Fair well, Blogger. Hello WordPress.

Moved.

I've moved my blog to WordPress. Blogger has got to get a better help system set up for its users. Click the link above to see my new blog.

Depp As Dali? Ooers.

Listening To: Modest Mouse - The View

According to this article on MSN.ca, Johnny Depp (*sigh*) is looking for scripts. He's planning to portray artist Salvador Dali.

Personally, I think Johnny would make a wicked cool Dali. He's already got the weirdness- and the twisty mustache.

Al Pacino and Peter O'Toole are being lined up to star in rival movies, 'Dali and I' and 'Goodbye Dali' respectively.

Lame. Pacino is great, if a bit too Italian. And isn't Peter O'Toole, like, a million years old?

Tudor Costume from "Other Boleyn Girl" on eBay!

Despite from what I've heard about the movie (that it's poorly made and tragically flawed), this gown from The Other Boleyn Girl is now on eBay. Man, it sure is perdy. (Click link below to view.)
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL - WOMEN'S TUDOR COSTUME

In other news, I am now the proud owner of Sims 2: FreeTime. Woot.

"Don't talk back to Darth Vader- he'll gitcha!"

Listening: Amos Lee (ft. Norah Jones) - Colors

There was a ladybug in my dog's nose yesterday. Just thought I would share that with you.

Also, it rained and rained and rained some more yesterday. So, naturally, my connection was shit for most of the day. The weather is fine today so my connection should only be slightly shitty.

I bought this watch off of eBay but I didn't find out if I won it or not until this morning. I think it's wicked cool. I've been wearing my mom's old ratty-looking one for ages ever since my old watch stopped working; it was my great-grandmother's and it was given to me after she died two and a half years ago. I just liked it. But this one is fantastic too.

Mom and Dad went to town today and Dad is going to see if he can find a copy of The Sims 2: FreeTime for me. I'm quite looking forward to playing it. According to its page on Wikipedia, I'll probably enjoy it a lot more than I did Open For Business. That expansion pack kinda stunk, in my opinion. And I swear, it's the very last Sims 2 expansion pack I'm going to buy, ever... until after I start college and have a part-time job and some extra cash to throw away on stupid computer games. Yeah, uh-huh.

Found this video on MSN.ca and then found it on YouTube, specifically so I could post it here. It's probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. Man, that kid is sweet- both in the "Dude, that's sweet!" and "Awww. How sweet!" way.

Friday 5: What's It's Like?

http://friday5.org/

1. What is your keyring like?
I don't actually have a keyring. I used to collect key chains but I had them all on the same ring and... well, it's a bit silly to carry around a keyring with twenty-five pointless things on it.

2. What is your purse/bag/briefcase like?
My purse looks and is shaped like a guitar. Silver and black.

3. What is your wallet like?
My wallet is also silver and black. With skulls on it.

4. What is your mousepad like?
My mousepad... has a picture of Hugh Laurie on it. Damn, I gotta get a new mousepad. Actually, yeah. I'm gonna go look for a new one on Cafe Press right now.

5. What are the curtains in your bedroom like?
They're pink-brown colored blinds. And quite dusty.

I had to Pea.

Listening: The Who - Substitute

Well, I just started a blog on Two Peas In A Bucket. Still not sure why the site is called that. I guess it doesn't really matter much. The site rocks either way. If anybody would like to check out my profile, I'm jillianne - keep in mind I haven't been on that site very long. Less than a day, actually.

Still nothing being done about the problem with the page elements on Blogger. I'm getting quite annoyed. Another person posted a message on the help group about the same problem, so more than 2 people are having troubles with it. Blogger is fab- but they really need a different way of fixing bugs and helping their users more.

My brother called today. I'm staying at his place on the 22nd after I come back from shopping in Halifax with the girls. He said something about watching Walk Hard that evening. Could be fun. Plus, he asked me what kind of hardware I have in my computer. He's getting a new one in a couple months and he said he would give me his old stuff- mostly so I'll have something newer in my computer for when I'm in college. His hardware works good and everything and would obviously be newer than the antiques that are in my computer now.

Victory is mine!

Yay! I did it! And I didn't even have to talk to Mr. Higgins for that long! He transferred me over to Student Services and I spoke to Mr. Boudreau, who always handled all my course changes in the past. We always ended up chatting about Crohn's Disease and associated medication because his wife is a long-time Crohn's sufferer. Anyway, he remembered who I was and sad he'd be glad to write the letter for me.

I'm to pick it up on March 17th. Goody.

Junk & Foibles, you shall be missed.

Listening To: Reindeer Section - Cartwheels

I just found out that my favorite store in the whole world, Junk & Foibles is closing at the end of this month. It's the coolest store ever, I swear. They sell vintage clothing, buttons, home-made art and a lot of other cool things. I've boughten 2 antique hats from there. They're having a going-out-of-business sale this month. I hope to get there on the 22nd, as I am going to Halifax with some friends.

Is it nerdy that I already have my outfit picked out for that...?

