with what you know about me.

What a motley crew we will be, a Canadian, an Asian, and a renaissance girl/elf. Don't you just adore Halloween?

Posted by Jen at 4:02 PM | Permalink

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It's here I love days when I get to dress up. And I might get to dress up doubly because there could be mucho partying going on this weekend. Yay! I'll get to wear clothes I made Renaissance festival tonight, elf tomorrow. Whee fantasy!

to Peter Jackson, visionary director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Thanks for making life exciting

And congrats to Dr. Holloszy who finished writing a grant yesterday and so took us out to lunch. Yay!

Isn't it absurd how much fun it is to dress up?

Posted by Jen at 3:19 PM | Permalink

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by Josh Groban. Listen to it here.

Piove sull'Oceano

piove sull'Oceano

piove sulla mia identita

Lampi sull'Oceano

lampi sull'Oceano

squarci di luminosita

Forse l in America

i venti del Pacifico

scoprono le sue immensita

le mie mani stringono

sogni lontanissimi

e il mio pensiero corre da te

Remo, tremo, sento

profondi oscuri abissi

E' per l'amore che ti do

e per l'amore che non sai

che mi fai naufragare

E' per l'amore che non ho

e per l'amore che vorrei

e' per questo dolore

E' questo amore che ho per te

che mi fa superare queste vere tempeste

Onde sull'Oceano

Onde sull'Oceano

che dolcemente si plachera

Le mie mani stringono

sogni lontanissimi

e il tuo respiro soffia su me

Remo, tremo, sento vento intorno al cuore

E' per I'amore che ho per te

che mi fa superare mille tempeste

E'per l'amore che ti do

e per l'amore che vorrei

da questo mare

E' per la vita che non c'e

che mi fai naufragare

infondo al cuore

Tutto questo ti avr

e a te sembrera

tutto normale

I wish I knew Italian.

[more] or you can listen to "You Lift Me Up" here.

~(English)~

It rains on the Ocean

It rains on the Ocean

It rains on my identity

Lights on the Ocean

Lights on the Ocean

Gaps of luminosity

Maybe there in America

the winds of the Pacific

Uncover its immensity

My hands hold tight

some faraway dreams

And my thoughts run to you

I row, I shake, I feel

Deep dark abyss

It's for the love I give you

and for the love you don't know

that makes me wreck

It's for the love I don't have

and for the love I'd want

It's for this pain

It's for this love I have for you

That makes me get over those real storms

Waves on the Ocean

Waves on the Ocean

that will gently calm down

My hands hold tight

some faraway dreams

and your breath blows on me

I row, I shake, I feel

A wind around my heart

It's for the love I have for you

Thant makes me get over thousands of storms

It's for the love I give you

and for the love I'd want

from this sea

It's for the life that isn't there

that makes me wreck

deep in my heart

All this will have you

and to you everything will seem normal

Posted by Jen at 7:15 PM | Permalink

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I would join Friends of Josh Groban if I wasn't such a cheapskate. Er. I mean, if I didn't have to pay for rent, the car inspection, new tires, license renewal, the heinous first phone bill, and getting ready for the halloween/housewarming party we're having on saturday. Meh. Perhaps I'll join when I know that I'll have enough money to last the rest of the month. One of these days I should join the John Mayer fan club as I really do like him...not that I don't like Josh Groban. I've absolutely fallen in love with his new single 'Oceano' (you can listen to it at joshgroban.com), it's just the most wonderful thing ever. Excepting the LotR soundtracks, of course. I keep waiting for the information about pre-ordering the special edition soundtrack to come out...just like I'm waiting for the RotK calendar info to come out. Silly people, don't they know we're impatient?

Matrix Revolutions comes out next week, which is exciting. And soon after that the extended edition of TTT comes out. I really need to get a dvd player. Or a computer with a dvd player. And call me crazy, but I want to get an iBook with the Panther OS X. And it's that sort of thing where theoretically I have the money for all these things, but what happens if something comes up down the road? I mean, I was even responsible and turned down a premiere screening of RotK out in california because it would cost about a thousand bucks. A little more than a computer. Meh. And I still don't have the computer.

I love special edition soundtracks or cds, but it's that extra $10 that I hate. I'll still end up buying them, and most likely online because there are super-special editions only available online, and possibly like last year I'll get the RotK soundtrack a few days before it was released. Erm. Someone could always be nice and provide me with a gift certificate or two...

and in a little over a month the Pirates of the Caribbean dvd comes out. Sheesh. Hollywood just keeps coming up with ways to part me from my money, most of it hard-earned.

