Ever since I was a child, I was told, "Mindy, you're book smart, but you lack common sense."

The common sense statement applied to many things - forgetting things, speaking before thinking, performing some act without knowing or clarifying what it is I should specifically be doing, and even doing things like falling up a flight of stairs, just to name a few. I don't necessarily see that as being true. I just do not often think things through before saying or doing things, but I'm working on it.

When it came to being book smart, I never thought I was a genius - trust me, there are so many things I do not know (and a few things I'm okay not knowing...like Calculus). Throughout my schooling, I had been very fortunate in that I always had a fairly easy time following along with my class lessons.

That is until Research Methods came along.

For those of you who are not familiar with the class, Research Methods is supposed to teach you the steps involved in educational research and assessment. Not only is it a required class for my degree, but research and assessment is something we do in all aspects of higher education.

I believed that this would be a somewhat easy class, because it's easy to do a survey. Or so I thought.

There are so many steps to research that I never realized. Before you even do you survey, you have to do all of these steps that include writing a research proposal that you get approved by the Institutional Review Board. You also have to know all these complex ways of testing reliability and validity. You have to know independent and dependent variables, all this very precise information.

Through my class, I have been learning these steps, which is good and very necessary knowledge. But there has been one thing that has progressively gotten worse throughout the semester: I simply cannot wrap my head around all of this information.

The class is over in a month - we have a test, a presentation and a large paper that is comprised of all of the papers we've written this semester left to complete. It's been rough, to say the least. It's really hard to write papers and take tests when you don't quite get what you're talking about.

With the tests, it's even worse: they're open-book, open-note, and I cannot seem to do any better than a B+. In describing our final test, my professor said that he would have extra-credit. Sounds like a great opportunity to get an A, except what he said would be on there is stuff that only people with previous stats class experience would understand. All of the K-12 educators and the psychology majors are understanding this information. The few of us who are higher education students don't have a clue of how to do that. Basically, we're screwed when it comes to this extra-credit.

It's frustrating, to say the least. I want to do really well in this class. I also want to be able to understand this, as I'm currently trying to do a large research project. I just don't know where to go from here.

UGH.

Do you ever miss being in first grade?
I do. I got to read a lot. We wrote stories every day, and I had the greatest teacher. Mrs. Hiles helped me develop my love of reading and inspired me to become a writer.

What is one country you want to visit someday?
Just one? I guess the next country I'd like to visit that I have never visited before would be Italy.

When you're at the movies, do you get popcorn and a drink?
I prefer an Icee and a cinnamon sugar pretzel.

Would you ever want to be changed into a vampire?
Not if I'd sparkle.

Does the thought of living forever scare you in any way?
I think I'd be worried about boredom after a while, but if I had unlimited funds and got to read a majority of the time, I think I'd learn to deal.

How many annoying people do you shun off daily?
A few...which is why my office door has been closed a lot more lately. I can't take Hanson and Miley Cyrus blaring through the residence hall.

Have you ever done something too embarrassing to mention?
Yup, but then I went ahead and mentioned it, because you have to laugh at my misfortune.

Has anyone ever told you that you had months to live?
No...what a unique question.

How many times a day do you usually eat a full meal?
Twice, unless I'm being really productive and am able to make it to the cafeteria for breakfast in time.

How many times daily do you talk to your significant other/crush?
At least once.

As a teenager, were you trusted to be alone with your significant other?
Yeah, I wasn't likely to be up to no good.

Do both your parents have jobs?
Yes.

Do you live anywhere nearby a "hicktown"?
Yeah.

At family gatherings, are you more likely to hang out with the younger or older relatives?
Both. I'll play with the kids for a while, but I'll also catch up with my others relatives.

Have you ever had the power go out while you were in the bathroom at nighttime?
Once. That was an experience, to say the least.

What TV commercial are you sick of seeing?
I don't really watch TV, so I don't really know what's on.

When was the last time someone complimented your hair?
Last week when I wore that barrette Mandy got me.

What makes your favorite television show unique?
It's about a high school glee club? That, or the fact that I have never watched it on TV thanks to my busy schedule.

Do laugh tracks on TV shows annoy you?
I don't pay much attention to them.

Do you think dreadlocks are awesome or gross?
A bit of both.

Have you ever been to Videojug.com?
No, and I'm not compelled to.

Do you know anyone named Jesus?
I worked with a Jesus at UTSA.

What color was the last piece of gum you ate?
Green.

Where do you get blisters the most?
My feet, just at the top of my heels. I really have to quit trying to wear those shoes.

Do you always use conditioner when you wash your hair?
That I do.

Have you ever been to a high school football game? If so, was it in warm or cold weather?
As a member of a high school marching band color guard, I have been to every home football game during my high school career in both warm and fricken cold weather.

