life

ReCap

/ life

It’s been a while, again. I still primarily update at my LiveJournal, but for the two of you (if even that many) who still lurk around here, well, here’s a quick rundown:

1. I went to Chicago to visit Adam the first weekend in May.
2. It was during that trip that I started making concrete plans about moving/living there.
3. I took Aidan to visit my mom for Mother’s Day. Got a flat tire on the way home. Went back to my mom’s for an extra night.
4. Check engine light came on in the car, and went off randomly.
5. Went to Indianapolis with three of my co-workers for a copy editor’s convention. It was neat, and the weather was perfect.
6. Went to San Jose/San Francisco during Memorial Day weekend for Rosa’s wedding. It was awesome.
7. Got my car broken into, my iPod and a pair of sunglasses stolen.
8. Fell into a depression and generally felt tearful and unstable for several days.
9. Quit writing about 485 times.

I also started a YA book review site: Ronni’s Reviews. Freaked out when the check engine light came on AGAIN (this time it went off after two days). Felt out of it, lost, rejected, lonely, and hopeless. Not a good combo.

And that leads me to now. Trying to eat better, trying to be more mentally healthy, and EVEN TRYING TO EXCERCISE.

I need to get the bedtime thing down, though. My nightowl tendencies are frighteningly strong, however….

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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More Rambling (Picture)

/ life, pictures, ronni, Uncategorized

Went to the Rose Festival yesterday.

Here’s one of the roses I took a picture of:

Burst

Tried to settle down for the free concert at the gazebo, but I guess I’m just not into barbershop-quartet-sounding stuff. And I’m pretty sure the couple I was sitting next to on the lawn were my loud sexing neighbors.

Lately, I’ve been doing this thing where if I am in a big crowd of people, especially something like a concert, I try to find other black people. There were none at the concert, except for a couple of little kids who were with white adults. There were Asians there, though. I never really noticed before just HOW MUCH of a minority I am. Suddenly, I’m hyper aware of it. I also tried to see if there were other people sitting alone. Me and some older guy were pretty much it. Everyone else was with families or in couples.

I felt that I really stuck out (plus I didn’t care for the music!), so I left.

When I was in high school, people called me an “oreo.” While they all listened to whatever hip-hop act was the biggest, I was totally into New Kids on the Block, Martika, and pop crossover acts like Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli (yeah, I said it), and Bobby Brown. The thing is, I just listened to what I liked, not what I thought everyone felt I should like. A lot of people hated that.

I remember hearing this every single time I dressed DECKED the hell out in NKOTB gear—buttons, tee-shirts, watch, etc.:

student: You like New Kids on the Block?
me: Yes.
student: I heard they was gay.
me (thinking): Oh God, here we go again.
student: I heard one of them had to get his stomach pumped because there was sperm in it.

I realize that 1989–1993 was a different time as far as GLBT rights and stuff, but seriously, what does it matter if they *were* gay??

And… and… I don’t know about you, but how many people do you know had to go to the HOSPITAL from swallowing????

But that wasn’t all, folks. Oh no. People called me albino, they would pull me aside and ask: what color is you?. Hello? Wasn’t it obvious that I was a golden-beige? If Cover Girl can make a perfect powder match for my skin tone, then it should be clear what “color” I is.

I was an anomaly. They couldn’t understand me, couldn’t place me or label me, so they all assumed I was trying to “pass” (they were right, except that those really WERE my interests—it’s not like I was faking or anything). Some people would have this whole vendetta of “bringing me down” because in their minds I thought, with my light skin and eyes, that I was better than the darker-skinned people. They had no idea that junior high school had already destroyed my self-confidence (being called “horse nose” and “ironing board chest” and also being told to your face “you IS ugly” does that to a person), that I was a social retard, and that I was barely hanging on day-by-day in that hellhole of a high school. They also had no idea that I worked in a place where no matter what tone my skin was, I may as well have been black as the night as far as they were concerned, because those certain white people hated me that much. The irony of it was that my skin was actually lighter than theirs.

High school wasn’t all bad, mind you. But college was so much better—at least before the depression hit late 1997–early 1998.