Another random note: while I'm glad the concept of streaming music was invented, now I REALLY want this Oceano song. Sigh.

Posted by Jen at 6:32 PM | Permalink

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Today has been dubbed Legolas Day because October 25th is the first day of the Council of Elrond and therefore the first time we are introduced to Legolas in the Fellowship of the Ring book. Silly, but hey, gotta feed the obsession somehow. And yes, Punz, I think someone should buy me daggers for my next birthday

Posted by Jen at 12:48 PM | Permalink |

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Where does this figure come from?

Average lifetime earnings of a high school graduate is $1,087,500

Average lifetime earnings of a college graduate is $1,613,000

A 4-year degree = (40 classes) * (3 days a week) * (16 weeks of class)

(on average) = 1920 hours in class

For every hour in class, students spend 3 hours in a lab, tutoring center,

or doing homework.

(1900 hours in class) * (3 hours) = 5760 additional hours

Use the difference between what a high school graduate and

a college graduate earns ($1,613,000 - $1,087,500) = $525,500

Divide by the total number of learning hours (1920 + 5760) = 7680 hours

For a grand total of $525,50 / 7680 hours = $68.42 per hour

from the StL Community College FactFinder

Posted by Jen at 5:25 PM | Permalink

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Luigi suggested I look into medical school. So I did. It sure would be nice to say "Hi. I'm Dr. Shew" someday (although I always thought that sounded sort of strange). When I was little I was sure I was gonn amake it to the highest degree I could. I never knew how much work it would be.

And then we come to the main reason I didn't apply to medical school: I did not take any organic chemistry classes. I was so thankful that orgo wasn't required for biomedical engineering students...and honestly I don't know where I would have fit it in. But I believe every medical school out there requires it for admission. And a year (or 8 credits) no less...which means I couldn't even get it over with in a summer. I knew I should have taken a class this fall...although I don't know if orgo was available in the evenings. meh.

It's not like I would have to get it done as soon as possible...I won't even be applying until next fall if even that soon. But I find it extremely ironic that the class I was so glad I didn't have to take may now keep me from trying for med school. Because honestly, med school is looking much more attractive than grad school. I don't know if I can see myself as a PhD. You make more money as a doctor anyway...and less of a chance of having to write a thesis. That thesis part really scares me.

As does the thought of all the memorization that's required in both orgo and med school. I wonder if I'd be like the med students on 'er' who go gangbusters for a while then drop off the show because they couldn't hack it. Yep, scared of the future. Why do you think I procrastinate so much? I'm futurephobic.

Sigh. Anyone out there take orgo? Any hints or tips? The word just scares me too. I'm a wimp when I think about going back to school.

random thought: I was always one of the young ones in school because of where my birthday fell. But if I go back to school now I'll be one of the old ones. Hmm.

Posted by Jen at 5:01 PM | Permalink

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Pinball News - First and Free

They're gonna make a LotR pinball machine! How cool would that be? Can't you just imagine having that in your basement? lol. I would spend hours in front of the thing. Just look at the descriptioin! Whee!

Cryptonomicon is a really good book. Even if it is indirectly about math.

Posted by Jen at 1:44 PM | Permalink

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I really want these. Yes, I know they're daggers, yes I know they're replicas of a fictional character's weapons, yes I realize they're expensive. However, I'm most likely not going to buy them unless I somehow come into a lot of money (unlikely) so you can all breathe a sigh of relief. This place also sells a somewhat movie-similar Galadhrim bow, which would also be cool. Sigh. Computer first. Make money. Then cool stuff. I hate waiting.

Luigi told me he thinks I should go to med school. Let's hope that my grades could hold up with nice recommendtions with the boss. Also said I should get a raise next month, as they're very happy with me and I'll have been there for six months. whoo!

Posted by Jen at 3:41 PM | Permalink |

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AOL desires to control the world

And take everyone's money

So IM for free

Can never be,

Thus IM Express is crummy

Leo will either love me or hate me. Not sure which. But Alex pronounced it good, and I must concur. Have a laugh.

Posted by Jen at 1:49 PM | Permalink

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Viggo Mortensen (aka Aragorn) is 45 today. Rock on with your bad self!

