For Those Of You Still Following Me. . .

I've started a new blog that will be the one that I update from now on. The URL is www.momentslikethesedarling.blogspot.com Thanks all!

Jesse's Girl

That same girl walked past me again and I ran into that tell-tale wall - her eyes were just gorgeous. Bright blue and shining, they were just amazing. I had no idea who she was or where she came from, I just knew I loved her. My phone vibrated - snapping me out of my day dream.
Kyle, guess what? - Jesse
I smiled as I replied 'What?' to Jesse's text. He was one of my best friends, we met in first grade and - well, we've always been good friends. I waited for his reply as that girl went back and forth through my mind's eye - totally tuning out my math teacher.
I've got a GIRLFRIEND!! She's gonna eat lunch with us! - Jesse
I had to hold in an ecstatic cheer on his behalf, 'Dude, that's awesome! Are we gonna sit in the usual spot?
I was so excited for him, I mean - it's a huge step for one of us high school kids okay? It's his first girlfriend. I couldn't help wondering who she was, I mean, as far as I knew he didn't like anyone. . . maybe I already know her? I guess I just have to wait and see.
Yeah - Jesse
Sweet, see ya then, congrats man
I went through the rest of math day dreaming about that girl - and the double-dates she and I could go on with Jesse and his girl. The bell finally rang - I was the first one out of that room. I charged out fo the front doors of the school, to the tree Jesse and I always sat under. The tree came into view and I stopped dead in my tracks.
She was sitting right there.
That girl - with those eyes, the beauty that just radiated from her, the beauty I wanted to hold in my arms. And she was in my spot.
My prayers had been answered.
I took a deep breath and walked up to her confidently. I nodded and threw my backpack at the tree as usual. I sat next to her and opened my mouth and -
"You must be Kyle," she said smiling.
Wait. . . what?
She must have read my expression because she asked, "Jesse's friend? He's told me all about you."
"Really?" I choked out. "I hope it's been good things. . .I don't really know who you are though."
"Right," she said with a laugh. "Jesse's mom and mine have been friends for ages. He moved away when we were little kids. I moved here a week ago, and we just met again lat night - and well, hit it off, just like the old days. I'm Kourtney, Jesse's girlfriend."
Jesse called out from across the courtyard and I looked at him astonished. I couldn't really explain it, but suddenly something changed.
I liked Jesse's girl. I just wanted her to be mine.
Awkward. . .

Fantasy or not?

Hero's Journey in Hook

Ordinary world: Peter Banning is a lawyer. His life is work centered and his family is starting to feel the neglect. Afraid of flying.
Call to Adventure: Invitation to visit Granny Wendy over 10 years
Refusal of the Call: Keeps ignoring Granny Wendy's invatations
Meeting with the Mentor: Goes to London, speaks with Granny Wendy.
Crossing the Threshold: Children kidnapped, Granny Wendy tells him the stories are true and he is taken from the nursery by Tinkerbell.
Tests, Allies, Enemies: When he gets to Neverland he meets Pirates, and the Lost Boys. Tink is given 3 days to make him Peter Pan.
Approach: Finding his happy thought, learning to crow.
Ordeal: His son, Jack, chooses Hook over him.
Reward: He fights Hook "Dark and sinister man, have at thee!" and his son comes back (after Rufio dies).
The Road Back: Flying back to the reall world with his kids, leaving Tubbs in charge.
Resurrection: Waking up in London - he hears the Tinker of the bottles and thinks it's Tink, he tries to fly but can't.
Return with Elixar: He returns with a new found belief, a better husband and father.

Hero: Peter Banning/Pan
Mentor: Granny Wendy, Tinkerbell
Threshold Gaurdian: Rufio, Hook
Herald: Tink, Granny Wendy, Toodles
Shapeshifter: Hook
Shadow: Croc clock
Trickster: Hook, Rufio, Pan

My Hero. . . .

Name: Jesse Travern

Age: 17

Race/Religion/Gender: white/not specified, high standards and morals/male

Parents: not around - unhappy with ______'s life and decisions he's made, uncaring and unsensitive - more concerned with the outer image because it is what other people see - maybe somewhere deep down they've got some regret somewhere but they aren't planning on showing it all that soon.

Style of Dress: fashionable enough to blend in, nothing top of the line (doesn't know any of the designers names or anything like that) usually just dark-wash jeans baggy and a t-shirt

Hometown: unspecified - it may come out eventually, but it will most likely be a fictional place

Marital status/family: living with best friend after he left parents home, likes a girl - can't get up the guts to ask her out

Most embarrassing moment:

Greatest fear: being unwanted - his parents, the ones you're supposed to be able to count on, obviously didn't want him - and he can't stand the idea of losing the people that matter to him

Strongest desires: asking Avi out, finding his purpose, hiding his secrets

Job: concessionist at a theatre

Where he wants to be in five years: living on his own, steady girl-friend and a high paying job, secure and happy

Guiltiest pleasure: motor bikes - going very very very fast on motorbikes

Identifying marks: tall, muscular body that stands out in a crowd - nothing really amazing

Mannerisms/gestures: he is very reserved - doesnt' talk much. He likes to sit alone and listen to music that is loud enough to hear over his motorbike's engine and the wind combined. Loyal friend and a GREAT personality when you get him to show it

What he is like in school: caught senioritus when they stopped allowing nap time. Passes all his classes, quiet enough that no one notices him, except the teachers that appriciate the one student that isn't constantly talking

Favorite sayings: FML!!!

