I know there's no point to this, but I continue my crusade

Stupid people bug me.
The most annoying thing in the world is some smarty-pants who thinks it's really fun to say dumb stuff all the time. I guess I don't meet as many of them in real life, but what is it about the internet that brings out the worst in some people? One of my friends has a Xanga that she updated often and posted pictures on. She lives too far away for me to talk to her often, and I liked being able to read her Xanga and get updates on her life. But then some moronic guy decided that it would be really fun to randomly go through Xangas and make rude comments on them. Hers was one of them. And it wasn't just one comment. Oh no, he had to comment on every post that she had. He wrote that she was ugly (she loves to take pictures, and she had a bunch of her and her friends), that she was stupid, and a bunch of other rude stuff. And it wasn't just him. Eventually there were something like four or five people who were posting all the time. So she decided to stop posting on her Xanga. And she isn't the only one. I have other friends who are up against the same thing. Just because someone saw a link to their site somewhere and decided to swear at them for being... I guess for not being the same as everybody else. Or for just being alive. It's not only that, either. Message boards, (which I rarely frequent anymore) even the better ones, are filled with people who can't respect other people's opinions, and who could care less if they hurt someone's feelings. And it's frustrating, because some of the people are hurtful, but they have dumb logic, and they never read what anyone else has to say. As soon as a read something like that, I BURN to do something about it. But what can I do? Nothing. So I stop going to that site. That's the other awful thing about stupid people. They're prolific! They spread ignorance and venom across the world wide web. And there's nothing a person like me can do but turn the monitor off with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
As if that weren't bad enough, they aren't even understandable. Typos, I can understand missing a few. I do that often. Abbreviating a few words, fine. I would be one of the first to say that conversational English is very different from formal English. Even if someone spells something wrong on occasion that's okay. But if someone sends me an email or comments on my blog, and it looks like "heyyyyy...iwas jist wundrin...lollolhaha...lyk!!!!!!!11 i lyk tht to...byyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!111" I won't even read it. And I only wish that I were exaggerating. Because I have seen that. Didn't understand it, but I have seen it.
I guess I'm getting all hot around the collar for no reason, but I'm annoyed.

Sleeping in, or oversleeping?

This morning started out just a little later than it should have.
Then again, most of my mornings tend to do that...
On Thursdays I usually have classes through the homeschool group (namely Biology, Speech and Philosophy) and this Thursday was no exception. But Mom was going to breakfast with someone, and woke me up at 7:00. AM. Which does not sit all too well with me. So I got up, blearily, and trundled out my bedroom door to the bathroom, and then, after sitting down on my bed, I fell back asleep. I thought that I would wake up again (on Thursdays I usually wake up in five minutes, and then I stay up) but since we were up really late last night at Emma's house because of youth group, I guess I was more tired than usual. I come to that conclusion, because roughly two hours later, I woke up to Mom's voice from downstairs.
"Are you ready?"
I was not. But of course I didn't say that. What I said (while jumping into whatever clothing was nearest to me) was "Yeah. Just a second!" I proceeded to bump into/knock over/step on everything in my room, including the walls. And then I looked at the clock.
Biology starts at 9:00. It was 9:00. And it takes 15 minutes or so to get there. Great. So I walked in 10 minutes or so late. But I was casual. I was tired, but casual.
I also had speech, which went okay. In between Biology and Philosophy I have an hour long wait, and I usually hang out in one of the extra rooms with Aragorn and Grape until it's time for my class. We're writing a story together, so we tried to spend the time working on the outline, but we mostly goofed off, and I mostly ate Aragorn's sister's cheese crackers. I did most of the outline, too, but Aragorn added and tweaked some stuff. Only Grape has the copy because it was in her notebook.
Also, today the pastor for the church we're going to came to visit. It was pretty nice, actually. We talked about our old churches, and about where we used to live, and also about Calvin and Hobbes. It was nice. We had tea, and I feel all british.
I found out today that I'll probably end up being tutored for Algebra 2 during the summer, because the curriculum I'm using doesn't have a geometry class, it mixes geometry into Algebra 1 and 2. So if I want to take the PSAT, I'll have to take the class. Which kind of stinks, because that means next year I won't be in a class with Grape, Aragorn, Gip and Weasel. And I like being in class with them, because I'm actually friends with them and we have fun. (Except for when Gip can't keep his mouth shut. And then I can't concentrate.) The other bad thing is that I heard that the people in Algebra 2 finish 5 lessons in an hour, where is usually takes us an two and a half. And Aragorn, whose mother teaches, says that both the guys in the class are geniuses. And I would have to be in Advanced Math with both of them. Which might not be so cool.
Anyway, I'm sure you're tired of hearing about my day, so I'll sign off.