Still no fix to the Blogger bug. But someone replied to my post and said they were having the same problem, so that's comforting. Nice to know I'm not going batty or anything.

*quivery sigh* Well, the time has come for me to grow a pair and call my old vice principal and ask him to write me a recommendation letter.... Why, why, why does he make me feel so nervous?

Something Is (Apparently) Broken

I just posted a message in a Help Group ("Something Is Broken") about not being able to edit my Page Elements. I hope this gets fixed soon. I like Blogspot and I'd rather not have to find another blog host- again.

Oh, God. Was just surfing MSN.ca and came across article called Skip Breakfast, Pack on the Pounds. Great. I never eat breakfast. Ever. How could not eating a piece of bread, some cereal or whatever cause you to gain weight?!

An estimated 12 percent to 34 percent of children and adolescents skip breakfast on a regular basis, a number that increases with age. Previous studies have linked breakfast skipping with a greater tendency to gain weight.

That makes no sense at all.

The new study was both cross-sectional and prospective - moving forward in time. More than 2,000 adolescents were followed for five years.

Okay, that's just creepy.

"What happens is that total fat and saturated fat as a percentage of total daily energy were lower in the breakfast eaters compared with breakfast skippers," Richel explained. "This really shows that we have the potential to improve energy balance and weight control with healthy breakfast consumption. We're not talking pop-tarts."

Dammit. I love pop-tarts, especially the chocolate-filled ones with chocolate drizzled on the outside. I used to eat them before school at 6 AM, so that I wouldn't faint by the time lunch rolled around, sometimes not until 12:30 or so.

Also on MSN.ca news, it would seem that J.Lo can't stop buying crap for her new-borns. What the hell are babies going to do with a pony. And diamonds. And a masseuse. And several thousand bottles of Glow. I mean, seriously. Keep that up and you'll have two very spoiled B.Rats on your hands.

A musical adaptation of Desperate Housewives is in the makes. Good grief. Although, it might be a laugh. Just picture it: an Eva Longoria look-alike belting out a melody about shtooping the hot gardener behind her husband's back.

Actually, come to think of it, I'll take ten tickets please.

Amanda & I: Ink Bound?

Listening To: Garbage - Bad Boyfriend

Okaaaaay. Now Blogger won't let me edit the page elements with Flock. What the hell?! I'm in the process of seeing if I can edit them with Internet Explorer again, now that I'm used to Flock.

And the verdict is... No. It doesn't work in IE. Well, okay then. That's somehow comforting.

I wrote Chapter 47 of Whyte Books. Whatevs.

Amanda and I were talking about getting tattoos next year when we're in Charlottetown together, depending on how our financial situations are, of course.. She also mentioned that if she backs out, she'll still go with me when I go to get one. I figure, I gave up getting my Athena tattoo before college, I deserve to get a small one while I'm there. I'm considering my options. Right now, the number one contender is a dripping strawberry, in honor of Across The Universe. Yes, I love that movie that much. (For the record, I would also like portraits of Sweeney Todd and Edward Scissorhands.)

I'm going to go scrapbook for a bit. I'm making a page called "Waiting". It'll go between my cover page and acceptance letter. I'll post it here when it's finished. That won't be for a while though.

I'm beginning to think I need something else to occupy my time.

Review: "There Will Be Blood"

Name of Film: There Will Be Blood
Release Date: December 26 2007
Trailer: Click here
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano
Website: therewillbeblood.com
Rating: 7 oil wells out of 10.

I'm pretty sure the only other Daniel Day-Lewis movies I've ever seen was Gangs of New York and he was a total bad-ass in that so- hey! Why not?

(I'll just quickly note that I really liked Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine. I thought his part was really well done. I didn't even know he was in this movie until I started watching it.)

I originally thought this movie was a western- damn. Was I wrong. No cowboys in sight- not even a Southern accent. Which, in my opinion, made this movie all that much better.

The first thing I noticed about this film was the creepy music. I don't think I've ever heard music like that in a movie before- but it definitely gave the movie a different feel to it than it might have had otherwise.

There Will Be Blood is the story of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), an anti-social "oilman" who locates small towns with lots of oil under the ground. He buys their land and drains the ground dry. The main plot of this movie circles around him finding this one certain small town in California with "an ocean of oil under their feet". Plainview pretends to be a family man for the sake of appearances (even adopting a son, from a former employee who died on the job, and raising him as his own) but despises the idea of religion. The local faith healer (Paul Dano) quickly becomes an enemy of Plainview's.

Let the games begin.

What can I say about this film? The acting is crazy good. The music is eery. Daniel Day-Lewis' character is one that you feel both sympathy and hate for. The movie begins with you wondering, "Oh man. What will he do next?". By the end, you only expect him to do something completely crazy and cold-hearted.

My only complaint is that they didn't show Daniel Day-Lewis bathing in a tub of gold... or oil.

Review: "I Am America (And So Can You)"

Name of Book: I Am America (And So Can You!)
Author: Stephen Colbert
Published: October 2007
Website: makemeamerica.com
Audio Sample: Click to download
Rating: Four and a half sarcastic comments out of five.

