It needs to be fall.

... because I'm sick of summer and this waiting around.
... because I have a backpack full of school supplies just waiting to be used.
... because I miss the crisp crackle of fall air.
... because field hockey is so much better when the weather is cool.
... because I got cute new jeans.
... because I miss my friends.
... because I miss marching band.
... because I miss a certain someone.
... because this is the year I know will be amazing.
... because my braces are coming off.
... because Exchange Student is coming.
... because I miss the unnecessary school drama.
... because I can't wait to be one year stronger, one year smarter, and one year awesomer than the freshmeat.

... because SCHOOL NEEDS TO START NOW.

Dear lord! I'm on my iPod! Technology is DA BOMB.

boy/girl quiz!

YOUR BOY SIDE:

[] you love hoodies
[x] you love jeans
[ ] dogs are better than cats
[ ] it's hilarious when people get hurt and fall
[x] you've played with/against boys on a team
[ ] shopping is torture
[ ] sad movies suck
[x] you own a XBOX.
[ ] you played with Hot Wheels as a little kid
[ ] at some point in life you wanted to be a firefighter
[ ] you owned a DS PS2 or Sega
[ ] you used to be obsessed with Power Rangers
[x] you watch sports on TV
[ ] gory movies are cool
[ ] you used to go to your dad for advice
[ ] you have at least 1 trophy of a sport
[ ] You used to play Yu-Gi-Oh
[x] baggy sweat pants are nice to wear (but p.j. pants are better
[ ] it's kind of weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people
[x] green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite colors
[x] you love to go crazy and not care what other people think
[x] sports are fun
[x] you sometimes talk with food in your mouth
[ ] you sleep at night with your socks on (what does this have to do with anything?)
[ ] you have fished at least once (Love to!)

TOTAL= 9

YOUR GIRL SIDE

[x] you like to shop
[ ] you wear eyeliner
[x] you wear the color pink
[x] you go to your mom for advice
[ ] you consider cheerleading a sport
[x] you hate wearing all black
[ ] you like going to the mall
[ ] you like getting manicures and/or pedicures
[x] you like wearing jewelry
[x] you cried watching The Notebook (Toy Story 3 is close enough, right?)
[ ] skirts are a big parts of your wardrobe
[ ] shopping is one of your favorite hobbies
[ ] you don't like the movie Star Wars
[ ] you are/were in gymnastics
[x] it takes you around one hour to shower and get dressed
[ ] you smile a lot more than you should
[x] you have more than 10 pairs of shoes
[x] you care about what you look like majority of the time
[x] you like wearing dresses
[x] you like wearing body spray/deodorant (yes please, I like to smell purty)
[x] you like high heel shoes
[x] you used to play with dolls as a kid
[x] you like putting makeup on others
[ ] you like being the star of almost everything

Total= 13

yay?

The many faces of Wallby...

... needs his own TV show.

Blast from the Past: Prehistoric Forest

Remember this?

What about this one?

There's no way you could have forgotten this touching scene.


See, look how nice-- the predator is protecting the prey while they sleep! Awww...

In case you lived a sheltered life, all these pictures are from the now-defunct Prehistoric Forest in the picturesque Irish Hills (also known as Creepyville USA). This was my absolute favorite place on the planet (besides Disney World) as a child, because it made me feel smart to point out what the name of every dinosaur was, as well as the sculptural mistakes.

Originally built in 1963, Prehistoric Forest was basically a train tour through 8 acres of plaster cast dinosaurs, dodo birds and saber toothed tigers. And, or course, there was a gift shop.
I was probably 4 or 5 when I made my first- and only- visit to the Forest, well after its heyday. I remember the dinosaurs' paint peeling, overgrown bushes, and a general air of tackiness. But I loved it anyway.

Let's take a look-see at how far the park has fallen from grace:

This is a wooly mammoth at Prehistoric Forest, circa 1970 something. Note the oh-so-realistic chain link fence. Overall, however, he's looking pretty good.