Favorite quotes from songs: listens to mostly screamo so nothing is really intelligable.

Favorite movie quotes: . . . . in development. . .

Most valuable possession: his bike. When he is at work he parks in right in front of the windows so that he can keep his eyes on it at all times.

How he feels about love: it hasn't gone so well for him in the past. It's unconditional and the key out of the mess of a life he has - he just has to find it.

Philosophy on life: I am my own person and no one but myself can change me.

I'm Fine

These chains are heavy, dark, and hard.
They keep me here, tie me down,
I can't escape, there is no key.
I've been hurt, I've been tricked,
Each pain adds another link, another link, another ounce
For me to carry round.
Their mount, hard stone, and unrelenting
Always changing, growing higher -
Soon I'll ride the devils swing.
Change isn't necessary, I don't need to comply.
If I rebel I'll fail, these mounts won't budge,
Restricting calm complacency.
Restricting dreams, restricting life,
Restricting mind and might,
Undeveloped gifts, left unable to please.
Forget what good has been done -
It's not worth the battle -
These chains are TOO heavy TOO dark and TOO strong
They keep me here, tie me down.
Go on, leave me behind -
I'm fine.

Here's the song . . .

I've been talking to different people, and a suprising ammount of you haven't heard the song I did my adaptation on, so here's a link for it :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2puH0mjefE
You can look around the other links if you want to watch the video, but I didn't like it :D

Gives You Hell . . . adaptation

"Joanne!" a voice I knew called aloud.
I kept walking, not in the mood for the drama that followed him around - he knew that. What he thought annoying me more would do for him, I didn't know.
"Joanne!" he called again.
I walked a little faster, hoping to reach the safety of the class before I had to stop - a hand grabbed my arm and spun me around. I found myself staring into Ryan's eyes, they were clouded, but smiling - he was hiding something. Disoriented and annoyed, I clenched my fists so one of them wouldn't end up in his face.
"What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to fake my mood.
His smile faltered under my hard glare, "What? No hello?"
"You think you deserve one?"
"Yeah, we're friends aren't we?"
"YOU tell me. I got a pretty strong feeling YOU wanted that to end."
The bell rang and the rest of the people in the halls dissipated to their classes. I would have - but this opportunity was too good to pass up. His gaze was uneasy, the clouds in his eyes were fading, I could almost see whatever he was hiding.
"Joanne, I told you I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "Would you just-"
"I WILL NOT LET IT GO!" I screamed, man it felt good. "I'm not just going to forget this knife you jammed into my back, you- you-"
"WHAT, Joanne? What am I?"
"Traitor! You WERE my friend, didn't that mean ANYTHING to you?" I asked, the rant slid easily from my overflowing brain and right out my mouth. "Anyone of us would have put ourselves out FOR you, ANYONE. I thought I could count on you, just like one of them, to have my back, to be there when I needed to talk."
"You ca-"
"DON'T EVEN," I yelled, a teacher down the hall closed their door, I forced myself to suppress a laugh. "What possessed you to think that we wouldn't ever find out you were going behind our backs? One hour you're holding Trish's hand the next you're trying to kiss Leanne? WE'RE FRIENDS, WE TALK TO EACH OTHER! We were bound to find out sooner or later."
"If you all have so much of and issue with it, where are Trish and Leanne?"
"They believe your 'stupid-boy' act," I muttered.
That had hurt me, badly.
"And you don't?" he asked.
"OBVIOUSLY!!!" I screamed. "I'm not going to fall for it Ryan, I know you MUCH better than that. Trish and Leanne weren't the only ones you cheated, if you remember."
The clouds vanished and his pain stopped waving, I had finally made a hit that counted.
"Jo, I didn't-"
I pulled my headphones out and set them on my head, "Yeah, right, uh-huh, sure. Maybe you'll find and idiot like yourself to listen, I'm done."
I turned up my ipod and walked away, it felt like I was on top of the world.

Fantasy or not?

Blurbs

Gives You Hell - All American Rejects
Our singer has been dumped, hard, by the girl he loves. She betrayed him and he doesn't care anymore. He knows she knows what she's done - he's playing to that guilt. He's taking the opportunity to prove that he is happy without her - her plan to ruin his life failed. He's going to make sure it gives her hell.

All I Want - Steven Curtis Chapman
A little boy who has nothing throws his faith into the only thing he has left: a dream. He writes to Santa, begging for a family, because he has grown up in a orphanage. His last chance finally concluded, he says "Maybe next time I write you, I'll be at home."

Wrinkles - Diamond Rio
A grown man, looking back on his life - remembering a time he had taken a bath as a young boy. When he found his hands wrinkled (from the water), he asked his dad what they were and recieves the answer "Those are wrinkles, they ain't nothing to be scared of." The song goes on from the grown man's perspective, as he gains real wrinkles and learns the true value of old age.