I have been watching The Colbert Report (almost) regularly for almost six months now. I always liked his big-headed self-loving ways and the way he encourages his fans to worship him openly. I love that he hosts the show as a character. I don't think that's ever been done before- brilliant.

I didn't buy this book with my own money. And for that, I am not a hero. I thought it was mostly political and maybe serious so I didn't look into it to much. No, friends and readers: I got it as a gift from my mom for my 20th birthday. Is there a better sentiment out there that says "Here, daughter. I love you this much." I really don't think so.

From the first sentence- perhaps even the first word- I was laughing. Colbert mentions political mumbo-jumbo once in a while, but not enough to make you put the book away. (By the way, it has instructions inside the book on how to retire the book after you are finished reading it, diagrams included.) The chapters, written in the voice of Colbert's character, just explain some of his other opinions that he doesn't have time to talk about on his show. My personal favorite chapters were:

• "The Family"
• "Animals"
• "Sex & Dating"
• "Homosexuals"
• "Race"
• "Immigrants"
• As an added bonus, a chapter about the White House Correspondents' Dinner (with Colbert's speech) is included
  

Keep in mind that this book can be appreciated by anyone with a slightly sick sense of humor... Also keep in mind that this book would not (I repeat- would not) be appreciated by anyone who takes any of the above subjects seriously.

With that being said, go buy this book. Like, right now.

Let's Get Physical!!

Listening To: Prozzak - Pretty Girls

(Yes, that's right. Prozzak. I was just in a mood for some different music so I located some of my old favorite CDs- and came across Prozzak's Saturday People. And I've been listening to it for a large portion of the day. 'Cause it's catchy... God, I'm so cool.)

Before I continue, let me say this: I've never been thin. I like my curves. Boobs, hips, bum and tummy included. But I promised myself that if I got that surgery and everything went well, I would start exercising again. Back in grade 9, I did 200 sit-ups almost every night and my stomach looked quite cool. In grade 10, I started CEC and I had to get up so early and I would just be so damn tired by the time I got home, so I gave it up. Then that summer I got sick and I lost a lot of weight because I was throwing up so much.

(For the record, during this time I did get thinner than I've ever been. I couldn't even enjoy it because I was so sick. A few months ago I saw a picture of myself from my seventeenth birthday. Yes, I was thin... but I looked disgusting. I was pale and my arms were all thin and gross. I hated how I looked. I would rather be curvy and a little overweight than look like that again. I'm sure there are people out there who would rather be thin and gross- but it's just not me.)

But then I was put on Immuran and I put back on all that weight, plus more. I'm still pro-curves and I'm generally okay with how I look (except when I'm trying on clothes in a store... but that's normal, right?) but I want to be healthy. I'd like to eat better: choose better foods and cut back on junk food. I'd like to start working out again too.

For the past 2 nights, I've done 25 sit-ups... and it hurt. Doing 200 used to be so easy for me!! Dammit. But it'll get easier eventually. Then I'll add more as I continue. I should really make a chart for myself, or else I'll start skipping my exercises. See, if I have a chart to check off every time I exercise, it'll make me feel guilty if I skip a day. I'm weird like that.

I found some articles at Bella Online about Beginners Fitness, so I'll probably read some of those and try some things out.

And then I'll get around to doing those 25 sit-ups...

Dwight Schrute = Baby Daddy?

Listening To: Just Jack - Starz In Their Eyes

Well, Flock seems to still be working out for me. Cool, cool. Although, I just found one thing that I'm not crazy about: I usually push Ctrl + U to make something underlined. It doesn't work in Flock, I guess. Ctrl + I seems to work for Italics and Ctrl + B seems to work for Bold- but no U. Lame.

I had to laugh at this article at MSN.ca. It suggests that once The Office comes back, Angela should be pregnant with Dwight's baby. I doubt they'll use this plot though, since Angela Kinsey (the actress who portrays Angela on the show) is already seven months pregnant. But maybe they could use the magic of television and make her only three or four months pregnant instead.

Ya never know.

Today I sewed up a hole in my favorite pair of jeans and watched Finding Neverland. I always bawl at the end of that movie. Johnny is so amazing. And now, I'm going to watch some early season 4 episodes of The Office, drink a can of Coke and have a Kit-Kat.

I went flocking... to Flock.

Okay. Now using Flock ("The Social Web Browser"). My friend Christel suggested it. It's pretty good, methinks. Lots of different options to work with. I like that it connects right to Facebook and has news feeds from different sites- perfect for when I need my Hollywood gossip fix. I still have to re-add all my Favorites and figure out some other add-ons, but I'll get there.

And, plus, it works with Blogspot! Ten points for Flock!

Is Blogger Suddenly Anti-IE?

One should note that I am very pro-Internet Explorer and generally anti-Firefox. I find IE simply much more convenient and helpful than Firefox.

I'm writing this blog entry on Firefox right now.

