New Background!

I kind of like this... it's appropriately Autumn and not rainy or depressing! I don't want it to tell the truth or anything... it's such horrible weather! I forgot to wear my hat yesterday, it was sad, I was disappointed, no one noticed. Haha. Well it's already almost PITCH black outside and according to the best sunset/sunrise times out there like 20 minutes early. Crappy rain.

Take back what I said about liking the new blogger- now because it's more like gmail it's not responding to it when I type. So I'll type something, and it won't appear until I minimize and then open the page again. So I have no idea what I'm typing right now, and deleting things is really annoying. My computer can't take this extra sophistication....

My NJHS Speech

My NJHS Speech: Word for word, more or less, of what I said this morning:


     Hey, I’m Olivia, and I’m [also] running for NJHS president. I think that I should be elected because I’m dedicated, have previous experience, and would do my best to help us all enjoy being in National Junior Honors Society.
     Whenever I start a new project or job, I always follow it through to the end. No matter how long it takes, my dedication to seeing the finished product doesn’t fade. Being the president would be a year long commitment- one that I am able to- and want- to make. I will be available for meetings almost every time there is one, including the additional Tuesdays for officers. Whether it is the first meeting or the last, my involvement will not go down.
     In addition, I have all the experience needed to be president. I have leadership experience, and have also been in student organizations like NJHS before. Last year I was in Student Council, where I took on the responsibilities of secretary. This was an excellent experience for me, and I really enjoyed coming early every Friday to discuss and argue over ideas with the rest of the student government. Thanks to the experiences I’ve had with DeWitt Drama, I don’t have a problem with speaking in public, and I have been complemented on being able to speak to anyone about anything. Another leadership experience I’ve had was over this summer, when I wrote and directed a community play. We got kids from ages 7-14- some of whom are in this room now- and together we put on a play. I directed it throughout about 4 rehearsals over the course of only 3 weeks, and by the performance date they were more than ready- from their lines, to their blocking, to their costumes. One of the main things I learned by putting that event together was how to keep order with people who are my age and also my friends. It was a valuable lesson in how to be nice while still keeping it productive and it not being overly chaotic. That’s a skill every president needs to have, because really while their job is to get things done, it’s more importantly about keeping you happy.
     And that’s what it comes down to, really. I’m up here bragging about why I would be right for the job, but you can’t be a good president just by pleasing yourself. That’s not what I’m trying to do.
     It’s not about me, it’s about you- and that’s why you should vote Olivia Salomon for the president of NJHS.

I was really happy with how I did. Hope you vote for me!

The Reign of Malfoy is Drawing Near

Tomorrow is NJHS, where I will most likely have to say my speech unless they run out of time for the presidents. Don't know if I want this to happen or not- I mean, my speech isn't that bad well at least it isn't emotion-less and so I am doing okay but no that's a lie I'm scared. As long as I don't sound scared it's all good. I'm okay with looking scared, but SOUNDING scared, with your voice shaking and stuff is horrible I hate it so much. Can you tell I'm going for the "run on sentence" vibe here? Okay, so I HOPE I WIN well duh, or else I wouldn't be running, right? Okay, I've decided. I want to say it tomorrow. or else I have to wait what, another week which would be horrible because I would spend the entire time stressing and editing and memorizing and GREATLY confusing myself up with the Student Council speech which I haven't written yet. And I'm kinda not ready to write it because like I said, I would then try to memorize it, and then go to say my NJHS speech by saying "Hello, I'm Olivia Salomon, I'm in 8th Grade, and I'm running for secretary," instead of "Hey, I'm Olivia, and I'm running for NJHS president.

Just got the little nervous things. If I don't eat breakfast tomorrow, you'll know I'm really nervous. See (some of) you then!

I need to post more often.

I really do. And actually, I am always THINKING about what I'm going to post, but I never get around to it.

So I'm just going to say a few random things.

Realization of the day: My hair is looking kinda fake-red in a purple way. Like Isaac's last year. Not that Isaac's is fake looking, but purple looking. You know? But it's weird because it's not fake... change of shampoo is necessary. Haha. Random and kinda shallow of me to talk about that, but okay.

On a less shallow note, I LOVE MATH. LOVE MATH. LOVE IT. LOVVVEEE IT. Do you get the point? I'm learning SO MUCH and it's just really fun for me. Like last year, when I was "learning" slash playing with HTML? Set builder notation is the best. Okay. And it's just so much FUN in general, because it's like solving things and slowly revealing the answer....