Concrete Angel - Marina Mcbride
This little girl wears the same clothes to school every day. This little girl never had a mother caring enough to pack her a lunch. This little girl is abused at home, and no one knows. She hides the brusies and the pain well, but wishes she was never born to put up with this. Her dreams take her to a place where she can be a concrete angle, hard as a rock during the abuse.

Just To See You Smile - Tim McGraw
There is this boy who loves this girl, and he would do anything for her. All he wants from life is for her to be happy. He can't stand the thought of losing her so when she moves to take a job, he follows. She says she needs time so he backs off. When he returns, his love has found another, and they're in love. His broken heart lies, for her happiness, and tells her he's happy of her.

Movie Quote of the Week

"...carpe......carpe.......carpe diem."

Song With a Story

Gives You Hell* (not too bad, just abundant)
Artist: All American Rejects
Link to Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/gives-you-hell-all-american-rejects.html
Plot: This guy got dumped, and he is over it - wishes the girl a less than happy life.
Character: Singer and the girl
Conflict: The dumping, and his revenge
Theme: I'm still alive. I don't need you.
Setting: In her head, his studio

6 word memoirs

10. To be or not to be
9. Death experiences are my forte
8. 100% reason to remember the name
7. Sweet dreams are made of this
6. A dream fufilled, my life complete
5. Random for life, never ever bored
4. Laying down, proud of whats done
3. Anything is possible with and extension cord
2. I managed not to destroy anything
1. Weasley is our King, Gryffindor's sing

Here it is again. . .

For ------------
My life I'd give
for your eyes.
Dark brown and warm,
the light that shines.
It warms the day,
the hard worn ground.
They crinkle round
your smile wide:
The pillar that is my guide.
I'm often lost, though,
for I hardly see my beacon bright.
Pulled in tight and worried.
Your forehead creased,
my beating heart:
ceased.
What I'd give to see my way,
to ease your pain
for but a day.

Another attempt at better poetry. . . (and to think I used to hate writing it)

Acceptance

The deepest wish of men

is said

To love and be loved

until you're dead.

Acceptance is the key,

that others will withhold.

The thing we yearn for,

The dream that is never old.

We try our best,

work hard,

slave,

And yet they still find something wrong.

To yell about and harp upon.

The irony is,

that is how I'll die:

Never right in their eye.

Grand Theft AWESOME WRITING!!!

This is probably one of the most touching and well deserved funeral scenes I've ever read in my life, I figure I should share it :D
"Harry placed the elf into the grave, arranged his tiny limbs so that he might have been resting, then climbed out and gazed for the last time upon the little body. He forced himself not to break down as he remembered Dumbledore's funeral, and the rows and rows of golden chairs, and the Minister of Magic in the front row, the recitation of Dumbledore's achievements, the stateliness of the white marble tomb. He felt that Dobby deserved just as grand a funeral, and yet here the elf lay between bushes in a roughly dug hole."
~Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Twenty-Four: The Wandmaker, pg.480, J.K. Rowling

Better Poetry. . . Maybe?

Memory
Click
The spotlight falls,
Caught in time,
They freeze.
The floating ice,
Glinting, Shining
Sighing. Spinning,
Spirals, wild and fee
landing as one
white blanket, pure.
Click
Her hair is down,
headphones on.
The beat has stopped,
Her heart thumps on,
Taking its place, the notes flow,
The feeling lingers.
Hope, sorrow, delight, pain,
This one struck.
Her face is calm,
True feelings concealed,
We'll never really know
How far away she feels.
The music pushes and pulls
Catching you only to throw you once more:
The ever changing lure.
Click
The words were said
His smile stretches,
His face, the light
Shines through his eyes
That crinkle together -
My own surprise.
His eyes reopen,
Happiness and glee, unspoken.
Click
The memories are gone
Click
They run away from everyone
Click
Which ones would you save?
Click
Which ones stay?
Click
Or do they all get away

Movie Quote of the Week

Okay, this one is one of my personal favorites :D
"MOM!! Without that show I have nothing!!!" "Having nothing builds character!!!!"

Grand Theft Poetry

My Tears
The tears I cry are bitter and warm,
They flow with life but take no form.
The people I know, the things that they've done,
Exploded and meshed into one big mistake.
They beckon me forward,
And I can't escape.

I won't escape -
I can't just leave them behind in the dust,
Broken and crying for help.
I'd never forget their terrified faces,
Tear stained and red as they pick up the pieces.
Their stories would haunt me for years on end,
I'd be too selfish to just push a head.

I couldn't just leave because one things for certain,
Those pieces they're saving will all come together,
To create a much more personal picture.
Whether they know it or not, its their fault.
They're the reason I'm here, with everything I've got.
If I could give five reasons for my heart to keep thumping,
They'd be there.

Every tear that falls, cascading down,
Is filled with their stories, the ones I can't change.
Their pasts have happened,
They're set in stone.

The glimmer of hope for this depressing tale?
Their futures could be something still.
Those pieces they're saving could come together,
Making their life something much better.
But the glue is in my hands,
Stuck and dry.
I won't escape because the tears keep falling.
I know why.
This challenge might me more than I can handle,
But I have the glue, so it's up to me.

