ehh? wow!

Ok, who let that horrible thing out again?! Back! Back! Back into your cage! back I say! *skreee! Crash! shutter.. click* there we go. Enough about my monsters,.. On to better things!


First of all. I really want to thank my friends. Without you, this whole lousey time o the year thing would have been a lot worse then it was. Grateful hardly even touches the depth of my feeling here. thank you. sincerely. :)


Once upon a time, in the land of Iria, there was this kitty. she wasn't very remarkable really, at least she didn't think so. but when it comes to friends, she had some of the very best. Last night, the kitty was facing having to go through a dungeon that was in just about every way superior to her meager skills. So friends gathered to help protect her along the way. Leading the pack in general, was mr Dl and his guild leader. beside him, for the most part, was the punch-packer mr Gw. (don't mess with this guy. seriously.) also gamely zooming along was the uber mr Rs and the windmilling mr Am. Kitty couldn't have been in safer hands. In fact, she didn't do much more then lift her healing wand a few times and race along in the group's wake in efforts to somehow keep up. She honestly couldn't have been more impressed/blown away by the efficiency and speed with which they dispatched the monsters. added to the realization that they did this just for her caused her to gush her thanks afterward. kitty sure is lucky to have such remarkable friends.

personally, I wish she had somehow managed pictures. :)

Just ignore it.

This ...ya know, sometimes, i really think life sucks. just when you start to notice a rise in well-feeling.. like maybe -this- year will be a little brighter then the others have been around this time.. like maybe theres a bit of hope after all... and suddenly, with no real warning.. nosedive.. straight off the cliff and into the smog, swirling like some unseen witch's greenish concoction, far below.

Once again the heart has taken the reins.. and -once again- I experience the pain of such horrible tearing sadness and a futile sense of flailing about... getting no-where at all, except back into the mire of depression, which as it seems, I am forever seeking a way out from...but it just keeps sucking me irresistibly back in.

I'm not sure if any of this makes sense to those of you that might be reading this. not 100% sure I care at the moment so youl have to forgive me. I guess this too, is a part of who I am. A part of me that I can never seem shake get free of.. no matter how hard or often that I try.

oh sure, sure.. there's a reason why this happens every stinking year around this time. sure. the fact being, I miss my mom a great deal. Its like some kind of morbid death-day or something. always seems to happen right around this time, and the veneer of my happiness portrayed, fails me.. horribly, I am left exposed and crying.

So what is there to do about it? nothing that I have ever found. All I can suggest is.. smile along when I do, don't dig too deeply, forgive my random bouts of tears and growls, and hope to heaven I get over it quickly.

And for those that run up against my raw nerves and pet peeves, you -know- I'm going to howl objections and throw dark looks around the room. How I HATE when that happens! Why does it have to keep happening?!

Its nothing. I'm fine.. or.. I'm sure I will be. I -need- the comforting friendship.. and yet, in my more cool reasoning mind I know that I have no real -need- for much of anything... or anyone. Its like I seek it out though, with a kind of fevered desire, only to rail against it uselessly when I come up against it. What a totally un-reasonable, idiotic pattern!

So once again, here I sit, commiserating myself with no-one or thing to talk to.. to thump my fists uselessly against a wall and bawl like some spoilt little child who has just learned that her whole world has turned itself inside-out to face a sickly shade of puce green and life will never ..ever.. go back to the sweet comfortable way it was. no more time to even wonder if maybe there was any real or true appreciation. It's done.

The snitched candy has hit the floor and shattered into a zillion microscopic shards with no way to -ever- see its original form ...ever again. it's gone. there's no way to do more then watch and wallow now, I guess... so yeah, a reason for sure.. a need, most certainly.. and know that should I snarl, ~"Leave me alone!"~ it's not forever. I'm just being crap poor company is all.

Slam your doors if you think you must, push the button to turn it all off if you have to... knowing that each sharp noise is sending its splinters deep into my being, there to stay... even as I snarl and scream in agony.. MoM! ahh mom.. I sorely miss you! ...even now. ...forgive me for being so pathetic.

Listening to:
nothing.
Reading: nothing.
Current Show: none.
Feeling: guess.
Internet Tabs: not bothering atm.
Obsessing Over: who cares.
Current Rant: my own ineptness.

and the answers are !!

quiz results! with (my comments) in the brackets.

completed the quiz "What kind of camper are you?" with the result You are a tenter.
You like to rough it. You are a "true camper". You're not afraid of sleepin on rocks or the ground. Bugs don't bother you. You'd rather be under the stars than confined to the inside of a camper..

completed the quiz "Which Muppet are you?" with the result Rowlf the Dog.
You are calm and quiet, a laid back and easygoing person. Talented at whatever you put your mind to, you are never one to brag or boast about your skills. Your idea of a satisfying day would be to go to work, come home, read a book, have a couple of beers, take a walk and go to bed. No need for extravagance, you are happy with the simple things in life. Loyal and a good friend, you are understated but much appreciated by all. .

completed the quiz "What kind of mask do you wear?" with the result Innocence.
Your mask is innocence. You are innocent but not easily impressionable. You always give people the benefit of the doubt, and are nice to everyone you meet. You never really judge anyone, but you sometimes may judge yourself. Everyone who meets you usually adores you, even if you don't really know it. You always think you may be messing up or doing something wrong, but you're usually not. You don't have a problem restricting yourself from things you think you shouldn't do, although sometimes you're a bit curious. Sometimes people try to take advantage of you, but you don't always notice. Over all you're untainted, friendly, and everyone loves you. (Toja I was innocent!)

completed the quiz "Which Jedi are you?" with the result Obi Wan Kenobi.
You are smart and patient. You've learned to think first and act later. The tragedies in your life have made you wiser. (Get help from the obi-wan!)

completed the quiz "How Well do you know Men?" with the result Excellent!! (100%).
Fantastic!! You really do know men pretty Well!! Either you're a master at what men really want or you've blatantly cheated! Or you might just be a man trying to find out if this quiz is authentic enough! whatever it is, Congratulations, you're an Expert on that pathetic species called "Man". (O.O;)

completed the quiz "Which Beatles song are you?" with the result Hey Jude.
You're "Hey Jude". Your all about making life a bit more brighter, no matter what has happened before. Unfortunately, you're a hopeless romantic, and most of your time is spent getting over loved ones. When your life is a train wreck, your friends cheer you up, help you see the brighter side, and help you to get back on your feet and back into the game. "Hey jude, dont make it bad, take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better.".

completed the quiz "What Decade Fits Your Personality Best?" with the result 1930's.
You are strong and determined and have what it takes to get through life's storms. You are very helpful to those around you-- be it your friends, your family, or even a neighbor in need. You are a great leader and strong-willed person, and take challenges as a way to better yourself...But you also have a deep sense of warmth and nurturing for those you care about. You are well-rounded and tough because you have to be. You aren't a "diva" but rather a humble person with admirable character. With more hard-working, quality like you, this world would be a much better place. By being able to turn a little into a lot, you know how to make life enjoyable even if it's just through the little things. (ummm kay)

took the How Bored are you? quiz and got the result: 93.. (Yep! thats pretty bored alright)

took the What's your best quality? quiz and got the result: Kindness..
Kindness: You will lend a helping hand to any friend you think needs it, and to everyone who you have helped they see you as a close friend who they appreciate and ready to return a favor. Your kindness is likely to earn you a reputation and make you the go-to person when your friends seek quality companionship.

took the What candy are you? quiz and got the result: You are Twizzlers!..
You are Twizzlers!: You've got a great sense of humor and can be hilarious at times. You always enjoy a good laugh with your friends - and you are good at making them laugh too. You are sweet and fun just like the Twizzlers!

took the How GIRLY Are You? quiz and got the result: 0% Girly..
0% Girly: You are all man and no girl. (A sign of a true tomboy.)

took the What color is your heart? quiz and got the result: Your heart is SILVER..
Your heart is SILVER: You have a silvery heart that is characterized by logic and reason. You tend not to not to make impulse decisions and you know when is the right time to eliminate emotional from critical decisional elements. Your friends trust you with your sense of responsibility and intuition, but you might sometimes come across as aloof with your tendency to be always logical. (just call me Spock-ette lol!)

took the What's your SOUL MATE like? quiz and got the result: A care-taker..
A care-taker: Your soul mate is sensitive and attentive. He/she takes pleasure in making sure both of you feel comfortable, secure and blissful in the relationship. He/she incorporates all the virtues of being trust-worthy, loyal, and a good listener. You'll find yourself so pampered in the relationship that you would never want to leave.

took the What is the First Letter of the Person Who Secretly Loves You? quiz and got the result: M..
M: The name of the person who loves you will start with the letter M. He/She will treat you like royalty. They have the right personality to sweep you off your feet and leave you feeling breathless. (hmmmm....M)

took the What kind of smile do you have? quiz and got the result: Timid smile..
Timid smile: You rarely let out hysteric stomach-hurting laughter around people you are not familiar with. You tend to be a bit more reserved at social settings, but you probably haven't noticed that your timid smile makes you more adorable and attractive. (aaaahahahaha!)

took the What crayon color are you? quiz and got the result: Royal Violet..
Royal Violet: You are Royal Violet! You are self confident and knowledgeable and, to others, uncharacteristically humble. You make decisions in your life with an insight that can only be marveled at by others. You are admired, but you never want yourself put on a pedestal. You like to mingle with all kinds of people to learn about yourself and grow.

took the What flavor of ice cream are you? quiz and got the result: Mango Sorbet Ice Cream. (Mango?..I'd rather the taste of guava ty)

_____
Listening to:
general silence.. ticcing of the keyboard.
Reading: Naruto and Bleach.. still.
Current Show: ...Star Trek the next generation
Feeling: slightly bleh not a good time of the year for me.
Internet Tabs: Facebook, Mabi-home, Gaia
Obsessing Over: mabi life-skills and the need for more ap.
Current Rant: Michael J. in the news. At the risk of sounding cold-hearted, it's about time he moved on. He was beginning to resemble a lich or crypt-keeper to me..both in looks and personality.

got to do eet!!

umm.. hm.. ok.. its another one of those days for me... so many things to do.. and I don't actually want to do any of them.