---

Beauty/essentials
xx.What kind of make up do you wear?
Foundation and lip gloss.

xx.How many times a day do you wash your hair?
Once, unless I go to the gym.

xx.Favorite make up product?
Lip gloss.

xx.Do you wear perfume?
Yep.

xx.What is your favorite kind?
Lucky.

xx.How often do you shower?
Every morning.

xx. Do you use lotion?
When I remember, which is most days.

xx.Body wash or soap:
Body wash.

xx. Nice smelling soap or whatever you don't care:
Yeah, I'm girly like that.

xx.Ever brush your teeth in the shower?
Always.

xx.Did you ever put so much hair spray in your hair it looked oily?
No, but I have put in so much that I had to wash it 5 times before it was normal again.


Food
xx.Are you a health nut?
I try, but I'm a sucker for the following words: Coke, chocolate.

xx.What is your favorite food?
Smothered chicken.

xx.Have you ever tried poutine?
I very nearly did about a week or two ago.

xx.How many times a day do you eat?
Two to three.

xx.Do you snack during the day a lot?
Not unless I'm stressed.

xx.Would you rather carrots and dip or chips and dip?
Carrots.

xx.Do you like meat?
I sure do.

xx.What's your favorite kind?
Beef.

xx.What is your favorite fruit?
Peaches and bananas.

xx.Do you eat fast food?
Not as much as I used to, thankfully.

xx.So...what do you think of Big Macs?
Meh.

xx.Could you live without a salad?
I'm sure I could, but I like them.

xx.Do you drink water?
Yes.

xx.Fan of soda?
Only sodas named Coca-Cola Classic.

xx.Have you ever tried beer? What do you think of it?
Yeah. It's interesting to try ones from different parts of the world to see how they vary.


Music
xx.Are you a fan of the oldies?
Yep.

xx.Finish this line...Hey Mrs Robinson____
Jesus loves you more than you will know. Whoa-whoa-whoa.

xx.Does Justin Timberlake make you gag?
Not when he's doing SNL musical skits.

xx.Do you own an iPod or still listen to CDs?
Both - CDs are for when I forget my iPod in the car and NPR isn't playing something I want to hear.

xx.Do you prefer listening to your music out loud or in headphones?
Depends on where I am. At work, out loud. Elsewhere, headphones.

xx.What do you think about rap?
I really only like a few songs.

xx.Ever heard of young dro?
No.

xx.What do you feel like doing when you hear music you hate?
Tune it out.


Animals
xx.Do you like cats?
Of course. I wouldn't own Nevaeh if I didn't.

What do you believe happened to the dinosaurs?
They were abducted by a race of aliens and then shipped off to another galaxy for giant dino-wars. Seriously, I believe the meteor in the Yucatan Peninsula aiding in their extinction.

xx.Would you ever want a pet dinosaur?
When I was a kid, I wanted a triceratops as a pet. But now, I realize that it would cost a fortune to keep him fed.

xx.Ever have a pet nano?
Nope, but I bought one for Brittany and Alexis.

xx.What kind was it?
I don't know...pink?

xx.What do you think about animal cruelty?
That people like that deserve to fry in a special section of hell.

xx.Do you have a pet fish?
I don't think that would be wise with Nevaeh...unless I want to spend $5 for her lunch.


Clothing
xx.What do you usually wear on an average day?
Comfy pants and a nice shirt for work. Jeans and a cute shirt otherwise.

xx.Would you be caught in a mini skirt?
Not a micro-mini, but I do wear mini skirts from time to time.

xx.What brand of clothes do you wear?
Primarily stuff from Old Navy.

xx.Do you care about designer clothes or clothes from Abercrombie or do you just think "who cares it's just a shirt"?
I think, "If it looks cute and doesn't cost a massive chunk of my paycheck, I'll wear it.".

xx.Would you rather a one piece or bikini bathing suit?
At this point in my life, one piece.

xx.Do you wear matching socks?
Of course.

xx. Ever stay in your Pj's all day?
Not really. I need to shower and wear clean clothing.


Love
xx.Have you ever been in love?
Yes.

xx.Does it piss you off when everyone around you is in it and your not?
No, I realize that when things are meant to happen, they'll happen.

xx.Do you ever feel like telling those people to shut up when they constantly brag about their boyfriend/girlfriend?
No, I get their happiness and the want to share that with others.

xx.What do you think about love at first sight?
I think there is the potential for it, but I don't really know since I've never experienced it.