They're all depending on me.

Movie Quote of the Week

Okay I'm late this week :D here we go again:
"So then 'muffin' is a code word?" "No, it is comfort food, and quite more fattening than most people realize. Which begs the question: why would two hardened CHAOS agents risk the carbs?"

Bad Poetry . . .

Life

It's short,

Only four letters long.

It takes a mere second to see,

And is passed over uncaringly.

Did you ever care to notice what the four little letters meant?

They all stand for something,

We can't live without.

For each person its different,

It's something else.

"L" could be love,

Person or thing.

Something that caught your attention once,

And has haunted you ever since.

It could be long

For the years a head,

Or the time you wish you had.

"I" for imagination,

The things you saw and heard.

The magic that made yours worth living,

The things no one else.

It could be for you,

The things you missed,

But wish had been.

"F" for freedom,

The blessing of choice.

The things that made you,

good and bad.

It could be for flat,

boring and wide.

If you didn't even try.

"E" for everything combined,

The people you met,

The ones who lied.

The few that you remeber,

Changed your life forever.

The feeling of dying,

While grasping for life,

The memories and images you'll leave behind.

Life,

It's short.

Just a four letter word.

Four important letters,

Making people who they are.

Don't just lay it down,

Make it something to be proud of.

Movie Quote of the Week

Here we go again :D
"He was on the bus this morning, he TRIED TO KILL ME."

Very Bad Poetry (No Seriously, It's Bad)

Of Course I'm Out of My Mind - It's Dark and Creepy There

Everywhere I goes, even in my own home, the Party watches me through telescreens.

For I may be a secret memeber of the Brother - the mysterious, legendary group that works to overthrow the Party.

It's gonna be totally awesome,

and usually loose or irregular in measure.

My friends are cooler than giraffes,

And giraffes, they're cool.

But they're making me choke,

And I thought I was broke.

The turning signal revealed my plans,

Now the enemy knows where I am.

They're coming to take me away,

HA - HA.

My favorite # in the alphapbet

Is purple.

Bright as the night,

Powerful as the smallest life.

Molds and fungus,

Spores and pods,

Science of the gods.

Life is short,

Don't lay it down,

I'd rather live the life of a clown.

Sometimes

I

creep

myself

out.

But, of course,

I'm out of my mind.

Who'd wanna be there anyway?

Movie Quote of the Week

Here we go again!
"There's a guard." "I'll go snap his neck."

The Impulse

Male: HOW, in the name of all things good and holy, DID I GET HERE?
Female: All will be revealed if you're patient.
M: WILL BE?? WILL BE?? I WANT ANSWERS NOW!! The last thing I knew I was climbing into my bed, in my apartment, and then this man came out of the shadows, scaring the CRUD outta me - by the way - and said, 'Your life is about to chance for the better.' WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!
F: You were brought here for a reason. This is the way it was meant to be.
M: You can't just SIT there and tell me this is how its supposed to be!!! I've never been here before, it looks like I'm in one of those HORRIBLE Jane Austen books, and believe me, that is the last place in the universe, heaven earth or hell for that matter, that I want to be. If you can't tell me why, then tell me HOW!!
F: They summoned your soul, just like mine.
M: Oh great, so now I have a soul . . . wait, does that mean I am just a soul right now? You mean to tell me that my girlfriend will come in tomorrow morning and just find my unconscious body laying there? I do NOT want to wake up in the ER!
F: No, your body was dissolved when you were called.
M: I - I - DISSOLVED?!?!!? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET BACK? Can I go back to waking up in the ER? Wait - did you say that you were 'called' here too?
F: You'll go back when you're ready, no you can't wake up in the ER, and yes I was called too.
M: So we're in the same boat?
F: Unfortunately.
M: Well - I *sits down next to her* I - didn't mean to explode at you - I didn't realize . . .
F: Save your breath, you're just the same as everyone else who has come.
M: There were more? *F nods* Suckers . . . anyway, how come they're gone? Shouldn't you have been the first in line to leave? You're not a criminal are you? Talking to you won't endanger my life will it?
F: *exasperated* Yes, there were more, and it was their time to move on. No, it doesn't work like that. No, last time I checked I was not a criminal, and the answer to that question depends on if you manage to piss me off or not.
M: *gulp* So noted . . . so if this isn't resolved by order, how do I get out of here?
F: It's something you have to figure out for yourself.
M: You seem to have it down.
F: I've been here for a century at least, if I didn't have it figured out I'd be an insult to the stupidest of our race.
M: A CENTURY? I can't be here that long! I have a girlfriend, and a steady job -
F: We both know that that 'girlfriend' is just as fictional as you seem to think this place is, besides, you despise your job.
M: How do you know that?
F: I know how it works, they're always different, but they're never involved with someone, and they usually hate their life.
M: I had a great life, I lov- *cuts off at a pointed look from F* . . Yeah, you're right my life sucks.
F: And that's why you're here.
M: I don't get it.
F:You have to figure it out for yourself.
M: Wouldn't me asking you to educate me count as finding out for myself?
F: *looks directly into M's eyes, he leans back, surprised* Valid point.
M: Well then, why don't you tell me why - Woah . . .
F: What?
M: Your eyes are gorgeous. I didn't notice until just now, but they're beautiful. Just like the morning sky but with st- *smacks hand over his mouth, she just stares at him expectantly*
F: You were saying?
M:I don't know - I was about to ask you why we're here, and then I really saw your eyes for the first time, my mouth got away from me, I'm sorry.
F: No - no, continue, we're actually getting somewhere.
M: So I'm just supposed to sit here and tell you how your eyes reflect the sky, with every star, and how your hair is so smooth and full of luster, how your beautiful skin seems to glow, and how- *smacks hand over mouth, yet again* sorry, you're just - well, beautiful. I've never met anyone quite like you. *hits himself on head* I'm sorry I don't EVER think like this let alone speak about it.
F: *shakes head* No, no, that's the point! We're here to find our other halves.
M: *looks down at himself* Last time I checked, I was never cut into halves.
F: No, like soul mates. Our one and only TRUE match.
M: I got whisked across the universe to some fairy princess land that I've never even dreamt about, find out that my body has been dissolved, to find my soul mate? Haven't you guys heard of those Internet dating sites?
F: Hey, I'm not the one running this operation, that's just how it is.
M: Well, you think they would have found yours sooner. Its been a full century hasn't it?
F: *eyes shining* Yeah, but I always knew someone would come along. They don't just pull us out for no reason . . .
M: You know? I think I love you.
F: I -
M: I honestly meant everything I said, I'd help you adjust to this century perfectly!
F: I -
M: You could live with me in my apartment, I've got a job -
F: I -
M: - money for food -
F: I -
M: - and we can go from there, and - *F clams hand over his mouth*
F: You really need to learn to shut up, you know? *smiles* I love you too.

