Blue Roses

Well, my old computer transferred everything to my new one.

99.5%, anyway.

Jennie and I went through and specifically told it what programs to move. We omitted ones that I hadn't used in years, ones that were HP specific, etc. It moved everything anyway.

UGH. Now I *still have the programs I don't want, and keep getting a few errors every time I boot it up, saying that some programs doesn't work with XP.

To make matters worse, for the first few folders I opened, it told me that the files were hidden and not to delete anything so I didn't wreck my system. And it was things like my AOL folder, and my program files folder, which were both full of things I want to delete now, like hotbar and ICQ and stuff. <.sigh> I freaked.

I ended up deleting those anyway, and I'll do a system maintenence right away. : ( My new *baby! So sad.

Oh, the .5% that didn't move? My OE E-mail. GRRRR! LOL The address book moved! LOL So I guess I'll try to just send over the e-mail this time. Should work.

Now, the most important test - I am off to play Sims there for the first time. ; )

Posted by Rina at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally, I get to post! My internet ended the day before I graduated, so I was internetless a few days. Then it took a week to get my computer set up, and then Jennie was here, and now here I am. LOL

So, I graduated. <.g> That was fun. Unreal, really. 66% of my major had high honors. They were also all sorority chicas. Perhaps we should have paid more attention to the cheating allegations against our class. But it was still fun. I heard Mom and Josh calling my name and cheering as I walked across the stage (it was a loud ceremony - everyone got screams and stuff. <.g>). That was really cool.

Oh, fun note - Saturday night, I had so much trouble breathing. By Sunday night, I was covered in hives. Why, yes. Yes, I was allergic to my graduation gown. I'm still covered in hives, even after a week of Zyrtec.

So, moved out. Tres fun. Cleaned my room a lot, for Jennie. Thursday, drove to Chicago with my grandfather and picked her up from Midway. There was much driving in circles around...55th? and Kilpatrick. But I did it! No one ended up mad, dead, or unhappy. <.g>

It was SO COOL having Jennie here. We had a blast. We set up my new computer, we went to the zoo to check out some ZZD stuff, and just hung out. Next time, though, it's my turn to fly to Houston. <.g>

Grad party was last night. It was at a cool restaurant in Greektown, and we had so much fun. Pictures? No, didn't happen. LOL But all my friends were there - Erin and Carol, Jon and Dave, their families, everyone. I gave my dad this certification of appreciation early on in the night (then diving back to my table, whimpering, "Drink. Where's my rum? Gimme!" <.snicker>). Then at the end I gave my mom the tassel that I wore across the stage. I was kinda leading up to it, you know, "I gave that to my dad, but he wasn't the only one who supported me, blah blah," and Jon and Dave's dad Brian raised his hands and shouted out, "It was me!" LOL! So I was like, "Yes! I couldn't have done it without Brian!" <.g> My poor great-grandmother was actually distressed, "No! Your mother! Your mother!" <.giggle> So anyway, that was cool.

It was pretty amusing, too - I was sitting at one table with Jennie, Erin and Carol, and mom and Josh were at another, and my dad was at a third with his family and friends. LOL Nice family showing, huh? But it worked nicely for us. Josh hung out with his DVD player, mom chatted with her friends and made plans, and dad hung out with his friends. So we all had a LOT of fun.

Then (yeesh, getting detailed here. LOL! I just don't want to forget, I guess), Jennie, Erin, Lissa, Damien and I checked into our room at the Drake (D didn't stay...), got gussied up, and headed out to a jazz bar, Underground Wonder Bar, Liss heard about. It was *fantastic. Great place. Also, everyone should head over to Jen Porter's website and check out her stuff. We loved her.

Also loved were the many amaretto stone sours I drank throughout the night. LOL! Big fan.

We stuck around there until about 2, before heading back to the hotel room. Pictures of us and the room are forthcoming. We were all pretty giggly and stuff. But we wobbled our way down the street just fine. <.giggle>

So Jennie left this morning, and Erin and I came back here. And that's been my last week. <.g> Had SO much fun, and I wouldn't change a thing! Well, except for not telling Jon and Dave we were going out until the party - Jon had plans, and Dave wanted to come out, but didn't get a chance. Would have been fun with them around, but the five of us still had a great time. <.g>

Posted by Rina at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dude. Tornado warning. I'm being told to take cover. It's sunny out. ::blinks::

but it won't be for long. Damn, man. I was so close to being out of here. LOL Just what I need - another excuse to not being paying enough attention to my Poli Sci. LOL Good thing it's not due until tomorrow *night.

