Sweet Catastrophe

So let’s see, what’s going on in the world of Jade? Well not really a damn thing, but I’m bored and feel like rambling, so here goes!

I saw Jamey Monday night after work. We almost literally ran into each other at Wal Mart. Since he left Lowe’s we pretty much don’t see each other anymore. Bastard cut off his text messaging too, so I have no Jamey time. =( I miss my Blue Eyes White Dragon. We’ll hang out Friday at Nick’s party though—or we better ’cause that’s my motivation

I finally got advised and registered for Spring yesterday. I’m really not sure how I always manage to get stuck doing all this at the last minute every semester. There’s like a block in my brain, keeping me from remembering that even though my adviser said she’d send out emails a week before advising begins, she never does. I’ve got to start remembering to make an appointment when I start seeing signs for other departments getting ready for early advisement.

She always makes me feel really comfortable with where I am in school. Yesterday was no different. We got to talking about possibilities for my other secondary emphasis and I found out before she moved to this job, she did big secretarial work (what I’d like to do) and absolutely loved it. She said if she hadn’t fallen into this job, she’d happily continue her work.

She had a really great suggestion for some management classes–I’m not really sure how to explain them, but they fit in really well with my ACED stuff. So I’m taking the intro course and if I like it, I’m in. If not, she’s going to work it in as an elective for me.

Speaking of ACED, I’ve missed the last few classes. I really don’t know why, I’d just wake up those mornings and say forget it, and roll over. I missed an entire chapter on the inner-workings of the new Word 2007. She keeps a daily log of assignments online so you can keep up if you miss a day. I was totally lost. So yesterday I lucked out and it was  a review day. It honestly cracks me up that I can come in for a review of something I never learned and be completely up to speed while someone sitting next to me, who’s been there all along, is still scratching their heads.

Now I need to acquire Word 2007. I don’t remember when/how, but I had the chance to have it, and decided against it because I really didn’t like it. Now that I’ve had some instruction on it, I’m pretty comfortable with it. This is just the first of my typing classes, and now that we’re using it, I feel sure I’m going to see a lot more formatting that I only know how to do in 2007.

[****Girl talk warning****]

I finally went in for my girly appt. today. I’ve been dreading it. I’m still uninsured, so Farber Student Health Center was my only option. I never have much faith in the Health Center. Add to that the discomfort of seeing a new doctor, and then let’s throw in that there were no females available for two weeks, so I had to suck it up and see a male. Most women have a preference as to who they’re more comfortable with when it comes to their nethers. I’m definitely more comfortable seeing a female doctor. Luckily, this guy was really quick. I dealt mostly with the nurse, so I got in all my questions and everything before I got too uncomfortable to remember what my questions were.

He definitely positioned things incorrectly the first time and had to try again….you can imagine how great that felt. Oddly enough, that’s not the first time I’ve had that happen. But still, relatively speedy and we were done. Thank god.

He gave me two packs of Lo Estrin 24 to try and went ahead and gave me a prescription to get them if I like them. Hopefully I’ll see a change in my weight. Lo Estrin is the one where your period is supposed to be less than 4 days, so we’ll see how that goes.

Writer’s Strike Deadline is Midnight Tonight

I’ll only summarize to say that basically, Writer’s Guild of America is ready to go on strike. They want a bigger cut of DVD sales–I think that’s the basic gist of everything. Tonight is the deadline for an agreement to be made, or they’ll be on strike. This means shows like The Daily Show and Leno that air daily, will cease almost immediately. Prime time shows all have different amounts of shows already taped before they’ll cut to reruns, and eventually fall off and make way for more reality tv.

Honestly, I’m concerned. No, I don’t spend ridiculous amounts of time watching tv, but the few shows I do watch, I’m quite attached to.

Even if this all gets properly sorted out in time, there’s still an effect as a lot of shows have changed their course so that if they do get cut off where they are, they’ll be set with either a cliffhanger, a season finale-type episode, or something more resolved.

I’m really interested to see where it all goes. I just started watching Pushing Daisies! It just wouldn’t be fair to take it away from me just yet!

So NBC has done away with their YouTube channel to start their own site–hulu.com. You can read more about it on their blog. I’m all in favor of the concept of hulu. It looks as though there will be full episodes available, as well as talk of some full length films. My annoyance lies in their reasoning–their motivation.

You can read for yourself what NBC Universal chief executive Jeff Zucker had to say about their past, now ended, partnership with iTunes, but I have a few things I’d like to call bullshit on.