*They dissolve into faded out lines, floating off in the mists surrounding them, to wake up in his apartment, hand in hand, ready for a completely new life*

Fantasy or Not?

2 AM Movie Review

Since I work at a movie theatre, I get to screen the movies the night before they came out. I saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince two days before it 'came out,' and Sherlock Holmes on Christmas Eve. These little blurps will be my movie reviews after seeing them midnight the night before.

This week's is 'Pery Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,' based on Rick Riordan's best selling childeren's series. I am a huge fan of the books, so I was scared that the plot line from the books would be mutilated (i.e. Harry Potter 3-6, and I'm sure to be 7). When I found out that Chris Columbus was directing it, I found new hope. He is usually really good at respecting the original book in the book based movies (i.e. Harry Potter 1 and 2). I approved of almost all of the casting - I don't like Pierce Brosnan, so I did not think he would make a good Chiron, trainer of heros.

I'll have to say that, granted - it was 2 o'clock in the morning, I was strangely pleased with the way the movie turned out. It had the same basic plot line of the book: Percy finds out he is a Half-Blood, is accused of stealing Zeus's Thunderbolt, goes to clear his name and save his mother, and ends up victoriously returning the stolen property. So what they did in the book was correctly portrayed in the movie - it's how they did it that changed. Unlike the most recent Harry Potter movies, they accomplished what they were doing in a plausable way. It was all in line wth the basic Greek Mythology, and they made sure they had everything they needed for the sequels. The CGI's were really good, and the entire movie was action packed!

I definitly reccomend it!

Just My Luck. . .

Finally!!!!

School was out - for the day. The school year would be over in two days, but today was over and that was cause enough to celebrate. Since I was with two of my best friends, Tai and Elle, we made up three-fourths of the backbone of the schools stage crew: The Little Women. Lily, the fourth we were missing, had a family thing to be at so she couldn't come; we missed her, but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves.

We were crusing down a back road, blasting random music for the whole world to hear through the open windows. I was driving my beat up old car, Denton (a.k.a. Dent), with my left foot hanging out the window; completely and totally relaxed, with my Venti Chocolaty-Chip Frap in my right hand (the left hand was on the steering wheel). If we weren't the sublime picture of teenaged paradise, I don't know what is.

BAM!

A sound as loud as a gunshot went off just out side my window. I'm pretty sure I screamed, but I know I know I was hyperventilating. I snapped my foot back inside the car, and gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. Elle, in the back seat, fell over with a loud and high pitched scream. My car began to rock back and forth, and she began to cry she was laughing so hard. Instinctively, I pulled my car off to the side of the road, and continued to breathe heavily as I tried to shut the over-powering panic in my head down. I looked back toward Elle to make sure that no harm had come to her; thankfully, the only issue seemed to be that she was having trouble breathing through her infectious laugh. I tried, and failed again, to calm my nerves as I turned to check on Tai, who hadn't made a sound. Unsuprisingly, her in-control personality kept her from being able to truly freak out, and she just looked at me with a completely straight face.

"You just blew a tire," she said in her characteristic 'matter-of-fact' tone.

Then the whole world made sense.

Her logic acted as the wrecking-ball to the hard wall of fear my mind had put up, and I felt my head fall forward onto my steering wheel as I broke down in silent laughter.