Listening to:
general silence.. ticcing of the keyboard.
Reading: Naruto and Bleach.. still.
Current Show: ...Star Trek original series
Feeling: slightly bleh/headache/eye strain
Internet Tabs: Facebook, Rainy Days, Mabi-home, Gaia
Obsessing Over: mabi life-skills and the need for more ap.
Current Rant: the news and idiots who blame songs and video games as a cause for murder. games don't kill people.. it's people with a mental screw loose that kills people.

ok.. friends.. hmm... where to start.. maybe with a definition? *thinking*

there are people you have met, you know their face, maybe even their name.. but nothing more really. faces in the crowd.
there are acquaintances.. people you know a bit about.. maybe through another friend.. maybe through a company or a mutual interest.
there are fair-day friends.. people you know a bit about and like. you might chat or play.. and you like them, but they arnt someone you would turn to for even a slight problem.. since their reaction isn't likely something you could understand at the moment or are able to use in any way to help solve the issue.
there are friends.. people you know a fair amount of. you like them, you have some common ground. you can talk to eachother if there is a real need to.
there are good friends. people you know well. you talk all the time, chum around together quite a bit. people you can and do occasionally talk to about life's issues.
there is best friends.. people you know quite well...you chum, you chat, you play. you are buddies. you can talk to them about anything really. people you trust with your ups and downs...even if they might seem silly to others.
and top of the list.. true friends. these people mean the most. they have been with you through thick and thin.. still hanging in there after years have gone by. and you still talk. you are still close. as close as could be without wandering off into a 'love relationship', which is a whole different list.

I couldn't hope to name all the people I have met on the internet in actuality. too many. and many of them very cool people.

I once knew a guy I'll call Dinobite.. he and bara were the best of friends, and I was friends with them through an old online game. one day, seemingly out of the blue, dinobite lost his cool and decided he's had enough of friendship with either of us. He claimed he had too many friends anyway. this seriously affected both bara and me, since we thought ourselves counted as above the mark from the rest of the crowd concerning dinobite. bara in particular. was hit hard by it. he has been best of friends with dinobite for quite some time. they were, in a sense, inseparable. eventually though, we were forced to admit two things, one, the dinobite must have gone seriously yonkers.. and that he wasn't returning. Emotions I have concerning him: happy thoughts for the most part.. and saddness that he chose to leave us all so abruptly.

Now while I realize one can have the wrong kind of friends.. I do not believe one can have too many friends. friends, even online ones.. are worth knowing. even when you think they collectively got you running yourself ragged trying to stay up with them all. Just need to stay paced is all. a good friend will certainly understand if you say "I can't right now" once in awhile.


So of course, I heard those words again recently. This time from another friend of mine. Ruff, although a young kid as yet, is looking for a girlfriend in the game we play. he met this girl he likes, but she is shy and defensive. she said she doesn't know him well enough, that he is too young for her, and wants to be friends.
He yowls, saying he doesn't -want- a friend. he wants a gf! that he has too many friends already. and signs off. bleh I think he's trying too hard. emotions: basic happy thoughts.. and a bit of confusion.

Another I know.. Fire.. he's um.. well, there are those that like him.. and those that can't seem to stand him. now me, I've pretty much gotten along well with him. The guy has his points on both ends of the scale, to be sure. he's had moments where he has been unreasonable, determined and deadly... and for those he is against, this can be a very bad thing. On the other hand, there are times when he can be the sweetest most lovely and giving of persons, he smiles so easily and is such great fun to be around. I suppose thats what first really attracted me to him the first time I got to meet him... his sense of fun and joy. atm, I'd like to be his bathrobe. is that such a bad thing? lol! thoughts: the full gambit really.

speaking of a sense of fun.. there's also this fellow I met a bit ago now, Sirin. He had a great sense of what was fun. even when there was nothing really going on in the game we were in, he'd usually find some enjoyment. something that would cause me fits of giggles pretty much every time. He'd try hopping on top of npc noggins, he convinced a pirate to marry him, and bickered with the guild leader over the look of a chicken hat.

then I suppose it takes all types, doesnt it? I have a friend, Honda, who sweet though she is, is another who seems to think she has too many friends. but then, I suppose its for different reasons. a lot of her friends are always asking things of her or demanding at times.. and it has put strain on her heart. so of late, in spite of her usual bouncy self, she has gone all quiet. I kinda miss her skipping around me, giggling, whenever I got within her sight.

And heres for another one..

Was recently chatting with a friend, and it was suggested I revisit a blog post concerning friends.. not exactly sure what I might say about each of the friends I have... or even which ones might be mentioned. certainly I value them all for bunches of reasons, many of them different, and all of them are well beyond mere words. I could state what I 'think' of them, or what I think they think of me, could state how I see them, or what emotions I typically feel around them, perhaps, or maybe what I consider personality adds and disads? hmm.. how about a mix? then again, I have never been one for listing names so.. I have to think on this one a bit more maybe.




Listening to:
Tir local music in Mabi
Reading: Naruto and Bleach.. still.
Current Show: ...Star Trek original series
Feeling: slightly annoyed/headache/eye strain
Internet Tabs: Facebook, Rainy Days, Mabi-home, Gaia
Obsessing Over: Mabi life skills
Current Rant: Just who is misinterpreting whom?

Thoughts of the day

Yay Kakashi has returned! ok, so why couldn't the skuzzy creep bring back Jiriaya also? and whats with those old idiots thinking to put the warhawk, Danzo, into such power as he's been pushing for all along anyway? surely even old eyes can see what a mistake -that- would be! Besides, they are supposed to be the voice of the people, arnt they? well right now, people's choice number one is being joyously tossed into the air in celebration for saving the city. and what about Tsunade? she might be out of it right now, but don't count her out of the picture just yet.

I have a good friend, Mr R, or.. at least I consider him a good friend. I met him through a mutual (at the time) good friend, sometime ago now, and we have chatted on and off since then. He was always polite, and rather 'proper'... which is a bit odd for my usual run of friendship circles. I liked him well enough tho. Then he disappeared for several weeks and when I next see him, he isn't at all much like I remembered. People change though, and I was willing to accept that. One day, he asks to meet up with me, which was a first, and we took it to town. Over the course of the next hour or so, I discover he has a liking for my odd sense of 'bubbly' random personality. It kinda blows me away for a bit, since I never even considered this guy.. and my stunned reel of reaction, apparently, wasn't at all what he was looking for. He gives me a 'stiff upper lip', tells me that he he does not appreciate pity, and leaves me standing there. Now, -since when- does my natural flirt/friendliness or even that of a speechless/stunned reaction translate into pity? I could see a possible dismayed reaction.. thinking I might not feel the same for him or such, but pity? Why on earth would I pity him? (... wanders off dizzily, muttering under her breath about haughty tin cans and stuffed shirts.)

oof... gots a nasty headache.



You know you want to see it! :D

Another day, another post

here he is, Snorts, the cutest piggy in the whole history of piggydom.

wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv

go check this one out!
singer: Susan Boyle

here is another one..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
singer: Paul Potts

Laundry Portals

Saw an odd little portal pop up one day, half behind the washing table next to the wall. I dont even want to mention what form I took upon entry into this other world.. but I do have this odd craving for an ear scratch.

Anyway, It took me a bit to get my bearings on just which world this one was when I thought I heard a familiar voice. There was this girl with purple hair in piggytails and big clear eyes purring at me! Kita! well, at least I was close to friends. :)

That was my intro to the world of Mabi. Which, as far as worlds I have seen up till now, isnt so bad. It's not quite as 'all encompassing' as rata's world, nor as 'pixeled' as the world of RS... and yet, it has many different things to do beyond the typical hack-n-slash of most places. Even it's sister world of MS is no real comparison...other then the lack of being able to jump. The only actual jumping I get to do here is the bouncing and darting about I do as I am attacking some monster.