Random
xx.Do you curse alot?
*blushes* Sometimes.

xx.What is your favorite curse word?
I like to make up funny ones like son of a zombie-eating monkey.

xx.Do you wear glasses?
I do, and I love them!

xx.Finish this line. If I had a pet pony I would ______
let my nieces and nephew ride it.

xx.What do you think hotdogs are made out of?
I've been eating turkey ones of late, so not the scary stuff of other hotdogs.

xx.Do you have a curfew?
Only when I'm on call for work.

xx.How many hours a day do you spend on the computer?
I am afraid to tally that up with the time spent at work, doing freelancing and just general surfing.

xx.Would you say you are an addict?
When it comes to Coca-Cola Classic, sadly. I can't go more than a month without it.

xx.If someone took your computer for a day what would you do?
Worry about how I'd get my freelancing done.

Today started just like any other. Well, any other when you're out of state attending a conference and running from program to program from 9 am to midnight and no nap breaks. Don't get me wrong, I love attending this conference, but I. Am. Exhausted.

Seriously, I am done.

But I digress.

So today started like any other: roll out of bed at 7:45 am, shower, get dressed and trudge off to a day full of programs. (For the record, I only say trudged due to the fact that my lypoma is killing me from sitting and standing for loooooooong periods of time.)

It was after the second educational session, as we waited to pile into Salon A to watch musicians, comedians and even a magician (the comedians were meh, but the magician was AWESOME!). I was headed that way until one of my students waved me over.

Ever experience something so horrific that left you wishing on every star in the sky that teleportation had been invented so that you could transport yourself to anywhere but where you currently are? Well, two minutes after that student called me over, I wished just that. And you would too if you found yourself standing guard over a toilet.

*Sigh*

That is not a typo.

The student asked me to keep an eye on the toilet stall, because she had somehow dropped her phone in the toilet...and then flushed it too.

*sigh*

I know what you're thinking. Trust me, I asked that same question. Repeatedly.

I stood guard over that porcelain edifice as she rushed off to find someone with the skills and tools necessary to fish it out. I stood there 15 minutes.

*sigh*

I'm just going to say it people are nasty! I'm not talking the hand washing stuff, thankfully they did that. I'm talking the fact that, even though there were 16 unoccupied stalls, every motherloving person has to fricken use the one RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!!!

WHY?!?!?

Seriously, WHY??????

And 15 minutes stood listening to people pee really emphasized Einstein's theory of relativity to me. Fifteen minutes with a hot guy flies by. Fifteen minutes babysitting a toilet takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R! For-effin-ever!!!

When the plumber showed up, I ran out the door. Then I bathed in hand sanitizer.

*sigh*

Go ahead. Start laughing. I know you've been wanting to.

Welcome to Silly Dreams with Mindy, the part of the show where Mindy comes out and tells her silly dream. We join Mindy as she lies on her bed writing a paper. It's nearly midnight, and she's clearly jumped off her rocker.
I had another one of those dreams that I wake up and immediately forget. Then, 15 hours later, it came rushing back as I wrote my paper, causing a massive fit of embarrassed giggles.
I couldn't tell you the plot of the dream. What I can tell you is that, in the dream, I wound up making out with someone I really never pictured myself making out with.
I know that admitting this will come back to haunt me, but people already giggle at my shenanigans, so what's new?
Sigh.
I dreamt I made out with one of my master's professors, and being that I've only had one male professor, it's not too hard to work out who he was. But thank goodness he's no longer teaching at UMKC after leaving to become president of a local community college.
Oops, gave it away, didn't I?</p>

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

...when I go absolutely fricken insane.

Move-ins started this week. The football team is here, as are my super awesome RAs (I am really excited because they are one of the best groups I've ever had - everyone gets along perfectly!!!). Tomorrow brings in the athletes, and next Saturday brings in the remainder of the students. I'm excited but also flustered. Where did summer go? I didn't get to enjoy it, that's for sure!

And as my students come back, college also starts for me. Yup, you read that right. I have an amazing guardian angel, and as a result, I registered for classes this morning. I am so eternally grateful. I absolutely cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart. 

This is all for now. I really need to get some sleep before work tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I'll be able to post more often than once a month very, very soon. I've had this super funny post that I've been aching to share - being that I'm Minday, put emphasis on aching. :)

It's been a month since my last post. I know. Trust me, I know.

I've had a really good excuse though. I've had a post that I've been meaning to write, and I will write it one day, but right now, there's just been a lot going on in my life.

So, as I've mentioned before, my mom turned into a bit of a jerkhole. She stiffed me on a $120 trash collection bill, a $150 electric bill and a $500 gas bill. As a result, I've been really tight on funds - well, between that and having to pay taxes. Freelancing is great, except they don't take out taxes, and while I have extra taxes taken out of my other job's pay, it's not enough to cover it. At the same time, I've been paying off old debt, like the $1500 phone bill my ex-boyfriend ran up. Clearly, you can see why he's an ex.