In Which I Am a Moron

So, my birthday went okay.
WHO AM I KIDDING?! My birthday was the best and most wonderful birthday I've ever had!
So it all started out on the 15th, the day I actually turned 16. I woke up and said good morning to Mom, and Monet came up.
"We finished wrapping the presents!" He said cheerfully to Mom after hugging me and wishing my a happy birthday.
"Really?" Mom asked. "Did you find the tape?"
"Nope. Staples."
I nearly died laughing. Mom tried to remain calm. "You mean you stapled the wrapping paper to the presents?"
"No. Of course not. We stapled it to itself. There are kind of some holes, so she can't see them till she unwraps 'em. They're kinda messy."
"Did you wrap them all?"
"Yeah. Well, what did you give me? Pants-" He was cut off abruptly.
"Hello? I'm still here!" Mom was too busy laughing to admonish her wayward and loudmouthed son. He left the room in shame.
Mom and I left to get my hair cut, and on the way out we checked the mail. Two birthday cards for me!
I pretty much only got my hair trimmed and straightened, then we came back home, and got ready to go to the mall, because I was going to get my cartilage pierced. It didn't *and still doesn't) hurt very much. Then Mom and I looked around at a few other places. We went to Claire's (I don't care if Claire's is for teeny-boppers, I really like the earrings, and I'd probably get kicked out of any supposedly "cool" place, like Hot Topic, which actually scares the heck out of me, or Abercrombie and Fitch, which disgusts me.) I got two pairs of earrings, which is practically all I ever get there, since sweat bands reading "Mrs. Timberlake" don't interest me. The earrings are really cool, though. There's one pair of dangling monkey ones, and another skull and crossbones one.
Then we went to Carrabas, which is an Italian restaurant I'd never been to before, and had a GREAT meal. It was fantastico. Probably the best restaurant food I've ever had. The waiter was really cool, and said "Sir," "Madam," and "M'lady," which is the coolest thing ever. I swear, if I ever get married, I'm making my husband call me M'lady at least once in his life, especially if he's british.
Anyway, while we were eating, Dad gave me his gift, which was a $20 gift certificate to Borders. Since Borders was only a parking lot away, we went there after we finished eating. After much deliberation, I bought The Princess Bride, by William Goldman, Princess In Love, by Meg Cabot, and Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett. I was happy. Then we went home, and I opened presents. I won't say everything because that would bore you, but I got a few books, including some by Douglas Adams and Richard Halliburton (the Richard Halliburton is SIGNED!), a pair of pants, some beanie babies, and the coolest socks I've ever seen. They are knee high, pink, and have the Jolly Roger with a pink bow on the skull all over them.
So, you're probably thinking that was a pretty nice birthday, right? And I was, too. I was a little sad that I wasn't going to have a party on my Sweet Sixteenth, but I felt kind of gulty for being sorry, and buried the thought.
On Friday I went to Ash's house, which we had planned a few days earlier. Shegave me my birthday presents (which were a little fairy figure, a candle holder, and best of all, a little trinket box with 101 reasons I'm such a great friend) and we played board games, then went to a book study. I felt all cool and grown up because I was hanging with the college crowd, and one girl was nice enough to think that I was actually in college. HA! As if I looked that old OR that mature.
The next morning we went to work, and then we drove out to a square dance that Mom said Ash should come to. We got lost on the way, and kept joking that we were going to miss the entire dance. It was also really funny because a lot of the way there, there was this guy behind us (he was driving in a car, not walking or in our car) and the guy in the passenger seat was fast asleep. I mean, head back, mouth open, drooling asleep. He was somewhere from 16-23 (couldn't really tell, on account of us the movement of the cars and all) and Ash and I kept looking back and laughing.
We stopped for gas, and looked at the directions. Then we started off. And drove right by the intersection we were supposed to be turning at. But we didn't know it. So we drove back and forth, and nearly hit it every time. Finally we called Dad, and he told us where the turn was. Right after BP.
When we pulled into the parking lot we could hear music. I walked in and started to take of my coat. Ash was shoving me into the room.
"Geez, Ash, let me get my coat off!" I said, pushing her away lightly.
"Would you look!" she said, and shoved me rather roughly. I was about to say something else, but then I noticed the banner.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BARD!
Oh, I thought. How nice. She told the square dance people about my birthday. That was nice to put up a banner. I thought that because I wasn't enough ot a megalomaniac to think that the entire party was for me. I could hear the caller saying something.
"Oh, it looks like we have a visitor!"
And then everyone sang Happy Birthday to me. And I still thought that it was just everyone being nice. Until Lena walked up to me. Wait a minute, I thought. She's from choir. And Petri? And Camp? And people from the homeschool group? What?
And then it hit me. Lena and Petri were saying something to me, but I don't remember. Because there was a whole suprise party, just for me.
Everything else was a blur. I talked to everyone, told them how surprised I was, marveled that the plan had been in the works for months, felt stupid, got over myself and had a great time. It was the best square dance, because I could ask anyone to dance with me because I knew everyone. The only drawback was that I was the center of attention, which wasn't so great. Mom had pictures of me plastered everywhere (including the one of me with chicken pox) which is a nightmare. But I had a great time. The crowning glory was the book.
Mom had a letter from almost everyone I know. Letters offering advice, memories, praise, and general happiness. Pictures of me with people I know, and pictures of the people who sent the letters. It was great. The next time I feel crappy, I'll just haul out that book, and try to remember how many people love me.
That was the thing that struck me most. How many people love me. How many people bothered to show up. I knew almost all of them, of course, but you don't think how many friends you have until you see almost all of them in one place. If you're me, you have a vague feeling that no one you know would actually count you as a friend, would actually care about you. But I guess I'm wrong about that. I guess I'm a pretty swell gal.
Even if I am a moron.

