For a brief update in the life of Tiara, here’s what’s going on and how I feel about it all:

* My dad’s getting married. One guess as to how I feel. I’m upset, I feel really alone, I feel passed over by him, and feel pretty unimportant in his eyes. I never said anything, but my dad never called me on my birthday. It’s not a big deal, but it is because I still think about it at times. Despite the fact that my dad and I aren’t close and don’t always get along, I called him on his birthday. He sent me an email that said “Happy Thanksgiving” but which basically told me he’s getting married on December 18th or something and that nobody but the two of them will attend. He then proceeded to send pictures of how the house has changed. Why would you EVER think I’d want to see the house looking like that? He effing knocked down the island in the kitchen. :( It’s gone. Blah. I don’t know how to talk about it. It just broke me up and I laid down on Adriann’s lap and cried myself to sleep. Even now it makes my eyes water. And the thought of not going home for Thanksgiving and then Christmas… T__T

* We’re apartment-hunting. In lighter news, Adriann and I are looking for an apartment with Deana. We’ve already found the perfect place: 2 bed, 2.5 bath townhome about 10 or so mins from work with a small stream running about 5 feet from the patio. :) It has a balcony and small patio, is about 20 feet from the spa and pool, and has vaulted ceilings and a 2-car garage. Though it’s higher than our normal price range, I think we all decided it was perfect. I love the idea of renting a townhouse and the creek in back reminded me a lot of Missouri. It’s kind of in the hills, so it’s more woodsy. Less Californian, which is neat to me.  I think we may put our applications in for it this weekend or so. ^^

* NaNoWriMo….unfortunately fell through. :( I was having SO much fun writing it, but apartment hunting took over all my time.

I think that’s enough of a brief update for now.

I have started a separate journal to document the NaNoWriMo journey for 2007. Please read and comment, criticize, suggest, etc. I’d really appreciate some motivation. Starting is soooo hard. ^^

http://peterpanwrimo.wordpress.com

So NaNo starts next week and I’m going to lay out some brief story ideas I had. If anyone who reads this would like to vote on which one sounds like the best read, I’d very much appreciate it!

1) American Boys - story centers around two brothers, Pete and Tate, growing up in the contemporary American Midwest. Both brothers struggle with the fact that their father left the family (or died; not sure yet) but deal with loss, love, rejection, and death in different ways; Pete by screaming and violence and Tate through tears and writing.

2) 14 Things To Do Before I Grow Up (tentative title) - story centers around a boy who is turning 18 and leaving for college and makes a list of 14 things he has to accomplish before he leaves home, one thing each day for the two weeks leading up to his departure. The premise is not that accomplishing these things is the end-all of growing up but that everything he tries to scene and make perfect goes wrong, and the best laid plans are the ones that are serendipitous.

3) A Peter Pan continuation - This was an idea I’ve had for a while but never seriously thought to write it. Story centers around a growing-up Peter Pan, several years after leaving Neverland and his possible search for Wendy, whose name and image are sometimes ghostlike to him, as are many memories.

Yes, Adriann and I are participating this year in Nano, and I’m dying to get Angel to as well! I’ll bug her until she does, anyway. Nobody has time for it, but everybody should give it a shot. I’ve decided that October will be my month of preparation. I will craft detailed character profiles and biographies, draw a plot outline, and come up with some general information about what needs to happen and when and how.

I am turning my old short story series American Boys into the novel, but in all fairness of the NaNo rules, I’ll be starting from scratch. When it’s over, I’ll consider adding the other parts I’ve previously written in, but to start, nothing. 50,000 words in one month. I know I can do it.

It is my birthday on Friday, by the way. It’s a little daunting to think of that, actually. I’ll be 24. To me…that’s so old. :( I think yesterday I was 19 and I know I still feel 19, so what makes years go by without us taking stock of them? I sometimes wonder if working 40 hours/week is a good thing, as it makes the time pass all-too quickly. I miss lazy, neverending school days, even if I hated them then.

Gay Day Disneyland is this weekend, which is great! Deana, Lauren, Kyle, and Kyle’s boy are spending the night on Friday and we’re all heading to Disney early to have a full day of Gay festifities . There’s even an indie movie playing that night, which I’d love to see.

In South Beach Diet news, I made cheesecake last night. Excuse me, Phase 1 Cheesecake! It was suuuuper yummy and we turned it into muffins and hate one apiece for breakfast. The only bad thing is that I’m tempted to have more than one and that’s definitely against the cream cheese count for the day. But one/day is perfect, so a little self-control is necessary.

It’s time for me to sign off. G’night kiddies.

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With one hand high
you’ll show them your progress
you’ll take your time
but no one cares,
No one cares

I could be so much more than this.
I want to be so much more than this.

…Good good-bye,
I’ll be fine.
Good good-bye,
good good-night.
-Jimmy Eat World