As a result of all of the money I've been shelling out for bills, the one bill I have been unable to pay is my tuition from last fall. I've been putting a little bit of money toward it here or there, but every time I try to make a large payment with one of my freelancing checks, life steps in the way and I end up having to do things like cover the gas bill or pay an emergency vet bill for my sister, because she and her husband were broke and her puppies were dying.

I need to pay off the tuition before I'm able to register for fall classes, which start Aug. 24. I have a scholarship for this upcoming school year that will pay for one class each semester. I only have 3 classes left to take before graduation. Paying for fall and spring classes is taken care of...once I pay off what I still owe. If I can't pay off this debt, I can't register, and if I can't register, I lose my scholarship.

I owe $1,500 on tuition. Of that, I can pay $900, provided no other insane emergencies show up - that's basically my freelance check for July's work. The other $600....well, that's what I'm working on.

So far, I've tried selling a few of my books and DVDs, but I could never get more than a couple of dollars. My sister and I put together a huge garage sale. I made $26. Of that other $600, I have $41 so far. I'll get a few more from my next 2 paychecks, but trust me, not $559, not with car payment, insurance, cell phone, IRS and other bills.

Tomorrow, I'm going to take a massive stack of DVDs and CDs to Vintage Stock and see what I can get for them. I know it won't be a ton. I don't have anything really worth a large chuck in those areas. The most expensive DVD I probably have would be either Band of Brothers or my Ultimate Dawn of the Dead. I don't want to part with BoB, but I'll part with Dawn if I have to, since it could net me between $25 and $30.

I'm also going to make another round through my books. I'll just have to part with some that I hadn't really wanted to. Worst-case, I have a couple of first-edition Stephen King novels I can sell. One can bring in between $50 and $75. I don't want to give it up, because I've had it since it was released back when I was in middle school, but if it comes to it, what else can I do???

I also am most likely going to sell my Canon Rebel EOS 35 mm camera. I love that camera, as it's taken some fantastic photos over the years (and to be honest is miles better than my digicam), but I can get another $75 to $100 out of it.

Beyond that, I've got a few computer peripherals I can sell, but those will probably only bring in a little bit here and there. I've got some of my art work, but I wouldn't begin to know how to sell it outside of a gallery, and the only gallery I know well is in San Antonio. 

I guess the reason I'm writing all this down is a mixture of several things.

One, I need to get it off my chest in a bad way. I've got a little over a month to come up with that $559, and that's just a lot for me to swallow.

Two, I'm wondering if people might have any suggestions for how I can market some of the things I have to sell but in a way that I get what I deserve off them and am not screwed out of them.

Third, I don't know. I hate asking people for help, but maybe that's what I need to do. Maybe I just need to ask for people's help. I'm the girl who prefers to give rather than receive, but maybe I need to be humble and ask for some help. I'm not going to throw away the money on something stupid. This is my education.

I just don't quite know what to do. I know there are people out there in this world who are worried about feeding their families and here I am worrying over my master's degree. I try my best to help out those in need, and no matter what happens to me, I will continue to do that. I just don't know what to do about myself.

Just a quick shameless plug for my new podcast, Let's Scare Mindy. You can find this on iTunes or by listen at http://letsscaremindy.podbean.com.

Or you could just listen here. :D

</div>

I realize that I haven't had a funny post in well...decades, it seems. I'm still going to do the 50 Book Challenge, but I'm not going to bore you all with the details. I had lost sight of why I do this blog, and now I'm going to correct that. So here is a funny story.


Over the past two years, I have become a bit lethargic. Working on my master's while working a full-time and part-time job had taken a toll on my energy levels, and instead of keeping up my visits to the gym, I had to do things like help run an office, oversee a residence hall, write tons of school notes and quite a few articles, write research papers and learn about colleges and the students who attend them. But lethargy comes with a price. In my case, it was 20 pounds.

This spring, I took a break from classes, and I realized that I would have to start a routine to help get myself back into shape. So, I started with baby steps, walking during lunch on weekdays. Last month, I signed up for Corporate Challenge, thinking it would move me up to the next stage of things. And as I won a third-place medal in volleyball and came in seventh in softball, I realized my plan worked. After we played our last softball game, I got in the car, drove straight to the YMCA and joined it.

Signing up for the YMCA means that I'll most likely have to face my most feared exercise equipment: the treadmill.

Go ahead, get your laughter out now (of course, you'll laugh more here in a minute).

My fear of treadmills goes back even before that awesome "Here It Goes Again" video by OK, Go - you know the one I mean, where they dance on the treadmills. It goes back to that magic year: 1999.