TheOneRing.net | Lord of the Rings Movie News and Rumors has a Trilogy Tuesday Aftermath report. Seems like there are a heckuva lot of disappointed fans about not being able to get tickets. Sigh. I'm still debating whether I should go ahead and buy tickets for the Ronnie's midnight premiere (we know they're having one) or wait and see if the Esquire is going to show a premiere again. Meh. And I want to see the extended editions of FotR and TTT in the theater if I can...but I guess I can settle for the DVD versions...ah well. Obsessions can suck, I suppose.

Posted by Jen at 11:05 AM | Permalink

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Here are some answers to some pretty random questions people ask using the handy-dandy 'ask me anything' button above. Of course, for every question asked, I get at least two 'nothing' emails, where people just hit the button for fun, I suppose. Anyway, your burning questions answered:

Q: Do you have a girl friend? A: Well. I have several friends that are girls. But apparently this blog sounds masculine (there's a post about this program that analyses writing samples to see if they were written by a man or woman, and it's right 80% of the time. I'm part of the 20% it got wrong ) so this person got the wrong idea. I am most certainly looking for a member of the opposite sex. (read: a guy!)

Q: What is Legolas Day? A: Coming up, actually: October 25. Legolas Day is a silly unofficial holiday perpetuated by the Arrows (Orlando Bloom/Legolas lovers on FanForum) in remembrance of the day we are introduced to Legolas in the Fellowship of the Ring book.

Q: What's the element of evil in charles dickens in tale of two cities? A: Hah. I actually did a book report on ToTC in high school, but damned if I know this. The book report was figuring out who would play the characters in the book if Hollywood made a movie out of it. Yeah. I chose Mel Gibson and Pierce Brosnan. I was going though a Braveheart/Scottish phase. Go ahead, have a laugh on me.

Q: what were the most popular sports of 1941? A: Do I look like an almanac? Yes, I know it says ask me anything, but did anything on this site give the impression that I'm a history buff? I have absolutely no idea.

Q: Did you finish the brooch? Can I see it? A: Yes, the elven brooch is finished and has been since the week before Comic-Con. There's really nothing to see though...it looks like the brooch from the Noble Collection, just a little cheaper and not so spiffily enamelled. Perhaps someday I'll be able to scan in pics of the costume. We'll see. Maybe when I go home to get the costume for Halloween.

Did you enjoy that? Yes? Well ask some more questions! I'll see how sarcastic I can get.

Salut Alex & Leo!

Posted by Jen at 1:29 AM | Permalink |

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because she posts fun things like this.

Which Japanese word are you? by gokumew2
LJ Username
You are:	Te (hand)
Created with quill18's MemeGen!

Who were you in a past life? by Kat007
Name:
Birthdate:
Favorite Color:
Country:
You were most probably:	A farmer named Ted
If not then you were:	A pretty little flower
Created with quill18's MemeGen!

Afterlife as an Angel by childdoll
Your Name
Astrological Sign
Angel Type	Angel of Inspiration
Wing Color	Dark Blue
Heavenly Weapon	Divine Magic
Created with quill18's MemeGen!

Wheee! Divine inspiration

Posted by Jen at 3:22 PM | Permalink

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Since Leo and Alex so ardently demanded it, here's another entry about my not-so-exciting life...

I was reading the september issue of Glamour (yes, I do subscribe to Glamour and yes, I realize I'm behind in my magazine reading) and they have a feature called 'term of the month.' This particular issue's term was 'mandemonium,' or the glut of dates one might get after a long drought. Now, I have to say I cannot relate to this term at all. It's been years since I've had a proper date, and as they said, my social calendar is so empty, not even weeds can grow there. Meh. Then later in the evening after Smallville and Angel were over, I was like, what do I do with myself?

I couldn't go food shopping because of the grocery worker's strike...all the stores close at 8 or 9. How did I fill the time in college? I never recalled feeling such ennui before...eh. I need to get out more. I looked at the St Louis branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism today...they have meetings on thursday nights. Why is everything on thursday nights? TV, meetings...my mom thinks I'm too obsessed with tv. I guess I am, there's something on every night but Saturday that I want to watch. Sunday is the worst, with American Dreams and Tarzan opposite Cold Case and Alias respectively...and I like all four. I'm considering dropping AD because it's a little less to my taste, but that still leaves tarzan on opposite alias and I'm most definitely not dropping alias. I have found a place where I might be able to get them, but I might have to resort to tape trading for tarzan. bleah. why can't the tv schedule work out so I can see everything? *whine*

I need margarine. I couldn't make mac n cheese because we had not that basic staple. I totally understand the reasons for the grocery worker's strike, and I don't want to cross the picket line, but jeez. It's been over a week now. I miss being able to go to the market at midnight like I did in college. And it takes some remembering that there isn't the millbrook market just across the way. Ah well. I'll muddle through somehow. I really have to go shopping tomorrow though, cause I have nothing for dinner. But luckily I get off early tomorrow because of the couple of late nights I had at work last week. Yay. Maybe I'll even get to take a run or bike ride in the park. I really should.