Kita seemed to be the only one to really recognize me.. I'm not sure how she knew, but she sat right down, smiled, and gave me that needed ear scratch.

From my time thus far, I have gathered a bit of the girl's ongoing story... and since it is so much more interesting then my own place in the world, here it is. ...

She couldn't have been in the world for very long at all when she first picked up a lute and began to play it. There she stood, next to the general store, listening to the sweet tone of the lute.. still in newbie clothes and short dark hair.. That was about when she first met her future spouse, Tai. He showed up on the run, and without so much as an "are you new?" he loaded her down with music scrolls, laughed.. something about eating berries.. and was off again.

The two made fast buddys. Not too long after that, He asked her to marry him. They have been together since then. Through him, and beside him, she has met quite a number of people, many becoming good friends. She has attained paladin status recently, which is quite a feat considering her humble start.. and is working toward knowing....a bit about everything possible in this fun world. :D

_______________

random favorite vids

Vidivodo.com : aqua timez - alones music video  Etiket: aqua_timez

Aqua Timez - Alones


Queen - Don't Stop Me Now by tintinchezlespicaros
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now


Extreme - More Than Words by iamseb
Extreme - More Than Words


John Denver - I want to live

odd enough to be kinda cool.

Listening to:
Hatsune miku Pachelbel's canon in minor keys
Reading: Naruto and Bleach
Current Anime: ...
Feeling: Mostly sad.
Internet Tabs: Facebook
Obsessing Over: friendship
Current Rant: friendships take time.. If you can't, or are unwilling to take time for them.. they go away.

eek! tagged!!

Gee thanks Mesh. Lol!
ok ok.. so. i gotta say 10 things about my room. hmmm...

1) Its messy... something about the whole chaotic-orderliness of it all appeals to me.
2) There is always a clear path from bedside to door. Stay on the path if you value your existence!
3) The walls are painted a sunshine yellow.. with white hatch-work on one side. no, this doesn't improve my waking attitude. I'm not a morning person.
4) I have two windows, one is usually cracked open to add fresh air circulating the room via the ceiling fan. (no, my curtains are never open.. I prefer a twilight gloom to my sleeping space.)
5) There are several pics on the wall, mostly of sunflowers, one of lemonade n ice, one of cranes, and um.. there's also one of a big white tiger trying to stalk off the wall.
6) I have a riot of stuffed animals attempting to claim one corner of the room from ceiling to floor, crowned by a large reindeer and an old teddy bear.
7) There are various books and art tools hidden strategically around the room and only -I- know where to find them, thankyouverymuch!
8)Lessee.. I have a huge thick handmade quilt(My sister is amazing!)usually draped over the footboard of the bed... since I sleep 'nest' style, this is often the only 'folded' blanket in the room. (and Yes, I -do- have a favorite soft blanky, which is there, ready to snuggle with.)
9) I have two dressers, one doubles as a convenient shelf.. and the other is being overrun by the stuffed animals.
and 10) I have a nightlight. *shrug* got a problem with that? I dont. :D

ok.. there ya have it. *shifty eyes* I'll get you back for this...somehow. *sly grin*

thought provoking

"The way I look at it too is; I live my whole life for God and enjoy a relatively good life and I die, and say I was wrong...........what did I have to lose? Now say I live the same lifestyle I die and I'm right..................The choice is yours my friend"

by a randomly found forum poster.

ehhh, its another one of 'those' days.

Listening to: The evening hum of my computer.
Reading: Naruto ... still.
Current Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Feeling: Frustrated and sad.
Internet Tabs: Rinku's website.
Obsessing Over: the blehhs... I guess.
Current Rant: no rant atm.. just a bit of depression.

Yes yes, even I have down days. "I read the news today.. ohboy",.. another dear friend is drifting away. I expected it really. Tried not to see it but.. ah well... It happened anyway and there's nothing to save it anymore,.. if there ever was.
Had a friend's dad pass away recently. I didn't really know the guy.. But I liked him, from what i did see. Kind of a gruff big guy with a warm heart. I'm sure I'll miss him.
It's amazing to note how people affect each-other soo much. Even with just the briefest of touches. and it can happen even virtually as well. I don't quite know what to think of it most of the time.

other times..I wish I could just roll back to a moment or three and take an eraser to a few of things I said and/or did and make the memory of them a bit more tolerable.

----
Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
closed.

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
yep

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Sheets never stay tucked in through a single night.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
no

Do you like to use post-it notes?
yep

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
sometimes

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
neither

Do you have freckles?
yep

Do you always smile for pictures?
nope

What is your biggest pet peeve?
getting my glasses wet.

Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
yep

Have you ever peed in the woods?
yep

What about pooped in the woods?
yep.. well when ya gotta go, you gotta go.

Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?
mhmm

Do you chew your pens and pencils?
sometimes

What size is your bed? queen, i think.

What is your Song of the week?
Imagination - by jes brieden

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
i guess so

Do you still watch cartoons?
sometimes

Whats your least favorite movie?
I try hard to block out horrible events in my life.

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
a jungle island somewhere.. seems like a good classic spot.

What do you drink with dinner?
iced tea

What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
ranch or honey sauce

What is your favorite food?
pizza!

What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
10th kingdom.

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
yep

Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
nope

Favorite kind of sandwich? peanut butter and jelly

Best thing to eat for breakfast? pancakes!

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
a cat

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
nope

Which are better legos or lincoln logs?
legos

Are you stubborn?
nope! *crosses arms*

Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
neither!!

Ever watch soap operas?
a few times

Afraid of heights?
nope

Sing in the car?
yep

Dance in the shower?
sometimes

Dance in the car?
ehh??

Ever used a gun?
yep

Do you think musicals are cheesy?
some are.. in a good way!

Is Christmas stressful?
can be.. has been.

Ever eat a pierogi?
mhmm

Favorite type of fruit pie?
cheery

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
astronomer or a dancer

Do you believe in ghosts?
yep

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
mhmm

Wear slippers?
nope

Wear a bath robe?
at times.

What do you wear to bed?
depends on how warm it is

First concert?
john denver

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
wal-mart.. i guess

Nike or Adidas?
neither

Cheetos Or Fritos?
hmm tough one.

Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
peanuts

Ever take dance lessons?
nope

Can you curl your tongue?
onto its side, yep

Ever won a spelling bee?
yepyep

Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
a few times

Own any record albums?
yep

Own a record player?
yep..somewhere.

Regularly burn incense?
nope

Ever been in love?
yep..several times.

Hot tea or cold tea?
cold tea

Tea or coffee?
tea

Sugar or snickerdoodles?
snickerdoodles!

Can you swim well?
I can swim.

Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
yes

Are you patient?
not particularly

Ever won a contest?
don't think so

Ever have plastic surgery?
no

Which are better black or green olives?
green olives

Can you knit or crochet?
crochet

Best room for a fireplace?
living room

Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
not normally

Do you miss anyone right now?
yes

Does it matter?
no. not at all, really.

First for the pudding, then for the Stew!

oops.. seems I have lost track of my emoticons... hm.. guess I'll take a page from the list of a favorite haunt of mine for a time..

Listening to: The sound of morning silence and key tapping.
Reading: Naruto ... still.
Current Anime: Magical shopping arcade ... again.
Feeling: Frustrated, growlish, and sad. (I have a headache)
Internet Tabs: Rinku's website.
Obsessing Over: my side of the story, Damditall!

.....

Current Rant: game idiocy and some of the people involved.

Gotta get this one out in the air before it turns me an ill shade of purplish-red or something....

This is the reason I don't like to go to bed angry, not only can I not sleep worth a lick or nod, but I'm still in an ill temper when I finally drag myself out of bed. and then there's also the thought of it turning into bitterness if not resolved... which makes it a lot harder to get shed of.

ok.. Here's the situation.. I am helping someone dear to me, with a quest in a rather fun game. we are looking for scrolls which will give us entry to a special dungeon and a boss which needed to be soloed.. which is what the main quest was about.
we find only one scroll.. and it's got a time limit. so we decide to go for the main dungeon so my dear can get the boss solo.
now as far as I know for sure, no-one else in the group was allowed to enter the boss room. ok, so we get all the way down, then mdear goes in to solo the boss...beats it..and doesn't get the quest update.

So he then gets pissed and leaves us hangin at the dungeon. After a while of trying to talk to him.. trying to cheer him up, I finally get invited to 'find' him. Once located, I once more try to be of support.. and I get chewed on instead. imagine my surprise as he heaps ala blame onto me, says I withheld valuable info from him, of how he had trusted me, and I screwed it all up for him.. etc etc etc.

Now here's the issue... Before this time, a couple of days maybe, another friend wanted assistance with the same quest, which I helped in. during the dungeon run, she insisted on picking up all the door keys.. and when we came to the boss room, she had us disband and return to the surface.
When mdear showed up. I told him about the friend having gone through the quest. but either he didn't get the connection, or he wasn't listening.. how was I to know? When we got into the main dungeon, he was racing along.. not giving any real opportunity for chatting, and I sorta figured he must already have an idea as to how it worked... especially as I wasnt to sure if it was all necessary anyway. Big mistake. soooo

While I am willing to accept the thought that he didn't know something I should have shared... I -did- tell him about the friend having gone through it.. several times, in fact... I think perhaps he could be looking the situation over a bit more carefully before throwing around accusations. beh.

