Okay, this is a debate I’ve had time and again, though I can’t say I’ve ever had it with the person serving me (thankfully!). I’m a “no ice” person for many reasons, though it usually depends on the situation. I go to a sit-down restaurant, I don’t care about ice. I have a straw and a steady place to sit and drink my drink; plus, I’m more likely to drink it faster because I’m sitting around waiting for my food to show up. But the moment I hit a fast food joint, gone with the ice! NO ICE FOR ME! Why?

Well, I’ll admit, first and foremost, it’s because I don’t want someone to decide that my x-sized drink should actually only be a y-sized drink. Drinks are advertised by volume the cup holds, not volume of the remaining space in the cup. To add to that, I’m ordering an x-sized ROOT BEER (usually), which is pre-mixed in the machine. What I’m not ordering is an x-sized Root Beer-that-actually-is-mostly-water-by-the-end. On top of that, that’s the only amount I’m going to get! Once that’s gone, it’s gone. That’s my first and foremost.

The other reasons are that I do have sensitive teeth and if I’m ordering from a fast food joint, I’m probably going to still be in my car and, by the gods, I’m going to bloody drink it when I want to drink it! Ice has proven, for me, to just be a solid thing that’ll slam the lid of my cup off and slosh everything around more than it needs to…just to turn it into lightly flavored Root Beer water in the end.

So, here’s my school of thought: if I’m ordering a large drink, which the cup is clearly marked at, oh, for the sake of argument, 32 ounces, then that’s the volume I’m paying for. If someone wants ice in their drink, more power to them! They’re the ones deciding to displace that much liquid for the “luxury” of an initially colder drink.

What got me riled up is the commenters who were all “Oh, but if you order a Whopper, you don’t expect them to give you more meat because you told them not lettuce/onions/pickles/cheese.” No, you don’t. Why? Because you know that the burger was supposed to be a certain weight before cooking, you know they’re supposed to put so many leaves of lettuce on it, so many pickles, and so on and so forth. The numbers are right there. So, that being said, why should someone like me feel shamed because I want my full 32 ounces of liquid?

Ice cubes are made by a machine. A machine that is squirting water into a tray that is freezing the ice, then breaking it up and dropping it in a bin. For this argument, I’m ignoring the gross factor of some of the crap found GROWING in machines like that, I’m just focusing on the ice itself. If there’s a specific recipe that needs to be followed, okay… Does that mean that place is hand-making the ice, making sure each cube is exactly the size it should be so Customer A is getting the exact same thing as Customer B, when they both order the same drink? Why do I, a person who feels the pain before my teeth even get near the ice cream bar, have to choose between suffering through watered down drinks or pain? Aren’t I also paying for this beverage? Shouldn’t I be allowed to enjoy it?

One commenter had said that “iced means it’s cold, not that ice is an ingredient.” If you want to require ice be part of the purchase, say “over ice” or something. And the commenters that compared it to ordering drinks at a bar? Really, people?? Weather you order your shots neat or on the rocks, a shot is still 4 ounces (I think… I haven’t ordered shots before, but I think that’s the number). Your alcoholic beverage is measured and THEN poured over ice. I think the bartender would be bludgeoned if he or she tried to stiff people by dropping a cube in a shot glass and telling the customer it’s the same drink, but it has to be this way because they asked for ice.

Try to tell me I’m wrong.

About 3 years ago, Tom invited me to stay with his family. It became official when he told Lona “Just bring the damn cat!” I think letting them suck me in was one of the best damn decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Because of Tom’s invite I learned that there’s a career out there for me that I could actually enjoy and achieve. I was finally able to go to school and instead of getting some crap degree just to have a degree, I was encouraged to go ahead and try for that double major in English (to ease the minds of my clients) and Math (to have a more “useful” degree).