For the past couple of days, I haven't been able to edit any of my page elements because I keep getting a little "Error on Page" message at the bottom of the window. It was fine before that. Now, I can't even post a blog entry using IE because I get the same error message. What the heck? Is Blogger suddenly anti-Internet Explorer?

I'm hoping this is just a temporary bug... because switching over to Firefox just for Blogger would not make me very happy.

Brad Pitt Confirms Twins... Uh, Duh?

I told my mom weeks ago that Angelina Jolie was pregnant with twins but she didn't believe me because she hadn't heard it anywhere else. The unveiling of the baby bump at the recent Independent Spirit Awards pretty much confirmed the pregnancy that everyone already knew about. Then there was something about Angie wanting to raise the baby in France in honor of her French-Canadian mother. (Um, why not raise your kid in Quebec, durr?)

According to MSN.ca, Brad Pitt has confirmed that Angie is preggers with twins. I guess Brad really will get his own soccer team after all! After the twins are born, that'll make six. Six kids! Holy that's-gonna-suck-when-they're-all-teenagers, Batman!

GET SMART: International Trailer

I found this trailer for Get Smart that I haven't seen before. I'm pretty stoked about this movie. Steve Carell is definitely one of my favorite actors. He's more than just a comedian. He's a comedian who can actually act. And that's rare.





It's just too bad that Anne Hathaway is also in this film. What a disappointment.

Attack of the Ladybugs!!!

Listening To: "Hairspray" OST - Miss Baltimore Crabs

Okay, whoa.

I was just sitting here, reading a few more entries from Belle de Jour's blog, and I felt something go down the back of my shirt.

I KNOW, RIGHT?!?!?!

I pulled my shirt off and nothing fell out... but I saw a shadow move inside my shirt. Whatever fell down into my shirt was still in there.

It was a ladybug.

For some reason, ladybugs seem to flock to me. I even mentioned a ladybug being in my room in my very first blog entry. But one down my shirt in the middle of the night?

Sheesh. Coulda bought me a drink first...


On a completely different note, congrats to Sarah, who got her university acceptance letter in the mail today!! (...Now. If only my acceptance letter would get here.)

Sick, Sick, Sick

Listening To: Queens of the Stoneage - Sick, Sick, Sick

Gaaaaaah. I feel like death. I can't breathe. My nose is all stuffed up so I have to breathe through my mouth and my eyes are watery and I just feel like I've been run over by an especially large truck.

Plus, Mom said I even "smell sick". Well, that's grand. She said Mikey always had a certain smell when he was sick, too. (And here I though Mikey always had a "certain smell".)

I re-watched Hard Candy last night. Ellen Page is a bad-ass. Why, why, why wasn't she nominated for that?! Juno was good, but I'm almost positive that her character in Hard Candy would have been much more challenging: switching from sweet and innocent to psychopath in only a few minutes. That takes talent and skill.

Oh, and on another note: I forgot to mention that I finished revamping Jillianne-Hamilton.com a few days ago. I think it looks quite swank, indeed. I think I'd like to fiddle with some codes and adjust the photo gallery images so the pop-up window is a certain size and toolbar-less, but I'm in no rush.

Damn. I feel inadequate.

Listening To: Arab Strap - Love Detective

I spent most of the afternoon looking at scholarship junk online. I found a few other bursaries that I hadn't seen before. Plus, there's a new from Holland College that I could probably apply for. (Anything to put off actually writing the 500 word essay about the Women's Institute bursary I actually have the forms for.)

So many of these scholarships and bursaries are for people with serious disabilites- or for people of Native heritage. There's also a couple bursaries for gay or bisexual people, too. Charlsie made a good point: Why are there no bursaries for straight people of Irish, Scottish or English heritage? Not cool.

It's times like these that I wish I had a serious physical handicap.

"Tits."

I just watched an episode of The Colbert Report. It was a re-run. It originally ran on Valentine's Day but I missed it. It was kinda funny. The writer-less episodes have been funny- but I won't deny it: I look forward to seeing the new episodes, avec le writing staff.

Leonard Nimoy was on there, talking about his new book of photography. The photos were of larger, nude women. The photos were ironically beautiful. Quite stunning.Colbert was being his snarky self and making the argument that America's choice for what "beautiful" is: "tall, blond with big tits."

I hate the word "tits". I never expected Colbert to use that word.

I feel dirty.

The Clever Cookie's Oscar Wrap-Up

Y'know, with shows like Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, ET Canada and channels like E!, there is absolutely no need for anybody to spend their time watching any major awards shows. Because it is all discussed sometime in the following days.

I just watched a show on E! called Fashion Police and these 3 fashion experts pretty much dogged on all of the gowns I liked. (From what I saw earlier on ET, anyway.) I liked Ellen Page's black vintage gown. I liked Marion Cotillard's white, scallaoped gown- I thought it was so elegant, albeit aquatic. I liked Kelly Preston in yellow. I haaaaaaaated Anne Hathaway's red gown. Too over-the-top. She looks so much better in a more classic Old Hollywood look. Besides that, she's a busty girl and needs a bit more support in the front- if ya know what I'm saying.