At this point, I think I'm gunna bow out of this particular quest. dearful can foot it on his own.. especially since I have no desire to be blamed for 'screwing it all up' for him again.

Someone once summed it up for me in this way.. the next time you go pointing a finger at someone else.. take a look at your hand, and you'l notice not one, but three fingers pointing straight back at you.

The bible puts it another way..

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:1-5 *

In other words.. what you give out comes back to you.. don't be putting the blame or scoffing at others for their flaws and mistakes when you just may have bigger ones of your own to deal with first.

others have their own way of saying it..
Karma - the totality of a person's actions in any one of the successive states of that person's existence, thought of as determining the fate of the next stage. **

and..
What goes around, comes around. ***

-sigh- I guess this is another one of those "lessons learned" deals.

When some great sorrow, like a mighty river,
Flows through your life with peace-destroying power
And dearest things are swept from sight forever,
Say to your heart each trying hour:
"This, too, shall pass away."

When ceaseless toil has hushed your song of gladness,
And you have grown almost too tired to pray,
Let this truth banish from your heat its sadness,
And ease the burdens of each tiring day:
"This, too, shall pass away."

When fortune smiles, and, full of mirth and pleasure,
The days are flitting by without a care,
Lest you should rest with only earthly treasure,
Let these few words their fullest import bear:
"This, too, shall pass away."

When earnest labor brings you fame and glory,
And all earth's noblest ones upon you smile,
Remember that life's longest, grandest story
Fills but a moment in earth's little while:
"This, too, shall pass away."

-by: Lanta Wilson Smith



-----
* http://www.openbible.info/topics/judging_others
** http://www.yourdictionary.com/karma
*** http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_what_goes_around_comes_around

A Special Day

A special time for wonderful friends.



Tai and Kita, Mabinogi Jan 2009

Kita says, don't grouch about the gloves. She had to have something old to go with the new dress. lol!

And for the hours after...



New wedding armor!! Isn't it great?!

**********

Nother quiz type..

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.
You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. And you can not use the same word twice. ok


WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Sunnyelf

BOY NAME: Samwize!

4 LETTER WORD: SunT

GIRL NAME: Sandra

OCCUPATION: Skater

A COLOR: Silver

SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Scarf

BEVERAGE: Soda

FOOD: Salmon

SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Soap

A PLACE : Sunnyville

REASON FOR BEING LATE: Sorry... no excuse

SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Shut-Up!!

Merry Kiss-Mouse!

Rata in his new Frostfell Outfit.. frozen whiskers and all.

Another "pass it along" quiz.. two by two.

1: Two names you go by:
A) Ratty
B) SaliasT

2: Two things you are wearing right now:
A) Sweater
B) Jeans

3: Two things you want very badly at the moment:
A) Snow!
B) A leisure Christmas

4: Two things there are very important to you:
A) Friends
B) Family (sometimes the same thing)

5: Two things you did last night:
A) Enjoyed EQ2 Frostfell
B) Went to bed..slept through the whole night.

6: Two things you ate today:
A) Breakfast pocket
B) a Piece of Pink Candy

7. two people you just spoke with:
A) Friend
B) a Cat. (well, -he- thinks he's a people!)

8: Two things you're doing tomorrow:
A) Stay warm
B) Play online

9: Two longest car rides:
A) Florida
B) Canada

10: Two favorite beverages:
A) SunKist Orange
B) Cinnamon Horchata

Imagination

Neat Video I came across on youtube.. the music seems to fit the scenes perfectly.



The movie name is "5 Centimeters Per second".
The song, called "Imagination", is by Jes Brieden.

Another quiz/survey sort

Basics:
Name: Kanicha-Oni-Linatulan aka SaliasT aka Sunny Elf
DOB: 09/08
Birthplace: I have no real idea.. but lets just say Mich. US
Current location: 'in' my email box
Eye color: green/brown
Hair Color: red/brown
Height: 5'
Heritage: Scottish, Germanic
Piercings: None.
Tattoos: None.

Favorite:
Band/Singer: um um! uhh.. so many to choose from!
Song: Currently - Kakashi's Theme by Tasiro Masuda
Genre of Music: instrumental, country, pop, rock, classical etc.
Color(s): Royal Purple/blue
TV show(s): TV?
Movie(s): The Matrix, V for Vendetta, 10th kingdom
Food: Fresh Blueberries
Store: half-price bookstore
Number: 4?
Drink: Sunkist Orange
Clothing Brand: None really.
Shoe Brand: Birkenstock
Animal: Fox
Pizza topping: Cheese, sausage, and pineapple
Season: Winter
Month: December!
Holiday: Christmas Break!
Flower: Tiger lily
Tree: Aspen, Sugar-maple
Rock: the floating ones.


This or That:
Sunny or rainy: Rainy
Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla
Fruit or veggie: Fruit
Night or day: Night
Sour or sweet: Sweet
Love or money: Love
Phone or in person: In person
Poor & happy or rich & miserable: Poor and Happy
Looks or personality: PERSONALITY!!
Coffee or tea: Tea
Hot or cold: Cold


Your:
Goal for this year: Survive through the new year.
Most missed memory: good times with friends in Oregon.
Best physical feature: Smile.. so I have been told.
First thought waking up: -tired- is it morning already? *followed by disgust*


Future:
Do you wanna get married: So many sweethearts out there!
Do you wanna have kids: sure, kids are fun.
If so, how many: dunno?
Do you wanna go to college: yep.
What do you want to be: A healing mage.


Do You:
Dance in the rain: No
Smoke: Ew, No.
Drink: No
Shower daily: Yes.
Like thunderstorms: Yes.
Curse: Um, occasionally.
Sing: Yeah! quite often.
Play an instrument: flute, guitar(a little) and the cd player.
Think you are good looking: not particularly. *shrug*
Get along with your parents: I sposin.


Other Questions:
Can you whistle: Yes
Right or left handed: Left
Your bedtime: bedtime? whazat?
Biggest fear: being alone.
3 things you can't live without: Can't live without or don't want to?
Color of your room: sunshine yellow.
Siblings: 2 Sisters, one brother.
Middle name: wouldn't you like to know...
Pets: 2 cats and 1 dog.
Nicknames: as stated at the top of this quiz.
For or against gay marriage: I don't agree with the lifestyle.. but then again, it's not my lifestyle choice in question here, now is it?
Thoughts on abortion: against. it's an inhumane practice.
If you could be anywhere right now where would you be: Not Here.
Do you wear contacts/glasses: yep
Are you afraid of the dark: yes and no. More a fear of the unknown, then of the darkness itself.

Taking a que..

1. Start Time: too early in the morning!
2. Name: "Kanicha-Oni-Linatulan" aka SaliasT
4. Astrology sign: lady with a pitcher in the shape of a dragon.
5. Gender: Funny you should ask.
6. Hair color: Brown/red
8. Eye color: Green/Brown
10. Favorite color: royal purple/blue
11. Glasses: Yep
13. Tattoos: No
14. Hometown: dinkyburg usa
15. Single or taken: Completely taken.. by this quiz. :D
16. Siblings Yep. gots a couple of em.

HAVE YOU EVER...
17. Cut your own hair? Yes.
18. Did something in the past month that you will regret? Yes.
20. Skipped school? Yes.
22. Bungee jumped? No.
24. Punched someone? Yes.
25. Cheated on a test? yep.
26. Been arrested? No.
27. Broken into someone's house? umm...
30. Been rejected? Yes.
31. Been to a funeral? Yes.
32. Used a lighter? Yes.
33. Been on stage? Yes... accidentally. I was a stagehand and the curtain-puller was vacant at his duty post.

FAVORITE...
34. Season: Winter
35. Food: Fresh Wild Blueberries!
36. Ice cream flavor: Cherry Jubilee
37. School subject(s): Art
38. Candy: Babe Ruth
39. Breakfast cereal: Apple Jacks.
40. Favorite band(s)?: too many to count.
41. Book: Twilight
42. Movie: Matrix, V for Vendetta, 10th Kingdom
43. Song: Made to Love - Tobymac
44. Park: Where?
46. Place: Morning Nook.
47. Sport to watch on TV: Don't watch TV Sports.
50. Letter(s): M
51A. Favorite fast food restaurant: A&W, Casa Taco
51B. Favorite restaurant(s): Outback, Red Lobster
52. Disney Princess: umm yeahh Euw.
53. TV station: Don't really watch TV.
54. Name for a son: Liam
55. Name for a daughter: Grace

DO YOU PREFER...
56. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
57. Alcohol or drugs? Neither.
58. Long relationships or one night stands? Long Term.
59. Dogs or cats? Cats.
60. Scary movies or comedies? Comedy
61. Short or long hair? long
62. Croutons or bacon bits? Baconbaconbacon!