Thats why my mom thinks I should like science, but I don't. It's not the teacher, it's just the material. I like Ms. VanVleet, well, I don't really know yet. So far, it's okay. I dunno. Ummm but yeah, I don't really like science. It's not that interesting. Funny, because I get really good grades in it. It's just not fun. I don't feel like it's learning, somehow. It's weird. Especially about the earth. I just... can't bring myself to care. I know that's a pretty naive of me to say that I don't really want to learn about the earth, but I don't. I don't find Earth Science interesting, and I don't find last years science interesting, it's just too easy. And this year, it's no longer easy and it's still not enjoyable. And like I've said to many people, it's a lot of work to not enjoy. I just hate how I knew this last year and yet still agreed to Earth Science. Well, I've heard she was supposed to be fantastic soooooo I'll wait and see. I'm not going to drop out, and I'm not really regretting it, I'm just kind of disappointed that it's still not challenging and or fun.


I'm being a rather BAD chatter with my BFF adri right now, and ditching her for long periods of time to write this. Apologize. Did you know that everything she's posted on her blog hasn't been showing up in mine? All this time I've been thinking that the most recent thing she'd posted was Mountains in the Distance, two months ago. Do you see that in my blog list? On yours? Because she's actually posted much more recent stuff... I think it has something to do with how she made it private.

On a different topic altogether, I'm going to have to threaten with the whole COMMENTS post. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED. I've only been hearing from the same 4 or 5 people. I want one of my 20 something followers to comment! Does ANYONE read this? It's okay if you say no.... as long as you say something. Ha.


On another totally unrelated point, I'm running for NJHS president and I hope I win. But if I don't, that's okay, because then I don't feel as bad about running for Student Council secretary as well. Still haven't decided if I'm going to. Haven't written anything resembling a speech, and haven't thought about it at all. Tell me, should I run? Will you vote for me? What should my student council posters say? (NJHS posters would be pointless, because the "election" is like thursday... in a few days CRAP.) Whenever I think about running my stomach does that little 2 second flying thing... you know? where you feel like you need to take a deep breath? I don't know how to explain it. It's not nauseous, and it's not really that scared either. Anticipation. The worst thing is that I know that I'll be SHAKING LIKE CRAZY AND even (GOD FORBID) blushing out of my mind while reading it. The shaking is worse, because then for the entire time after I can hardly stand up and I feel so weak it's SO WEIRD. I got it after reading my social studies speech which went over WELL as the one on the opposite side of the room/world as Nico's, which was horrible and gruesome and mean and HORRIBLE. Getting back to the point (not that there ever is one on my blog.), I get that shaky feeling whenever I stand up in front of people, even if it's freaking memorized. Plays don't count. Or at least Twelfth Night didn't, because the only nerves I had for THAT was not eating breakfast in the morning for the month leading up to the show... that's how scared I was. Ahem.

On ANOTHER different topic, it's that time of the year again! That's right, time for Olivia Salomon to (continue) her christmas list, perfect her halloween costume, and start her sisters Christmas present. See my Christmas list over there? ----------------->
Yep. Still there. A bit down. Yeah. All the things I NEED NEED NEED NEED NEED in order to make it through the next year.... cough wishful thinking cough. I'm going to hope for either the camera or the video camera, the laptop is so out of the question I took it off.

This post is to long. I'm going to try to have more regular aber (german word meaning but) shorter posts. Or at least more interesting ones.... HATE ELLIPSES. HATE. "..." HATE.

Question of the evening:

Is my writing getting:
Less boppy/bubbly/exciting/crazy/random or
More boppy/bubbly/exciting/crazy/random or
crazy boring or
crazy horribly out of control or
bad or
good or
great or
fantastic or
annoying or
really fun to read (because it's SO MUCH FREAKING FUN TO WRITE)


Don't you just love me...


(it's okay if you say no as long as you say something! haha...)

I dare you...

I dare you all to pick up a New Yorker magazine and read it straight through, from beginning to end. I've learned so much random stuff! And I'm only on the second article. The writing is fantastic, also. I used to look at them and be like "That writing is so boring" but it ISN'T. It ISN'T. It's really really great. I read an article on Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, and I don't know what to think. It's really long, but if you read it you won't regret it. It doesn't look as interesting online... AND IT'S LIKE 20 PAGES SHORTER and not as good but whatever. It's I also read this, a story called "ET TU, BROOKLYN" and it was just the perfect length of story and just... right somehow. I don't know. All I'm saying is that it's one of those magazines that you should just read all the way through. I'm going to read the science article just like I read the Shouts and Murmurs.

Plus the covers are just perfect.

Do you see this, Sophie? DO YOU SEE THIS, ALLY?

So tell me what you think. Have you read any? Did you like it? Did you hate it? I'm tired of the same people commenting and I REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO A POST ABOUT ASKING PEOPLE TO COMMENT. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING. Thanks. But anyway, really, does anyone else find magazines in general cool? Or just this kind of magazine? Fashion magazines? I like fashion ones also- all those PICTURES and stuff. What's cool for me about magazines is that they, unlike books, seem to need to have every single word read instead of skimming sentences here and paragraphs there. I soak them in. Weird, huh?

p.s. I love the new blogger- it's more like a gmail. Very cool. Though the picture thing is more like choosing a status picture. However, it IS less confusing, which is a plus.