So, Juno didn't win and neither did Jason Reitman or Ellen Page. But that's okay. Diablo Cody, sporting a sexy pin-up girl tattoo, won for Best Original Screenplay. She is possibly the coolest woman ever: a stripper turned writer. How cool is that?! I may have to investigate that vixen a little further.

Johnny Depp was nominated for Sweeney Todd- but nobody expected him to win. And guess what. He did not. I have yet to see There Will Be Blood but I've heard some very good things about it. Sweeney Todd did, however, win for Best Art Direction- at least it's something. It was nominated for Best Costumes. How many times has Colleen Atwood been nominated? About a million? Does that sound right? The Costumes award rightly went to Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Like a few of the critics said, the elaborate costumes overshadowed the good-but-not-great movie.

That's all for now, until the next awards show, that is...

Stickers, "Superbad" & My Darling Doctor

Listening To: Linkin Park - By Myself (Marilyn Manson Remix)
Surfing: Eyelet Outlet

So, on Wednesday I had my check-up with my surgeon in the city, Dr. J. He said my incision looks great. He asked me how everything was going and was quite pleased to hear that I was doing even better than he expected. It was quite a quick little chat, sadly. (Really. He's such a handsome man. Shoot.)

What really made my day was when he said that he was planning to write a "strongly-worded letter" to Dr. S, the asshole ("asshole" being my words, not Dr. J's) that said the surgery was a waste of time and that he wouldn't "add to my misery". The fact that Dr. J would take the time to do something like that proves that there are some people in this world that are worth the time of day. It also confirms something that I've been thinking ever since I got out of the hospital: sometimes a third opinion is necessary.

On our way home, we stopped at my favorite store, Michael's and I got some scrapbooking stuff. My word, they have a lot to choose from. Alas, things are slightly over-priced. I got a tube of black watercolor paint and some stickers. Thank God (or Martha Stewart, as the case may be) that Mom was there... or else I would have paid $75 for some stuff that I would never, ever need instead of $24 for some stuff I might actually use. For instance, I almost bought some Wizard of Oz stickers... but Mom talked me out of it. Phew.

I went to Grandma's for a few days. I watched all of Season 3 of The Office with Grandm. Jackie came over and we had a sleepover; we watched Superbad. I think she liked it. That movie really is quite appalling, in all honesty. But I love it anyway. Grandma, Grandpa and I went into town and I went on another scrapbook supply spending-spree, this time at trusty old Dollarama. What would a person do without dollar stores? Wither and die, I suppose.

I also got a desk lamp from Canadian Tire. I've been meaning to get a new lamp for quite some time since the one I had was so damn hard to turn on and off. It had a tiny little twisty nobby this you had to turn and it would actually hurt my fingers to turn- I got a blister once! That, and it put off quite a lot of heat for a lamp. Plus, I wanted a new one before college. So, I got one. I got a spare bulb for it too. A nice emo boy with a Star Wars belt helped us out when we were looking for the right bulb. He was so cute.

The Academy Awards are on tonight. Ho hum. I was planning to watch them but I've decided not to. I'll just watch the highlights on Entertainment Tonight tomorrow night instead. My throat kind hurts so I took a cold pill... so I expect to be out cold in about 15 minutes.

Speaking of cold medication... zzzzzzz...

My Wish List: Version 1.0

Listening To: Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms)

Because I will no longer be putting a lot of personal extras on my site, I've decided to post my frequently-updated Wish List on here instead. If I seem selfish, needy and materialist... get over it.

Wish List: Stuff
- Taboo game
- Phantom of the Opera 2-Disc DVD
- Hairspray DVD
- LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD
- LotR: The Two Towers DVD
- LotR: The Return of the King DVD
- Love Actually DVD
- The Sims 2: Free Time (expansion pack)
- Dear Frankie DVD
- The Tudors Season 1 DVD
- The Tudors: Music From The Showtime Original Series (CD)
- Henry VIII (2003) DVD
- Pride & Prejudice (1995 Serial) DVD Set
- The Wives of Henry VIII DVD (David Starkey Documentary)
- The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir
- Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot
- The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot
- Carmen Townsend's debut album (will be released in early 2008)
- 1 GB memory card for my digital camera
- new webcam
- Sweeney Todd action figure
- Vlad the Impaler (McFarlane's Monsters Series 3: Six Faces of Madness) action figure (View)
- Dracula action figure (View)
- Mummy action figure (View)
- Werewolf action figure (View)
- Pinnacle Studio (video editing software)
- Digital Video Camera (possibly a DXG- model DXG-506V)

Wish List: Movies That I Own In VHS But Would Like To Replace With DVDs
- Grease
- Bridget Jones' Diary
- Beauty & the Beast
- 101 Dalmatians (1996)
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel
- Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story

And just for fun...

