The Number 2

Today, I started the first day of my last year of my 20's. It feels strange because I don't feel like I'll be 30 next year. I keep thinking I'm still in my mid-20's half the time. I still feel young.

Then I'll fill out a form asking my age, and it'll hit me. The years are passing way to quickly for my tastes. It scares me a little because I know one day I'll blink and my kiddo will be going off to college.

I've learned pretty quickly over the years to enjoy the time I have now, because it won't always be there. *Le sigh*

Speaking of enjoying the times, I must go eat some really fattening foods and blow out some birthday candles (only 3 this year, anymore than than the cake will be dried out by the time they're all lit).

First Days

The first day of 3rd grade was today. There'd been much nervousness leading up to this morning, but it managed to go off without a hitch.

I just can't believe how quickly time has gone by. Every time I turn around, the year's go by a little faster. Sometimes, I don't feel I'm ready for it. Pfff, let's be honest. Not even close to being ready for my kiddo to grow up.

There's just one thing I want an answer to.

How did she go from this:

To this:

Without my permission?

Star Wars and My 8-Year-Old

When I was growing up, I liked Star Wars a lot. I've seen the original series a few times. My daughter is almost obssessed with it. She reads books upon books upon books involving Jedi adventures. She watches Star Wars: The Clone Wars as often as possible. She has a countdown all set up for the beginning of the 3rd season. One of her absolute favorite songs to listen to on repeat is The Saga Begins by Weird Al Yankovic. She wants to marry Anakin Skywalker when she grows up. Really, she does. She'll even settle for Hayden Christensen. We've had disagreements about him being old enough to be her dad and how I saw him first, so I've got dibs.

I know why she likes him. My girl's got good taste.

I should point out now that as big as her crush on Anakin is, her favorite characters are Ahsoka Tano, an orange Jedi and Padme Naberrie (a.k.a, Queen and Senator Amidala), Ani's wife and mama to Luke and Leia. We promote girl power in our house, what can I say?

A phaser and lightsaber, a girl's best friend.

I know its perfectly normal for her considering who she has for a mother and she's genetically predispositioned to have slight obsessive tendencies for anything that interests her. (It runs in the family, so eventually it will disappear, but I'll still have the pictures of her jumping around the house with a lightsaber) I just find it amazing that she's as into
Star Wars as I was when I was about 12. Who knew we'd be that much alike.

I totally blame her fandom on the fact that I saw Attack of the Clones when I was 7 months pregnant with her.

Inception vs. Twilight

I don't like Twilight. I'm not a fan of the books and especially not the movies. They both bore me and make me want to pull my hair out. This often gets me dirty looks from fans, especially when I start making noises and commenting about the whole movie because I was dragged against my will by a friend who is a fan (not naming any names, *cough* Patricia. :D). And yes, I complained loudly when Bella was being a dumba$$.

I had to suffer through it and for my patience; I was rewarded by going with her to see Inception. Granted it didn't take a guilt trip or even much prodding on my part (just the mention of Leonardo DiCaprio, yummy, by the way) for her to want to go.

Who could say no to watching this man in a movie?

I knew I was going to like it. But . . . . . .

Can I just say this was the best movie I’ve seen all year? Because it really, really was. The graphics were hot, it involved dreams and it was a heist type movie! I love heist movies, there’s always something else going on to make you think. Dreams are a big part of the movie, and anything can happen in a dream. The whole aspect of dreams is intriguing and not everyone can pull it off. So with that I can say . . . .

Christopher Nolan’s a genius, and I’m really surprised he doesn’t have more movies under his belt.

I won’t post any spoilers, because I don’t want to ruin it for others, but seriously, this movie’s freaking awesome! Everyone should see it. And not everyone will like it, because it’s one of those endings that leave it up to your own interpretation.

I would just like to know more about the secondary characters. We know plenty about Leo’s Cobb (he is the main character, after all), but we learn absolutely nothing about everyone else. I want to know what their deal is. How did they get into the life? Why are they still doing it? What makes them all tick?

Leonardo still looks good after all these years; it’s so strange to remember he was Luke on Growing Pains. And can I also mention how hot Joseph Gordon-Levitt got? He's always been kind of cute (i.e. 10 Things I Hate About You), but not really my cup of tea. But seriously, he's way hot in Inception.

Did he grow up and suddenly get really hot?

Or is it just the slicked back hair, suits, and ties he wore throughout the movie? (what can I say? I have a thing for suits and ties) Haven't pegged it down yet, but he definitely added to the enjoyment of the film. Well, at least for me anyways. I might actually see it again.

So, in reality, there really isn't any contest between Inception and Twilight. There is no contest between the two of them for me. I just thought it'd be an interesting title.

Texas and Me

So as I write this, I sit in a hotel in Texas.

I've traveled a lot in my life and the state is not my favorite state in the country. Actually, it isn't even close. It's so far from close it jumped the ship 10 years ago and swam to Russia without a life vest. I have plenty of friends who dispute this feeling, but those are people from Texas and they think it's the greatest state to ever enter the United States.

I do not agree. Not even a little. Those same people think I'm off my rocker. That's also when I feel the need to point out it's a free country and I can have my opinion about anything I damn well choose. This is also the point where they get mad and look like they'll punch me in the mouth. Because they realize I'm right and then they go about their day mumbling about what an idiot I have to be not to love their precious state.

They forget that I'm not upset they're not in love with my city or state or anything else I love. And why not, you ask? Two magical words: Free Country. Yup, that's right. They're allowed their own opinion and so am I.

But here I am digressing again. Seriously, you can't take me anywhere. Or have me write anything. There really is no purpose for this post other than this:

I'm not meant for Texas.

That is all.

Book letdown

Not the kind of letdown you're thinking of, you know the type: you're so excited about reading a book and it completely disappoints you in the end. No, that's not what I mean.

I'm talking about the kind of letdown that can only come from a really well written book or series. And its so well written you're on a kind of depression and funk when you're done with it. It feels like an old friend left and there will be no new adventures with them.

Maybe I'm being a little overdramatic, but that's really how I feel about a book or series that I'm very attached to. Those are the books that feel like family, like home. But I am one of those people that loves their books.

It's A Sign

Every once in awhile I give up. Well, not really, more like I feel like I don't have what it takes to be a published writer. It's the joys of trying to accomplish something, anything. It's those bad moments that hit me every once in awhile.

I had one of those moments today and I wanted a sign, something to keep me going. I was talking to my daughter and the subject of the future came up. I'm not really sure how, but sometimes she'll say the things I really need to hear. It's nothing to her, but it completely blows my mind away.

I was wondering out loud what I should do after I get out of the military.

Out of the blue, she says, "I know what you're going to be, mommy. A book writer."

Out of the mouths of babes. Such innocent and wide-eyed little people with so much hope, I love it!