Unlike in the books and movies, there’s no epic life-changing moment. It was slow and gradual as I learned to accept that it was okay that I wanted to try for these goals. Claudia and Tom both treated me like a daughter. Right down to Tom deciding at some point that instead of demanding that I wake his wife, I was an okay alternative to call when he finished his gigs and was coming home; if nothing else to ask if we needed something picked up from the grocery store. Tom was a musician. If you’re a So Cal local who frequented Knott’s Berry Farm, Tom was Fingers in the Calico Saloon up until about three years ago. He also preformed in places such as French 75, Savannah’s Chophouse, and other awesome places that still offer live music. He really was a local celebrity and an awesome pianist.

Tom could talk your ear off. I’d get so lost when he would come in and talk about a movie that he saw and suddenly that conversation became about the gig he was on, then it was about the movie again, which somehow became about some other musician he knew back in the day, and this was about the time I got lost.

It was only a few months ago. First it was pancreatitis, then a bleeding ulcer… Then suddenly it was stage 4 liver cancer. Just as suddenly he was gone at around 10:30 Monday morning, barely a month after his diagnosis. I still don’t know how I feel beside upset that I knew Tom for only three years.

However, I’d like to invite everyone to his memorial service and the benefit concerts that will follow. I will be speaking as will many of Tom’s friends. The concerts will be at a restraint, so there will be food and probably more musicians playing live music than you’ve ever had a chance to experience before. It won’t be like anything you’ve ever seen before. Or, as Tom would always say to me: “If you haven’t seen this, you’re going to see something you haven’t seen before.”

Memorial Service:
Wednesday July 7th, 2010 @ 2pm
Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot
3652 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA
949-857-2226

Benefit Concerts:
Wednesday July 7th, 2010 @ 6pm AND Sunday July 11th, 2010 @ 4pm
Gentiles in Corto De Caza
23331 Via Venado
Corto De Caza, CA 92679-3905
949-713-5600

If you find you can’t make it, but still want to send something to help the family, there’s a donate button on the right side of my site here. Just click that and follow the directions. Thanks in advance, either for donating or joining us.

This semester is book-light for me, since I took a couple of easy art classes. I planned on re-taking Claudia Suzanne‘s Ghostwriter Certification Training class, but that schedule and my schedule didn’t mesh. So, I’m not gonna be as burned out this semester, which is still a yay! I managed to squeeze my way into both photography and the required ceramics class before I can take a wheel-throwing class. I love wheel-throwing.

So, what am I doing to get ready for the new semester?

Well, I started yesterday by working the internet hard and finding the best deals in textbooks. One of my housemates had previously sent me a link that worked wonders. Textbook Price Comparison isn’t the end all, be-all of textbook searching, but it gave me a good place to start. My range came out to between $130 and $213, depending on if I wanted to go to sites I didn’t know and trust such as Course Smart and Textbooks Now or if I had to buy all new from the school itself.

My next step is one where I sit and wait impatiently for all my end-of-year tax info stuff to come in. I hate waiting… I just want to fill out the stupid forms to tell the Government that I make no money so they can confirm to FAFSA that they need to give me money so I can go to school. You’d think this would be really easy. Actually, once you’re past 24, it is.

My dad refused to help me through school, so I figured I’d work full time to pay for that full time schooling. I bombed that. Still, at 23, the Government needed my parents’ tax information because I was still classified as a “dependent.” Yeah, kids, that’s right. They’ll not only need but base your award on your parents’ taxes until you’re the ripe old age of 25. I was rejected every year for FAFSA because my dad made too much, which was the salt in the wound since I had to fight every step for my dad’s tax info and I was paying for everything myself.

I think I digressed…

So, yeah, the big things are no where near done, but I’m busying myself with little things: school supplies, making sure I don’t forget my schedule, griping about how there’s only two weeks left before I have to start school again…the usual stuff!

This morning I was catching up on my LiveJournal friend’s page after avoiding it for November and December (NaNoWriMo eats my Friend List’s souuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul!). I came across a post from Jakkal whom I love and adore for her art and quick wit. I especially love her “Don’t Do This” tag. It was that tag that lead me to the article that would cement my view on TechCrunch for now and probably forever.