[insert sign off here]

Social Studies Essay.

Our assignment was to write a speech about the death penalty, and if it's constitutional or should be allowed.


I think that allowing the death penalty in America is unconstitutional. Killing even a criminal is cruel. No matter what the person had been caught for, death isn’t the answer. The death penalty also goes against the eighth amendment, which says that no “cruel and unusual punishments,” are allowed in America.

In a case of murder, the death penalty could be put in place to prevent that person from ever killing again. Ironic, isn’t it, since then we are setting the example that it is okay to kill someone if they did something wrong- in this case, murder- but someone could always say “Oh, look, the state thinks it’s okay for someone to be killed for doing something bad, and I’ve always hated this one other person because of one reason or another, and so it must be okay…” and that just starts the cycle all over again. So while the death penalty does fulfill its goal by keeping the accused from ever doing something criminal again, it is more important for the government to set a good example for how its citizens should behave- and killing people for their crimes isn’t something that should be circulated as an action approved by the government. A person should have a life sentence in jail, but killing them would make you just as bad as them, and a hypocrite.

Another point against the death penalty is the effect is has on how we think of ourselves. First of all, I don’t like being “seen as a country” that executes it’s citizens- even if we are otherwise modern, industrial, and civilized. Actually, especially if we are modern, industrial and civilized. Why kill, when, apparently, imprisoning them for life would cost less, while keeping us, as a country, from feeling like murderers? I know that a few days ago I talked about how we have become desensitized to murder and killings through video games, books, and movies- but really, who wouldn’t feel brutal after just killing someone? Who wouldn’t feel brutal after just hearing about someone dying at the hands of our government? If this didn’t make a person feel like a murderer, I don’t know what would. I feel like a murderer just knowing that such a thing exists with approval from our government.

So yes, I think that society is better off without the death sentence. It’s cruel, and if you don’t think that it is an unusual punishment then you should get away from those action violence video games and take a look at the countries around us. We are one of the few modern civilizations that still use death as a punishment, and for us it’s even worse- because it goes against our own laws. The death penalty, according to me, isn’t the right way to punish our criminals.

Blah Blah Blah SEWING MACHINE.

Wore my first pair of actual skinny jeans today. Exciting, I know. Not really. They feel like wearing tights, all day. Tights are annoying. Whatever.

Annyyywayyyy I'm making my sister her Christmas present (my Halloween costume wasn't enough) and it's AWESOME. Her present is always the best because I make her American Girl Doll clothes, which I LOVE. Finally got an excuse to use the sewing machine, which I could hardly do for my costume because I had to sew cards together, which doesn't work well. I used tape. Shhhhh. Duct tape. Yet another one of Duct Tapes uses. See how I capitalized there? Duct Tape is also God, just like Me and I and You. Haha, remember that post? Wow, I'm crazy. Off topic. So yeah, I'm making her this whole aweesomee American Girl Doll Collection and it's going to be AWESOME. I got this SPARKLY PURPLE FELT at the UU Sale, and that's going to be my theme. I made this skirt already, which looks like a human-sized Gaga corset/bra thing, or a pair on underpants. BUT on an American girl sized, and worn as a skirt, not a shirt, it looks AWESOME. And I'm also making this really cool shirt also. I made a pink skirt. It's interesting. I have yet to make pants... and by "have yet to make" I mean "I will most likely never make" pants. They are FREAKING SCARY. I need to make a dress though, that's vital. I'll post pictures when they are done, or when I get a camera, or when my dad gets home so I can use his iphone to take pictures. Yes, that's the only working "camera" in the house. It's sad, I understand. I really want to show you all my clothing items!!! You'll see them later. Maybe I'll get a camera for Christmas. Time to put it on my Christmas List (It's on the right side? See it?)

Okay, I've got to go do my homework. Stupid homework. THOUGH we don't have Algebra MIRACLE but still. Sozialkunde. Und Earth Science. Das ist nicht gut.

Dilemma

I need a new blog title. It's not as me anymore. Any suggestions? And also, I need a new background. Adri, do I have any quotes? Doubt it, but still. I need something. So Far Gone, in addition to being an album by the dreaded DRAKE ehhh is just not good enough. I'll leave it like this until I find a better one.

I could always go back to Ooh. La. La. but I didn't really like that. Come on, you're all smart people. Anything that's perfect for this?

Books are Ruining My Life Because I Can't Seem To...

I can't seem to take myself away from the Chick/Pink/Friend Lit. Ugh. SO uncreative. It's like the saaaame story over and over again. But they're SO addicting. God. All those happy endings, jealousy.

