You're so Vain, You Probably Think this LJ is About You

So, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I dragged my ass out of bed and JP drove us to the middle of Darkest Texas so we could watch the Leonid meteor shower. We didn't see a whole bunch, but we saw a few impressive ones. Very, very beautiful. Cold as hell. And spooky because it was very dark and very lonely. But totally cool.

Afterward, we returned home and I trudged off to work aka The Longest Day EVAR on roughly three hours of sleep. Joy! Then I came home and instead of resting, JP and I went to the San Antonio Museum of Art! Yaaaay!

Backstory:

The weekend before last we actually went to the museum to see Frederik Schodt talk about his latest translation effort, Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point: 1979-1996 (reminder to self: go pick that up). Anyhoo, it turned out kind of awesome because duh! anime and especially Miyazaki! And also, JP and I brought some of our cels and afterwards we set them out on a table in the lobby and garnered quite a bit of interest (well, JP did - you know how I looove interacting with people, LOL). Anyway, it turned into an impromptu lesson on animation art and I actually had a good time mingling (after I helped myself to the free! pinot noir and snackage that the museum had on hand). Everyone was really polite and engaging.

Er, front story?

Well, in addition to this, the museum was also planning on showing some Miyazaki movies which is why we went again on Tuesday night (to see Laputa in the museum auditorium....nice big screen, stadium seating). And while the crowd was not particularly large, there were some blowhards one aisle back who were maniacally laughing and talking throughout the movie until JP turned to them in a quiet moment and said, "Hey, guys the soundtrack would sound so much better without you adding to it." And if this wasn't awesome enough, some guy right behind us said, "Straight up." I couldn't help but laugh. JP is my hero! Anyway, the assholes shut up and we enjoyed the rest of the movie in relative silence (with the exception of the toddler who was asking questions towards the end because BABIES CAN'T READ SUBTITLES, GENIUS PARENT!).

Ahhhh, that felt good to get out.

Work sucks, no surprise there. I am feeling particularly put upon and it's depressing. Woe.

Okay, just two more days, people and it. Is. On. Thanksgiving Vacation 2009. WOOOO!!!

Saw The Half Blood Prince the other night. I know book fans are ripping it apart, as they are wont to do, but I liked it. Yes, they added stuff they didn't need to and took out important stuff they shouldn't have, but hello?! Is this your first ride on the HP merry-go-round? I've said it before and I'll say it again - the books and the movies are two different animals. I think my enjoyment of the movies is directly proportional to how long it's been since I have read the books (the longer it's been, the more I enjoy the show). That being said, there was a WHOLE LOT to take in, so I'll just make this one spoilery (if you don't know the story at all) comment:

( my spoiler, let me show you it )

Oh yeah, and Luna Lovegood rocks. Her actress plays her perfectly and all her scenes are sweet and kooky. Also, all the Ron/Hermione stuff is cute and funny. I think they go a little overboard on Lavender's character, but they definitely have the crux of it. Also, Two Second! Remus! Blink and you'll miss him! Love him, for reals.

Need to run a few errands today. Ugh. So hot, though. It's been in the 100s every day for weeks now. : (

Noted for posterity: it rained yesterday, for the first time in a long while and JP and I were sitting in a Freddy's, listening to '50s music, sharing a strawberry shortcake concrete, and I was perfectly happy. It was a good day. ♥

JP is made of AWESOMESAUCE because he freakin' installed a car stereo in my Jeep. AND he's never done anything like that before AND it works and everything! I have had my factory radio for 8 years and the cd player hasn't worked for about 6 of those years. JP saw this one on clearance at Target for $45. It's a radio, cd player, AND it has an mp3 player jack so I can listen to my ipod. Huzzah!

I don't understand how my very straight hair gets so frizzy when it rains...

I took a nap and had a lovely dream about David Cook (no sexy tiems, though). He was getting ready for a show and we were just hanging out and talking. At one point, I was lying on the bed next to him, with my head on his shoulder, but again...it was all very innocent. Like he was an old friend or even my brother. *le sigh* My imagination...what a let down you are turning out to be...

( A meme I can get behind - animated films! )

Merry Christmas, everyone! I don't know about ya'll, but I am totally exhausted! I am so glad I have today and tomorrow to recuperate before returning to work on Saturday (ugh).