"We're going to need to change the tire," Tai said slowly, as if I was a little child that didn't fully understand the situation.

"I get it, I get it," I replied between gasps of laughter. "Please tell me one of you knows what to do."

"Do you have a spare?" Elle asked.

I merely shrugged, cars are NOT my area of expertise.

Elle rolled her eyes and opened her door, "Pop the trunk, we'll see."

I pushed the button and watched the trunks lid open in my review mirror. Then I went to join Elle and Tai as they began looking for something I didn't think was there. To my suprise, Elle pulled the bottom layer of the trunk out and revealed a spare tire, thank heaven SHE knew my car.

"Okay, now we need a jack. . ." said Tai looking at me expectantly.

"Thats one of those things that raises the car up right?"

She nodded.

"I don't know where it would be, even if I had one," I replied.
"We're in my ward boundries, let me call my bishop, he lives right there," Elle said pointing as she pulled out her phone.

Tai and I waited, watching the road as she called. Three cops drove by before she got off.

"His daughter is coming with their jack," she reported as another cop drove by.

"You would think that three apparently helpless girls off to the side of the road with an obviously damaged car would be enough to make a cop stop," I said, then looked at Elle, "Thats the fourth one that has passed."

"Are you serious?" she asked shocked.

"Yeup," I said as we watched a flatbeded firetruck drive up behind poor old Dent. "I never liked cops."

Tai instinctively put herself between us and the truck, seeing as we had no idea who was going to get out of it, I was greatful. A tall man jumped out, he had his fireman's uniform on so my inital suspicion died away.

"You girls need some help?" he asked.

Elle stepped forward, careful not to pass Tai, and said, "We blew a tire, and we have a spare, but we don't have a jack."

"Well, I can help you change the tire," he said, "but I don't have a jack on me either."

Honestly! I remember thinking, four cops, none of them stops, then we get a firefighter without a jack! This is JUST my luck.

I fought back a laugh, and Elle said, "We've got someone bringing one. . ."

Right then, a small silver car pulled up next to us, "Elle? You're the one who needed the jack right?" said a females voice from inside the car.

"Yes! Thank you, Trish!" she said running up to the window. "Where is it?"

"In my trunk," she said, "I think."

I fought the urge to smack my head. I couldn't believe this was happening, I hoped that she actually had the jack.

"It's gotta be here," Trish muttered, rummaging in her trunk, and my heart sank.

I glanced at the fireman, it seemed like he was supressing a smirk. Jerk.

"Oh wait! It's in my garage!" Trish exclaimed. "I'll be right back I swear."

Tai, Elle and I made eye contact as she jumped into her car and sped back down the street, and we couldn't hold it in. We busted up again, cluthing our sides as our hiliarity spilled out.

"Shouldn't you three be in school?" the fireman asked.

"It got out early today," I explained. "It's the last week."

"Nice," he said, "I'm going to check for a jack in my car again, just in case."

He went back to his car, and we all busted up all over again.

"It is just my luck that this would happen to us," I said.

"Yeah, gosh Jo, you went and ruined our perfectly good day with your cruddy luck," Elle said.

"It isn't ruined, we still have our Starbucks, right?" Tai said, taking a sip from hers. "Besides, we've laughed more today than any other this week."

"We've laughed?" I asked, teasing. "Elle and I definitly have, all I remember from you is a straight faced 'You just blew a tire,' that sure included a lot of laughing."

"One of us needs to be level headed," Tai argued happily. "You should have seen the look on your face! You were absoloutely terrified!"

"I thought I had just heard a gunshot! And then my car started rocking back and forth, I didn't know what to think!" I cried defensively, which only made Tai laugh harder.

Trish's silver car pulled up next to us again, and she jumped up clutching what must have been the jack.

"Here we are," she said, proudly holding it out as the fireman came back from his truck.

He took one look at it and his brow furrowed slightly. "I don't think you have all of the pieces."

Really?

"It's gonna work though," he said, gently taking it from her and going to work on Dent. We watched, feeling compelely useless as he removed the popped tire and replaced it.

"There you go you guys," he said turning back towards us. He handed Trish the jack.

"Thank you so much, sir," I said, "We would have been here forever if you haddn't stopped."

"I could have done it if you'd had a jack," Tai mumbled under her breath.

I just laughed and waved our helpers off as they drove away. Elle, Tai and I got back into Dent and continued cruising down the road like nothing had happened.

You just gotta love my luck.

Where'd I get the necklace? Well. . .

It's a widely known myth that when the clasp of your necklace comes forward that someone is thinking about you. The very thought makes the high school girls, the exact group I've made fun of on numerous occasions I might add, melt down from the inside at the idea. Despite that fact, I couldn't help smiling when my fingers found the clasp as they were fingering the thick golden chain that hung around my neck. In my own defense, this necklace has its own story, it has a special significance.