I reread Animal Farm, and decided that I really need to learn about communism's history. I know surprisingly little about it considering the Historical Fiction stint I went through a few years ago- but THAT was about the Holocaust. I read a Hitler biograpy. The Book Thief was just one of those things that made you do that.

I need to stop reading those CHEESY HORRIBLE BOOKS. And NO MORE SEXY VAMPIRE STORIES EITHER. God, who ARE you? Maybe I'll read Frankenstein... nooo..... uh. Sexy vampire story.. NOOO.... um. Ah. I have a secret. It's horrible. Okay. Um. here it is. irereadastephaniemeyerstory. I re-read a Stephanie Meyer book. Not Twilight, but still. Science Fiction. Shiver. Please. No. Yeah, she wrote a science fiction. It's very sweet. Same idea as Twilight though. And REALLY long. I just read the end, the happy part. Or the climax onward. Or the romantic climax onward. THAT sounds weird, not like that. I just meant that the ADVENTURE climax meant little to me.

WHO AM I TURNING INTO NOOOOOOO. I need to stop believing in those happy ever after stories. Soooooooooo I'll...... read.... um...... the problem is I can't find a book that's adult enough for me while still not boring me to tears. Help me get over my addiction to Chick/Pink/Friend Lit. Thank you.


P.S. Who thinks I should change my background? I think I'll change it soon. I'm getting bored. Even though this one is pretty perfect. Well, so was the last one. So I'll find one better.

ADRIIIIIII

I love Adriana. She's like, my favorite person. She's awesome. I don't think you care what other people think, do you, Adri? It's fantastically amazing.

So today I decided to dedicate my health project to her by using a real life experience that she went though.
I still don't have a camera so I just drew some new pictures. They suck, but get over it. It's called a DOODLE.

Here you go:
A. A girl is running in high-heels onstage. It is part of her costume.
B. The girl has never practiced running in heels before.
C. The girl trips on the slippery stage while turning.
D. The girl falls flat on her face, and twists her ankle.


I realize that "the girl" could be assumed to be me, but YOU ARE WRONG, it is in fact ADRI. I would never be that klutzy. Ahem. So yes, Adri, there you go.

Person: "[Explains something not important]"
Adri: "Livvy, aren't you going to tell him?"
Livvy: "Oh, right, Person, Adri loves you."
Person: "Chuckle/Laugh/Scoff." Actually I don't know what Person said, I don't remember.

later:

Adri: "I'm so glad you didn't say "Adri has a crush on you." That would've been SOOO embarrassing."


Hey Adriana. Hope you enjoyed this post. It's dedicated to you. See? It's tagged "dedicated to Adriana." YOU LIKE?

Some old authors of the moments...

1.

George Orwell.

Animal Farm
1984


say no more.

But actually, I have to say more. I haven't even finished 1984 yet- but the ideas and the story is just so good. Creepy, a bit secret agent (but yeah no, not at all), and just really interesting. The world is so hard to imagine, and yet not. You could actually picture this happening. EVERYTHING is controlled- even your thoughts. Or, your thoughts are tried to be controlled. You can be arrested for twitching! It has a name- facecrime. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU! I mean really, why would you put that on a poster all over not as an ironic joke? The people don't even find this a little weird? No, they don't. They actually think that what's happening is good.

Parts of it are actually somewhat like animal farm, after the creepy pig takes over- he keeps sending guys over to tell the rest of the farm that things are better- look! Last year, with the farmer in charge, you only had this much grain! And now! Fantastic! Even if it's a lie. THAT part made me a bit mad because of how similar it was to 1984, because the whole point of this kind of work is to be creative. But whatever.
Animal Farm was also really amazing. I love the transistion Napoleon (I think that's his name. I haven't read it in... actually, exactly a year.) makes from low farm animal pig guy to human at the end. What's that line? “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” I love that.

They were both really cool things to read. Interesting. And I'm gonna see if he wrote anything else after finishing possibly the most well known conspiricy-scifi-government-controlled book ever written. No wonder it's been banned.

2.

SCOTT WESTERFELD- HAVE I SERIOUSLY NOT TALKED ABOUT HIM YET????!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!?!??!!!??!?!??!?
He (and of course, Markus Zusak) are the writers of my favorite books in the world.
Westerfeld wrote the book Peeps, and the book So Yesterday. My favorite thing about him is that he really like, does his research. I guess you'll need to read Peeps to find out- but there are a lot of historical things, and biological things, and parasite things that I can only imagine how long he spent learning about. Same with it's sequel, The Last Days, with all these random bands he found for the chapter titles.
And in So Yesterday, he shows that it's not just science and music he knows about- fashion too. I mean, really, this guy is just so smart.
Whenever I spout random information (which I do often) my parent's are like "Where is that from?" and I pretty much always say Scott Westerfeld. He’s great and I’ve learned a lot. PLUS his stories are awesome. I really love the ideas that he has, with the vampires and the fashion and the future. It’s just really cool . And I still need to read one of his… I forgot what it’s called. It starts with an L, I think? Anyone know? Whatever, everyone, read all of his books. It will make me happy. Peeps is like my FAVORITE book. Possibly ever.

