Halloween Costumes: The Ridiculous to the Relevant

Hello once more. It is now time for me to randomly rant some more. Please comment if you wish, I will love you for it (possibly). So my insomnia won over yesterday and I was up till 5 am this morning. Watching Doctor Who and making my Halloween costume. What might my costume have been? The TARDIS of course. What is a TARDIS??? (I can't believe you are asking me this...for shame) See here:

 (it's a Doctor Who thing....wibbley wobbley timey wimey stuff, maybe I'll do a DW info blog later, otherwise, just look it up, it's everywhere on the internet) 

Ok, now that we are all on the same page again, as I sat around working on my costume I started thinking about the interestingness that is Halloween. I mean, it was derived from Samhain, and ended up becoming, at least in the US, a day during which we watch scary movies, eat way too much sweets, and wear either extremely, umm, immodest, or quirky costumes. (I am not talking about small children here, fyi. Hopefully their costumes do not fall into the immodest category.)

Halloween seems to be the one time in the year when it is completely acceptable for women to wear, and on occasion men too, the least amount of clothing possible, while still being clothed. Which is an odd phenomenon to me, coming from a private school, and never really having been to Halloween parties or anything of the sort in high school. Last year I worked during the weekend before Halloween, and this year, I have to work on Halloween. However, seeing the costumes people have prepared, or are wearing, is interesting to say the least.

Where did wearing a costume to confuse spirits and possibly avoid possession, or dressing as saints and demon, turn into this ritual of seeing who can wear the most ridiculous, fabric-less garb? See interesting article here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/10/081027-halloween-facts-costumes-history.html

Whether there are political portrayals or characters from books and movies, I'm am always intrigued to see what costumes will be walking around campus. Even more interesting are the differences between some costumes, how two Red Riding Hoods can be so very different. Everyone puts their own tweak on their costume, just be being themselves.

There are so many unique and creative costumes out there, don't get me wrong. I personally applaud those who go for the quirky. (It's just more my style). And I do believe that everyone has the right to wear what they want, they should't be objectified for it. (As I sit here semi-judging). I think that if people want to be scantily clad, more power to them. Because, I guess it isn't really the fact that some outfits might seem immodest that bothers me. It's the fact that here in the Midwest, it can be in the 30's on Halloween. And there is no way I would be warm while wearing some of the costumes I've seen.

So, if you choose to wear something quirky, more scant, or somewhere in between this Halloween, I wish you luck! Enjoy the day, and the festivities that go with it. Just try not to get frostbite in the process!!!

Happy Trick-or-Treating!

Is this home?

Long time, no see blog-o-sphere. I hope that you have all been doing well and having a fantastic time in this world of ours. If not evident from the title, I am back home for the weekend. Which is the inspiration for this blog. Over the past year and a half, coming home, things have obviously changed. You know, minute details. Clothing, my brother can drive, new chairs, etc. That is to be expected, no?

Well, I am back in my old bedroom tonight, or should I say, my brother's new bedroom. Which is fine, I understand the need for my brothers to have their own rooms, it doesn't bother me. But the whole room is so different, so much new furniture, so unlike what it was. It's a bit of a shock to be honest. Am I saying my parents should have left it as is? No. I am not.

I think its just that the realization that I have nearly all of my earthly possessions with me at college is finally beginning to sink in. Knowing that if I were never to come back, not many of the things I own would be lost. The fact that the house I once knew has changed and adjusted so well without me that it is hardly noticeable that I ever lived here. These are the things that truly bother me. I am growing up, and with aging comes the realization that yes, things have to change. Whether I am ready for this or not, it is going to happen. I have to accept that, because unlike Peter Pan, I have no Neverland to run away to.

Over the past week I have been considering my future. Where I might be in the next 2 years, graduating from college, likely with at least 3 majors and a minor. Yet, even with those degrees, my future is so uncertain in these times. I don't exactly majors that open me up to a range of job opportunities. I am single, so I still have a ways to go in the department of any relationship. I am quite literally on my own, and if things don't change, I will be alone and jobless in two years, which is terrifying. I am just now beginning to realize the magnitude of this.

I have been lucky to avoid paying very much for my education. I am so lucky and blessed to have the people that I do in my life. But in truth, the future is quite terrible to think about, and perhaps it is the same for all of us. The thrill of adventure and the unknown is short lived by the terror that may be. Yet I must realize, that in as much there is the possibility of great happiness. What a gift that could be.

So keep dreaming and reaching for the stars, just always remember to watch where you land.

The Wonderful World of College

Hello all,

It has been a while I must say. And for you lone twitter follower, bravo. You are my favourite person at the moment :). I've had a rather hectic week, and it isn't that I haven't been up late (I have). However, I have been writing countless papers, studying for exams, celebrating my birthday, being a college student with too much work, basically. So, I have not had the time to update you all on the recurring weirdness that I seem to encounter here.

For my weird experience of the past week: My friend and I were walking to get ice cream on the sidewalk to the left of the road, so the cars next to us were driving toward us, right? There was a bicyclist riding in the road right next to us. Thinking that he needed to cross over the sidewalk, we politely slowed down, as did he...then we sped up because we thought maybe we were in the way, and he did the same. Then, he swerved to the right, crossing traffic and ending up on the sidewalk on the other side of the street. What possessed him, I know not. I just hope we didn't do anything to scare him.