FIRST THINGS THAT COME TO MIND...
64. Mexicans: Border towns *shiver*
65. School: A total strain.
67. Cows: Moo!
68. Canada: Mounties
69. Mouse: Ratakin!
70. Hand: Lasso Rope

THE PAST 3 DAYS, HAVE YOU...
71. Talked on the phone? No.
72. Watched a movie? Yes.
73. Cried? Yes.
74. Smoked? No.
75. Drank a glass of water? Yes, several.
76. Done Drugs? No... wait. does Nyquil count?
77. Read a book or magazine? Yes.
78. Watched TV? No.
79. Looked in the mirror? Yes.
80. Taken a shower? Yes.
81. Taken picture? No.
82. Listened to music? yep
83. Told someone you love them? Yep. Told My best eq2 friends that. ........-We be the mutual admiration society! lol!-........
84. End time: Still too early in the morning.


Listening to: my blog playlist
Reading: nothing this post as I'm typing it out.
Current Anime: fruits basket.. again.
Feeling: Not tired.
Internet Tabs: Playlist, Blogger, Gaia
Obsessing Over: EQ2 crafting and stupid Zomg game on Gaia

nother pic

new outfit on the rata. looks good in purple huh?

ehh?

links to piccies.. (removed most of the pics after they were viewed by a friend, sorry.)

Link 1
This is a pic of rata's acorn home. This is upstairs.

Link 2
This is downstairs. View from Rata's bed.

Link 3
Again, downstairs, looking back at the entry by the pool.

and the GH! try to remember.. this is from a small rat's perspective. Also, it's still being worked on, pardon the bare walls.

Link 4
Main entry.

Link 5
Dining room.

Link 6
Game anyone?

Link 7
Have a seat... warm yourself by the hearth.

Link 8
Downstairs hall.

Link 9
Kitchen, getting ready for the holiday.

Link 10
Ahh.. nothing like a relaxing evening at the spa...upstairs.

Butterflies

Catch Another Butterfly
....John Denver

Do you remember days not so very long ago
When the world was run by people twice your size?
And the days were full of laughter
And the nights were full of stars
And when you grew tired you could close your eyes

Yes the stars were there for wishing
And the wind was there for kites
And the morning sun was there for rise and shine
And even if the sniffles kept you
Home from school in bed
You couldn't hardly stay there after nine

And I wonder if the smell of morning's fad - ed
What happened to the robin's song
That sparkled in the sky?
Where's all the water gone
That tumbled down a stream?
Will I ever catch another butterfly?



Do you remember campouts right in your own backyard?
Wondering how airplanes could fly
And the hours spent just playin'
With a funny rock you found
With crystal specks as blue as all the sky

And I wonder if the smell of morning's fad - ed
What happened to the robin's song
That sparkled in the sky?
Where's all the water gone
That tumbled down a stream?
Will I ever catch another butterfly?

Now I watch my son, he's playin' with his toys
He's happy, I give him all I can
But I can't help feelin'
Just a little tingly inside
When I hear him say he wants to be a man

And I wonder if the smell of morning's fad - ed
What happened to the robin's song
That sparkled in the sky?
Where's all the water gone
That tumbled down a stream?
Will I ever catch another butterfly?

more on the rat familly.

The youngest of the Rat brothers, Ratclyff, Decided that if his big bro Ratakin could betray out of the life of evil, so could he! It took some doing, and a lot of help from a great friend and guildie, but finally he came to the city of Qeynos. For some time there, he was paranoid of the guards, feeling for certain, that they would quickly raise arms against him. Given the tendency, it might be awhile yet before he's comfortable passing by without a care. As even Ratakin, long used to padding about the goodly cities, still gets the occasional sing of steel and a yell of "For the glory of Qeynos!!" (which never seems to fail to near scare the whiskers clean off his face!)
Both his eldest brother, Brennard, and his cousin, Snooks, shake their heads in wonder at just what could have possessed the rat family's baby brother to do such an insanely stupid thing. (They actually expected such a stupid thing from Rata.) Still.. Ratclyff now feels (acutely!) the loss of his enjoyable blue"chaos"mist form.


Family and friends. Ehh? Where'd did Ratcliff get to This time?!
Big bro Brenard, Ellywick the Sage, Cousin Snooks, and Lumin'osity

A Submarine of a Different Color

I read the news today, oh boy..

It seems a rather famous musical artist(RS) had walked off a chat show (R&K) because he was not allowed to sing one of his songs in the time given to him.
As I understand it, the star was willing to cut his song a bit shorter then its norm, but the producers of the silly chat show insisted it be under a shorter limit. Somehow, none of this had been properly conveyed to the artist and he was unaware of it until close to the last minute.

Now, before you get the wrong idea, I am no fan of this oh-so-special star, nor of the mentioned chat show. But I feel the need to comment. (and to the person who claimed this man was not -actually- a part of the famous band because he replaced someone early on, is false. Even though he is a replacement, he is -Still- a member of the band...and to add, he is who most people recall when thinking of this particular band.. not the guy he replaced, so.. stick it in yer ear!)

This man is famous. In all the efort he spent helping to wow the thousands of fans, and turning music into a new era, of making albums spin to the top of the charts over and over ..of keeping the beat all that time..., I think the man deserves a little respect by now.

Whats a single minute anyway? a little less pointless chatter would be a given, but really, come-on, who would miss it? Let the man sing his song. The extra minute wouldn't hurt.. Not to you, not to us, and certainly not to him. Show a little respect. The guy is part of a legend!

As it is, I have been told, he went onto other shows, equally as chatty, and got the extra minute, if not more, and there was no loss for it. So why did the producers of R&K have such an issue? Makes a person wonder just how high up in the air the nose's of the show's producers are actually held.

..........

Good Movie

It's called "San Wa" or "The Myth" and stars Jackie Chan and Kim Hee-sun.
Jack, is a famed archaeologist led in search of a legendary "levitation" stone and plagued by dreams of being a general. He has been tasked with protecting a princess on her way to the king's palace.. and a heart is lost in the process.



Jackie is such a wonderful showman/actor, and a wonderful martial artist. I have greatly enjoyed just about every flik I have seen him in.
Put in with another great martial artist and you have another of my favorites...

The Forbidden Kingdom Starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
A city kid finds himself in the heart of the mountains with a legendary staff. So he sets out to return the staff to its rightful owner, said to be the imprisoned Monkey King. He is accompanied by a drunken master, a monk, and a warrioress (who speaks of herself in the third person). Together, they endeavor to keep the kid safe to his destination, and away from the grasping reach of the Jade Warlord.

A Concern

A friend of mine really got me chewing nails over the subject of hotlinking.. but really, its not a new subject for me, as I have given this one quite a bit of thought before. Just for kicks though, I decided to look up the definition.. here's one, in a sense.

Hotlinking is the action taken by a person linking directly to a picture(or audio or video) found on a random website, for use in a forum or pages of their own. yes, this is a lot like straight linking, only to a picture, and it takes up a bit more of that precious bandwidth.. which in the grand scheme of the internet, is actually quite a big number to start with.

This is where it gets sticky. This days people, especially hosts, are concerned about the amount of bandwidth that is being used. Usually they make the folk paying for space use, pay for it as a part of their monthly fee. in other words, if a single picture gets linked to and appears on a thousand different forums.. it can get fairly pricy for the original host of the picture. In defense, people have gotten to saying "No hotlinking directly to pictures" on their pages of pictures. and if you do it anyway, you are stealing their bandwidth, which is a no-no. (theres also the danger of the host changing the picture you are linking to... could make for a nasty surprise eh?)

On the other hand, there are places that allow for the linking of pictures.. within limits, of course... since everyone has them. Places like photobucket, and bunches of avatar hosts, who will give you the direct link to their pictures for use in forums and the like. Now, if your link somehow exceeds their limit, they may shut down the picture temporarily until the usage rate is back within the limit.

So, consider this..
If you have a web site, with pictures being hosted on it, and you link to one of those pictures for use in a forum, you are still hotlinking... but not really stealing, because its your own site.

If you see a picture on someone elses site, and they tell you no, your hotlinking to it is stealing their bandwidth.

If you see a picture on someone else's site, and they say its ok, your hotlinking to it is still hotlinking, but with the owners permission. so its not really stealing, because you have the permission to link.


All in all, if you don't want to "host" all those pictures yourself.. ask them to make up their own photobucket account and hotlink to them, themselves. Its not that hard to do.

.....
definition example 1 from free-hosts.
Definition 2 from wiki
Definition 3 from the urban dictionary.
help info on YouTube for embedding vids on other sites.
Photobucket's definition (which allows 25GB a month in bandwidth usage, btw.)

"Dancing" the Best of the Best

I'll let this one speak for itself. Watch and enjoy. :)



As I understand it...
Video dancer: Matt Harding along with a host of others.
Music: "Praan" by Garry Schymann, sung by Palbasha Siddique
wherethehellismatt.com

A New Portal

The ever sweet, if slightly squeeky-voiced, Ratakin just outside the not so sweet, nor very lovely-looking city of Neriak in the land of Norrath.


