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.