The same wooly mammoth, 30-ish years later. I believe this was taken after the park closing, which may account for some of the wear and tear; but you can't see evidence of any of the fancy landscaping in this photo, or even the other dinosaur.

Such a shame.

Ergh.

It's sunny and 82 degrees outside, and i'm sitting indoors doing homework.

What is this world coming to?

P.S. I GOT ROSENTHAL SUNGLASSES! they are blue.

Lookee here, kids!

formspring.me/bionickangaroo

ask me anything you want.

I'll answer.

Book review: Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Grarrrrrrrgh.

You know what the problem is with reading books?
If they're good, I start turning them into a movie in my head.
I think about transitions, camera angles, costumes...
and I cast people in roles.
I usually do this after finishing a book, but in the case of Birthmarked, it was too good not to start blocking as I was finishing.
So guess who I cast as Sgt. Grey?
That's right! Darren Criss! Good job.

And guess what happens to Sgt. Grey?

***** SPOILER ********
HE GOES AND FREAKING DIES!
(or is, at least, unconscious and captured.)

**********************

Wah.

Oh noes.

I just got my hair cut.
I don't like it.
It's just short enough that it doesn't go behind my ears, but to long to be corralled with a headband.
There's some freaky layering going on too.
Ew.
I can't put it back in a bun either!
What am I supposed to do?

This is not going to end well.

It's only been 2 days, and i'm already going through AVPS withdrawl.
How am I supposed to make it all the way to JULY?!?!?
*eye twitches* 60 days of pain and torture. TORTURE, I TELL YOU!
I'm already forgetting the words to the songs.
*cries*

When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake...

Ghosts come out for a swinging wake!
Happy haunts materialize,
start to shriek and harmonize!
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socializeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the...

Naw, I won't take you through the whole spiel.
So!
I am a big Haunted Mansion fan, despite the fact that it gives me the willies (see photo).


(click the picture for a less distorted view)

In other words, whenever I get the willies, I become so utterly convinced I am being stalked by a robber/murderer/inanimate object/ghost that I will completely flip out and try to flee.

Fortunately, I tend to behave myself whilst enclosed in a Doom Buggy.



Mooing softly to myself seems to help.

Anyways.

Don't let my mooing fool you. The Haunted Mansion is a really, really, really good ride. With really, really really nice theming. And a really, really, really creepy resident...

THE HATBOX GHOST! *Cues lightning and thunder*

Yeah, he's a creepy old dude. I first discovered him while I was researching for a 7th grade research project on Imagineering.

Needless to say, I did not get much sleep that night.



Now, though, i'm pretty much cool with it. He has a pretty interesting history, actually. Here's a wikipedia article (with a nifty picture):

Here.

Ha! See? Now you've got the willies, too.

Have a nice day.

My life is now complete.

Chocolate covered raisins? ... check.
(i'm eating them. They're not in the video.)

One of the most epic Disney songs ever? ... check.

Darren Criss? ... check.



I'm a happy camper.

I should probably post something, so here goes...

I like hula hooping.
No, really!
It's one of my favorite things to do.
I can go for a really long time.
My record is 35 minutes, but I can probably go longer.
It makes me feel happy.
...
I should probably go out for a run later.
I'm not a slow runner, but I tire quickly.
Which is one of the reasons why I don't like to play mid in field hockey.
On that subject...
I LOOOOOOOOOVVEEEEE PHINEASSSSSSSSSSSS.
(that's my field hockey stick.)
He's getting all chipped, though.
It makes me sad.
And I can't tape the bottom because there are these stupid dents in the back that are supposed to help with hits or something.
curse you, stupid dents!

Boy, i'm feeling good today, Mikey!

... today's a good day.

Everybody liked my script. ( I think )
I didn't fall down the stairs.
I only missed one question on all of my DRQs.
We're having asparagus for dinner.
(My favorite vegetable!
ASPARAGUS NOM NOM NOM)
I get to open birthday presents a day early!
The sun is out.
I danced around the kitchen with my sister.
I ate a Peanut Butter Patty.