Visiting Nay-nay in Austin was a blast! On Sunday night, we went to the Alamo Drafthouse downtown, to their Xmas Pop Sing-a-long. They showed old Christmas music videos and TV specials on the screen with the words underneath and you sing along (duh) to such greats as the Muppets, The Grinch, and Last Christmas (Wham!). They gave us props (Santa hats, bubbles, candles) and they even had a snow machine! For the last song, we all stood and put our arms around each other and sang Happy Christmas (War is Over) and I won't lie, I got all teary. It was a lovely moment.

But the best part was afterwards. The Drafthouse host invited us all to go "rogue caroling," where we got song books and wandered around 6th Street, surrounding unsuspecting victims and singing Classics like Jingle Bell Rock and Dick in a Box. It was HILARIOUS! We even sang Baby, It's Cold Outside, with the girls on one side of the street and the guys (all 5 of them) on the other side. People laughed, honked, took pictures of us, and looked embarrassed as Hell when we followed them. It was great fun.

We spent the following day shopping at the Keep Austin Bizarre Bazaar (lots of cool and weird stuff) and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (beautiful art and jewelry out of our price range). We drove around town, ate and drank too much, and just had the best time. I was in low spirits and being silly and mindless with her was just what I needed.

Yesterday I got up early and went to my parent's house to help my sister clean in preparation for the party. Then, I made my special sangria (I bought wine at the outlet mall!) and all the dips as well. I then came home, wrapped gifts, did a quick load of laundry, got ready, and hauled ass back to the parent's house to finish preparations.

It was a very nice party. JP spent HOURS settting up his Rokenbock toys for the kids to play with (my aunt has 12 grandkids between the ages of 2-18) and it was a hit! You couldn't keep the kids away. As one said, "It's like a real live video game!" *facepalm*

But we had fun and after my aunt's brood left, we opened presents. I got gift certificates to Amazon, Borders, and Office Max (yay, time for a new computer chair), and JP gave me a lovely stained glass window to go over the front door transom. The best gift of the night was for my sister and her husband, from JP (of course).

As some of you may know, my sister is something of a fanatic when it comes to rescuing stray animals. She has a big heart and expends a lot of money, time, and effort into rescuing dogs and cats. Her husband doesn't care for it, but he lets her do as she likes. So, for their gift, JP bought a movie poster from the new film Hotel for Dogs, took some funny pictures of Mike and Paula, pasted their heads on the two characters' bodies, and framed it. It was very well-done and had the entire family holwing in laughter. Good stuff.

The most beautiful gift I received was from ixiepixie , who made me to COOLEST Totoro knit hat and sent us lots and lots of pocky. Thank you, Julie! You are the best!

I will be the first to admit that, to me, it hasn't really felt like Christmas. Usually, I get all excited and watch and rewatch my favorite Christmas movies, obsessively listen to Christmas music, bake goodies, and just radiate happiness. But this year, while not quite the Grinch, I still have not felt full of the holiday spirit. But in the end, everything worked out well. I was able to spend some time with family and friends and in that, my heart found some contentment.

So, today and tomorrow I will be enjoying the calmness and cleaning my bedroom, as it looks like the Ghost of Christmas present exploded in here...

Have a great day, everyone!

So, this weekend JP attended San Japan, San Antonio's fledgling anime con. I didn't go, because I was spending time with the familia. Well, unbeknownst to me, JP had a plan. Early on Sunday, he had asked to take a picture of my Tokidoki bag because he was arguing about it on a forum. This was not an unusual request - he takes weird/crazy pictures of me/stuff all the time. So, I pulled it out without another thought.

Well, he came back from the con with this:





He had commissioned a sketch from Artist Alley of my FAVORITE Avatar character, Sokka, with my FAVORITE handbag (for those of you who don't know, Sokka has a very developed feminine side without being really girly).

I just don't know what to say sometimes. Thank you, honey. I love you. After such a crap week, this just made me smile.

It's New Year's Eve (almost)! Memes for everyone!

Stolen from lotsa peoples:

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Quit making the same damn mistakes in my life! Get your resolution here.

Ahahahaha - NOT!!!

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy. You have the ability to stay forever entertained with your thoughts. People may say you're hard to read, but that's because you're so internally focused. But when you do share what you're thinking, people are impressed with your imagination.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Better...

Reason #312 that JP is a great boyfriend: he went to see Dreamgirls with me. Aw! And then he told off the rude couple sitting behind us that talked throughout the whole movie! LOL...