A Youtube Playlist!!!!

Yay! Now you can all listen to my favorite songs! The playlist only includes the songs with two stars and more. Listen if you want, read if you want- but these are my favorite songs so don't hate! Strongly dislike is okay! Just say why. Not just "I freakin hate your taste in music it freakin sucks" because that would be HATING which isn't allowed here. So yeah. What songs do you like and which do you hate... I mean dislike? Some of them curse every once in awhile, and that's not my fault, the versions I own (mostly) are clean. So just ignore those parts.
~See the playlist~
Honorable Mentions:
Another Brick in the Wall (Part One)- Pink Floyd
City of Blinding Lights- U2
Fitter Happier- Radiohead
Handlebars- Flobots- I'm sick of this song, but I know that if I hadn't wasted it I would still like it.
Losing My Religion- REM
The Show Must Go On- Pink Floyd
Silver and Gold- U2- I like the part hwen he's talking.
Texarkana- REM
That's Not My Name- The Ting Tings
Wavin' Flag- K'naan- NO I don't know this song from the world cup- it was from before. I saw K'naan on tv performing.

One Star:
*Cedars Of Lebanon- U2- Slow song, I don't really know why I like it, but it's okay.
*Fez- Being Born- U2- Really cool beginning with odd noises.
*The First Time- U2- Used to be my favorite love song, but not as good as the one I talk about later. Not as sweet or good. It's really quiet.
*Highway 61 Revisited- Bob Dylan- REALLY interesting lyrics. I don't get ANY of the references but I know that if I did they would be great. Ha...
*Run This Town (Ft. Rihanna and Kanye West)- Jay-Z- Jay Z is the only rapper I really like. His lyrics are fun to listen to.
*Running to Stand Still- U2- I really like songs with stories. This one is interesting, and the tune is good- but I don't REALLY get it. I think it's drugs? I dunno, I like it.
*The Trial- Pink Floyd_-The Musical form of Tim Burton. YES> It's really creepy and really cool and I really want Tim Burton to make it.
*Vertigo- U2- fun to listen to. My favorite part's when he's like "All of this- all of this can be yours. All of this- all of this can be yours. ALL OF THIS- all of this can be yours. Just gimme what I want, and no one gets hurt" Ha. It's funny. And I enjoy breaks in the song like that.
*Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses- U2- Lyrics are worth mentioning. Or the ideas that went into them are.
*Yellow- Coldplay- This is another extremely awesome love song. Awwww.

Two Stars (Where the playlist starts)
**Acrobat- U2- i really like how the song changes but not too much. Also, "Don't let the bastards drag you down" Yeah.
**Beautiful Day- U2 Pretty song.
**I Want To Hold Your Hand- TV Carpio- It's the Beatles's song, BUT sung by a girl and like HALF the tempo. I REALLY like this version. From the movie Across the Universe, which you should see. A story based on a string of Beatles's songs.
**Karma Police- Radiohead- I dunno, cool song. Cool is just the right word.
**London Calling- The Clash- I like the tempo and the beat- it's very catchy.
**Miracle Drug- U2- Good lyrics- especially the first few lines "I wanna trip inside your head, spend the day there. To hear the things you haven't said, see what you might see. I wanna hear you when you call, do you feel anything at all? I wanna see your thoughts take shape and walk right out." I like the ranges of speed and etc.
**Robots- Flight of the Concords- Haha. Just watch it.
**Seen and Not Seen- Talking Heads- Just listen to the lyrics. Read them. It's fantastic.
**Van Diemans Land- U2- Sung by the guitarist, not the lead singer.
**When I Grow Up- Mayday Parade- A punk band singing a POP pussycat doll's song. So much better than the original. Best line "WHAT'S UP, SEXY" in like the first second of it. Listen carefully.
**Young Forever (Ft. Mr. Hudson)- Jay-Z- Remake of Forever Young. I like it. Jay-Z is very cool.
**2+2+5- Radiohead- I found this from Mr. McGrath last year. Confusing lyrics but really cool to listen to.
**I Write Sins Not Tragedies- Panic! At the Disco- I heard this for the first time like 3 years ago in Elora's car, and just rediscovered it. I like the tune, debating buying.