Now, keep in mind that I went to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. For 75% of my high school career, I was surrounded by aspiring artists of every type from dance to music to visual art. 500 people ranging from 13 to 18 struggling for a career in their chosen art field, training for hours at a time. In the end, it’s all subjective. Did the teacher enjoy teaching you enough to enjoy your art to want to stick their neck out for you? Did the right person show up at the right performance at the right time? Did you choose the right piece to put in the gallery?

DeviantART reminds me a lot of when I was in high school. Most of it are kids who are terrified to know the truth about the creation they put a piece of their soul into, and yet are braving the harsh cruel world to find out. In fact, I seriously believe that the internet is an even harsher place then the competitive environment I got my critiques in. In cyberspace, there is no risk of having etching acid thrown at you for being a complete and total arse. Even so, in the end, it’s all about who views the piece and what they think of it.

Every form of art is subjective. What makes one trumpet player better than another? What makes my work nothing and Chris Sanders’ wonderful? It’s all personal preference. I love KhaosDog’s artwork, and the article writer used Khaos’ most recent piece as a prime example of mediocre artwork. I don’t think it’s mediocre. Actually, I think it’s kinda great. Unfortunately, I don’t have some high profile blog to put that in. What’s worse is this TechCrunch writer is supposed to be writing about technology. DeviantART is an art site. At least if he would have picked something steampunky or tech related, he’d have some leg to stand on.

As hypocritical as it sounds, I guess everyone with access to the internet and a blog feel they have the right to be a critic.

Me: ::hits power button and waits for computer to load::
Computer: Do do dooo… OH! Hey, there! You know you never installed a network device on me, right?
Me: What? You were using it last night!
Computer: And no sound card, either. Why would you neglect me so?
Me: You’re on crack! Check your pockets. ::reboots computer since that usually works for the missing hard drive issue::
Computer: Do do dooo… Oh! Hey, there!  You know you never installed a network device on me, right?
Me: ARGH!!!
Brother: Lemme finish this and I’ll come look at it.
Me:? ::stares at computer that is smiling stupidly as it informs that there is no network device or sound card. Ends up just shutting down to wipe the grin off computer’s monitor::
Me: [to Brother] The temptation to just pull the power cord and do a reboot that way like with the router…
Brother: Do it.
Me: ::does it::
Computer: Do do dooo… Greetings, my creator. All systems are up and running. Would you like to partake in some World of Warcraft or instant messaging first? I also brought you some fresh Java and the morning RSS feeds.
Me: Holy… It worked!
Brother: Wait… Really??

I might get a D in my Personal Finance class this semester because I missed the deadline for the final by 31 minutes. That’s right, it closed 31 minutes before I sat down to take the test. It’s my own fault, really. I fully admit that. When I read the email that the teacher sent out regarding the test time and date, I thought it would close at 1am PST the night of the 17th. No, no… It closed on the 1am EST of the 17th… So, tonight, being the 16th, when I sat down at my computer in the good old Pacific Standard Time of 10:31 PM, the test was already closed.

Confused yet?

When I attempted to attend the Art Institute Online, I had these same problems. I always read the date and time wrong for when things were due, so they were either late or never turned in because late work wasn’t accepted. Why? If anyone else can figure it out, let me know. Though, all things considered, I made the same date/time mistakes when I had Inventory shifts at Blockbuster. I never knew what night I was coming in at midnight so I drove my manager batty checking and double checking.

Now I’m just irritated at myself. It’s completely a “Should have known better…” moment. There’s nothing more I can do about it now. I already emailed the teacher to see if there is anything I can do to fix it, but I’m pretty sure that the only option is to retake the class and replace the grade.

Has anyone else had “experiences” with online classes, good or bad?

Yeah, I know, pathetic, right?

I realize I’ve been seriously slacking in the update area. I promise, I’m not dead, but it sure as hell feels damn close. The event itself had its ups and downs this year, though happily it was more up than down. Man, some people can be crazy. Anyhow, the challenge is over and I get a bit of a breather from personal challenges AND school work to just focus on school work. I’ll be doing another one in April with Script Frenzy. I’ve even got a bit of a concept for that one already. Hopefully I won’t start doubting myself by the time April comes around.