ANYWAY….
Back to the weekend. I spent a lot of time reading Harry Potter books (out of order, just because). Getting myself primed for the new movie and new book next month. Over the weekend, I read Chamber of Secrets and I’m halfway through Goblet of Fire. Not sure if I’ll tackle Prisoner of Azkabhan or Order of the Phoenix next.

Things I’ve realized over the weekend:

1. Olive oil is NOT cheap.
2. No matter how much I try to cut writing out of my life, it keeps trying to sneak in.
3. Aidan’s obsessed with the Powerpuff Girls movie.
4. Shrek 1 really is better than Shrek 2.
5. JK Rowling is an effing genious, piss on the haters.
6. Sauteeing spinach is EASY and it tastes so yummy, thus making the purchase of olive oil definitely worth it. Yes, I’m craving it at 10am.
7. I make almost $7K below the mean of salaries in the U.S. and quite frankly, with rising costs EVERYWHERE, it feels like I make a lot less.

I’m working on slowly switching over the foods in my place with more healthy things. Part of the reason is that Kelloggs has once again decided not to sell a snack of mine in a readily available place (I’m pretty sure Wal-mart threatened all the stores again), so now I have to find other things to snack on. I bought golden delicious apples, peanut-butter/chocolate-chip rice cakes, purple grapes (Aidan’s choice) and red grades (my choice), fresh spinach (see #6 above), strawberries, and some snow peas which I will make tomorrow. I also decided to go with brown rice for now. I plan to switch to wild rice soon. Ultrametabolism is way too extreme for me, but I can work on snacking better and eating better.

Right now, my weakness is still Kool-Aid, and I crave chocolate constantly. Light chocolate snacks, like Rice Krispie Treats which no longer exist unless I buy a stupid variety pack which is mostly those stupid ORIGINAL ones. I still enjoy bacon way too much. But I’m going to finish off the bacon I have and then try not to buy anymore. It’s too expensive anyway. Or expenfis, as Aidan would say.

I’m sad because I think I’m going to have to give up publishing when I move to Chicago, and go back to being an administrative assistant. 🙁 Finding freelance work is next to impossible for a newbie with no money trying to break in.

adamselzer dyed his hair red. He told me that I was allowed to try to talk him out of it, but I didn’t because:
1. He’s a grown-ass man.
2. It’s HIS hair.
3. It’ll wash out in six weeks.

Got a roast beef sammich on wheat with mustard for lunch. Yummy.

Later.

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Lazy Saturday

/ aidan, life

WOW I was lazy today. I mean, shamefully lazy. Oh well.

I got Aidan to sleep in his own room last night! I was so excited. This is such a milestone. I knew I’d won when he started going “Mommy, why are you in my room!” And then, he asked me to lie with him “way with me, mommy”, and I said for five minutes only. He counted to five. I got the hint. It was cool. Now, he was up at 6:30, saying “MOMMY IT’S MORNING!” But he climbed into bed with me and fell asleep again almost right away. Unfortunately, I was up, so I lay there, trying to go back to sleep.

I fight sleep like crazy when I am not supposed to be sleeping, like, during work for instance. But as far as trying to sleep during allotted sleep times (such as night), I have the hardest time. I’m just uncomfortable and my mind races and my heart pounds. It’s annoying.

I took lots of mini naps today during the marathon of movies that Aidan watched: The Little Mermaid (1.5 times), Lady and the Tramp (1.5 times) and Powerpuff Girls (he’s on his 2nd run-through right now). Mojo Jo Jo is a bitch.

I also wrote and read in between naps. I managed to clean Aidan’s room and my room a bit, too. I have a LOT of clothes. The frustrating part is that I can’t fit 65% of them anymore, so I’ll be donating a lot. I guess I have to start downsizing like crazy ANYWAY because the thought of moving all this stuff two states over is really overwhelming, but not as overwhelming as trying to think of a place to put it all once I DO move.

The place is a mess now, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to make it very neat—there’s no where near enough room for all the stuff I have, and there’s still stuff at Bauer Street I need to bring (God, a whole room of stuff, HELP). I think I’m going to do what my mom did and get those vaccuum bags that you can suck all the air out and smash stuff, like all my stuffed animals and out-of-season clothes. I have more stuff to donate, too. I’ve GOT to declutter. GOT to.