Three Stars (some of my absolute favorites)
***All I Want Is You- U2- My favorite love song, probably. It's really sweet and good.
***Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)- Pink Floyd- Great lyrics. I don't know if the wall is keeping something our or keeping yourself in. I plan on listening to the entire album(s) until I get it.
***Attention- The Academy Is...- Funny, this was the story of my life at some point last year. Not the lack of attention, but the other parts. Anyway. I really really like the beat/tune and the line "it's not like it hurts much anyway."
***Ballad of a Thin Man- Bob Dylan- The lyrics. Do you get them? No one else does either. Or, at least, they're different for everyone. I can't find this on youtube. I dunno.
***Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd- I really like this song. Repetitive in a good way, and very interesting. It gets stuck in my head really easily.
***Footprints on the Moon (Live Sunday)- Viktor Lillard [Jakob Markwardt, Edan Bar]- This isn't on the playlist because it was what they played at the talent show- did you come to that? I got it when I recorded the show. I really like the lyrics. A lot. It's a BIT long. I'll send it to you, but I don't know how.... um...
***I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight- U2- This was my favorite song until it wasn't any more. Now I don't have one. So this was my most recent. Great lyrics, great tune. For some reason, I've always wanted to make a Stargirl-Themed music video for that. Have you read that book? But this is already a really awesome video.
***The Lining Is Silver- Relient K- Nice moral to this song, but I like it mostly for the tune. It's slow, but has a beat still.
***Mr. Jones- Counting Crow- Really awesome tune, interesting lyrics, fun to sing along to. "MRRRRR JONES AND ME, TELL EACH OTHER fairy tales, yeah we STARE at the beautiful women- she's looking at you- I DON'T THINK SO- she's looking at ME."
***Numb/Encore- Jay-Z and Linkin Park- a combo of Numb and Jay-Z. Like Forever Young, in that it was a song before Jay-Z came.
***Jesus of Suburbia- Greenday- Like Jakob Markwardt told me, the best part of this song is that it goes on for (way) longer than most current songs, and that it KEEPS YOUR ATTENTION for the entire time. My favorite part is the slower part that's a bit less... heavy. It's a great song. Don't watch the official video. Thanks.

Music Rant

Out of about 500 songs on my entire iPod, only 51 are sung by girls. Weird, right? And even then, only like 17 of those count, because 14 are from the soundtrack Across the Universe, 12 from a cd that like self loaded onto my iPod (I wish it would do that with the music I kept forgetting to put on and not the crappy stuff), and 8 were recorded from the schools variety show, yes, i recorded some of if you didn't know that already. Isn't it weird how there's no girls? I thought it was weird, though I dunno. I just don't like listening to girls sing as much. I don't know why. Anyone have a band that has a girl lead singer that plays music that is U2, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, REM, Talking Heads, The Clash and Greenday-esqe? I didn't think so. (by the way, not all the way The Clash and Talking Heads, only some. I haven't had time yet. I really like the faces talking heads one about changing your face. I think Seen But Not Seen). I don't know any girl bands with lyrics half as good, sorry. Just soooo good.

Yeah anyway, what kind of music do y'all like? And what do you like it for? For instance, this is my theory. In livvy-logic form. Don't you just love livvy-logic?

The lyrics matter to me the most. If it's a good tune but bad bad lyrics I might like it a bit but not really. If it's a bad tune but fantastic lyrics it's bound to become my favorite song because I'm like that. The thing that matters the lease but I still pay attention to is the voice of the person, or what they sound like and how they sing/say something. Sometimes, like with the song Mr. Jones, it's all and thats perfection.

So yeah. Mussiccccc raaannnnt. Could someone. Tell me how I love something Christian rock (U2) and an almost anti-Christain punk(?) rock (Greenday) AND adding in something like Talking Heads which is I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT. alternative doesn't cut it. It's like poetry but with a tune. Eehhhh that sounds stupid.

Well anyway, what is your music taste? Do you like bands that don't really go together? What is your music theory? Do you have a singer gender preference? Who do you listen to the most? Who do you hate but end up listening to anyway? Do you have a favorite song? Will anyone answer these questions?

Yepppppppp goodbye.


we dont need no education we dont need no thoughts controlled no dark sarcasm in the classroom teachers leave them kids alone. hey! teachers! leave them kids alone!

Happy Birthday, Ms. Volckmar!

I was googling a bunch of different "60th Birthday Cakes" and NONE OF THEM were cool AT ALL. Not even a little bit cool. SO I made one for her myself.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm trying to decide whether or not to actually print it off and give it to her as a late birthday present. I can't decide whether it would be TOO suck-upy of me. But I want her to see it kinda, so I don't know. Do you like it? The colors are kind of obnoxious, but they are very M. Volckmar. NO, she's not obnoxious, I mean she's like, loud. She is DEFINETLY not obnoxious. She's AWESOME. I love my teachers this year! (And last year too! Actually, I haven't had a bad teacher in SO LONG.)