If this storm makes me miss West Wing, American Idol, Dawson's Creek, the Buffy Biography AND Justin's Turnstyle, I will not be a happy person. it's bad enough I'm trying to watch all of the above when they all air overlapped, but to not have a chance? Hysterics.

Which is my fangirl way of saying I'm very freaked out, hate storms, and find comfort in meaningless babble about fluffy things.

Posted by Rina at 06:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Two finals done, two finals left. ::happy sigh:: Archaeology was beautfiful. Ten essays, two and a half hours, but I actually knew what I was writing about. I was dead on about pulling out the topics that she'd want essays on, so go me! I totally think I aced it.

My TV is going to be working overtime tonight. I'm watching the Dawson finale. (::sniff::) I'm clicking over for the AI results (::sniff::) I'm taping West Wing at 8. Thanks to TBS, I'm taping Dawson's finale on Thursday morning. (It BETTER be airing then, like the website says. Seriously. I will THROW THINGS and yell and cry a lot if it's wrong.)

Outside of 149 copies of the same exact digest this morning, I have received almost NO mail. E-mail me, people? Talk to me? Please? <.g>

Today, I write my Poli Sci essays. Tomorrow, I finish them and study for Weather. Friday I take the Weather exam. Saturday, I graduate. I still don't believe that. But I will. And that stuns me like you wouldn't believe.

So, I shall go immerse myself in nsync fic and fantasy where I can ignore such things like college graduations. Denial, yo. Fun place!

Posted by Rina at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This ties into what I've been planning on posting for days. LOL

Yo, Lady K! I kept seeing Evanescense, or however you spell it, on your WinAmp playlist, and never had heard of them. I finally did this weekend - they kick ass! So cool.

So, what music searches did I make tonight? Hermans Hermits and Lizzie McGuire movie. Downloaded about 10 songs total. Yes, my musical tastes are freakish, thank you.

Posted by Rina at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I so need to get my digital blog up and running. <.g> Anyway, some pictures. I got my hair trimmed today so I look pretty in graduation pictures. Went to a new place, since I've never done it down here before. I love the length, hitting my shoulders, but the bangs? Um, getting used to them. For reference:

Me before the cut. Kindergarten bangs and all. <.g>

Bangs now: Eeep?

Pushed to the side, as she recommended: Better?

I look at them and right now, all I can think is, "But they're *uneven!" <.g> I'll get used to them, I'm sure. <.g>

And, for those curious, my ring. : ) It's the one not a class ring. LOL

Posted by Rina at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Five hours of studying. For one exam. And she's coming back tomorrow to finish it off. Eeeeeeeeep. I'm brain dead. And I still have to study for tomorrow's myth exam! LOL

By the end, we were getting a little slap happy. The teacher is *awful about timelines. We went through the 18th and 19th Dynasties, then jumped to a sentence on the 22nd, then the 26th, and one word on the 27th. Thats about 1015BC. Next sentence? Alexander the Great in 332BC. Nothing in between, nothing after. Next lecture? Jumps BACK to 2523BC. ::blinks:: It makes no SENSE! And I said so. Often. In a rant. Valerie laughed for 10 minutes straight. Then, just wanting to be DONE, I synthesized the last lecture, 3 pages, into a few words: He was an egotistical pig who loved art but not the military. Seriously, it summed it all up. She about died laughing. I think we were a little on edge. but hey, phsyical *and mental workout, yo. Work off all those white cheddar puffs we consumed.

Save me.

Posted by Rina at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's who visit! And happy Lead Awareness Day to everyone. <.g>

I had a lovely weekend at home. I saw The Lizzie McGuire Movie on Friday!! Eeeee! LOL With mom, and Josh, and two really cute third year med students. Fabulous, I must say. The boys were just so cute - they went downstairs to play a computer game with Josh and mom and I just about squealed at each other. LOL! Sadly, much to mom's disappointment, no dates. <.g> I fear it might have a bit to do with my comments of, "Hey, Ethan cut his hair!" and "Wait! Margaret who? That was Tudgeman's job!" during and after the movie. <.snicker> In my defense, it's a cute show. Also, they both laughed a lot during the movie. LOL

Saturday I spent shopping. Like, $140. But, Miggie! I got two of your Old Navy outfits you chose for me, and they are adorable. The skirt? Size 8. I want to marry Old Navy. The last purchase was at Nordstrom's, and was the most expensive of all. LOL It's an adorable sleeveless t-shirt, brown/tan tye-die, with an old-timey ad for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Town on it, with red, white and yellow bedazzaly sparkles on it. It's too cute for words. <.g>

And today, I got presents! LOL And so did mom. I got the radio replaced in my car to put in a CD player/radio, now that I'm going to be driving it. ::bounces:: it's SO COOL. I am seriously so excited. I also got two CDs to play in it - AI S2 and Grammys 2003. So much fun!