Last night, I made enough chicken parmesan (it’s YUMMY) to last me until Monday. And celinedion ROCKS like whoa because she hooked me up with some Celine music I’d been missing, and packed them into these neat, pretty CD sleeves, and included an awesome postcard. I ♥ Erin. Muchas.

I have a busy travel week next week. Wednesday evening, I’m going to Indianapolis for a copy editor convention on Thursday. Then I come back Thursday night, pack like crazy, and then leave early, early Friday morning for California for meimeigui‘s wedding!!!! YAY travel. Yay photo ops. YAY for hanging out with awesome people!

Whoa because May has sped by.

Happy Birthday to birdcalling!!!!!!!

…and I guess that’s all for now.

*Yawn*

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Potluckified (Picture)

/ life, pictures, Uncategorized

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written. Ten days or so? Hmmm. Well, I’ve learned some things in the time I’ve been away:

  • Facebook can be addictive.
  • Death Cab for Cutie is amazing. I’ve totally been listening and enjoying their music lately, and I’ve been collecting every album I can get my hands on.
  • People who shouldn’t matter can still hurt my feelings. CRAP. 🙁
  • I might be over my head with the number of books I have out of the library at the moment.
  • Why, yes the temperature CAN be 82ºF one day and 32ºF the next day.
  • It is not a good idea to have my own music playing while browsing My Space.

The furnace motor in my apartment was broken over the weekend. Luckily, I was away for most of it, but my place was still cold. 55º inside, while it’s 32º outside is not fun. Thankfully, I have an electric blanket and a space heater. Both kept me sufficiently toasty for the time I was here. Plus, the people in the rental office lent me a big ass space heater to use in lieu of the real heater.

I was supposed to do my taxes today, but I think I’m going to wait until tomorrow. Anyway, they’re already done. I just have to mail them. And the big ass check they don’t deserve.

Saturday, Aidan dyed his first Easter eggs. See?

Coloring Easter Eggs

Yeah, he’s cute. 🙂

I love this picture too:

Little Profile

And oh my, but I’ve found a boy who I have a crush on moreso than Harry Potter. Not that I had a crush on Harry before, but that’s beside the point. This new guy…his name is Leven Thumps, and he stars in the Leven Thumps book series, the first of which is called Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo. The descriptions are vivid and laugh-out-loud funny. The adventure is wild and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The book is so original. Of course, I don’t read much fantasy, so I may be well off. At any rate, I’m certainly enjoying this! I’ve already put the sequel on reserve at the library. I’ve about 2/3rds of the way through the first one, and it is amazing. The author, Obert Skye, is extremely talented, and even his bio in the back of the book is funny. Get a sneak peak here: http://www.leventhumps.com

And while I am making recommendations, everyone should read Holes by Louis Sachar, if you haven’t already. I’d read it last year, and I saw the end of the movie earlier this year, but I decided to read it again today. I tore through it in two hours. That book is awesome, and Laurie Halse Anderson (halseanderson) and Laura Ruby approved. 🙂

Speaking of authors, Sarah Dessen (writergrl) is pregnant!!!!! Eeeeek!!! AND she just finished a book whicih will be out this time next year! YAY for her.

My goal was to read 100 new books in 2007. As of today, I’ve read 71. I’ll probably finish Fix by Lesllie Margolis tonight, and Backstage Pass by Gaby Triana tomorrow. Plus, I’ll finish Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo during work (it IS a work-related book). I need to get on the ball. Due dates are coming up, my stack is HIGH! Ah, reading. I love it so.

Laurie Halse Anderson took a guilt-free weekend recently, and spent the weekend reading. She read four books, so she’s a fast reader like I am. I have a guilt-free weekend coming up and I am SO looking forward to it. I plan to read, write, sleep, watch movies, watch the OC on DVD, and repeat the process all over again. It’s gonna be SWEET.

‘Til next time.

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Potluck (Pictures)

/ life, pictures, survey

I ate too much today. Dinner will be VERY light or non-existent. Moof.