A slightly older and much happier Ratakin looking over the orc situation in the Feydark.


...and getting to meet The Steppes undead in the predawn light.


Ratty resplendent in feypurples.


Ooo!! Deck the rat (and horse) in Christmas snowflake lights!

Happy Papas Day!

I gotta tell ya.. There are times, like this one, where I really kinda miss my pa. I recall some of our adventures.. spun back in time.. panning for gold in a desert creek... chasing the wild and rolling sagebrush across the sandy floor. trying in vain to locate the end of a yucca's tap-root... gingerly sitting on fishhook cactis to sip suntea, relaxing in the gathering sunset... of clambering over rough rock with hand picks and a ready excuse of "rock hounding" to say why we had just spent half the day climbing that hill... only to have to quickly make our way back down before it got too dark to see by... Of getting lost.. telling tales of ghost towns and mirages to stay awake by as we meandered our way back to the beaten path once more.. and of taking the "tourist" route, a million pictures, horseback humor, of laughter and chuckles. He had his moments... magical times indeed. and made for some rather sweet memories. I do hope my dad received his fondest wish at the end of that long pathway he rambled on... A lost love reunited! :)

I know I know, maybe Its a tad belated.. but Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there! (and ohh! the Dads-to-be as well!) The good memories are -always- worth the time and effort.. especially for your children.

Yet More Anime

Gakuen Alice
An elementary school girl runs away from home in order to follow after her best friend to an private academy outside Tokyo that caters to people with special abilities called Alices.

Natsume of Alice Academy ...26 episodes


Last Exile

Lavie and Claus of Last Exile ...26 episodes

Angelic Layer

Misaki of Angelic Layer ...26 episodes

Chi's Sweet Home
very cute. :3

Chi of Chi's sweet home.

A bit of rp catch-up

I tried to just this in a neomail but it just wouldn't fit.. soo... I had to put it here. Hope you don't mind too much.

ok, this concerns the character, Tsunade, you chose to play... she has a bit of a history with one+ of my characters. I thought you might be interested as to what has gone on before so you aren't bowled over should something come up concerning it.

--- about Mai ---
Tsunade was, at one time, Mai's sensei.. teaching her the healing arts. of course, at that time, Mai was better known as Rin. She was very much a "sakura shy" in those days but unusually talented with healing. (Rin didn't develop the codename "mai" until after she joined ANBU.) Tsunade knows that Mai was a member of Root before coming under Tsunade's tutelage.. and even though she was mustered out of Root, she is still considered under the thumb of Danzo, and thereby a possible risk. (Danzo's intensive training made her a bit emotionally chaotic and she would serve Danzo's direct orders even though he is no longer considered her commander.)

Tsunade and Mai get along a bit like cat and dog, perhaps because in some ways, they are quite a bit alike. Tsunade considers Mai to be a loose cannon, ready to go off without warning. so whenever Mai has been in town, the 5th Hokage has insisted that she be carefully monitored 24/7 by the only two people who have ever been able to keep her under some control.. those of her teammates, Kakashi and Yamoto. (Yamoto, proper name, Tenzo, replaced Obito in the team after Obito died and all three went into ANBU together.)

Now, whenever Danzo has suggested Mai for a mission, (who's specialty is deep undercover espionage/assassination) Tsunade has agreed... perhaps because it was info that was needed, and perhaps because it took Mai far away from the village for an extended time. (one of the earlier times, Mai was gone for about 3 years, playing the part of a geisha in an efort to get close to an engineer who had helped to develop the Akatsuki cave complex. ...unfortunatly, when the man thought her more of a oiran, she killed him and fled back to Konoha.)

This last time, She was sent into lightning country to determine just why the cloud were willing to go to open warfare with the fire country over one small girl, Kita. (A whole other story) this was for the time skip. (2 1/2 years ago) (we have also played Tsunade as ever-so-slightly jealous of Mai's relationship with Kakashi, naturally, this is up to you if you want to continue this or not.)

A few months ago now, there was a rumor of a huge storm over the cloud village's area and they lost contact with Mai. Tsunade thought her possibly dead.. but hesitated to say so when Kakashi confronted her about calling Mai home.

When Jiriaya returned with Kita from walk-about (yet another tale), He mentioned that they had seen a woman looking much like Mai in rice country. Kakashi quickly headed off to make sure for himself. (this is where we are at the present, with Kakashi, Mai, Kita, and Jiraiya returning to Konoha.)

--- About Kita ---
Jiraiya met a wandering Kita and offered to teach her ninja arts... then he got into a freak accident involving a mad scientist in a cave, a bottle of mystery liquid, and a huge prismatic dragon.. which turned him into a teen. He then fell head-over-heels for Kita and spoke of marrying her when they turned of age (they were about 15 years at that time...jiraiya having randomly given them both that age.), just before taking off on a cross-country trip with her for the time-skip.
Kita spent has been taught under Tsunade as well. Kita has an affinity for healing. (Her special ability to copy jutsu's comes in handy, but when it comes to actual knowledge, she struggles along like everyone else.. so she has been a near permanent presence in the hospital lab.)

Also... When Kita first came to town may have been nothing out of the ordinary as first, but things quickly became more of an issue. Konoha ninja had several tangles with the cloud ninja.. then along came a Monk sort calling himself Mogan, who kidnapped both Mai and Kita. A quickly formed group of Konoha ninja lit out to retrieve them, but the attacks continued... especially concerning this young girl and that of Kakashi who had somehow gained Mogan's attention.

Then both Mai and Kakashi encountered the monk just outside the Konoha walls. they reported that he had said that if the cloud was not able to secure the girl, bounty hunters would be likely sent in, and they might consider war.

Tsunade quickly put Kita under village arrest and under Jiraiya's watchful eye. then sent out several teams to ascertain if there was a war party of cloud in the foothills or not. mai, yamoto and kakashi were one of the teams. instead of locating a gathering force of cloud ninja, they came upon the lone monk who laughed at their plight.

Tsunade relaxed a bit after a time, but Mogan was on the Anbu and village militia's watch-for list.

Just before the time-skip, Jiraiya took Kita with him on a walking tour. apparently, Mogan trailed after them, because when they returned, the monk was in their party, along with another newcomer to the village, Arianna. Jiraiya, as it turned out, used quite a bit of the village's coffered yen, to outbid the cloud for the monk's services! (Tsunade considered killing Jiraiya for this, even though it was very much like Jiraiya to have done so.)

--- About Mogan ---
The monk, Mogan, though did not enter the village, until invited by Jiraiya within hearing of Tsunade.. during which he also agreed to speak with her concerning his involvement with the cloud. Tsunade had three quite aggravating days with the monk, before releasing him into the village.. under watch. (He was hired by the cloud 'self-proclaimed' emperor/Raikage to seek out and retrieve a small child, alive and unharmed, to the capital, and was paid extremely well to succeed.

(Mogan, as it happens, is from outside the 'ninja lands' in an unknown area, but he refused to speak of his homeland.) Mogan was fascinated by stories he'd heard of the legendary "White Fang" and took Kakashi to be his only surviving son..which he is. So in his efforts to stay longer in the ninja lands to better learn more about the famed legend's son, he sort of waffled in Kita's capture. (He had her once, but allowed the group to free her when they got to the foothills bordering the lighting country.)

The Raikage called the girl a traitor and a thief, claiming she was a cloud ninja who had stolen their secrets and was listed in their bingo book. (this in spite of the fact that Jiraiya could not detect a single bit of previous ninja training in her when he first became her sensei.. she couldn't even walk across the water, or up a tree.) Kita claims they lie. She said she had no home before coming to Konoha.

Since beginning this fascinating task, of which Mogan claims not a single wit of regret, He has been witness to many amazing things. He has seen a man sheer off someone's whole arm just by looking at them. He has seen giants toads and dragons in battle and gotten to meet two living legends in their own right.

After speaking with Tsunade, he stayed in town approximately two weeks, using Jiraiya's place for sleeping, and checking out the sights around town, then he, along with a local herb merchant, left town together. Mogan has not been seen since.
Just recently, the herb merchant returned to town with a wagon full of things, which he took to his shop. (caught up to present rp)

More Anime

I came close to sweating it out with internet withdrawals last night. The area I live in had another one of its infamous thunder and lightning displays and totally kerzapped my connection. Fortunatly, there was a replacement to be had, and my computer seems to have *cof* weathered the situation without error.
___
Here are more anime selections for you to peruse. Have at!

Blue Seed
It's a bit bloody, but the story progresses well. Adventure, comedy, and romance, a very nice combo. I do wish the series continued just a bit further though. Lol! Rather strangely for me, I thought the scenery in this anime was as engaging as the plot!
And ancient enemy was arisen over the cities of Japan and Huge nasty monsters devastate the area. Its up to one lone girl to sacrifice all that she is, in an effort to save her homeland. But she won't be leaving without a fight! Together with her half-human protector and a small group of professionals, She's out to cut them down to size before its too late! There are 26 + 3 ova episodes to this anime.