The coolest present was one mom and I shared, since today is Mother's Day, too. We got matching rings - there are three designs on it. One for strength, one for womanhood, and one for hope of love and happiness in the future. I'm totally going to take a pic and upload tomorrow. They're just gorgeous, and I'm completely in love with mine.

And then we drove for, like, 4 hours in 40mph winds and that was Not Fun. But we survived. <.g>

And now? I am going to watch a great number of nsync music videos, including the lovely ode to Lance and Joey's wonderful gay love at Christmas time one. <.g> Because it's my birthday, and they make me happy. In their gay love. <.snicker>

Anyway, thanks for all of the sweet wishes I came back to over the weekend. And on the off chance my mom does read this, and even if she doesn't - I love you so much! I had a good time this weekend, hysterical freakouts in last night's storm and all, and I couldn't have picked a better mother to have. Sure, you drive me nuts on occasion, but I *know it's a mutual feeling, and it doesn't change a thing. <.g> You rock, mama mia. {{HUGS}}

Posted by Rina at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tornado watches SUCK. They suck great big hairy donkey balls.

But, on the plus side, I'm going home tonight! Thunderstorms, tornadoes and all. <.g> Yay for Lizzie McGuire tomorrow! And hopefully cute and single med students going with.

Burn it! CDs have been completed and should be mailed tomorrow. Go me! I'm listening to mine now. I put the wrong version of the first song on mine (there's three, damn him, and only the first one is good LOL), but everyone else got the right one. Hopefully they'll be well received. We all know how my tastes run. LOL

Poor mom. "I TOLD you to come home yesterday!" <.g> It'll all be fine, though. Home I shall be, until Sunday afternoon. When, yay, get to spend part of my birthday stuck here alone. But not all of it, which is good. <.g>

Posted by Rina at 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am completely done with classes as an undergrad. Eeek? LOL I don't believe it yet. Probably won't believe it until finals start in a week. LOL Where'd the time go?! This is nuts, yo. Seriously.

And in news about the twit that started me saying "yo," Justin Timberlake has signed a deal with Turner to do sports commentary on TNT and TBS. I don't care so much about basketball, NASCAR or golf, but I'm looking forward to the baseball segments. Of course, I've heard him talk about the first three sports at length and never about baseball, my fave, so that should prove interesting. LOL But call me odd, I think this is a neat career move for him. He loves sports, he has the know-how, and it's good experience. Should be fun.

Okay, I have a fair amount of things to do over the next two days, so I should get started. Eeeep. LOL

Posted by Rina at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Quick questions - is there a way to save my Outlook mail to disk so I can transfer it to my new computer? Ditto all of my favorite places on IE. On AOL, no prob, but is there an easy way for IE?

Also, can I just move, for example, the entire Sims folder onto a CD, and everything therein will be saved, and able to paste it or something onto the new computer? I'm trying to get everything straight before I start moving it all, so I don't mess up. LOL

Posted by Rina at 08:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, today was the dance final. Angela and I were first.

We start. It's quiet. We hit the happy part, the audience loves it. Laughing, clapping, etc. Keep going, they still like it. We wiggle, they cat call. We do our Linus and Violet moves, they crack up. We finish the second happy part, and Angela blanks entirely. I'm hissing, "Start from the beginning? The beginning! We repeat! Don't we repeat??" She announces, "We don't remember it!" I'm going, "WHAT?!" as we leave the stage to much applause anyway. GAH!!!! LOL!

It was going SO WELL. I wish I had been confident enough in remembering the routine to just start. : / But it was still a great deal of fun, much moreso than the midterm.

Kate, this would have been the semester for you to come watch - us with our nsync moves, another group with Tell Me Tell Me Baby, one did Fighter, and one girl did One Song Glory. <.g>

But you know what? It's over now. And we put a lot of effort in, and had fun. So there's that.

Posted by Rina at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I meant to post about this yesterday, but eeee, I'm glad I didn't! LOL

Next time you're bored, give this site a whirl: Mah jongg. I've been playing pretty often the last few weeks, but I never seemed to manage to finish a full game. Always had to end it. I mostly play Lance, for some reason. I like them all, but I think I recognize him the most. LOL

Anyway, I FINALLY beat Lance today! With 9 minutes to spare. ::punches arm out in victory:: Go me! LOL! I'm very excited, yo. <.g>

Anyway, yes, fun games. 15 minute time limit, so you can play with just a little downtime. So addicting. <.g>

Posted by Rina at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was really not a bad episode. Surprising for a Monday, but hey, won't complain. LOL

The Sonny/Carly scene with the gun? Wow. Just wow. That was amazing. Tammy Braun knocked that scene out of the park and Maurice kept pace, but let it be her show. She's fantastic. Great scene.