Jill Would Like To Get Tattoo'd By/At:
- Hannah Aitchison
- Chris Garver
- Kat Von D
- Merchant Marie
- Miami Ink (Florida)
- High Voltage Tattoo (California)
- Man's Ruin Tattoo (North Carolina)
- Female Tattoo Artist Expo (Florida)

Tattoos I Want:
- Athena back piece
- sea-themed half sleeve
- crown over my Tudor tattoo
- journalist pin-up
- wishing well with "Jack & Jill" under it
- diving swallow
- dripping strawberry (ala Across The Universe)
- koi fish
- calla lilies
- Henry VIII portrait
- Sweeney Todd/Edward Scissorhands/Ichabod Crane
- a line from a Death Cab song
- the names "Catherine", "Anne" and "Jane" around my ankle
- Japanese-style dragon on my stomach
- Japanese-style cherry blossom tree
- "Carpe diem"
- a chickadee

Hell hath no fury like Mother Nature scorned!

Listening To: Dana Fuchs - Why Don't We Do It In The Road

Well. I had an interesting night.

Mom took some photos of me for my website, J-H.com. A few of them turned out quite well and I'll be using them for the layout on my site when the redesign is done. I wouldn't think that it would take too long to finish up.

Anyway. Since around noon yesterday, my stomach was hurting. It didn't feel like cramps of any kind- it felt more like someone had punched me in the gut. It was a tight, hard-feeling pain and it made me nervous, considering my medical history and my last surgery. It was only a little over a month ago so I didn't want to take any chances- especially when it started hurting even more about 8 PM. So, we met Grandma and Uncle Greg in town and they drove Mom and I to the hospital. On the way there, it was pouring. Rivers were slowly rising and it was warmer than usual, so the loads of snow everywhere was melting too. For someone who has lived by the sea their entire life, roads merging with rivers is a bit of a creepy sight, even for me.

We were likely there until around 2:30 AM or so. Of course, most of that time was spent waiting in the waiting room. Oy. I really, truly, honestly loathe out-patients. It's a terrible place, most of all for someone who is ill.

I saw a doctor I'd never had before, Dr. F. He was cool, though. Funny. He didn't say anything at first, just moved my tank top sleeve and looked at my tattoo. He apparently is "fascinated by them". He thought maybe it was ovarian cysts or maybe Appendicitis. He ordered some x-rays after he examined me and I got blood works done and the whole shebang. Turns out nothing serious was wrong with me- just some minor thing. I have to adjust my medication slightly and I should be fine.

The drive home was... kind of exciting, to be quite honest. Mom and I decided to stay the night at Grandma's since it was so late. It had stopped raining in town- not around my grandmother's place though! The fields going into her house were like lakes in the darkness. Meak little brooks were now raging rivers, some of them as high as the bridges over them! And it was still raining!

When we got to Grandma's, I stuffed some Ritz crackers in my mouth because I was so hungry. Then, Grandma gave me another birthday present, as well as a card from my aunt/uncle/cousins. (See?! I told Mom I could make my birthday last all month!) Grandma's present was an antique fox fut hat in an antique hatbox. The hat looks quite cool on me and its so soft... but I could never bring myself to wear it out in public. I'm extremely anti-fur... but I'm okay with my hat because a) it was a gift and be) it's an antique, so no fox will have to die to replace it... as far as I know, anyway... But anyroads, it will make a good addition to my hat collection.

We came home early this afternoon. We started out the main road but one of the river was still quite deep over the road so we had to turn around and take the other route. Plus, the road that way was so rough and broken up that we had to take the truck instead of Grandma's car. But we finally got home, safe and sound. The flooding isn't so bad around here but it might have been worse last night.

I could have kicked myself. When we were driving along, there were a couple places that would have made amazing photographs. But of course, I didn't bring my damn camera. (Like Mom said, it wasn't exactly the first thing on my mind when we were getting ready to go to the hospital.) But still... Dammit.

Speaking of doctors and hospitals and whatnot, I have an appointment with Dr. J tomorrow in Halifax at 2:30. Greg and Grandma are taking me. I think I'll get Greg to stop in at Michael's. According to their website, they have loads of scrapbooking stuff. I imagine their stuff is none too cheap, but I might find a few things I wouldn't find anywhere else.

Actually, to be quite honest, I might just set up a small tent in the back somewhere and just live in Michael's. I think I would be quite content, living there.

A-ha!

Mom and I have agreed: I shall wait until I get my letter (be it acceptance or rejection) from Holland College before I go applying anywhere else.
(Personally, I think it was the $50 application fee to UPEI that changed her mind.)

College Appliances

Listening To: My Chemical Romance - Teenagers

My parents bought me a DVD player for college. It's still early, but it was on sale, so what the hell. My grandmother got me a blender for my birthday- so I'm almost all set. Now, the only things left that I have to get before September are a cell phone and some silverware... and some plates... and pots and pans, obviously... and oh yeah- a printer... and some towels and face cloths... and maybe some bowls... and clothing hangers... laundry basket... bread knife... cheese grater... multi-use ear plugs...

Okay. Maybe I still have a lot of things to get before then. But it's February, after all.