*cue flashback music*

My suitemate Gina and I decided it was time to head off to the gym after color guard practice one night. We loaded up our Discmen with CDs and set off across campus. My CD of choice was Backstreet's Back by, of course, the Backstreet Boys.

At the gym, I immediately climbed on the treadmill and started jogging. Once I got my pace going, I turned on my CD player. The first song, "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," was the perfect song for the pace I was running. But the problem with that song is that it is just too catchy.

Seriously, to this day, I cannot hear that song without breaking out into the dance featured in the video.  That, of course, was my downfall.

About three and a half minutes into the song, it breaks down, and in the video, that's where they pull out their big group dance number. As I ran on the treadmill and it got to that part of the song, I couldn't help it. I had to dance.

I was just getting into the groove of things when everything went wrong...terribly wrong...terribly, horribly wrong.

I had only been doing the hand movements, because I realized that it was impossible to do the footwork while running. But the one time I took my mind off of it, my feet went off on their own. My right foot stepped off the tread and onto the side. My left, still on the tread, just went backward.

I'm sure you know how this will end, but I'm going to tell you anyway, because it features a surprise guest.

My foot shot off the back of the treadmill, quickly followed by the rest of me. I wound up on the floor, across the room, doing the splits.

Gina triple-taked. I was right next to her, then suddenly was gone. When she spied me, she burst out laughing. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one.

The entire football team (yes, you really read that right) was laughing as well. They had been in the gym working out and got to watch my entire show.

Awesome.

If that were to happen to me today, I would be in massive pain due to being pretty out of shape. But fortunately, back then I was way more flexible. I didn't hurt myself, just my pride.

And that, kids, is why you don't play around on treadmills.

To help you get an idea of what exactly I was doing on that treadmill, I have embedded a copy of that video. About 3:40 or so on the video, it breaks down and the dance begin. Watch...and laugh.

And laugh some more.

#20 - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1950, 179 pages)

The future is a terrifying place where firefighters no longer put out fires but create them as a way to eradicate books from the world in Ray Bradbury's 1950 classic Fahrenheit 451.

Guy Montag is a fireman who has been doing his job unquestioning for 10 years. But one day, after an encounter with a provocative young woman, he finds himself wondering why thing are the way they are. Further compounding his questioning is an encounter with a professor who tells Montag just how much society has fallen since books were outlawed.

Though written nearly 60 years ago, Bradbury's book offers a frightening glance of how our future could become, especially as technology advances and less and less importance is placed on the written word. I am surprised that, as an English major, I had never been presented with an opportunity to read this. I sought it out on my own, and I am so grateful to have read this book. I give it a serious five out of five uncensored books.

#21 - Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (1999, 198 pages)

In her debut book Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri presents readers with a collection of stories about Indians dealing with a variety of incidents from adjusting to American culture to finding love.

Each story tells of normal things that occur in people's lives, but Lahiri has such a way with the English language that these mundane things are transformed into very powerful and memorable events. She takes something as simple as a car accident or a power outage and changes it into something so much more.

Another thing I appreciate is that all of the stories are great. It's not like some other short story collections I've read where there are some obvious filler stories that don't have the same impact as the other stories. Each of these stories captured my interest and made me care about the characters held within. I've been trying to think of which one is my favorite, but I cannot think of just one. I can't even think of two or three or five. They are all great.

Total Books Read: 21 / 50 (42 percent)
Total Pages Read: 6,185 / 15,000 (41 percent)

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids? Have you ever kissed someone? Missed someone? Told someone you loved them? Drunk alcohol? (Seriously?) Here you have 40 questions for the people who are a little older...

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Car payment. It's too much money!

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Hmmm...I can't think of the name of it, but it's an Indian restaurant in North Kansas City. Was amazing food.

3. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Sleeping.

4. How many colleges did you attend?
Two - one for undergrad, and one for the master's.

5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
Because I wanted to sleep in a tank top.

6. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
Well, thankfully, they're no longer $4 a gallon.

7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
I can live without my allergy medication another day. I'm sleeping in.

8. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Please, dear Zombie Jesus, please don't let me have a stressful day. (By the way Zombie Jesus, you let me down.)

9. Do you miss being a child?
Yes. I miss not having responsibilities and being able to do things like read all the time.

10. What errand/chore do you despise?
Dishes and cleaning the litter box.

11. Get up early or sleep in?
Who the heck wants to get up early? That's like saying I want to have this burning hot poker shoved in my eye.

12. Have you found real love yet?
Not yet.

13. Favorite lunch meat?
Salami.

14. What do you get every time you go into Target?
I stop at the Starbucks for an iced apple chai infusion.

15. Beach or lake?
Right now, I think I'd go for a lake, in the middle of a quiet, peaceful, lovely forest.

16. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
Only in the the belief that it should only occur between a man and a woman. It's call equal rights, y'all.

17. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
Neither.

18. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Christopher Moore.

19. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Yes, once was my fault; the rest were someone else's fault.

20. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
Only once in RA training.

21. Ring tone?
"Val Kilmer" by Bowling for Soup.

22. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
Kitchen?

23. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
That would be all of California.

24. Do you go to church?
Only when I visit my sister and her family. I don't believe in organized religion.

25. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
Relationship. I love my career.

26. How old are you?
29.

27. Do you have a go-to person?
I do.

28. Are you where you want to be in life?
Not quite. I'm still in Missouri.

29. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons?
Transformers, Muppet Babies, GI Joe, She-Ra, He-Man.

30. What about you do you think has changed the most?
My ability to stand up for myself no matter who the person is I'm standing up to.

31. Looking back at high school, were they the best years of your life?
Not even close.

32. Are there times you still feel like a kid?
Yup, since age is but a number.

33. Did you ever own troll dolls?
NO! Those were the ugliest things ever!

34. Did you have a pager?
Yup. It was purple.

35. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
I wasn't cool enough to hang out at Party Bridge (yes, there was a bridge where people partied when I was in high school), so at my friends' houses.

36. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with?
I would hope so, though they would probably think I'm too big a geek.

37. Who do you think impacted your life the most?
My father. He was an awful man, but in being so helped me turn into a much better person than I would have been had I not decided to break the cycle of drug addiction and abuse.

38. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
Many. My absolute favorite of all time, though is my first-grade teacher Mrs. Hiles.

39. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age”?
No, and I hope I never do.

40. Is it better to love and lose it or never to love at all?
Yes, but only so you learn what true love is.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (2002, 162 pages)

Coraline's new home seems boring until she stumbles across a door that hides a brick wall. Tired of exploring the neighborhood where there's not much more than the two former actresses next door and the crazy man upstairs who says he's teaching mice to play in a band, Coraline finds her interest drawn to that door and what lies beyond it.

One day, as her parents leave the house, Coraline decides to look at the door one more time. This time, she finds a dark passage that leads to a world nearly the same as her own...except the food tastes better, animals can speak, and her parents have buttons for eyes.

Coraline soon finds herself fighting against her other mother is set upon having Coraline as her own daughter. Will she be able to stop the other mother?

As a big Gaiman fan, I really enjoyed this book. It is a children's book; however, so the writing is a bit more simplistic than some of his other works. But that does not keep this book from being an enjoyable adventure. That is why I give this four out of five button eyes.

Total Books Read: 19 / 50 (38 percent)
Total Pages Read: 5,808 / 15,000 (39 percent)

Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels (2006, 325 pages)

Earlier this year, I reviewed the fourth book in Casey Daniels' Pepper Martin series. I enjoyed the book so much that I decided to start at the beginning of the series, the 2006 novel Don of the Dead.

Cemetery tour guide Pepper Martin hit her head. After recovering she thought she was doing fine until she came across the ghost of long-dead mafia Don Gus Scarpetti. Realizing that Pepper can see him, he enlists her help in trying to figure out who murdered him 30 years earlier.

Pepper is led on what seems like a wild goose chase. Along the way, she meets sexy neurologist Dan, who wants to study the effects of Pepper's injury. Competing for Dan's attention is the handsome Quinn, a police detective who is trying to convince Pepper to leave Scarpetti's case along. But of course, where would this story be had Pepper listened?

I'm normally not a big fan of romantic series, which is why I appreciate Daniels' writing. The romance aspect is greatly overshadowed by the mystery and the paranormal aspects of the story. That is why I give this book a fun-loving four out of five ghost hunts.

Total Books Read: 18 / 50 (36 percent)
Total Pages Read: 5,646 / 15,000 (38 percent)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith (2009, 319 pages)

About a month and a half ago, I mused on Twitter, wouldn't it be awesome if someone thought up a zombie story set in like the 18th Century? Almost immediately I received a reply from author Jen Lancaster telling me I should check out Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Well, as an English major, I felt it would be wrong to let this gem slip past me.

As the title implies, this book combines the lovable Jane Austin epic with those creatures I love most, flesh-eating zombies. The Bennet sisters are notable zombie slayers, who, when they're not using their martial arts skills killing the undead, are trying to find themselves husbands. Second eldest sister Elizabeth is the moodiest of the lot, and instantly finds herself butting heads with Mr. Darcy, who is also renowned for his zombie slaying prowess.

Throughout the book, Elizabeth finds her feelings change, but all the while, she vows to stay true to the Queen and save the country from the undead ghouls that roam England.