I'm a senior in high school, with a job and different responsibilities, but I am still a little kid at heart. I am a huge Disney fan; I've gone to Disneyland almost every year of my life. Each trip I've bought at least one of those collectible pins, and now I have so many that I had to buy a sweater to fit all of them. You can get all different kinds, movie or ride based. I'm partial to any of the Pirates of the Caribbean themed pins, probably because my older brother, Nicolas, could do an uncanny Jack Sparrow impersonation, and he was my role model in more ways than one. Anyway, a couple years ago I was lucky enough to find a pin of the Cursed Aztec Medallion. At the time, it was probably my favorite pin, and I made sure to point it out to everyone who stopped me to admire my jacket, because it is a sight to behold, if I do say so myself.

So when I wore the jacket into work, I made sure to point it out to every single one of my coworkers.

"Hey! I have one of those necklaces," said Damon, one of my best friends, when I pointed it out to him.

"That is so awesome! I wanted the necklace, but my dad wouldn't let me buy it," I said jealously.

"That sucks," he said with a small smile and a shrug.

I tried keeping my knees from buckling as the smile melted away at the edges of my heart.

At that point, I was just happy to have a reason to talk to the guy. I was - okay, okay, am - pathetic enough to focus on that small tidbit of conversation until we worked together again, two days later. I walked in and he was already behind the counter. He smiled when I walked in, and I couldn't help my mad rush to the break room so that I could clock in and talk to him (so the managers couldn't get mad at me for distracting anyone 'on shift).

I let myself into the stand and found him around the corner. He was helping a couple of the guests, so I began to help him gather the order of popcorn and a soda. Once they cleared out he turned to me and smiled.

"Jo, I've got a present for you!"

"Wha -?"

"Just wait here, I'll be right back," he said before turning toward the break room and pushing through the door.

I strained my ears, desperate for some hint at what he was going to do. When I heard the door open again I closed my eyes so as not to ruin the surprise.

"Oka- Jo, why are you closing your eyes?" he asked, and I could hear the mocking smile stretch across his face.

"You said it was a present," I said. "I didn't want to ruin the surprise!"

"You're . . . special, Jo," he said laughing. "Open your eyes."

I had to blink to get my contacts into the right place on my eyes; even then , I couldn't help gasping in surprise when I saw what he was holding out to me. He had the Aztec Gold necklace in his hand.

"You can't be serious," I said, trying to hold in my excitement.

"Yeah, I am. I can guarantee you'll wear it more than I ever did," he said, dropping it into my outstretched hands.

His smile grew wider when I just stared at it for a second, vehement joy surging through my veins. I slipped the large faux-gold chain over my head and fingered the medallion.

"Thank you!" I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "This is SO cool!"

"No problem, Jo," he smiled.

That is how I got it. He just gave it to me, and I must foolishly admit that I haven't taken it off since. I can't believe I'm admitting this, because I never would have expected it of myself, but whenever I find the clasp of the necklace out front I always see it as Damon thinking about me, instead of that elusive 'someone.' That is why the necklace is significant.

Movie Quote of the Week

Okay, last weeks was Ghostbusters! This week: Here we go -
"BILLY!!! JUST PLAY DEAD!!!"

Movie Quote of the Week

So I'm going to try and remeber to post a movie quote every week. Pretty much, you just need to try and guess what it is from, but please, no cheating via google or any other site :D

Quote Number 1: "Ray, when someone asks you if you are a god, you say YES!"

So I was at work the other day . . .

I have a rather . . . eccentric . . . personality. I have a loud laugh, and I'm one of those people that don't really care what anyone else has to say. I have alot of random obsessions, ranging from amazing books like the Harry Potter series to amazing plays and musicals like Seussical and Wicked.

Which is why I sang along to every song when my boss decided to play the 'Musicals' playlist on my I-pod through the rarely used speaker system. I couldn't help dancing either.

Okay, I don't know if I'd call it dancing - I can't dance, period.

It's more like a disfigured bouncing with some flailing of the arms. I tend to rock side to side as well. Needless to say, though it probably looked like I was about to die, I was enjoying myself immensely, even if I was working on floor.

Now, I love my job, but I can't stand working on floor. In my opinion, it really isn't hard for people to bring their garbage out of the theatre with them. I mean, they carried it in didn't they? So I took over the spot on podium, ripping tickets, at the very first chance, dancing and singing away.

Since it was a weekday there were only two of us on floor, me and Damon. He liked walking around, and none of the theatres were really that busy so I didn't have any qualms letting him handle it. I think he actually enjoyed it, because with me being as distracted as I am, this gave him the perfect opportunity to sneak up on me. Sometimes, though, he didn't even bother.

"Joanne! Stop dancing!" he called from down the hallway. "It looks painful."

I stopped dancing, but continued bouncing in place. I couldn't help the wide smile from streching across my face as he continued down the hallway towards me; this was going to get entertaining.

"Joanne, stop bouncing," he commanded, the joke in his tone made me bounce a little faster. I could practically hear his brown eyes lighting up, as they crinkled around the edges in his characteristic smile.

I couldn't keep the giggle from jumping out of my mouth as he came up to me.

"Joanne, stop laughing," he said, maintaining all seriousness. "Calm down, come on."

I didn't trust myself to open my mouth, so I just continued bouncing , giggling uncontrollably.

"Jo, you're starting to scare people," he laughed. "Goosefraba."

That did it.