“We know that Apple has destroyed the music business — in terms of pricing — and if we don’t take control, they’ll do the same thing on the video side,”

Wait, you mean that whole thing where people are more likely to actually pay for their music since they can now pay for just that one song instead of having to buy a whole album? I’ve paid for SO much more music than I used to since iTunes came around. I didn’t even do this with Napster, but with iTunes, I’ve already got the software because I need it for my iPod, and oh look! There’s a handy little store where I can use PayPal to pay less than a dollar for a song! I can do that.

NBC originally claimed to be seeking more control over the pricing of songs and videos that it was selling on iTunes, in addition to better piracy controls and more flexibility to bundle video content in an effort to increase revenues.

For its part in the bitter feud, Apple responded by saying NBC was asking for a twofold increase in the wholesale price of its TV show content, which would have resulted in the retail price to iTunes customers increasing to $4.99 per episode from $1.99.

Answering questions at the breakfast Sunday, Zucker offered substantially more color on the iTunes matter, explaining that it was “a relatively easy decision” for NBC to walk away from the Apple download service because it had only earned about $15 million from the service last year in spite of accounting for about 40 per cent of the videos sold on the store.

He said NBC routinely propositioned Apple to breach its standard pricing model and experiment with higher pricing for one hit show such as “Heroes” by raising the price from the iTunes standard $1.99 to $2.99 on a trial basis.

Awl only $15 million? As opposed to nothing? That’s heartbreaking guys…really.

$2.99 or $4.99, either way, charging that much is ridiculous. That’s more than you’ll pay for a physical copy of the show. I understand you’re also paying for the convenience of having it right now, but even at $2.99, I’ll save my $70 to buy the dvds later–for now I’ll download the show and you’ll get nothing. At $1.99, you’re leaving the door open for people not to feel completely ridiculous if they download the show, and then later decide to buy the dvd.

“Apple sold millions of dollars worth of hardware off the back of our content and made a lot of money,” he said. “They did not want to share in what they were making off the hardware or allow us to adjust pricing.”

Wow, you’re giving yourself a whollle lotta credit there darlin. I own an iPod to listen to music. If I can watch episodes of my favorite shows between classes as well, then that’s just icing on the cake, but I don’t currently know anyone who bought an iPod specifically so they could watch tv on it. I’m sure those people are out there, but I feel certain they’re in the minority.

Get over yourselves NBC. You’re a great network, but it’s not up to you to decide it’s time to change the way we watch television online. Especially when you want to bring ridiculous ideas to the table.

If you ever need a laugh, might I suggest a YouTube search? Just type in screaming frog and go to town. I laughed until I snorted. It’s so bizarre that they can make such noises!

Here’s one to get you started.

Oh Ebay–the joy you bring me! My external harddrive went a little crazy on me earlier this evening, as per usual, so I decided to browse Ebay again for a replacement. I found a superthin, new, 80gb external for around $50 after shipping. I went ahead and bought it. I currently have about 50gb on my external, so I can finally back those up and maybe take this one in to see what its problem is.

After that, I was feelin’ kinda lucky so I started looking around for the GPS system I want to get Ryan for Christmas. I found it! There’s a seller who currently has about 8 up that end in less than 24 hours. Only 2 of them have bids going on so far, and all of them are under $21, WITH shipping. They’re refurbished, but Ryan doesn’t need a brand new one anyway, and they come with all the accessories he’d need and I checked feedback and it looks like they sell a lot of these refurbished GPS systems and they have glowing feedback on all of them! I’m really excited about that! I just hope it doesn’t fall through in the last hour, but luckily I should be home by then to keep an eye out. Oh yeah, and these are still in the $500 range-retail.

I checked out the mp3 player he wants as well, and it looks like I have a fighting chance of scoring one for under $50. I’m not focusing a lot on that one right now. Most of the auctions I’m looking at have a few days left, so things could take a big turn.

I’ll be excited enough if I can grab this GPS…being able to get the mp3 player would just be a bonus. The only problem will be keeping them from him until Christmas! I already decided I’d give him the GPS a little early if we go to Louisiana though. Those trips are what they’re best for, might as well make sure he’s getting good use out of it, rather than just using it around Jacksonville.  I want to snag it for a day or so to look for little places I’ve never been able to find in Valdosta. Some people swear there are some decent bakeries here, but I’ve never been able to find one!

Anyway, let’s everyone send Jade your lucky vibes now.

So of course Ryan’s always gone when parties pop up, so I don’t really feel like I should go. I’m ‘theatre by association.’ I ‘know’ most of the people I’d see, but not really enough to have a grand old time at a party.

That’s not good enough for the roommates and neighbors though. They all think I’m being anti-social when I don’t go. Whatever.