So anyway, happy birthday, and happy new school year for everyone out there who ISN'T Ms. Volckmar.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MS. VOLCKMAR
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

AND MANY MOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE...

New song :)

My new favorite song- Mr. Jones, Counting Crows. No, i dont really know what it's about either. I like the idea of , (And yes, this is from the lyrics site.): "He's talking more generally about how he can't find any truth in the world (he can't believe in anything) He feels lonely because he can't find anyone who shares these views and could show him the light/give him something to believe in. The whole time he is melancholy because he sees everyone else such as Mr. Jones finding companionship and happiness but he is still stuck being lonely and misunderstood, thats a rather deeper look then anyone really cares for but thats how I see it" I guess that's how I see it, though apparently it's actually about his old band/drinking mate who always used to joke with him about being famous. Hi, famous Mr. Jones. And whatever the singers name is. I forgot. Anyyyway, this I'd the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxQtmn_f7Og&feature=youtube_gdata_player
And here's the lyrics.



I was down at the New Amsterdam staring at this yellow-haired girl
Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation with this black-haired flamenco dancer
She dances while his father plays guitar
She's suddenly beautiful
We all want something beautiful
I wish I was beautiful
So come dance this silence down through the morning
Cut Maria! Show me some of them Spanish dances
Pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones
Believe in me
Help me believe in anything
I want to be someone who believes

Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales
Stare at the beautiful women
"She's looking at you. Ah, no, no, she's looking at me."
Smiling in the bright lights
Coming through in stereo
When everybody loves you, you can never be lonely

I will paint my picture
Paint myself in blue and red and black and gray
All of the beautiful colors are very very meaningful
Grey is my favorite color
I felt so symbolic yesterday
If I knew Picasso
I would buy myself a gray guitar and play

Mr. Jones and me look into the future
Stare at the beautiful women
"She's looking at you.
Uh, I don't think so. She's looking at me."
Standing in the spotlight
I bought myself a gray guitar
When everybody loves me, I will never be lonely

I want to be a lion
Everybody wants to pass as cats
We all want to be big big stars, but we got different reasons for that
Believe in me because I don't believe in anything
and I want to be someone to believe

Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I want to be Bob Dylan
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky
When everybody loves you, son, that's just about as funky as you can be

Mr. Jones and me staring at the video
When I look at the television, I want to see me staring right back at me
We all want to be big stars, but we don't know why and we don't know how
But when everybody loves me, I'm going to be just about as happy as can be
Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna be big stars.. 

 

I Feel Like I Owe You All an Explanation

My email, livvyandlove, has an actual meaning and isn't just a string of words that doesn't mean anything.

I thought it would be more obvious when I made it, but it apparantly wasn't so. Maggie even said she thought it was "Livvy and lovers." Ha. Um, no.

It's kinda confusing to explain, but I'll try. Pardon me if I've already explained it to you.

livvyandlove.
Livvy and love.
Liv and love.
Live and love.

Make sense? No? Okay. I wanted to do liv(vy)andlove.

Get it yet?

So it's like live and love, except livvyandlove. I could've done livvyyourlife because that's like live your life except livvyyourlife. Right? Please comment that you get it because I don't really know how to explain. It makes perfect sense to me.

Lalalaaaa So much to sing about...

First day of school (for 6th graders and WEB leaders) tomorrow! Isn't this exciting! I know it is!

I made a bunch of paper crowns for my WEB kids and they will look totally EPIC but not as epic as Malama and I because OUR paper crowns are made of many different wallpaper colors instead of just black and one. So yeah. We will win. Not that I've being competitive or anything...

Also, I have my first-day-of-school-outfit all planned out, and everyone knows this is the MOST IMPORTANT PART EVER of school. Ever. Ever. Ever. Believe me. I'm kinda disapointed because I have to wear my WEB shirt on both days (this is a problem because 1. That's TWO DAYS IN A ROW! SCANDALOUS! and 2. The sixth grader's first impression of me will be me wearing a slightly too big shirt. and 3. There are only so many pairs of in-the-dress-code shorts that you can wear with a baggy shirt. and 4. Where did the creativity go! I wanna make my own costume! I mean outfit! and 5. THAT'S TWO DAY'S IN A ROW, if you missed it the first time.)but i guess it's okay because I hardly have any clothes left anyway. Whatever.

So... yeah... I don't know what I'm planning on doing after noon tomorrow because we have NOTHING to do, right? I'm thinking of getting my schedule (or trying to) early, hanging out in Mr. Kaltmans room, seeing if Mr. McGrath is here to say hi to, and hanging out in maybe the library?, and helping out maybe Ms. Bechert? Who will follow this plan with me? Is anyone else even staying? Are you? Please? Say YES! Just take the bus home at the end. We can meet up and have like 5th period lunch together. Or 4th, with all the sixth graders. *shiver* little kids.