It might have been the fact that I was quite obviously hyper, but that word was just so out there! Not only did it totally suprise me, but it just sounded funny. It's flat out weird to say. Try it, if you haven't already. My head fell forward onto the podium and I was suddenly shaking with silent laughter.

"Woah, goosefraba, I didn't mean to kill you," he said. "Jo, come on. Stop it!"

"Damon! What did you do to her?" asked Kyle from behind the counter across the lobby.

"I just told her to stop laughing," Damon replied, holding his hands up in the universal 'I-didn't-do-it' gesture as he took a step away from the podium.

I managed to take a deep breath, looking up from the podium. Which turned out to be a huge mistake because all I saw was the expression of suprised hilarity on Damon's face - I only laughed harder. I couldn't hold it in, and the shaking motion of laughing restricted my respiatory abilities. In other words, I coudn't breathe.

"Jo! Seriously, don't die!" Damon said laughing to himself as tears began to collect in the corners of my eyes. "Dude, I made her cry!"

The beads of salty water slowly overflowed my eyes, trickling down my cheeks. I was on the floor, laughing so hard I was crying and unable to breathe - so naturally, I start coughing too, because I'm not already making a complete idiot of myself.

"Um . . . is she okay?" asked a person I have never seen before in my life, a poor soul who only needed their ticket ripped.

Damon laughed as he took the tickets they were holding out, "Yeah, we think so. You're going to be in theatre two, it's the second one on your right."

"Thank you," the guest said. "You guys must have WAY too much fun here."

"Well, she does," Damon said looking down at my still shaking form. "I hope you guys have as good of a night as she's having," he continued with a chuckle.

"I don't know if I want to," the guest replied with a laugh of their own before continuing to their theatre.

This whole exchange just made me laugh, if at all possible, even harder.

"Goosefraba, Jo," Damon muttered over his shoulder as another guest came up to the podium.

You would have thought that he would have realized by now that that word does absolutely nothing to calm me down - oh well. This guest cut right to the chase.

"Wow - she really enjoys her work, doesn't she?" he asked.

Damon took his tickets, and replied, "Yeah, we're working on that. You'll be in theatre four, the last one on your right."

The guest laughed and went down the hall. I forced myself to take a deep breath.

"She's breathing again you guys," Damon said to Kyle and Travers in the stand.

I gasped for oxygen again, wiping the tears from under my eyes and on my cheeks, "I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!" I exclaimed.

"If you laughed that hard every day you'd need a breathing machine," Damon said, smiling.

I stood up, "It's not my fault you're just hilarious."

His brown eyes met mine, and I lost my breath all over again, "It's like a gift," he said, holding his hands up like he was the most important person in the world, "It's like I can't control it."

And people wonder why I love my job.

Four Alarm Fire

I lay on the floor, pressing my body against the soft carpet, trying to make myself as low as possible. I didn’t dare open my eyes, the last thing I would see was a bright light and then there would be pain and darkness – permanent darkness. I couldn’t make myself take the deep breath I needed to move because the last thing I would taste was fire. My house was burning, and I was being roasted inside. All I was able to do was draw in one last wavering breath, before letting my face fall into the carpet.

All hope was gone.
Then I felt it – there was someone there, watching me. Wishing he could help, lend his expertise in some way. I could feel the sorrowful longing wash over the room. He had the ringing desire to reach his hand out and help me, he wanted to save me. His presence seemed to quench the flames, making them smaller and less threatening. Somehow I found the strength to take the deep breath I needed to stand. Keeping my head low, I reached to my left, letting my hand rest on the bookshelf, the reason I had come back into this godforsaken fire.
One more breath, and I lifted the personalized chest containing the seven most important things in my life – their pages containing the story of people I had never met, but was closer to than anyone person I could name. I took a step forward and almost lost it all – I stumbled, almost dropping everything I held dear, including my own life, into the flames.
Something caught me.
It wasn’t a hand, or a physical person, because I looked and no one was there. I closed my eyes, and felt that same presence – he was still watching. He knew my pain, he had seen it a million times before, and he wasn’t going to let it happen again. Clutching the chest to my body, I ran, through the door of my room and up the stairs. I somehow had the strength to keep going, amid the falling timbers and enflamed walls that had once been my home.
I forced my way through the front door, keeping my treasures close. That first breath of the cool winter’s air was heaven in my lungs. It was a renewal of life, a second chance. Almost desperately, I looked around – wanting to declare my eternal thanks and life’s debt to whomever had had the courage to save me.
There was no one there.

Fantasy? Or not?

Introduction

Fantasy: it's magical.

Not just because its definition usually includes spell-weavers and far off lands inhabited by mystical creatures. It's the one word that can mean whatever you want it to. It is one word outof millions that is completely personal to everyone who reads it - speaks it - writes it. It enables anyone to experience their innermost desires. All you need to be able to master the power of this seemingly plain and simple word are the right ingredients: a gallon of dreams, a pinch or two of imagination (depending on how thick your dreams are), a pound of hope, and, for the best results, the will to act. Mixing allof these together is what led me, the simple Joanne Kathleen, to this blog.

This is my fantasy.

I am in charge.

I make the calls.

I have the power.