So tonight I went to the Halloween party. I didn’t know until the last minute that it was costume, so I threw on some pj’s and went as a sleepwalker. At least I was comfortable. There were some pretty awesome costumes though. Rio and Patrick came dressed as each other. That was pretty amazing. Someone dressed as Little Miss Sunshine and did her routine for us. There was also 3 hole punch Jim, which I had considered going as. Now I really wish I had gone as Dwight, we could’ve enjoyed that. There were some less interesting costumes as well (mine included). At least three that I can remember that were just shirt and tie–A CIA agent with badge, a Realtor with a condos for sale sign, and a guy from Office Space with a bat. We were all pretty comfy though, lol.

Anyhow, there was literally a time when I sat alone, playing solitaire on my phone. Woo.

I did get comfortably drunk though, and it’s been a while, so I at least enjoyed that aspect.

The evening had its moments, but not enough to convince me that the next one will be worth going to. I’ll stick to Parkview gatherings, thanks. At least here, I can always retreat to my comfy computer chair if things go lame.

I mean, tonight couldn’t have been too great–I’m still typing accurately! Not exactly a sign of merry drunkenness!

I do, however, greatly desire Waffle House right now…

Anyhow, from now on, when they ask me if I’m going to the party, I can say no, and have a reason. No more peer pressure, dammit!

The newest Allstate commercial “Tail Lights” features a song written and performed by Lifehouse lead singer–Jason Wade.

The commercial premieres tonight during Friday Night Lights, but you can watch it here. And the full video for the song is here.

I’m loving it. The lyrics are so simple, and so touching. Needless to say, with losing Pete less than three months ago, it definitely got to me.

The song will be up for download on iTunes November 6th. Until then, if anyone wants it, I can send it to you, or you can find it on lifehouse-media.com

So far away from where you are
These miles have torn us worlds apart
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

So far away from where you are
I’m standing underneath the stars
And I wish you were here

I miss the years that were erased
I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face
I miss all the little things
I never thought that they’d mean everything to me
Yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

I feel the beating of your heart
I see the shadows of your face
Just know that wherever you are
Yeah, I miss you
And I wish you were here

I miss the years that were erased
I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face
I miss all the little things
I never thought that they’d mean everything to me
Yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

So far away from where you are
These miles have torn us worlds apart
And I miss you, yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

So I’ve had some time to really think over the whole Dumbledore debacle and I’ve collected my thoughts.

I’ve spoken with people who aren’t at all homophobic, but are still upset that Rowling made the announcement. They feel like it was a mistake and she should’ve kept that to herself. To that I say, “Huh?” Rowling has endured plenty of backlash since book one on claims of witchcraft, and devilry in general. Why would she be worried about the impact of Dumbledore being gay?

When it comes down to it, this is her work. Who are we to tell her she should change it? These are purely her characters.

As for the rest of the bit who are appalled and now refuse to have anything to do with Harry Potter–is there any absolute mention in the books? Was he not gay before you started reading? You loved the series and he was gay all along; what’s changed? Not a damn thing. Get over it.

And for those out there jumping to ideas of pedophilia–excuse me, but you should probably pull your head out of your ass. ‘Gay’ and ‘pedophile’ are NOT synonymous. Buy a dictionary. While you’re at it, buy a new brain–perhaps one capable of being open. You’re really pushing it to suddenly decide that Dumbledore being gay means his relationship with Harry or any of the other students was inappropriate. Did anything in the stories give you that idea beforehand? Then what the hell has changed?!

On a lighter note, it’s good to see there are people out there capable of having fun with this! Kristi sent me this link earlier this week, but I wanted to keep it all together.

BWE PRESENTS: Exclusive First Look At This Week’s Shocking New Issue Of People

By now we all know that JK Rowling shocked the wizarding world last weekend by outing beloved grandfatherly wizard Albus Dumbledore as being gay. BWE.tv has leared exclusively, through our shadowy network of wizard tabloid operatives, that Rowling made the announcement only to pre-empt the shocking expose in this week’s People Magazine based on magical gossipmongering blogger Rita Skeeter’s sordid allegations about the wizard’s sexuality. Here’s an exclusive preview of the magazine.

Source

I can only imagine all the fic-writers are having a total field day with this story!

On the other hand:

I love Rocky Road in a waffle bowl.

I LOVE that we’re getting a Little Caesar’s!! I miss that place!

I love great ideas.

See how quickly chocolate improves my mood?

I really hate when I come to a green light and for some reason, my foot is firmly on the brake. Can someone please tell me why you aren’t moving out of my way?

I really hate that every time I’ve left this house, I’ve forgotten to get chocolate. I don’t want to leave again, but I fear someone may lose a limb if I don’t get chocolate soon. Why doesn’t Marble Slab deliver?

I really hate how Mother Nature feels the need to toy with you a little every now and then.

I really hate when a test isn’t set up the way you were told it would be.

I really hate when I have no idea what’s going on, or what to do.

I really hate you.

Nah, just kidding about that last part.