Life is good.


Keep smilin'!

-Cera

p.s. if you're just tuning in, be sure to read all my blog posts from April! Thanks!

Cool movie quotes.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakuel--------------------

Dr. Rubin: You threatened to climb inside them and build a nest.
Simon: Umm... that was out of line. I'm not even sure that's physically possible.

Theodore: [upon Dave asking where Aunt Jackie is] She's practicing her pole dancing.

Alvin: Don't make me kiss you. I will.
Simon: err...
Alvin: Choo choo! Make out train is leaving the station!

Alvin and the Chipmunks-------------------------------------

Simon: We're talking chipmunks, Dave. We can get out of a cat carrier. Not even hard to do.

Simon: We put a few toaster waffles aside for winter.
Alvin: And we're not sharing!

The Chipmunk Adventure-------------------------------------

Dave: Now let's see... shirts, pants, overcoat, socks... am I forgetting anything?
Alvin: Me!
Dave: Alvin, we've been over this a million times!
Alvin: Please, Dave! I need a little culture in my life! The Eiffel Tower, the Sixteen Chapel, the Louvre in Rome!
Simon: The Louvre is in Paris, Alvin.
Alvin: You see? I don't even know where the Louvre is!

Simon: I can't believe you decieved Miss Miller for a package of Tutti Frutti, Theodore.
Theodore: Two packages!

Simon: Alvin, land the balloon by the fountain.
[the balloon lands in a tree]
Simon: Like I said, "in the tree."

Simon always gets the best lines.

Lilo and Stitch-----------------------------------------

Lilo: I'm sorry I bit you... and pulled your hair... and punched you in the face...

Lilo: [creating voodoo dolls of her playmates] My friends need to be punished.

Mr. Cobra Bubbles: Thus far, you have been adrift in the sheltered harbor of my patience.

Pleakley: Oh great! He's loose!
Jumba: His destructive programming is taking effect. He will be irresistibly drawn to large cities, where he will back up sewers, reverse street signs, and steal everyone's left shoe.

Stitch: Aloha!
Gantu: Ah! You're vile; you're foul; you're flawed!
Stitch: Also cute and fluffy!

Nani: [talking on the phone] I think it might be a koala... an *evil* koala. I can't even pet it! It keeps *staring* at me, like it's gonna eat me!

Mr. Cobra Bubbles: Let me illuminate to you the precarious situation i which you have found yourself. I am the one they call when things go wrong, and things have indeed gone wrong.

Lilo: You rotten sister, your butt is crushing me! Why do you act so wierd?

Lilo: Did you lose your job because of Stitch and me?
Nani: Nah. The manager's a vampire. He wanted me to join his legion of the undead.
Lilo: I knew it!

Lilo: Don't worry. She likes your butt and fancy hair. I know. I read her diary.

Rescue lady: You have to think of a name for him.
Lilo: His name is... ”Stitch."
Rescue lady: But that's not a real name...
[Nani gesturing "NO"]
Rescue lady: in... Iceland. But here it's a good name! "Stitch" it is.


Nani: You are so finished when I get in there! I'm gonna stuff you in the blender, push "puree," then bake you into a pie and feed it to the social worker! And when he says, "Mmmm, this is great, what's your secret?" I'm gonna say...
[Mr. Bubbles hooks his foot around hers and pulls her away from the dog-door]
Nani: ...Love... and... nurturing...

Pleakley: Help! I don't like the ocean! Ahh! Oh, look, a friendly little dolphin. They helped sailors during the war... It's a shark! It's a shark and it ain't friendly! Looks like a dolphin... Tricky fish! Tricky fish! Octopus, will you please help me? An octo... the octopus is worse than the shark! I hate this planet!

Lilo: Stitch is troubled. He needs desserts!

Pigfarts, Pigfarts, here I come...

yum. yum. yum.

A brief rant (or why i'm fed up with how to draw books)

Gah.