I'm so tired of being alone, so hurry up and get here Thank you John Mayer. It's so true. Maybe the 'rents and I will get to Eckert's Apple Orchards this weekend and pick some nice apples and have ourselves an apple pie. Something to look forward to, at least. Sorry for the ramble.

Posted by Jen at 12:16 AM | Permalink

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so I'm surfing sites and joining cliques. Finding brushes and hawaiian names: I'd be Kinipela (find yours here) and learning my celtic astrology:

Hazel

August 5 - September 1

Celtic Symbol : The Rainbow Salmon

Zodiac Degrees : 12º00` Leo - 8º59` Virgo

Ruling Planet : Mercury - Mugher

Ancient Gods Associated With Mercury :

Greek : Hermes

Celtic : Ogma, Manannan

Character Reference Of The Hazel Tree Sign

Hazel tree individuals are perceptive, clever people endowed with good reasoning powers. This sharpness of intellect promotes excellent debaters and writers. They are also great planners and organizers, down to the smallest detail. The urge to acquire knowledge promotes scholars and experts in their fields. People born during the first two weeks are associated with the new moon impulse of seeking knowledge and denotes an inquisitive nature which can become prying or underhand. But the positive aspects endorse a more impartial response. People born during the last two weeks come under the full moon phase which denotes a more outgoing nature and temperament. They are also inclined to become public figures who seek to educate or instruct people in the arts. Their positive traits are shown in their regard for honesty and they have well - defined principles. The negative traits are revealed in their hypercritical attitudes which stem from an inbuilt hypersensitivity. The hazel produces its nuts in fall, after having spent the year building the inner strength to protect them. The shell of this nut is so hard, in fact, and contains its treasure so well, that it was the inspiration for the phrase "in a nutshell." Born under the sign of the hazel tree, you also have an inner treasure to offer - the fruits of your knowledge. Your wisdom and ability to communicate ideas make you capable of transforming the thoughts and opinion of others. Be careful how you wield your word wizardry. (from here) and what we all knew:

Posted by Jen at 6:05 PM | Permalink |

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click for full size

Finally got that scanner I've been waiting for. Yay! And to test it I finally got to scan in the Will Turner drawing that I did back in August. Much better than my previous attempt, I think.

Random news:

I'm wearing a violently purple shirt today. But I love it.

The Scottish Games are this weekend. I'm going to go, I hope, as it's in the park just to the south of the new apartment...

I'll be at work for a long time yet. Silly ELISAs lasting 6.5 hours.

I'll be alone all weekend because Leo and Alex are going to (drive to) Philidelphia to meet with one of Alex's friends, and my parents are going to Indiana to meet with my great-great aunt Jewel. (At least I think she's my great-great aunt.) I might go see Everest at the Omnimax. I love that film...it was the first IMAX film I remember seeing and the music is great.

I need bookshelves for my room at the apartment. Remember me saying you never know how many books you have until you have to move them?

We now return you to your regularly scheduled surfing.

Posted by Jen at 2:29 PM | Permalink

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come on, you have to admit it would be cool to see all the LotR movies together on one day on the big screen. But alas, I would have had to get the info earlier in the day and actually bought tickets. I've noticed this about myself...I'm good at wavering on decisions until the decision is made for me. Meh. I'll just have to find myself a big screen and watch the EE's on dvd (which will be out at the time) or see the special engagements of each movie separately. Rats. I let things slip through my fingers. Ah well. It's money I didn't need to spend, I suppose.

rant: if there's enough people to get the screening sold out, where the hell are they??? I find it amazing that I've never met any of them out there. Meh. end rant

Hi Alex! Now you don't have to worry about people laughing at us.