Of Hunger and Birthdays

Hey! Tomorrow is my birthday! I don't know if I said this, but my parents said that I could either (for a big present) get a guitar, my hair dyed, or go shopping. I was going to get the guitar, but after looking, I decided that it could wait until I'm better and know what I want. So I'm going shopping. With Ash and possibly Emma. And I might be having a party-type thing, but I don't know. If I do, it won't be big, and it'll probably mostly be people from the homeschool group.
I did the 30 hour famine. It was fun. The boys there stayed up really late playing Risk, and Emma and I were the only girls awake (we weren't playing Risk). They didn't know why we kept laughing at them. But seriously, what are you supposed to do when someone says "Let's attack England because they have good tea," or "Russia sucks!" I mean, come on. It's a funny thing to hear a bunch of 14 year old guys talking about taking over the world.
We also watched Madagascar at the Famine, which was kind of bad, because the whole thing is about how Alex can't eat, and there were only 4 hours or so to go, and I said "I feel for you, Alex, I really do!" It was sad.
I'm not sick anymore. I had some weird spots, which were either a reaction to the medicine or a virus thing, but they're gone now (except for on my feet).
I think it's weird how you can care about something a lot right after it happens, or while it's happening, but a few weeks later it doesn't matter anymore. That was a random thought.
Algebra today was okay, but I'm about 5 lessons behind from the tournament, and I need to get those done. Soon. I also have to put together the newsletter, but that shouldn't be too bad. I could probably finish it in a few hours. It has to be done by Thursday, though. So that isn't so good. Because I really should do it tonight, on account of my not being able to do anything tomorrow, most likely.
I think my posts are starting to get boring. I need to spice them up.
Oh, yeah. At choir yesterday I told a BUNCH of people (practically all the altos and a few sopranos) that my birthday is coming up. And so at the end of choir, one of the sopranos was like "So and so's birthday is tomorrow" and all the altos said "Bard's birthday is on Wednesday!" And everyone sang happy birthday to me. And I was happy, because usually people forget or I have to leave early, and it doesn't get sung to me. And TU (who I don't have a crush on, but who I still think is pretty cool) was like "Hey! Happy birthday!" when he heard my tell one of my friends. And that was nice.
Only 8 weeks left of Algebra! W00t!

I FEEL LIKE DEATH. OH, WAIT...

Title is an homage to Terry Pratchett. If you haven't read anything by him, do so. Now.
The other reason for the title is that I'm sick. Not as sick as I was yesterday, but I still feel pretty awful. So yesterday I laid around in bed and slept. My face was white, except for my cheeks, which were red with fever. So Mom got me some drugs (muahaha) I mean, antibiotics, and I feel better today, although not up to snuff. So I don't know if I'm up to going to church tomorrow. And I'm supposed to go to a friend's house, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be feeling up to that, either.
Another addition to the household (which I think Mom just arrived with) is rats. I haven't seen them yet, but I know she's getting them.
Grandma and Grandpa from Chicago came today. They left at around 7:00, and I didn't get to see all that much of them because I came downstairs for a while, then felt dizzy and went back to my room. And then I came down for a little longer. So that wasn't the best thing.
I'm writing a story with two friends. Aragorn (who is a girl) and Grape. Grape is also a girl. They're both in the homeschool group. I've been making a lot of friends through it, and it's been a lot of fun.
Ash called today, and said "Hey, guess what's in 11 days." And I didn't know. And so she was chiding me about it, and I thought I forgot that we were doing something together, so I was all guilty.
"Look at your calendar!" she said. So I did. But due to being sick for the past three days I didn't know what today's date was. So she told me. And then I knew. My birthday! But I still don't know what I'm doing for it.
Mom just arrived with the rats. I'd better hurry up and name one before Edison names them all.