Art class gets me so perturbed sometimes.
I hate it when people come in and are all like,
"Hey! Look! I can draw (insert anime character here)!",
and draw it all over everything in sight,
regardless of the fact
that they only know two poses
and the eyes of the figure are pointing in two different directions.
don't look at the eyes, kids!
They'll give you nightmares!


It's not talent if you only learn how to draw using how to draw books;
it's called
CHEATING.
Now, I will admit
i've used my fair share of how to draw books,
but only as references.
No copying straight out of the book for me!
No sir!
Besides, the world gets awfully boring
if you can only doodle 1 character in 1 pose.
I respect you more if you've never opened a how to draw book and are a horrible drawer
than if you just copy out of the book well.
THAT'S WHAT COPIERS ARE FOR.
My drawing process is something like this:

1) locate a few reference pictures of the subject.
2) practice drawing the subject in the poses shown (NO TRACING).
3) do a rough sketch of the subject in the desired pose (again, NO TRACING).
4) use a lightbox to transfer (okay, trace) the drawing onto a clean sheet and add color.

This is the process if you use a how to draw book:

1) look at the perfect, finished drawing of your subject, colored and shaded in Photoshop.
2) squint at the first step.
3) attempt to match the first step exactly.
4) get frustrated and squint at the first step again.
5) repeat steps 2-4 until you are somewhat satisfied, then continue on to step 2.

I'm assuming if you draw the SAME FREAKING THING 50 times a day, it will eventually turn out looking something like the professional drawing on the page.

But not really.

:)

Buddy tape time!

gah!
my fingers have been taped together, so it is hard to type or play piano.

.

yep, that's pretty much my life at the moment.

Oh, I almost forgot...

MICHELLE LONDON IS STILL MY HOMEGIRL!

WICKED on tour... a review.

well.

MICHELLE LONDON IS OFFICIALLY MY NEW HOMEGIRL.
(besides all of you, that is.)

so! Review time!
....
The auditorium was, to be honest, not quite up to the standard I had expected. The house didn't open until almost 15 minutes before curtain, the acoustics were off, and you could hear the rain pounding on the roof during quiet moments.
(speaking of which, what the heck happened to sunshine and 80 degrees? There was SNOW on my roof this morning.)

besides that, however, the show was fabulous.

Vicki Noon as Elphaba was good casting, though there were times when she stepped out of character, and was like, "SQUEE! I've finally been promoted from standby!". She has some seriously INSANE pipes, however. She handled the more lighthearted side of Elphaba well, which made the character more fun, as opposed to a Carmen Cusack type (who was still cool!), who placed more emphasis on the "woe is me/ sarcasm" side of Elphie.

That was a long sentence.

Natalie Daradich a lovely G(a)linda, though you could tell she'd been trolling YouTube, watching other actresses' performances. She did add several unique things to the character, though including some "magical wiggling" (AKA grinding with Elphie during "Popular". Which was hilarious.)

Chris Peluso as Fiyero... meh. He looked to much like Jim Carrey to pull off the whole swankified hunk thing, in my opinion. Plus his hair was weird. He did some nice work during the second act, though.

Everyone else was great, except

MICHELLE LONDON!
She was super cool!
And super awesome!
(she played Nessa.)
I has a picture with her!
I TOUCHED HER COSTUME!
IT WAS SHINY AND STUFF!

I was sorely tempted to rip her sparkly shoes off, cackle, and run away.

But, alas, I did not.


..............
So, if you get a chance to see Wicked while it's nearby, GO!
I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MICHELLE LONDON TO SPIT ON HER!
( I didn't! Don't worry!)

iTunes is getting a roundhouse kick to the face.

and so is Blu Ray.
and so is the library, for not having Ghostbusters OR Who Framed Rodger Rabbit OR the first Back to the Future on DVD.
...
as you may have guessed, i'm prepping my iPod at the moment for a 3 hour trek to visit my lovely cousins.
...
yeah, it's cool.

MUST FINISH HARRY POTTER SCRIPT!