Posted by Jen at 4:26 PM | Permalink

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Was he just looking around for old links? I don't know quite why people visit the site and then criticize it without looking to see if the error was fixed. Whatever. Thanks to Jay who pointed out that *both* the lyrics and the translation for Imana Nushif, the original song from the Children of Dune soundtrack, are wrong. Of course, you have to note that the post in question was from just after the show aired and no one had proper lyrics yet...much less the site I borrowed them from. Eh. Still a good song. From Brian Tyler : Children Of Dune

Inama Nushif, Music and Lyrics by Brian Tyler

Inama nushif (She is eternal)

Al asir hiy ayish (No malice can touch)

Lia-anni (Singular and ageless)

Zaratha zarati (Perpetually bound)

Hatt al-hudad (Through the tempest)

Al-maahn al-baiid (be it deluge or sand)

Ay-yah idare (A singular voice)

Adamm malum (speaks through the torrent)

Hatt al-hudad (Through the tempest)

Al-maahn al-baiid (be it deluge or sand)

Ay-yah idare (A singular voice)

Adamm malum (speaks through the torrent)

Inama nishuf al a sadarr (Forever her voice sings)

Eann zaratha zarati (through the ages eternally bound)

Kali bakka a tishuf ahatt (Sacrifice is her gift)

Al hudad alman dali (one that cannot be equaled)

Inama nishuf al a sadarr (Forever her voice sings)

Eann zaratha zarati (through the ages eternally bound)

Kali bakka a tishuf ahatt (Sacrifice is her gift)

Al hudad alman dali alia (that Alia will one day equal)

Inama nushif (She is eternal)

Al asir hiy ayish (No malice can touch)

Lia-anni (Singular and ageless)

Zaratha zarati (Perpetually bound)

I repeat, I did not make the earlier translation, I knew it was written in the fiction language of Fremen from the Dune books, I know the composer did all the male vocals and world percussion, etc etc. Stop correcting me on this one!

Posted by Jen at 5:34 PM | Permalink |

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I'm feeling a little depressed and I'm not sure why. I mean, I've got this new apartment and all...I guess it's the spending money that's worrying me, with all the new bills and such. And I guess I'm a little homesick. And work's been busy so I'm a little wonky with that. Ah well.

I found Cryptonomicon, btw. It was hiding behind my LotR Fanclub membership kit.

Posted by Jen at 10:34 AM | Permalink

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It really bugs me that I can't find my copy of Cryptonomicon. I have no idea where it is. I hope that with the cleaning of my room so I can make my room at the apartment messy I'll find it. But I couldn't find it earlier last month when I was thinking of letting Uncle Johnnie borrow it, so I am not so optimistic about my prospects. It's a terribly good book, but *huge*. About 900 pages, I think. Some of it even went over my head, and in a book I like, that's odd. It's about math, sort of. Breaking codes. And if you know me, you know I don't like math. But he makes it interesting. Wish I had a math teacher like the author. But the reason I'm looking for this book is that the sort of sequel just came out, and since I read Crypto...over a year ago I'd like to read it again before the new book comes to the library. Eh. Just a rant.

Hi Leo!

Posted by Jen at 2:34 PM | Permalink

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\\In unrelated news, FanForum is back! Yay!

So I moved my mattresses over to the apartment. I slept there last night...it was odd, having my bed but not being home...and I felt really weird not being able to get online. You know, I had the computer, but not the internet access...that and not being able to watch cable on my little black and white tv I'm thinking I might get a tv/vcr combo for the room, I don't know. I guess I'll have to go grocery shopping first before I think about electronics. And that might be interesting as the main grocery store chains in Missouri are going on strike today. Sheesh.

Posted by Jen at 1:51 PM | Permalink

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I was helping Eduardo swim the rats today and while taking one out of the swimming tanks, it bit me...twice. Rats! I'm ok, the rats aren't testing diseases or anything. Just washed it out and had it checked out by the employee health service...don't get me wrong, it's not pretty. But I'm gonna be fine. They gave me a tetanus shot just to be sure...I know I was up to date for college, but I can't tell you how up to date I was at the time. The booster will probably hurt more than the bite will tomorrow. Bleah. Ah well. I guess we'll check the weights on the tails before we take them out next time! Sigh.

We should have gas in the apartment and the new phone line is in...it's a very easy to remember number with lots of 7s in it Though Alex has more. How exciting! Maybe I'll get more moved in tonight after the wb season premieres. We'll see...

Isn't anyone else out there interested in going to all three of the LotR movies when RotK comes out? I'm very much looking forward to spending the day at the movie theatre

Posted by Jen at 3:41 PM | Permalink |

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