What else… What else…

I finally figured out what my site is for until I get some published works out there. It’s kinda weird, but I’m still digging the idea after about a month, so I’m going to try and run with it. What is it? Well, I realized that I’m in my twenties (*coughcough*27*coughhack*) and just starting college, more or less (you know, not counting the high school college courses or the couple semesters at Fullerton College…). I’ve got a different view on the way classes are handled then someone fresh out of high school. Not to mention it’s my blog, so it’s a great way to vent about the over-romanticizing that teachers seem to be doing lately. Dude… Really… I swear, an ice cream sandwich is not some symbol for religion…

I will still be commenting on books I’m reading, since I plan on trying to continue the 100 New Books a Year challenge. Yes, I have been counting the books I read in class. Speaking of, this semester in English we read Never Cry Wolf. Now, being a bit of a wolf nut, I’ve owned a copy of this for a while but never read it. I vaguely remember attempting, but it always going over my head or something. This attempt stuck, though, and probably would have been completed much quicker if it wasn’t for that crazy “Gotta read on MY time-line, sister!” thing that teachers get. There’s some great lines in there, and while it may get a bit dry in places (unless you’re weird like me and find scientific jargon and field journals fascinating), Mowat is actually pretty darn funny.

Speaking of being on a teacher’s time-line, I’ve got an outline for a Never Cry Wolf essay to finish by tomorrow night.

I’m trying to not freak out, but it’s only about 44 more hours until NaNoWriMo, and I’m still stuck in research! Plus this year I have actual school to worry about. Am I nuts?? You bet! Oh…wait…I wasn’t supposed to actually answer that question, was I?

So, I think there might be a pool going. Will I reach 50,000 words? Will I reach that goal with school in the way? …Which includes an honors class and an online course? Yes? No? Purple!

If all that wasn’t enough, I’m also co-hosting the Friday write-ins for North Orange County. If you’re in the area, drop by! For sure, the first one (11/06) will have a guest speaker!

Claudia Suzanne will be giving a talk on The Elements Of Fiction at our write in, and will stick around afterward to answer any questions and give some advice. She’s also provided us with part of our kick-off package – a handy reference guide with expressions for your characters!

About the Speaker:
Claudia Suzanne is a professional Editor, Ghostwriter and teacher. She’s the only teaching ghost in the country, and she’s ghostwritten over 100 books. Her book, “This Business Of Books” is currently in it’s fourth edition, and is used in colleges across the country and around the world to teach writing, editing, and the book business in general. She’s a member of PEN International, Independant Writers of Southern California, and California Writer’s Club, as well as the founder of Professional Writers of Orange County. She’s worked as a Literary Agent, publisher and professional musician, and has worked with aspiring authors of all walks of life – from PhD’s to CIA agents. She’s considered an expert in the book business, and will be touring the Orange County write-ins this year, promoting her book and her ghostwriting class, a graduate-level course on everything you’d ever need to know to be a ghostwriter or book business expert.

I couldn’t see child pages! I wanted, NEEDED child pages! So, the hunt for a new theme began, with thoughts of making another attempt at trying to make my own. I still gave up on that one. I found this new theme, which works kind of like a computer desktop, which makes it really interactive and nifty! So, I’m not as happy as I was with the look, but the child pages are visible now!!

That is all…until later.

…I miss Hawai’i…

Oh! Hi! I’m back! So, yeah, the Writing page is being reconstructed, slowly but surely. The stories will return! Other than that, I did some other things to the site and am planning others. For starters, I took down the shopping cart. I didn’t like the interface. It made me unhappy; and, really, I realized that when it comes down to it, if I’m not happy with the site I do so much less with it.

The other thing I wanna do is put a little Twitter box on the side panel. I just gotta figure out how. Fun, right? Really, it’s the little things that build up to bigger things that I enjoy most about creating a site.