Pardon the pun, but I devoured this book as soon as it arrived. I thought this story would just butcher Austin's original work, but in fact, the zombies compliment the story, making it more fun. I recommend this book wholeheartedly, which is why I give it five out of five brains.

Total Books Read: 17 / 50 (34 percent)
Total Pages Read: 5,321 / 15,000 (35 percent)

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry (2009, 421 pages)

Jonathan Maberry tackles two of America's worst fears - terrorism and zombies - in his 2009 novel Patient Zero.

Joe Ledger finds himself in an unusual situation when he's forced to kill a terrorist twice in the same week. But it's because of his skills that he is recruited by a super-secret government agency to fight the newest threat to American soil: zombies.

Ledger is assigned to lead a small rapid-response unit, whose primary job is stopping the zombies from being set loose upon the public. But these are not your shuffling "Night of the Living Dead" beings. These are fast-moving zombies who keep Ledger and his men on their toes.

Ledger is an instantly likable guy who resorts to sarcasm as a defense mechanisms. He is fast on his feet and fast with a sharp tongue. One of my favorite of his quips is the following: "I'm not sure I could trust a man who would bypass an Oreo in favor of vanilla wafers. It's a fundamental character flaw, possibly a sign of true evil."

Intertwined in Ledger's story is the story of the terrorists who are preparing to unleash the weapon. The anger of fundamental extremists rips through Maberry's prose, leading readers to believe the threat could be real.

I stumbled upon this book and found it to be a delightful read. It's not a horror novel by any means. If anything, it reads like a thriller, pulling you into Ledger's story and stringing you on with mysteries that he is forced to solve. I was so entranced by the book that I had it read in three days (would have had it sooner had I not had to do things like work and sleep). I give this awesome book a thrilling five out of five zombie moans.

Total Books Read: 16 / 50 (32 percent)
Total Pages Read: 5,002 / 15,000 (33 percent)

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939, 275 pages)

In Agatha Christie's 1939 novel And Then There Were None, ten people from different walks of life are brought together to the mysterious Indian Island, off the coast of Devon in England. The group appear to have been called together for different reasons, but their first night there, they learn that they were drawn together for the same reason: each played a role in another person's death. To make the situation more dire, people begin dying, one by one, following the childhood poem "Ten Little Indians." Will the group be able to determine who the murderer is, or will they all succumb to this fiendish plot?

This was the first book of Christie's that I have read, and to be honest, I'm surprised that it has taken me this long, as I love reading mysteries. The writing in this book is not complicated in any way, but she structures her plot in such a way that it's impossible not to race through this book. I had to know what was going on so much that I finished the book in about three hours. I hope that readers enjoy the twist that Christie uses in this book, as it caught me so off guard.

Agatha Christie really is the master of the mystery, and that is why I give this book five out of five red herrings.

Total Books Read: 15 / 50 (30 percent)
Total Pages Read: 4,581 / 15,000 (31 percent)

Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach (2005, 311 pages)

According to author Mary Roach, "This is a book for people who would like very much to believe in a soul and in an afterlife for it to hang around in, but who have trouble accepting these things on faith. It's a giggly, random, utterly earthbound assault on our most ponderous unanswered question." In her 2005 book Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, Roach does just that. She provides readers with a very thorough and humor-laden examination where life after death is possible.

Though she is not a scientist by trade, Roach clearly has done her homework with Spook. She examines topics such as reincarnation, spirit photography, psychics and even a court case in which a will was reexamined at the request of a ghost. Roach also provides such witticisms as imagining a combination of Sigmund Freud and Sigfried and Roy after a woman misheard a conversation. The end result will leave readers laughing out loud.

With Spook, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I found the book to be such an enjoyable read that I could hardly put it down. Whether you believe in life after death or not, I doubt anyone could read this book and not enjoy it. That is why I give this a very strong five out of five ghosts.

Total Books Read: 14 / 50 (28 percent)
Total Pages Read: 4,306 / 15,000 (29 percent)

I've been having a rough couple of weeks, and for once I decided on something that didn't involve watching horror movies. (That will come later tonight.) I headed off for this little cemetery I found on a walk a few weeks back. It was a gorgeous day, and I got some really nice photos.

I hope you enjoy them.

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The Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986, 416 pages)

An aging league of former superheroes reunite when one of their own is brutally murdered in The Watchmen, the very successful graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons.

As more heroes die, the survivors come together, their pasts and presents intertwining throughout the graphic novel. Set in an alternate 1985 as the United States is on the brink of World War III, heroism has been outlawed, forcing the heroes to hide and forget their pasts. But one, Rorshach, will not give up until he finds the truth and avenges the death of his counterparts. 