Little kids aren't that bad, actually, well, at least the really little ones. Tractor, for instance. Yes, that's his name. Tractor. Is his name. Well, nickname. But it would be SO weird you DON'T EVEN KNOW to call him Steven. No, it's Tractor. And Sylvia. Awwwww. She looked so cute in my duct tape hat.

MY DUCT TAPE HAT, OMG. This is a very important thing! I'm going to go and take pictures now so you can see how AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING IT IS!















Don't you just love it! I do! Jenna (Gavin's sister) and I made it at UNIRONDACK which is a camp in the, you guessed it, Adirondacks that, yes, you guessed it, our unitarian church has for labor day weekend. It's just the best ever because we spent hours playing fooze ball (How is that spelled? anything like that?) and making duct tape creations. We also made this fantastic BAG that is amazing believe me. Jenna took that, I got the hat, we were both happy. Veryyy happy. *hugs hat to self* this is a Rain/Shine hat because it was originally a sun hat but then it started raining (duh it would rain, i mean, we're camping, of course) and it is waterproof! Who knew! So it's super special. Enough about the hat, what about youuuu? How did you spend your last few days beforeweareslaves cough summer? Are you looking forward to school? Describe what you are wearing! I love hearing from you!


If you couldn't tell, I'm really happy and excited for no reason really. Probably because of school, but don't worry, the excitement will fade and all I'll want then is a NAP. Sigh. See [some of you] tomorrow at [ahhh] 8. am. yay.

By the way guys, this is the downstairs bathroom in my house. My room is not such a bright orange color (ha, I wish.) and I don't have pictures like that on the wall. Or tile floors. Or, say, a toilet.

I'm going to miss you, Elora Becraft.

Plan of attack:

Hello, this is Olivia Salomon. May I speak to ______ please. Thank you... Hello? This is ______ right? Hey, I'm Olivia, your WEB leader? I'm calling to say 'hi' and to make sure you know that the first day of school, September 7th, is gonna be your orientation where you'll hang out with me, my co-WEB leader, Malama, and the rest of your group to learn a bit about Dewitt and to feel more comfortable. You should probably wear comfortable clothing as well, cos we'll be doing some activities together. You you have any questions?... Okay, great, I'll see you on the first day of school!

However I haven't had the chance to use my plan because none of the people on my list were home and I haven't written my answering machine plan of attack. Ad the person I haven't called yet, Nimesh, I haven't risked their being home because I haven't written my "I dint know how to pronounce your name yet" plan of attack.

Maybe: "hello, this is Olivia, your Childs WEB leader?"
Ehh noooo

"hello, this is Olivia Salomon. Can I speak to your incoming sixth grader please?... Hello, is this Neemesh? Is that how you pronounce it? I'm sorry, okay. Well, I'm Olivia and I'm your...."

That works?
While I'm at it, I'll write my Answering Machine plan of attack.

Hello this is Olivia Salomon calling for _______. I'm his/her web leader. I just wanted to call and make sure that you know the first day of School, September 7th, is your orientation where you'll meet with the rest if your web group. You should wear comfortable clothes and if you have any quetions, call me here at _________. thanks and I'll see you on September 7th!!!!!



YAYYYYYYY I just called and she actually PICKED UP IT WASN'T AN ANSWERING MACHINE! I'm so proud of myself I did it! She was happy! Yayyyyyyy! This is making me so happy because I hate calling people. I still failed at leaving messages and I hung up after the beep on Nimesh's because it was in Spanish and didn't know what he was saying but other than that the one call I made was good!



Good luck fellow WEB leaders! God you'll need it I hate answering machines. I read somewhere i think it was Scott westerfeld that they are like laying out all of your awkwardness and anxiety to be listened to and examined.

One of my annoying rants... (book reviews)

Why is every post on every blog now a book review? Books are good, yes, but where did all the interesting facts and stories of your life go?! I'm not just saying this because I don't like writing book reviews that have no emotion in them. I don't like them very much, either. It doesn't make you want to read the book. NOR, however, does one with entirely too much emotion. (Like mine, but that's besides the point.)

You need to have a balance. Don't just critic and read the book so that you can tell everyone "Oh, look, I'm so smart, I've read another book- look here's the proof! That's what it's about!" because that's stupid. If you enjoyed the book a lot, write about it and say how it has changed your life (well don't say that, that's a little weird, but say how it's so good) and if you didn't like it then slam it. If it didn't matter to you at all, then don't write about it. It's that simple. And don't write about it as if it didn't matter to you at all.

No more of this 4.5 crap, okay? No more of this "just read it. really." crap, okay? And write about something ELSE, not just what other people are writing! You are all more creative than that!

However, expect to see some stuff about sci-fi in the near future. And books. From me. How hypocritical.