And, heaven help me, Georgie and Dillon are *adorable! Now there's a romance I could get behind. Or even friendship for now, leading into more later. Lucas is so undeserving of her cuteness. The whole cousin angle still creeps me out, though, even though I know Lucas was adopted. LOL But it's a nifty little square, as long as it avoids the Nik/Sarah/Lucky/Liz predecessor. Hated that one.

I miss my Scott. : ( He was one of my first crushes (after Tom Selleck <.g>). I remember him and Lucy vividly. I remember him and Dom. Him and Eve. I really miss the real him. This version SUCKS.

Posted by Rina at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry may cut off abruptly, as I'm waiting for my dance partner to show up. LOL

I'm so excited - today, I answered a question right in my Arch class, and I have 5 points of extra credit towards the final! Plus I get ten extra points for my paper. And I've gotten a number more from random attendance checks. So cool. <.g>

I think I have the track listing for the Burn It spring edition done. Now to make the CDs and make them pretty. <.g> I'm kinda excited about it. I got two of my groupmate's already, at home, and they sound so cool! Can't wait to be able to listen to them. But they're very different, I think, from mine. LOL Big surprise there, huh?

I'm reading Christmas romance novels in May. But they're SO FUN! Guys with kids! And snow! Whats not to love?

She's here!

Posted by Rina at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow! This is so me. How cool!

Most dead on paragraph: You have so many interests that you may have trouble deciding which ones to pursue. This can make you seem very contradictory, since you are so passionate and sincere about each new idea you embrace.

Hell, yeah. LOL

You have a good imagination, and often exhibit sensitivity to others.

There is a tremendous amount of intensity in your mental processes. Your ability to concentrate is excellent. At times you have the ability to focus your mind so strongly that the rest of the world is shut out.

You have so many interests that you may have trouble deciding which ones to pursue. This can make you seem very contradictory, since you are so passionate and sincere about each new idea you embrace.

The general flexibility of your character is a useful attribute. At certain times in your life, you may have romantic conflicts and difficulty maintaining friendships. You will overcome these problems after a little introspection.

You are a warm hearted person, with much love to give. Your high energy level enhances your ability to express affection.

There may be times in your life when you give in to feelings of sadness or depression.

You are likely to make decisions based on intuition or feelings rather than intellect.

Your personality is dynamic and attractive to most people. The more branches you find in your heart line, the more friends and lovers you will have. However, you may be tempted to treat the opposite sex unkindly.

You are naturally charming and inclined to be flirtatious.

At certain times in your life, you may have romantic conflicts and difficulty maintaining friendships. These problems are not likely to last long.

There are inconsistencies in your energy level, possibly triggered by external factors or emotional changes. No matter what circumstances come your way, you have a generally positive attitude which may help you overcome life's obstacles.

Your high energy level and optimistic outlook draw people to you and increase your problem-solving capabilities.

You have a basically strong constitution, and should enjoy good health most of the time.

You were probably given a good start in life by your parents. This could be based on your general upbringing, or on physical characteristics you inherited.

You are likely to make many changes in the direction of your life. This may be based on interruptions due to health problems, or it may be that you just have trouble focusing your energy. The most productive time in your life will probably occur in middle age.

The most productive time in your life will probably occur in middle age.

No matter what other factors influence your personality, there is an under lying sense of practicality that you can draw on if you wish.

Posted by Rina at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I cannot *believe it's May 4 already. I swear, it was JUST March. Just yesterday! Really! Where did my semester go?!?!?!

Anyway, we all know what May 4 means, right? Well, yes, it's the sleepy blonde in my header's birthday. Happy 24th birthday, Lance.

But more importantly? It's one week until Lead Awareness Day! Most of my friends forgot this very special day last year, so I'm taking steps to avoid that this time. <.g> One year I can laugh it off, two in a row I get pissy. LOL

So, here's my bloggy reminder. Mark your calendars now! Lead Awareness Day will *not be forgotten this year.

(For those highly curious and/or worried about my sanity - I got a card years ago where the person tried to remember what exactly May 11 was - two days after Jaromir Jagr's birthday, a month until the end of school, no, that's not it. Of RIGHT, it's Lead Awareness Day! It's also my birthday, but it's more amusing to just refer to it as Lead Awareness Day. I'm a dork that way, but this should surprise no one.)

