Beauty of Evening

Real People

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:29 GMT

You might be an engineer if...

Now look what Andrew's started!

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:51:53 GMT

Everybody's doing it... Tell me if my daemon is accurate. :)

Daemon Meme

(This is from The Golden Compass, which apparently is a movie coming out soon and therefore has a cool and uselessly flashy Flash website, which is to say, a cool Flash website.)

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:06:28 GMT

It's true.

Although I recognize that really, I have never been unloved.

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:32:54 GMT

Hmm, this one is also kind-of true. (Read my previous entry first, if you want to know what I'm talking about.)

Flash Meme

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:23:51 GMT

One of the better memes I've taken recently. It's flagrantly Flash-y but perfectly cynical.

My Pirate Name

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:14:28 GMT

My pirate name is:
Captain Morgan Cash

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Morbid Necessity

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:08:13 GMT

Someone, I forget who now, posted an iPod quiz. Basically you hit shuffle and then the next song is the answer to the next question of your quiz. She came up with "The Breaking of the Fellowship" (from Fellowship of the Ring, score by Howard Shore) for "Song to play at my funeral." The friend and all commenters agreed it was quite appropriate, actually. And it got me thinking -- albeit morbidly -- that no one would know what to do for my funeral if I died! So I've decided to rectify that and post what I want you to do for my funeral, should it ever become necessary.

First of all, the lyrics to that part of "The Breaking of the Fellowship," "In Dreams" (purportedly by Edward Ross, but I have the CD and someone should check the liner notes):

When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day.
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain.

But in dreams
I can hear your name,
And in dreams
We will meet again.

When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days,
In the dark I hear a call...
Calling me there...
I will go there
And back again.

You can play just the singing part, since the score at the beginning of the track is lovely but possibly boring. It might be nice over a collage of pictures remembering my life. I'm having trouble coming up with which other song would go well with that, though. There aren't a lot of happy songs about death -- not that I love the idea of dying, but of course, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). (Cool explanation of that here.)

Nope, I've got it. Newsboys come through! "Hallelujah" will do well, and it's a peppy enough song that it won't cause crying like the other one would.

Walk into the sunlight, so bright,
Illumination blocking out the night.
She knows that the promises are airtight;
There is no doubt and you can see it in her eyes.

You'll hear her singing to heaven - even
Without letting out a word to be heard.
In every single situation (none too big - none too small),
She looks up and the world looks on.

She sings hallelujah
When all has become nothing,
And her hope in the Saviour
Has colored all she does
And taints the way she loves.

She sings hallelujah
And falls to the ground again
With hands stretched up to the sky,
Waiting for the day
She'll hear the Father say...

Step into the spotlight - so bright:
A character check in the dead of night.
To cut the stays of reason, 'til death defy
All understanding in the neighbour's eye.
To run the race like this day's the last, celebrate.
In all we do and all we say, look up
'Cause the world looks on.

We sing hallelujah
When all has become nothing.
Our hope in the Saviour
Has colored all we do --
Let it be for You.

We'll sing hallelujah
And fall to the ground again,
With hands stretched up to the sky.
We're waiting for the day
We'll hear the Father say,
Yeah, to hear Him say,

"Well done, good and faithful one.
Enter in, come on, share with Me.
Welcome home, good and faithful one,
on and on through eternity..."

Then again, maybe the photo collage is better saved for a wedding, and a funeral should just be eugooglies. (That's "eulogies," for those who haven't seen Zoolander.)

At any rate, I also know what I want on my tombstone. As for my body, you can donate it to science or cremate it or whatever you feel led to do. Of course, if it's possible, you should first harvest as many organs as possible to help others. But if I have some sort of memorial or headstone somewhere, I'd want this Emily Dickinson poem on it -- #919, apparently -- with as close to her original spelling and punctuation as possible (despite that such a request is contrary to my grammatical nature):

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.

Since that's rather long for a headstone, just the first two lines will do. The Philippians verse wouldn't be a bad one, either. Ephesians 5:8 would also do: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Edit: Um, actually, nothing about earthly living for the funeral... just a tad too depressing, if you know what I mean. (If you're wondering where my "Daughter of Light" designation came from, it's that and 1 Thes. 5:5, made gender-neutral: "You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.")

And no cherubs. Or angels, really, as cool as they are, for I'm not going to become an angel. If you must have a picture, it should be someone looking upward or over her shoulder in unexpected delight.

On Naming Children

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:21:36 GMT

There's a family in my church whose last name is Haase, pronounced "hauz" or sometimes "hauss" -- that's a long a as in father, not ow as in German Haus. They just named their son Haegen (rhymes with Jason). It has a great meaning (which I forget at present), but seriously: do you think there is even a chance that his friends and/or enemies growing up won't call him "Häagen Dazs"?

For Cassie

Thu, 11 May 2006 05:23:02 GMT

If you haven't seen this yet, you haven't snorked enough milk up your nose.
http://www.devilducky.com/media/45466/
Vader calls the Emperor to report on New Hope events...