Tonight, I co-hosted an event in my dorm, Disney Karaoke. It was phenomenal. I live in one of the more quirky dorms on campus, you might say. Even still, I had over 60 people in attendance, which blew my mind. Better yet, everyone sang along, and hopefully met some new people. And we got to talk about the gender stereotypes in Disney movies. For example: All of the generic princesses have hourglass figures. Or the fact that a majority of the males are portrayed as rich, famous, successful, handsome, or some combination/ pretending to be. I think what is most interesting to me is not the fact that so many of these stereotypes exist, but that when we are children, we don't notice. As we grow older, we analyze the movies and we see the problems. It makes you wonder though, is it too late now that we are older? Just because we see the issues now, are they not already almost subliminally ingrained into our minds? I believe that anyone can break themselves of stereotypes (don't get me wrong) but it isn't an easy thing to do. It takes a willingness to be open and to research and ask respectful questions. I myself have said many things that come off the wrong way, based on stereotypes. But I realize what I have said and try to fix and/ or change those thoughts and ideas. I think this is an important step. Admitting a wrong and learning to fix it.

And so, that was my paragraph attempted wisdom.

Finally, Saturday, the Ponds will be leaving us. I have heard mixed debate on whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for Doctor Who. Matt was my first Doctor, so I know I will be crushed. I honestly think I'm going to watch "the Riechenbach Fall" (spelling???) after that, since I haven't seen it yet and have been told it will make me cry. Yay Steven Moffat, forcing all of the tears upon me. But maybe that way I will be free of the flow of tears for the week. Though I may flood the campus in the process. So, what do you think? Good or bad? I am looking forward to how Moffat brings around this newest companion without making the story too River-esque. It should be interesting. But I feel jipped in the fact that I have to wait for another 3 months before I can know what will happen. After waiting for 6 months or so for this season to start.

So, m'dears. Have a wonderfully amazing day. And remember, "No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true...."""

Don't blink, blink and you're dead.....you know what? Blink and Silence will fall, on the fields of Trendalor. Yeah

A Crazy Insomniac of Awesome

Goodnight World, Hello Insomnia!

While the rest of the world is fast asleep in their beds (and by the rest of the world I mean those living here in Indiana, I do realize that there are different time zones) I usually lie here awake wonder what it is like to be asleep. For the past number of years I have not been able to fall asleep at a reasonable time. Call it a gift or a curse, but it is rather inconvenient at times. I get lots of work done. I am thoroughly accomplished at arts and crafts. However, when it comes to waking up at a reasonable hour, it can be a challenge. As a college student with 8am classes (not too shabby compared to high school, I know) it is difficult. So, as the clock continues to tick by, I figured I should do something more productive with my time. I watch Sherlock and Doctor Who, and millions of other shows. I read and I would sing if it wouldn't annoy my neighbors. This seemed like the next creative step for me to take. After all, I always have a lot on my mind, and this might be the perfect place to just let loose.

So, for my first interesting talk of somethingness, the interesting things you see and hear late night on campus.  (especially Thursday night). I go for late night drives a lot when I can't sleep, sometimes it helps clear my head. Driving through the downtown, all of the bars and clubs are lit up, as drunken college students stumble about and security guards stand attempting to look menacing on the corners. (I'm sure there are things they would rather be doing than watching college students drink). So as I drive about town, hoping one of the many intoxicated 20 something year olds don't stumble out in front of my car, I watch carefully, being the best driver I can be. I pull into Taco Bell, down the street from two bars, and there are anywhere between 20 and 30 people just loitering around the parking lot and in the middle of the drive-thru lane. I mean, Taco Bell is great and all, but no one was buying any food. Some of them appeared to be trying to break dance, but honestly, most of them were just stumbling about, the girls in high heels that looked overly uncomfortable for any night of the week. Why were they all there? I do not know. But when I tried to drive out of the parking lot, it was like they had no intention of moving. They were slower than molasses. Terribly slow. But eventually they got out of the way.

As I returned to my dorm, I walked across the main quad, and a random guy who I did not know, nor had I ever seen told me to "Have a good night and sleep well." (Mind you there was no one else around me, or I would have assumed he was talking to someone else.) Dressed in sweat pants and an oversized T-shirt, I was not, nor would I ever be an attractive target at anytime of day, let alone at 1 in the morning. So I am forced to assume that he was being very polite and cordial. Still, it was kind of strange. When I walk down the street or around my dorm, if I do not really recognize someone I am not likely to talk to them. But I guess, kudos to you, random guy I've never met before. Thank you for being polite, even though it was a bit odd. :D

So, this brings me to the close of my first blog. I'm sure there will be many other things for me to say eventually, but for now, I will just stick with this. Don't want to overload the world with my many awesomely random stories. Until next time, have a good day, and count your blessings!

Just Another Night

I spent the earlier part of this night hanging out with friends, watching scary movies, the norm for a Friday night. Its been a fairly generic day in my book, aside from getting a whopping 12 hours of sleep (which was nice because lately I've felt dead on my feet.) I was walking back to my dorm around an hour ago though when I saw a most peculiar sight. A little way down from the intersection near my dorm was a guy standing, staring at a tree. He then proceeded to pick one leaf off of the tree at a time. For what reason, I know not. Who goes around picking leaves off of trees at 2 in the morning? Apparently whomever that was.

Other interesting tidbits about myself then perhaps? Would you be interested to know that I am majoring in Anthropology? (in case you don't know what that is, a basic definition is the study of human cultures and societies.) How about the fact that I love to sing. I have the whole Ave Maria memorized in Latin. I love Spanish, and about two years ago, when I got back from Spain, I had an amazing accent (it has kind of worn off since then). I love to draw, you should go look at my artwork page! My favourite colour at the moment is blue, but that is just for now.

As the days go by, hopefully I will have more interesting things to say, but as today was mostly taken up by my sleeping, I don't have a lot to report. Aside from large groups of girls generally being rather loud on my floor, which I suppose is to be expected. For now, all is quiet, which I much prefer. So, have a lovely evening or morning or afternoon,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Insomniac