Posted by Rina at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Finally, feeling alive again! I think it was the combination of allergies and dancing for four hours today, but I had a killer headache. So I took some Tylenol, crashed on the couch, and can move again. Breathing is less good, but hey! Baby steps. <.g>

The dance routine is fun. We took and modified some nsync moves, and it's been working out well. Only seven more 8 counts to go. I think I'm going to watch the other nsync DVD and grab some moves from that concert. <.giggle>

I have Gladiator on. I can't believe I've never actually watched this before. Joaquin Phoenix is just the cutest thing *ever. Yum.

Okay, now I'm actually bored. Hmmm. What to do, what to do. Ideas welcome. <.g>

Posted by Rina at 07:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not overly impressed with the teen storyline set up so far. Assuming Zander/Emily is included in the teens, only three can act: Georgie, Dillon, and Zander.

I don't know *what happened to Robyn Richard's acting ability, but I'm not feeling her. Here's hoping she gets a good storyline and has stuff to work with. Something like a newer Robin/Stone, maybe. See how well Mac learned his lesson last time around. <.g> This Kyle stuff is just boring so far.

I absolutely adore Dillon, though. He's a doll, and I loved Ned's defending him. I'd love to see some more stuff there. I wanted to smack Edward with the way he was acting when Tracy left him behind. I bet he and Maxie could commiserate over MIA moms and fall in love. <.g>

Can't wait to see what Carly does to Ric, but I'm not really feeling any of the storylines. Tammy's fabulous, of course, as is Maurice, but I'm not loving the story. We'll see what happens, I guess!

Posted by Rina at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I got birthday presents today! <.g> Hell, I got MAIL today! LOL Of course, I had to open. Willpower of a rock.

Kate got me the Chicago soundtrack, so I've been listening already. <.g> Thanks, girlie!!!! I love it. And the card is too cute for words. LOL {{HUGS}}}

And Karey! GEEZ! You rock, but as usual, far too much, even for two occasions. <.g> Christmas romance novels, nsync lip gloss, Lance calendar, Stevie Wonder CD, video...you're just so sweet. Have a blast in Europe, honey. {{HUGS}}

Now, who do I want to wear? Hmmmm. <.g>

Posted by Rina at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is the coolest thing, man. It's a glove that translates what you sign! Still a lot of kinks, of course, just getting started, but WOW, what a breakthrough!! It's amazing.

Posted by Rina at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Y'all know me, I'm a spoiler whore. I know a bit about Buffy, and now I know a lot about Dawson, thanks to this site.

I swear, I read "Jen" so many times in that thread that a, it doesn't look like it has meaning now and b, I thought, "is that REALLY her name?" <.g>

But. Wow. Will I cry and cry and cry at this finale. <.sigh> Fellow DC fans/spoiler whores, let's discuss.

Posted by Rina at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I also learned, from Kristine, that you, too, can star in your favorite Classic Novel. <.g> It's quite the interesting idea - you can insert yourself and your friends into things like Romeo and Juliet. Which, incidentally, can now have a happy ending. <.g>

"Oh Lance, Lance. Wherefore art thou Lance?"

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Rina is the sun."

Lance and Rina. Doesn't that have a nice, classic, Shakespearean ring to it? <.g>

Posted by Rina at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Things I learned this week:

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Once More with Feeling soundtrack is the reason why people won't watch political coverage in depth.

2. It is indeed possible to take your shirt off and put another on while not putting down the phone from your ear.

3. I will end up in the 3rd level of hell, gluttony. I really thought I'd end up in Level 2, Lust. Go figure.

4. I am a musical thinker, like Mozart, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix.*

5. American Idol fans are idiots, OR the producers are sadists. I'm willing to believe some of both.

6. Emily Byrd Starr/Ilse Burnley slash exists.

7. There is a point of boredom where not only will you *read Lizzie McGuire fanfic, you will strongly desire to write it.

8. Lance Bass is an adorable dork who can say his lines well 83.33% of the time. (Witness Hollywood Squares this week. I certainly have.)

If knowledge is power, I wonder why I'm not feeling very powerful with my new knowledge. <.g>

*This is bizarre, because while I do listen to music a lot, love playing some songs on the piano, and will often sing randomly, I suck at writing music, playing spontaneously or choreographing to music. Witness my plans to watch nsync DVDs and crib moves for my routine Tuesday. But when they put it like this: "Tend to think in sounds, and may also think in rhythms and melodies; are sensitive to the sounds and rhythms of words as well as their meanings; feel a strong connection between music and emotions," well, that makes sense for me, and as a writer. But I still think it should have been linguistic thinker.

Posted by Rina at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)