Which is dumber: The quiz or the result?

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:04:10 GMT

Your Love Element Is Fire

In love, you are a true listener and totally present.
For you, love is all about feeling more alive than you've ever felt.

You attract others with your joy and passion.
Your flirting style is defined by your strong ability to communicate.

Fun and play are the cornerstones of your love life.
And while your flame may burn too brightly, it's part of your appeal.

You connect best with: Wood [Ya think?]

Avoid: Water [Ya think?]

You and another Fire element: will likely burn out quickly. [Wow, ya think?]

What Element Is Your Love?

[I hate quizzes that don't add up. My friend who's a wood connects best with water. Or maybe the point of the quiz is to remind everyoen how they'll never find love.]

Meme

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:32:21 GMT

It's a short meme, so I didn't bother cutting for it. So sue me. :)

Your 2005 Song Is

"Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson

"But since you've been gone,
I can breathe for the first time...
I'm so moving on."

In 2005, you moved on.

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 21:17:44 GMT

Kind-of accurate...

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything.
You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life.
You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you.

Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace.
You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life.
Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times.

At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you.
You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others.
You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

What Temperment Are You?

Err... couldn't post the results of this one ;)
What Type of Ex Are You?

The best part of this quiz was answering whether I think all people have a "viscous" streak that could come out at any time... (Is it wrong to laugh at other people's bad grammar? I sure hope not, because that's what I do with my life.)

Suuuuurrrre I am...

Your Hair Should Be Red

Passionate, fiery, and sassy.
You're a total smart aleck who's got the biggest personality around.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Tell me something I don't know.

Your Reputation Is: Sweet Girl

While you're well known, there's nothing to worry about.
You're reputation is mostly good - as good as any rep can be.

What's Your Reputation?

Shameless Self-Promotion!

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 08:19:24 GMT

I'm doing Nano, and I made the above website. It should take you about two minutes to look through it all. Then link to it! Like a virus, it will spread throughout the internet! At least for a week. :)

Well, I'm apparently a dog!

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 20:27:56 GMT

Dogster stats for Abigail Needs A Home.
Okay... Dogster!?! I appreciate that they're trying to find homes for homeless dogs, but still. '-ster' needs a rest.

Abigail Needs to Chew.
You know it!

"Sometimes, I cry just thinking how badly Abigail needs that heart," the nurse
said.
"I wish...you had a heart!"

Abigail needs a feeding tube, but is learning to eat some baby food.
I knew my diet was sad, but this...

Abigail needs her dress to return to home.
Have pity on my coworkers!

Abigail needs advise for her sister, to prepare her for her wedding night.
"You're not even...literate!"

Abigail needs more input, not less.
Is my code that bad?

Abigail needs some undivided attention right now.
Don't I always...

Abigail needs him, adores him. And besides, they have two things in common.
Their secrets. And death.
I told you not to tell!

Abigail needs balance in her upbringing.
Because she's not grown up yet.

Why Switchfoot Is Cool

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 20:01:48 GMT

They'll probably get into a whole heap of troulbe for it, but they're still cool:
http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/05/09/19/0343251.shtml?tid=141&tid=17

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:24:54 GMT

(I'd cut for memes but I don't know how to. ;) )

Your power is: Clairvoyance

Explanation: Your power is that you can look into the future and see what's coming. How far and long you can look depends on your skill level. Even if it seems like a boring ability, it is a huge responsibility, for you will be constantly tempted to use your power for selfish gain. It takes high morals to not be brought down with it.

Therefore you fit with this power quite well. You take responsibility and do what the right thing. Of course, you're only human. But you're a trustworthy person and loyal to teammates. In school you were probably a good student. Most clairvoyants tend to prefer their own company or that of close friends and family. You are also not a big risk-taker and prefer what is already explored; suprises can turn out badly and then you won't be in control.

Negative aspects: Since you're always doing the right thing and being trustworthy, you can become frustrated by the broken world you live in. Also, all that you carry on your shoulders gives you great stress. You need to relax to be in good mental shape.

What Power is Compatible With You? [12 results]
brought to you by Quizilla

Something wicked...

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 07:32:36 GMT

There's something outside on my patio. I prefer to believe it's a something and not a someone. It sounds like something brushing against the screen door, not quite as if it were being slid open. At first I thought it was the cat brushing against the vertical blinds, but then she came over to investigate. This had the double negative impact of assuring me that something was making noise and assuring me it wasn't Princess.

Now, I live in a very safe area. As far as I know, the only hoodlums in my apartment complex are of the 8-year-old variety. Plus, I just realized that my front door was unlocked, so if someone had really wanted to come in, they could've just come through the door. Okay, that's creeping me out, I have to go lock the door...

I'm back. So it's a something. A bat, a bird, a dog. The wind? Fortunately bigger than a spider, although if a spider showed up about now, I'd probably have a serious freak-out.

You single women who live alone: how do you deal with "noises"? They aren't technically threatening, but I'm really straining to keep my macabre imagination in check. Do you keep the TV or music on? Beat the ideas out of your head and distract yourself into feeling safe?