Momiji and Kusanagi-san of Blue Seed


Eureka 7
This series has quite a complicated and somewhat enigmatic plot, which is likely what I enjoy most about it. Makes it rather hard to explain in a single sentence though. It involves, a boy, a girl, an alien race, mecha, air surfing, and a nasty war. There are about 50 episodes to this anime.


Eureka and Renton of Eureka Seven

Pretear
I don't often care much for the 'magical girl' genre but this one is kind of cute. Its a bit like a cross between the stories of Cinderella and Snow White. :D
7 Knights of Leafre have an urgent need for a pretear to help them combat the Princess of Disaster and they find her... in the form of 16 year old Himeno. There are 13 episodes to this anime.


Saseme of Pretear

Added Anime

School Rumble
This might be a typical school comedy/romance kind of thing, yet I really enjoyed how each of the characters got to share some of the spotlight in each of the episodes. Somehow seems rather rare to see. Poor rebel Harima, has fallen for a for a girl in school and he simply cannot bring himself to confess. It doesn't help that, not only is she as dense as he is, but she has a crush on someone else.

Kenji Harima(without shades) in School Rumble

Munto
For a 2 episode series, this one had wonderful potential, Even if it -was- a "magical girl" kind of thing. Too bad it was soo short! The magical kingdom in the sky is in trouble and King Munto heads off after a possible source of power to help make everything right again. The source though, is in the mortal dimension.. the land of humans, and is in possession of an innocent girl there.

Munto and Yumemi of Munto

I My Me! Strawberry Eggs
I thought this short anime to be rather romantically sad and light-hearted also. It's a tale about a young man who, in desperate need for a job, cross-dresses as a woman to gain employment in a middle school as a gym teacher.

Hibiki-Sensei in I My Me! Strawberry Eggs

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi
Its a magical shinto-style tale about two young children having to face the pivot of growing up. Especially after they find themselves on a magical journey through time and mind in the effort to find where they started. (be aware that there may be some cartoonish nudity seen in this short series, own discretion sort of thing.)


Sashi from Magical Shopping Arcade.

Gensomaden Saiyuki (Monkey)
A story based on a legendary Chinese tale, with updates for the times? Its about a monk who travels with a crew of three (plus one small jeep transforming dragon) toward the west in efforts to stop the resurrection of a demon lord. They are unlikely companions, often getting into disputes with one another, and yet fight on the same side in defense of each-other as need warrants. This all of course, doesn't really explain much of the central plot which is fairly complicated. I do wish there was more of this one.


Cho Hakkai and Hakuryuu of Saiyuki

Another Theme Song

This one was suggested for Arianna..and how she feels for Mogan.

Everytime we Touch
by Cascada

I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me.
I still feel your touch in my dreams.
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why
Without you it's hard to survive.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky.
They wipe away tears that I cry.
The good and the bad times, we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.

A bit more Anime/Manga

This is Urahara or "the Hat n Sandals guy" of Bleach. I love this fellow's easy-going manner, even while knowing how much there must be going behind his hat-shadowed eyes.

Questionable Survey?

kisses or hugs? Hugs!
real or memorex? an off-brand XD
if you had to pick a meat dish for Thanksgiving other than turkey, what would it be? ham, of course.
have you ever broken a bone? yep Broke several foot bones.
is there someone who you like at the moment? sure
when was the last time you cried and why? a week or so ago -Feeling overwhelmed by life. It happens.
anime or cartoon? Anime!
have you ever cried over a movie? yep.
do you think aliens exist? sure.
what are you most scared of? The unknown, Fire, and being utterly alone.
pants or skirts? pants/slacks/jeans/trousers complete with an old comfortable T-shirt and flip-flops
What is your favorite season of the year? Fall. something nice about the cooling temperature and falling leaves.
scary or funny? Funny.
do you sleep with a stuffed animal? Sometimes.
day or night? night
silver or gold? Gold. It looks better against my skin.
saturday or friday? Friday evenings, ohyeah!

The New Indy

I am told she got the fancy mark around her eye when she flew through the portal.. (which was an accident) and found herself standing on the docks of Stormreach...which all told, is a Most interesting place to see. was this dungeons and dragons online?

A New Day

Finally got a bit of music up onto this silly blog of mine. It's been awhile in coming, I know, but thats the way it goes sometimes for me... a slow even pace makes for a rather nice result. Being as I have never done well when rushed, thats the attitude I have developed with this blog. I don't write in it everyday.. but I do try to get to it when time and thought occurs. I don't set myself up for rushing at the last moment... just take it as it goes.

The music list is far from complete as I really have just gotten it underway. More songs will be added as time goes along, I'm sure. Be aware, as I have often said before.. I have varied and diverse tune-likes so youl be sure to get a little of just about any sort of genre in that list. (I do have a tenancy to lean more towards easy-style songs.. like pop, rock, country, natural, and other such, and more away from driving, hard, hate-filled, and depressing stuff.. just so's you know. :)

I Finally managed to locate a portal to Stormreach the other day. When I got there, Indy was needfully away on quest, so I got a small tour from one of her roomies, an enchanted suit of armor called Alphonsia. It was a great tour. I got to meet several of the local shop owners, and even a number of locales needing help. She told me a lot about the land and how invaluable Indy had been to her and Mungo. Where Al was a large hulking clerical helper, Mungo was her polar opposite. He was small, lithe, and a thiefy sort. He seemed quite the fun-loving flirt though and readily laughed along with the amusing story situations Al was describing, even if they were at times, at his own expense.
It seems Indy has retained her want for wings/flight and has received her first gift of a ring of featherfall. To help with those hard landings, I'm sure. I didn't see any pixies so I suppose she is safe in that regard..although I have heard it described that she has taken issues with a particularly persistent wraith. I can agree with her want for fleeing in this one, those ghost types are seriously scary!

Randomness

Hiyas, nothing exciting to tell about, mostly just thought to check in here and let you all know I'm still paying some attention. No particular reason for that though, just the usual randomness.

The holiday(s) of st patricks and easter have been rather low-key for me. Not sure why. Guess it just happens once in awhile... I actually do -not- feel much like celebrating.

Sir Coon, my cat, escaped to the great outdoors several days ago. (It's kind of a long story as to how he became an indoor cat, which involves several seasons of rooftop rescues and bloodilly disgruntled rescuers) Anyway.. as evening drew near I got pretty worried about the scamp. (the brave coyotes in my area enjoy midnight snacks o furball.) When he did something predictible and started crying from up on the roof. (He likely got to meet one of the Real coon monsters that often use the roof as a nighttime highway) eesh, if I had not been sooo gratefull to see his fuzzy face peering anxiously down at me, I would have -really- given him a what-for for scaring me so badly! And it wasn't just me either, by that evening, I had everyone in the house out exploring the neigborhood searching for him. Sure hope he's had enough of the exploring spirit for a bit. whew!

I'm growing a bit weary of the homeschool thing. How come -I- didn't get a spring break?! I want one of those too! oh wait.. thats right, I had break early. dern it! It was a working holiday though! Thats not fair! beh.

One of the sites I sometimes visit, called Gaia, really seems to be going through a lot of disgruntling issues of late. seems like not much is working correctly...and the team coders are all off concentrating on putting together their own 'maplestory-ish' game... so are not fixing the issues on the site. Going to be interresting to see which will happen first. their opening the battlegame first..to the accompaniment of vast cheering and rushing of the inner gates to be the first inside.. or the death of the site due to the anger of the users complaining that nothing is working right and the horrible loss of precious coins. Sure hope they get that game out quick!

My beloved household leader, Indy, has also moved on from Dereth... and can now be found just starting out within the area of Stormreach. I might just have to find the correct portal and go join her there at some soon point. :) It'l be great to see her again!

oh. as I understand it, my friends living within Konoha have mostly gone walk-about in different directions. I'm sure they will return together at some point. mr J and ms K have wandered off, exploring the land together, and mr K and ms R have returned to his family home to iron out a few difficulties, as I understand it. but mr K still plans on his next rank in schooling, so can't stay gone for too long. mr Kk got rather ill for a time there.. and ms M had to leave him for something important she was asigned to do. Who only knows if or when she might return safely. -sigh- Life is so full of uncertainty.

The past is done with.
Tomarrow is all loose ends.
All we have is today. right here, right now..
So make the best of today that you absolutely can
that way tomarrow will always have the best possible chances
.. to be truely wonderful. :)

A Sad Parting

I spoke with a friend early on in the weekend and was invited to come visit. Life has, for some strange reason, become tense where I currently am and I have found myself missing my home in Dereth greatly. I walked by old stomping grounds last night, just to see what was what, and wouldn't you know it, but the old guild home has closed their webdoors for good. Everyone has gone their own way by now... off to this other world or to that. I really miss hearing from Tars.

I have once again left the RS world behind.. maybe someday yet again, eh? I am considering another change of pace in either the worlds of MS or perhaps DDO. perhaps I will simply redrown myself in the world at large for a time... I don't know... nothing is set as yet. I will consider a visit to see friends first, I suppose.

I feel a bit like I'm foundering in a sea of stillness today. no idea as to why I should be so melancholy. It makes me wonder, just a little, as to what is worth the indulgence anymore, and what isn't.