The story moved a bit slow for me, a combination of not understanding why the backstory was necessary and not being a fan of graphic novels. The real action did not seem to begin until a few chapters from the end, and even then, I just followed along more out of obligation to finish than from relating to the characters and what they were trying to achieve. It just didn't work for me, which is why I can only give it two out of five masked avengers.

Total Books Read: 13 / 50 (26 percent)
Total Pages Read: 3,995 / 15,000 (27 percent)

Woke up. Went to to work. Did some work. Left work for eye doctors. Got eye exam and two new glasses. Took birthday cake to sister's house (along with Twilight 2 and her copy of Grudge 2). Played with nieces and nephew. Helped niece when she fell off the slide and hurt herself. Dropped cell phone in toilet. Watched Heroes with sister. Came home.

Exciting, huh?

Okay, I'm sure you want to know more about one thing in there. Well, I get the glasses tomorrow. One pair is pink and black and kind of cat's eye looking. The other is black and more rectangular. Very cute.

Oh, you meant the phone, didn't you. *sigh*

After going to the bathroom (and after the toilet had completely flushed, thank the Lord), I snapping my pants and my cell phone just went plop. Now, these are not the same pants I was wearing a year ago when my phone fell out and I ran it over with my car. But they now will be treated with the same caution. I immediately rushed into my sister's living room, sopping wet phone in hand, asking her what to do. She and her husband had apparently both committed this same act, and she advised me to immediately shut off the phone, take out the battery and place both the phone and the battery over the heating vent to dry. She said to keep it there for a day.

Well, as I came home, I moved the phone to my car's defroster vents, and now my phone lies helplessly on my living room's heater vent. Cross your fingers. 

I do have cell phone insurance, but hopefully, I don't have to use it. Hopefully.

The summer of 2001, my dream came true. I saved up enough pennies from my college jobs as a resident assistant and a yearbook editor to pay for an opportunity to spend two months in London on a study abroad adventure. I would spend my mornings in class studying American writers in England, and then afternons and evenings, my roommates and I were left up to our own devices. The trip allowed me to experience many unique and fun things, and of course, it included my first (and hopefully only) flashing.

One of our assignments included us sitting in a public area within the city and watching people. I, of course, relished this assignment, because as a writer, I will often observe people to gather ideas for conversation and how people interact. So I packed up my notebook and set off for Leicester Square with my roommate.

My roommate and I split up, heading for different areas of the little park in Leicester Square. I sat on the side nearest the Virgin Megastore, leaning up against a tree for comfort. Opening my notebook, I began to write down what I observed, starting with those immediately around me.

First, I noted the hot young businessman sitting to my right (well, I am only human) reading a book. In front of me sat two guys - one Caucasian and one of Middle Eastern descent - sharing lunch with one another. On a bench to my left sat the woman who served as my waitress the night before in an Italian restaurant in Soho.

Finally, there was the guy lying on the grass about 10 feet to my left. I have no idea what he looked like, as he was curled up in the fetal position with his leather coat over his face to block out the sun (and possibly noise). He dressed very shabbily, his clothing covered in grime.

I would never have paid him much attention other than first notice had he not begun to make these weird grunting sounds while jerking about under the coat. My eyes went wide in response to Creepy Jacket Guy, and Mr. Hot Business Man appeared to have noticed. He walked a wide circle around Creepy Jacket Guy, his eyes jumping back and forth between Creepy Jacket Guy and myself. Of course, Creepy Jacket Guy must have noticed, because he soon quieted down and Mr. Hot Business Man left.

I decided to distract myself by doing what I was supposed to be doing in the first place. I began looking around the park, trying once more to watch people and their interactions.

My roommate sat on a bench about 50 yard in front of me. As she sat writing, a guy came up trying to sell her flowers. He offered her one, but she denied him. He persisted, and eventually, she got up and walked to another part of the park.

I looked about some more, and the two guys sharing lunch were joined by their girlfriends. The situation reminded me of the main characters in White Teeth, which got me lost in thinking about that book (it's a great book, and you should read it).

I was pulled out of my brief reverie as Creepy Jacket Guy once again began grunting and jerking about. I turned to look at him, and I swear to you, I wish upon all that is good and holy that I had moved away when Mr. Hot Business Man left.

Well, I've already hinted at what I saw, but even that hint can not even begin to relay the horror of what befell my eyes.

Creepy Jacket Guy straightened out his body, and as a result, he straightened out his weiner, because his pants were undone and he was not wearing undies.

Entering the retching heard worldwide, and the shriek that was so high and loud that only dogs could hear it.

Seriously, I'm surprised that I didn't break the glass in every window of every building in Leicester Square.

I got up, met up with my roommate and the two of us went running from the park.

And that, boys and girls, is the story of the time I got flashed. EW!