A heartbreaking work of staggering genius

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 05:06:55 GMT

Or whatever that book was called. From my friend Mike:

I just read a poem of staggering genius. It's one of those things that's so simple that
when you read it, it's like your entire brain rotates a tiny degree in your skull and you
suddenly perceive the cosmos, or summat. Here 'tis.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
All my base
Are belong to you.

Something to do in Seattle

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 18:31:24 GMT

Who wouldn't enjoy the abundance of swords, double entendres and jollity to be found in Theater Schmeater's The Three Musketeers? My review. Info, if you can't be bothered with mine.

Friggin' income-tax-less state...

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 06:35:32 GMT

Have you ever heard of the RTA Excise tax? I got my vehicle tab renewal postcard in the mail (last month, and only just now found it, and then only after going through all the piles of paper in my dining room, living room and den). It had a nice "Renew online!" banner on it, so I thought, that sounds like a good plan! So I went online to renew and was surprised by $33 of extra fees. For one thing, if I want to have it mailed to me, I have to use a subagent, who will charge $3.75 (you want to talk about a racket, be a subagent for the DOL; but I don't have the time to get all worked up about that now). Second, I had an extra $30 for RTA Excise tax on the bill that wasn't on my postcard. Which one is right? I mean, naturally I don't want to pay it, because who wants to pay more than she has to? But in the interest of "rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's," I would pay it if I had to. Will I get in trouble if I mailed in the postcard and it didn't have the fee? Why do we live in this socialist state, anyway?

More Useless Quizzage

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 01:41:44 GMT

You Are The Key Character
"It's what I was meant to do."
You are the true enigma. No one knows much about you, you do not understand much of yourself, and your life seems to carry no purpose. Yet regardless of everything around you, everyone knows that you are here for some reason, even if no one yet knows what it is yet. Things seem to simply fall into place for you, almost as though some force is working either through you, for you, or around you. No matter your troubles, you have been sent here to unlock something. This is your destiny.

Which Classic Story Role Do You Play?
brought to you by Quizilla

This was an interesting quiz, in that I had a hard time answering the questions and seeing what relevance they had to the answers. So what does this answer say about me? I'm a lost and confused Frodo, I think. I just liked the picture. Hehe, I just noticed that the font in the picture looks suspiciously like "Ringbearer."

My personality defect

Wed, 25 May 2005 21:14:47 GMT

Yet another quiz. I swear that might be all I do with my LJ.

My personality defect is
Televangelist
You are 42% Rational, 57% Extroverted, 42% Brutal, and 57% Arrogant.
As the Lord as my witness, I swear upon the good book that you are indeed the TELEVANGELIST! Characterized by extreme arrogance, self-assurance, and extroversion, you would make a very charismatic leader (or a very despotic one). On top of that, you are also more intuitive than rational, predisposing you to a more spiritual or emotional outlook on life. Thus, you are thoroughly irrational. You also tend to be rather gentle and considerate of others' feelings. Clearly, you would make the perfect televangelist. Emotional, extroverted, arrogant, and gentle, you annoy the heck out of people who have to listen to the feel-good, intuitive garbage spewing from your mouth. Not only that, but people may look down on you as a self-centered prick. So while you are gentle and genuinely care about others, it is quite clear that you still care about yourself more. Why is your personality flawed? Because you are too accursedly extroverted, emotional, and arrogant. So preach your irrational message, brotha-(wo)man! I assure you, no one will be listening!

[Of course, I'm pretty much right in the middle of all of those qualities, so either I don't, in fact, have any personality defects...or I have all of them. Plus, some of the questions were kind-of skewed. For instance, "I am very humble." If I say "true," I'm being arrogant about my humility, and if I say "false," I'm still arrogant. I also take issue with the fact that my belief in spirituality counted as toward intuitive as opposed to rational. --Ed.]

I don't have enough to do

Thu, 12 May 2005 17:28:35 GMT

More useless blogthings.

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

25% Upper Midwestern

10% Yankee

0% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Because clearly, I couldn't have figured out on my own that I've always lived either west of the Mississippi or north of the Mason-Dixon line, nor that I pick up accents everywhere I go and actually try to speak broadcasterese.

Wed, 11 May 2005 00:59:10 GMT

I blame Cassie.

The first one I thought wasn't very accurate. The second I was like, well, maybe... Then the third I was like, Nuh uh! Oh, well, okay, a bit. Maybe. Fine! I give in! The fourth, fifth and sixth were spot on. That made me think when I got to the seventh one that even though I wanted the "marriage is sacred" answer that Cassie got, this one's probably more accurate. So I'm a tad worried that the eighth might be true...

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. [Because those things are different? --Ed.]

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything -- no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self-centered.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

I've set a new low...

Sat, 07 May 2005 06:25:12 GMT

For some reason, staying at work until almost midnight on a Friday seems worse than working from home until past 3am on Tuesday/Wednesday. That could just be me though.

The good news is I'm not real stressed. I plan to take some time off, too... Er, but not this weekend. :)