There was a bit of a verbal tussle with the rather apathetic actions of others last evening. I was so very frustrated at having had to wait so long for something I was eagerly awaiting a conclusion to, only to have it come apart at the seams once again. So..feeling like I just smacked the wall of my expectations for the same tired subject made me a little sharp in response. I became even more so to hear another, who obviously did not want the action to have happened in the first place, and who had voiced the same frustration I did earlier, be to 'oh well' about it a bit later on. This after having made an announcement stating it was done with and the whole would be skipped over. This yet further frustrated me because I had planned a part in the action that was to be skipped over.
This made several things rather clear to me with a jolt of horrible suddenness.. (much like the feeling of realizing the death of a beloved and innocently trusting pet was solely your own responsibility and fault.) Not only could I not count on someone who meant quite a bit to me, to be there in relation to the realm of rp.. but also, Reminded as to how easy it is to see the fault in others and yet how very hard it is to see the fault in yourself.
And so I withdraw in self-defense. Letting the turtle pull in his neck and limbs once more to think about actions, reactions, and dreams.. if any are left, and consider where to go from here.

My apologies if you found this muddled and confusing, but, after all, this blog was to be more for straighting out my own thoughts then actual communication with others, right?

Random Specialness

This was a special find to me, both for being one of my favorite christmas songs, and also for being JD singing, of all places, at the Vatican. His words at the end of the video were short but certainly with good indication of a central belief. John, you traveled in so many different directions looking for a bit of that peace you always seemed to sing of... perhaps you have found it, true peace, at last.

Valentines Doldrums

Wow, i'm actually posting on a holiday of sorts..on the holiday too, not before or more likely sometime after it... which is typical of me.
Today, I'm am feeling down..a little irritated or agitated, and sad. I'm not totally sure why.. it usually happens when I am feeling overwhelmed by something. that that doesn't have to actually be the case either.. I just feel it.. and it gets me down.
So here I am posting on this thing. what do you think? should I rant about all of life's woes, or cry in my tea or something? I guess I could.. don't think its ever made me feel much better though.
I suppose I'll just have to ride it out as I have before until something of interest distracts me and off I go once more.
Contrary to the color of my past, I don't find my life very interesting most times. I try to not let it get to me though.

I just need to find something that engages my brain, like a thinking game or something fun. Something thats worth the escape from dull reality for a little while. Rping has always been good fun, especially if there's a bit of character personals wound around an engaging plot. now, if only I could find a group of rpers/writers on the web that knows what I am actually speaking of. lol!
oh, and for those sewer-dwellers out there: no, I am speaking mainly 'romance-ish' stuff within a plot of action, not whatever details -you- might be thinking. lol!

Anyway, hope I find something interesting soon. I don't like feeling this way.. all at odds and ends. It doesn't suit me.

Hope you all have a wonderful St. valentine's... and do be sure to at least give a hug to your pals and let them know you care about them. Its worth the efort.

Perchance to Dream

This is the retelling of a strange dream I had. somehow, I think it could make a good plot for a roleplay game. I told this to a friend of mine (typos and all) and this is how it went.

*****
I was 3rd person observer. there was a noble family.. this apparently was slightly in the past, i think.
the older brother contracted lycanthropy.
the father, for some reason, had the brother locked up in a cell they made for him.
but he would still get out once in awhile. and would get his younger brother to go play in the woods.
because they were not sure where.. or from whom the disease had come from. they tried to forbid the younger brother to go running off to play.. especially in the woods.
but the older would still come get him out of his room to go play.
but the older brother had issues.. there were times he couldn't seem to help himself, and he would lash out.
and it frightened the younger brother.
then one day, the uncle, visiting, i think, mentioned to the younger bro, that he knew the older brother was getting out through an unused fireplace.
the younger then saw him do it.. the older brother would get out and go sneaking off, not always to the younger bro's room.. but to the kitchen
kitchen
there, he would..spit in a basin of something that resembled milk.. but was probably water and flour or something.
but none knew about that.

then, the younger brother, in some fright discovered that the uncle was telling the truth.
he had the passage in the fireplace bricked up
...something about the father.. he would always say the words, tell will tell, or time will out. this seriously annoyed the younger bro for some reason.

the father was this straight-laced noble man.. and didn't enjoy knowing he had a dirty family secret. and was always trying hard to keep everyone in line about keeping the secret a family secret.
anyway..
the older bro was really angry to discover that not only was his escape from the cage bricked up, but that his own dear brother was responsible for it.
time passed.. weeks..months, i think

then one day... a young cousin.. they were visiting, i think, the family...he and he mom.
it wasn't just a wall. the whole passage was bricked over.
this young kid.. must have been about 5 or so..
contracted lycanthropy... from having eaten something that contained the older brothers spit.
this put the whole house in an uproar. they didn't know quite what to do.

they couldn't put the youngster in the case with the brother, because he'd simply be torn apart.

i don't know. the kid was a bit spoiled.. he must have eaten something none else would in the house?
well.. they didn't have the will to build the 5 year old a cage to keep him in.
they thought, perhaps they would have to have him guillotined..


but the father was dragging his heels on making a decision.
the kid was fine but for occasional bouts of trying to bite.. but it was still fairly controllable.
the older brother heard of it and said, ohno! you can't kill the poor lad. he's an innocent!
then he'd turn a bit and snicker under his breath.
i got the impression that the older brother was -trying- to make things bad for the father.
Gee, you think, after he was locked up for so long. lol
i thought it might be because he didn't appreciate the way the father was treating him.
but looking at it from the father's pov... the father loved his family. even the older brother, who was his heir

perhaps he had him caged because he couldn't bare the thought of killing him.
but the older brother didn't see it like that at all.
anyway.. that was about the story of my dream. it was a lot of detail and followed along in an un-scattered fashion.
*****

Another Possible Theme Song

Will this be the next theme song for a love lost? It might just be if something isn't done fairly soon.

What Hurts The Most
by Rascal Flatts

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over

I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

Not seeing that loving you
That’s what I was trying to do

Reintro and Yet Another World.

I was informed that it's been a while since putting anything here and I should.. so here goes. *turns Ramble switch to *on*

Hey there! My name is sunny-elf ..yeah I know, strange name but.. thats the way it goes sometimes. Before I spent time in Dereth, which you may have heard of..or maybe not, I was brought up in another world. Now, I know what you are thinking.. you are thinking that either I am a wonderful yarn-spinner, or somehow I have managed to have a jam-packed adventurous life thus far. Either or both of those could possibly be correct. *grin* Think I'll just leave it up to you to figure which is for-sure fact, and which is just wishful thinking, ok?

Anyway.. you ever get told something.. and you spend so much time believing it was just as you knew...only to find out there's so much more to it and then you spend quite some time just trying to wrap your brain around the new facts?
Well the fact is, there are places, all around the world, even now, where there are little nests of communities where time seems to have slowed down..if not gone a bit backward. It's true. you see them here and there.. like ghost towns, only living. I spent my first several years in such a place. My world was quite a bit smaller then I took it for, apparently, because when I finally saw some of the rest of the world I actually lived in, I was completely blown away. (also known as a terrible case of culture shock.)

The little place I spent those first years in, were, for lack of a better description, in the great wilds of the 'back-woods' north country.
It seems, that while the rest of the world was rocking to tune of dead stones, We were still hopping to the beat of shaved fish in blue shoes. While the rest of the world was learning the tech of computers, we were lucky to have a tv.. one tv.. in the living room, that actually got color channels. While the rest of the world was watching law and order.. we were watching Hee Haw. (hows that for lawful order?! lol) I guess you could say we were a bit behind the times. so if my language sounds a bit ..dated.. that would be why.
I know it's a little hard to believe, especially if you live in today's world(read: big cities). Seriously, We didn't have micro's.. or xboxes.. or even working dryers half the time.

I am, as I once said, the youngest of a fair number of kids, the nearest to me, is my elder by at least 5 years. (I wasn't exactly expected, so I understand "...born on the way.") My mom was a hard-working German lady with close-minded folks. and my dad was a stern and stubbren Scotsman who worked on the roads. We were a bit superstitious, A bit of the bully, and usually found tom-boying about in the miles of forest we called 'our territory' or curled up somewhere, reading an old book, or snitched comic. (It's where I learned to love the dictionary, by the way. :) I was adept with words and spelling before I had even started school. (no, we didn't have a one-room wooden schoolhouse.. although I think there was one in the area of a cabin we first lived in.)

When I was still far too young, my mom died. and as she was the glue that kept us together.. we split up much like a bursting star, and took off for other parts. sometimes, we would come back together.. one or two of us at a time.. but then we were off again just as quickly as ever, learning the traveling gypsy way.

I have had to learn a few things in order to get along in all this moving about. One thing I have learned is.. from about the age of 4 to 104 everyone has at least one story to tell. and oftentimes.. there is wisdom to be found in them. I also learned the value of friendship. Some friends, can be as close as family and are at least as important as such to me, maybe more so.