Today, I took Aidan to Toys R Us. He’s been collecting the die cast Cars characters, and they’re cheap, so I wanted to get him a couple. I was confused by the big crowd there. Well, they were having some sort of Easter bru-haha. There was a scavenger hunt, goodie bags (filled with weird stuff like cookie mix, bubbles, hand sanitizer), story time, and… wait for it…..

THIS!

Character Greeting!

Yes, it’s Geoffrey the Giraffe! Wheee! Aidan is holding the Spiderman Mr. Potato-Head that he ended up not wanting after all. The raincoat I’m wearing—I got it in Vegas last May. It’s London Fog and v. cute. Does a good job keeping me dry, too.

Here is Aidan with Geoffrey:

Aidan and Geoffrey the Giraffe

My camera battery died, but the sales associate was nice enough to grab me a pack of Duracell AAs to use, and trusted that I’d pay for them before I left (which I did, of course). So yay! I love character greetings. And I love cool store employees.

So far, Aidan has:
Mater
Brand New Mater
Lightning McQueen
King
Sally
Dinoco McQueen
Chick
Lizzie
Sheriff
Green Ramone
Radiator Springs McQueen
Nitroade
Leak Less

He needs:
Doc Hudson
Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Wingo
Sarge
Fillmore
DJ
Purple Ramone
Yellow Ramone
Dirt Track McQueen
Boost

Yesterday, the idiots were certainly out and about. I was driving down the street and the street doesn’t have a sidewalk. Okay, pedestrians will be in the street. Fine, whatever. Well, these two dumbasses were walking in the MIDDLE of the street and had the nerve to give me a dirty look when I went around them. Like they own the fine streets of Columbus Ohio? Ugh.

I have a whopping fifteen books checked out of the library right now. One might say I’m obsessed. I’m reading Kate Brian’s Private series now. I’m loving it. Finally, books about rich girls that aren’t name dropping every other paragraph. Refreshing. In addition, those girls are CLEVER and complicated. Kate Brian is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I’ve been devouring her books recently. Oh, speaking of that, I decided to open a book review site: Ronni’s Reviews. I read so much, I figured I might as well share my opinions on some of the dang things. Plus there are google ads at the bottom. You know what to do to hook a sister up.

SOMEBODY sent me a dozen pink roses at work on Wednesday. Now, I’m not a huge fan of getting cut flowers. I prefer them to remain in the ground. Main reason is that I don’t do well with them. I forget to water and give them food, and the next thing I know, they’re slumped over and looking depressed. Yeah, not a good thing, right? But these are pink and pretty and extremely fragrant and all the women in the office are going nuts over them. So they made me smile. Have I ever said that my friends are beyond amazing?

I can’t believe it’s 7pm already! I love this longer day stuff. YAY Daylight Savings Time. Yay Spring.

And especially YAY for The O.C. season one on DVD. Adam Brody gets cuter every episode, and Melinda Clarke is just… wow. Stunning. For some reason, she reminds me of my mom, but I can’t figure out why.

Anyway, here’s a s u r v e y!

~Basics~

Name: Ronica Lanean
Birth date: 12.20.1974
Hair color: Golden-brown
Eye color: Hazel
Birth place: Cleveland, OH
Current location: Chicago-bound
School: None
Height: 5’1″
Weight: 115 lbs
Status: Divorced
Religion: Confused

~Favorites~

Color: Pink
Food: Spaghetti
Drink: Juices or water. And Kool-Aid.
Store: None
Restaurant: None
Season: Autumn or Spring
Day of the week: Friday
Holiday: Birthdays and Christmas
Flower: wildflowers
Candy: chocolate
Musical Genre: No particular favorite, I’ll listen to what sounds good.
Band: Aerosmith
Artist: Joan Baez
Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate
Hangout: my place
T.V. Show: N/A
Movie: The Boondock Saints

~In A Boy/Girl~

Hair Color: No favorite, but there must be curls. I like curls.
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: At least 5’10”
Personality: Smart-aleck, funny, intelligent, nerdy
Clothing style: His own
Hot or Sweet: Both

~Can You~

Play an instrument: Very little.
Sing: Barely
Play a sport: Meh.
Dance: Sure

~Have You Ever~

Bungee jumped: No
Been in an accident: Yes.
Broken a bone: No.
Barfed in public: No.
Skinny dipped: Not yet.
Kissed in public: Yes.
Embarrassed yourself in front of your crush: Um… I’m sure I have.