My mom and Charlsie have both recommended that I apply to a second college, just in case I don't get accepted to Holland College. Both agree that I will be accepted- but things happen and I don't want to be stuck with nowhere to go next year. The thing is, Holland is the only place I want to go! But to satisfy their worries, I think I'll apply to the Journalism program through UPEI. Whatever. I'll get into Holland and things will be great. But I'll apply to UPEI just in case...

Jillianne-Hamilton.com, revamped.

Listening To: Bif Naked - Tango Shoes
Surfing: Pin-Up Girl Clothing

I'm going to do a redesign of Jillianne-Hamilton.com- and I don't mean I'm going to change the layout. I mean I'm going to do a real, live Redesign (with a capital "R"). I plan to make it look much more professional and polished. I did have my blog there for quite a while before I discovered the conveniency of Blogspot. I figure I'll post my best photography there, my resumé, links to my 2 blogs and JPJ and maybe a biography.

Speaking of Jill Pushed Jack, I really should write a new article for it sometime. I've generally neglected it for quite some time. I mean, I'm paying for the damn thing, I might as well use it.

February Sucks.

I tell you this: I am getting quite impatient for March to come. I'm done with February. For the shortest month of the year, it seems to be last forever. I used to love February- primarily because my birthday takes place in February. But not this time.
I no longer like February. It's a waste of a month, if you ask me. The fact that Singles Awareness Day (more commonly known as Valentine's Day) is in February makes it even worse. Plus, it's cold, snowy, cold, stormy, snowy and... oh, right. Cold.

...Is it March yet?

My name is Jill... *sigh* and I'm a scrappaholic.

Listening To: Death Cab For Cutie - Styrofoam Plates

For a person who's only made one single scrapbook page, ever, I think I've got a genuine addiction. I blame this on the several bajillion scrapbook websites that are out there. I'll share my favorites with you now:

• iScrap (gallery, design ideas, discounts, store finder and much more)
• Two Peas In A Bucket (gallery, ideas, community, blogs)
• Scrapjazz (gallery, articles, forum)
• Creating Keepsakes (Home of the scrapbooking magazine)
• Pink Petticoat (cardmaking & scrapbooking, downloads)
• Prima Hybrid (traditional & digital scrapbooking)
• Paper Wishes (layouts, shopping)
• Cocoa Daisy Scrapbooking (gallery, message board)

For well-priced items, eBay has a category dedicated to scrapbooking. (Click here.) For some gorgeous hand-made scrapbooking items, visit Etsy's scrapbooking section.

Scrapbooking: College #1

Listening To: Eels - My Beloved Monster

I finally got around to taking a photo of my first-ever scrapbook page and uploading it. I'd be glad to hear any comments or suggestions so I can make my next one even better.

(Keep in mind that this page is just serving as a title page for my College Scrapbook.)

"Moon Crystal Power!" ...Oh, jeeze.

Listening To: The Muffs - Honeymoon

Last night, I dreamed that I was Sailor Moon. Yeah.

I haven't even watched Sailor Moon in a few days, I swear. I mean, I did go through a spell where I watched a couple of episodes per day, but lately I've been watching Six Feet Under and Arrested Development.

So, what does it all mean?

Since I couldn't find a Dream Dictionary that could interpret "Sailor Moon", I went with "cartoon" and "super hero" instead. According to Dream Moods Dictionary, those subjects appearing in dreams could mean:

• Cartoon: To dream that your real life is depicted in a cartoon world, signifies that you are perceiving the world in a comical and unserious manner.
• Superhero: To dream that you are a superhero, indicates your above-average talents, ideas, and abilities you may not realized you possessed.

(Beginning of sarcasm.) Me? Perceive the world in a comical and unserious manner? That doesn't sound like me. (End of sarcasm.)

Well, if I have some above-average talents I don't know about, I'd really like to discover them and take advantage of them because right now, my list of talents is none too lengthy.

And, for the hell of it, I looked up something else, just in case.

• Moon: To see the moon in your your dream, represents something hidden, mystery and the feminine aspect of your self. In particular, a full moon signifies completion, whereas a new moon symbolizes new beginnings.
• Crescent Moon: To see the crescent moon in your dream, indicates cyclic changes, renewal, and movement. You are progressing smoothly toward your life path.

I'm not sure about the "moon" interpretation but the "crescent moon" one could be right. I'm hoping... Otherwise, I'm kinda screwed.

The writer's strike is ending! Yay!! ...Oh.

Listening To: Cat Power - Sea of Love

So, I guess the Writer's Strike is likely coming to an end very shortly. That is excellent news! That means all my shows that I love so very much will be coming back and they'll all be lovely and fresh and the world will be well again!

...Or will it?

According to this article on MSN.ca, most of everyone's favorite shows aren't returning for months- if at all! No way! Here's what is goin' down with my favorite shows.

• Bones: Four pre-strike episodes left. Unclear whether additional episodes will be produced for this season.
• Criminal Minds: Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
• CSI: Miami: Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
• CSI: NY: Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
• House: Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.
• Law & Order: SVU: Not yet known.
• The Office: Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.
• Pushing Daisies: No new episodes until fall.