~Do You~

Believe in God: Sometimes.
Believe in ghosts: Meh.
Like roller coasters: Yes.
Get mad easily: Yes.
Have a curfew: Hell no.
Believe in love at first sight: Yes.
Have siblings: Yes.
Daydream a lot: Absolutely.

~This Or That~

Hugs or Kisses: Both.
Iced Tea or Nestea: I’m not into iced tea.
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate.
Black or White: Both.
Love or Wealth: Both.
Cuddle or Sex: Both.
Sit or Stand: Sit.
Rock or Rap: Rock.

~Top Six Dreams~

1. Live comfortably as a full-time novelist;
2. Live in Chicago;
3. Visit Ireland;
4. No more debt;
5. Aidan would continue to be awesome;
6. A secret. ♥

—————————–

Girly Confessions

*~*Guys*~*

What’s the worst excuse you’ve ever given to not go out with a guy? Um… I think I just told him I wanted to be friends or didn’t like him that way or whatever.
Ever cheated? Yes. 🙁
Ever wanted to? …
Ever dumped a guy? Yes.
Ever used a lame excuse when dumping a guy? No.
Ever make a guy like you, just to see if you could? Like I ever had that kind of power. Whatever!
Ever had a guy dump his girl for you? Again, like I ever had that kind of power.
Ever been called a tease? Not to my face.
Do you get honked at when you walk down the street? I did when I was 23.
Do you like it? Yes. Yes, I did.
Ever honk at a hot guy walking down the street? No.
Worst thing you’ve ever done to a guy? …

*~*~Girls~*~*

Ever spread a rumor about a friend? I don’t think so?
Ever kissed another girl? Yes.
If so, were you drunk? No.
Ever cheated with a friends boyfriend? No.
Ever bitched a girlfriend out? Yes, through AIM or email.
Lost a friend to gossip? No.
Ever caused someone to lose a friend over the gossip you spread? No.

—————————

What is your name spelled backwards? Acinor
What is the worst smell that you’ve ever smelled? Hmm. Probably anything poop-related. Or rotting things.
Do you believe in soul mates? Yes.
What was your worst experience? Huh?
Do you ever meditate? No.
What do you find to be a great for of relaxation? Reading.
Do you like the taste of octopus? Never had it.
Do you have anyone’s name tattooed on your body? No.
Who is your favorite Fraggle? N/A
What is your opinion on global warming? It’s real and scary.
What is your opinion on abortion? Pro-choice. I just choose not to have one.
Would you ever consider turning vegetarian if you aren’t already? I’ve considered it in passing.
Do you still keep in touch with letters? Yes. In fact, I owe a couple.
What did you want to be growing up? Do you still? An author, and yes.
What is your favorite era? None.
Who do you look up to? Sarah Dessen, Laurie Halse Anderson, JK Rowling
Have you ever made someone cry? Yes.
What was the first concert that you have ever been to? The Jacksons!
Why were you given the name that you have? I can never remember the story.
Where are your parents from? Ohio.
At what age did you receive your first kiss? I was sixteen going on seventeen, innocent as a rose….
What was your favorite game growing up? The Legend of Zelda, and Tetris. Oh, and I kicked ass at Millipede.
Who are your godparents, if you have them? N/A
What are you hearing right now? Aidan’s ABC game.
How do you think the dinosaurs died? Meteor.
What is your least favorite type of music? Anything that’s obnoxious.
Is it okay for guys to cry at movies? Hell yes. Right, cheebychumba? 😉
Have you ever been used? Yes.
Have you ever attempted the so called “Impossible”? Every single day, I attempt it.
Where would you like to go to dinner for your birthday? A fancy steak house. Or Harry Carey’s. (hint, hint adamselzer) >:)
Do you have an accent? I don’t think I do.
How would you spell your name without using letters? I’d use numbers.
Did you vote in the last presidential election? Of course.
Do you have self-respect? Sometimes.
What is the effect of stress on you? I beat myself up.
What is your favorite word? Banana.

TTFN.

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