What do you mean "No new episodes until fall"?! Dammit. I'm still glad the writer's strike is ending, but it all seems a little anti-climactic.

Finished the first page of my scrapbook last night. I'm quite proud of it. I think it looks smashing, for my first ever attempt, anyway. But I'm really hoping that I stick with this hobby, considering I've already spent quite a lot of money on scrapbooking stuff. I'm a naturally frugal ("frugal" being a polite word for "cheap") person so the fact that I've gotten into scrapbooking at all is shocking.

Well, my internet is currently shite so I'll be off. I think I'll go play The Sims.

Feist Robbed!

Well. Grammy, you are a cruel mistress. My beloved Leslie Feist was denied all Grammy awards that she was nominated for last night. To add insult to injury, Amy "I Said 'No, no, no' to rehab before going to rehab" Winehouse cleaned up, winning like, five, awards.

Well, isn't that a kick in the metaphorical testicles.

Tired- But Generally Happy

Listening To: The Contact - Major Tom

Home from a day of shopping with my grandmother and mama. It was kind of a birthday thing since I didn't do anything on my birthday. I got some winter boots and 2 hoodies and a tank top and a t-shirt and a butt-load of scrapbooking supplies. I'm just stocking up so when I start college, I can go to friggin' town with the stickers and borders and rub-on transfers and whatnot.

It shall be the best scrapbook the world has ever seen...

One Month Ago...

Listening To: Noisettes - The Count of Monte Christo

Mom reminded me today, during our walk, that a month ago today, I had my surgery. Wow. Doesn't seem like a month. It seems more like a few weeks- but yet, at the same time, it seems like months. I'm pretty much recovered. Yeah, I've got two more scars on my abdomen to add to my collection- but whatever. I feel good. I'm pretty happy.

So... cheers to that!

Where Credit Is Due

Listening To: Red Umbrella - Home

Well, I suppose I should give credit where credit is due. I did get other gifts before I getting the Across The Universe DVD and I Am America (And So Can You!) yesterday. (By the way, read some more last night. Still fabulous.)

Last week my grandmother bought me a blender and before that, she bought me the newest CSI computer game. And I think she plans on getting me a pair of winter boots.

My mom gave me Superbad and The Wizard of Oz on DVD, a purse shaped like a guitar, some Across The Universe gloves, an action figure of Shaun (Simon Pegg) from Shaun of the Dead and an action figure of Dr. Frank N. Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Oh- and my auntie Jackie made me a batch of cookies. The last of those disappeared last night. I have not the faintest clue where it went... *shifty eyes*

Friday 5: School Supplies

1. When did you last use graphing paper?
Math class. Grade 11. Approximately two years ago.

2. When did you last use a highlighter?
Last week.

3. When did you last cover a book?
Grade 6. Maybe.

4. When did you last wear an apron or smock?
Grade 9. Family Studies class.

5. When did you last use glue?
Last week while scrapbooking. :)

Friday5.org

Jill Is Canada (And So Can You!)

Listening To: Radiohead - Karma Police

Well, today started off poorly but quickly rose in its level of goodness.
I was looking at some wicked cool fabric on eBay and this morning, I actually figured out how much I'd need to make a comforter and how much it would cost me. For 4 yards, it would cost me over thirty bucks, plus shipping.

So, I will either have to find a new- and cheaper- fabric or toss the comforter idea completely. I don't need to make a comforter or anything... I just thought it would be a nice little project- just something to occupy my time. A challenge, if you will.
So, that kinda made me sad.

Mom and I walked to the post office and there was not one, not two, but three items for me!! Well, one was just a bank statement- the stupid bank stole almost $4 from my account because of the American-Canadian exchange rate- but the other two were good things. One was from Amazon and one was from my friend Justin! Justin and I exchange CDs of music but this is the first time we've exchanged CDs since he moved to Ontario. In the package from Amazon were two birthday gifts that didn't quite make it by my birthday: Across The Universe on DVD and I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert. The DVD was not a surprise, but the book sure was! So far, it's really funny. I'm quite enjoying it.

Don't worry. I'll write a review of it when I'm finished.

Ladybugs & Reincarnation

Listening To: The Rapture - Get Myself Into It

Last night there was a ladybug that kept crawling around my lamp while I was on the computer late at night. I'm guessing it was attracted to the immense amount of heat that my lamp puts off.
Tonight, the ladybug is back. It's been crawling around my lamp for about three hours now.
In my family, ladybugs are kind of associated with my late great-grandmother. She loved them. Every time a ladybug is in my grandmother (as in, my great-grandmother's daughter)'s house, she says something like "It's probably Mum."

Of all the religious beliefs out there, reincarnation is one that seems plausible, unlike many. But I'm not sure that I believe that my great-grandmother is reincarnated into every ladybug that shows up.

But still. The first thing I think of when I see a ladybug is my great-grandmother. Sometimes chickadees, too. The chickadees were so tame around her that she had them eating seeds out of her old, wrinkled hands every day. One even landed in my hand once. It was cool.