XL? What's that?
Mood:  quizzical
Now Playing: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston on "Whitney"
I was reminded today of why my spring and summer wardrobe doesn't expand often. I went into Gottschalks to look around after my stop at Radio Shack for a new battery for my poor computer (which, btw, did not solve the problem *sigh*). I walked in into the women's area. After a few minutes of browsing, I realized that the style was not what I was looking for. I then mosied over to the "juniors" area which was much more my style. I browsed for a bit and did pick up some things. I don't know why I bothered. Everything I liked came in large as the biggest. And when dealing with some self supporting tanks, large is a bit snug. Anyway, I went to the fitting room with about 8 things to try on. I gave up after 5. Then I went back to the women's section, browsed for a few more minutes and then left. I found the same situation at Mervyn's. My style was juniors but my size only existed in women's. I really should just stick to Target/Wal-Mart for spring clothes. They have some nice things that actually fit. Fortunately, for winter clothes I can shop almost anywhere because there's no self support and less spandex.

Good Deed
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Personal
I was feeling a bit fry deprived after the dinner stop with the Bensons at Carl's Jr. so I decided to stop at McDonald's and get some before hitting the market. On my way in, I noticed a guy sitting outside on the side. While I was inside, he was joined by a woman and a cat. On my way out, he asked if I could spare some change. I asked them if I could buy them a meal.

They were shocked for a brief second but said yes. Both of them couldn't come inside because of the cat, so just the guy came in. While waiting to order, I found out his name was Eric and his girlfriend was Alyssa. He asked me if the #3 would be too much and I said not at all. I gave him the change from the sale as well as the 24? in my pocket. As I still needed to go to the market, I couldn't stay. But he was happy. And as I left, I saw Alyssa and she was happy. And that made me happy.

*Dies of shock*
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: School
I just checked my grades and Oh. My. God.
B+ in Analysis!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That just made me SO happy! I thought it would have been impossible but apparently it wasn't. What amazes me more is that I only got a B in Analysis last quarter and had done better on the midterms last quarter. I must have somehow racked up a lot of partial credit on the final cause...wow. I like it when all my studying pays off.

Oh, and as for my other grades. B in Anthropology and A's in both courses of Senior Project. Term GPA 3.433, cumulative 3.333. Consider me an extremely happy camper.

Hearst Castle
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations on "NoAlbum"
My parents came up today and we went to Hearst Castle. We went on the night tour so we could see a bit of two of the tours and because there are people there who dress up from the 1930's.

We ended up getting there early and tried to get on an earlier tour while the weather was still good but they were sold out. So to kill time we walked through the little museum and saw the little film. We were going to have dinner after the film but the little cafe closed so my dad and I got pastries from the coffee shop and my mom had an Atkin's bar. Finally it was time for our tour.

We got dropped off by the Neptune pool. Actually, we got dropped off at the other side from the first group. Yes, the pool is big enough that you can drive to the other side. The pool looked almost a little mysterious with all the fog. It was pretty breath taking despite the fog. I'm sure it's absolutely stunning on a clear day and night. Then we moved inside to one of the guest houses of the mansion, Case del Mar. We got to see Hearst's room as well as that of umm, oh geez, the girlfriend's name is totally escaping me (the tour guide called her a girlfriend and not a mistriss since she paid her own bills. The tour guide reminded the girls that if we ever became someone's mistress, make sure the guys pay the bills). Anyway, it was something Davies I think. Oops. Well her room too. Apparently it was there that Hearst spent the last 2 years of his life.

Then we moved on to the main house, La Casa Grande. Which was a name true to its nature cause the house was absolutely huge. We saw the room where the cocktails were served, the dining room, the after dinner room, the kitchen, the billiard room, the library, Hearst's office, Hearst's room and the girlfriend's room. We also passed guest rooms where there were some actors. It was cute having the actors all over the place saying hello to us. And the architecture was just absolutely phenomenal. I can't describe it because it was just a mix of so many Eurpoean styles. And call me crazy, but I also liked walking on the stairs inside the house. They were just so windy and narrow, I felt like I was walking through a secret passage or something. But the house was just BIG. Granted he had a lot of guests for 1 to 3 weeks, but it was still just a huge house for one man and his girlfriend to live in. I mean, it really was just...wow.

The tour then proceeded into movie theater part of his house. Yes, movie theater. We got to sit on benches and watch a Metrotone newsreel just like his guests, and anyone who went to the movies at the time, did. It must have been nice to have watched movies there. I mean the rows were rows of armchairs. Soft, cushiony, attached armchairs. After the newsreel, the tour concluded at the indoor Roman pool. Which, thanks to the thin gold pressed into some of the tile, was also extremely beautiful.

The whole mansion was just...wow. That's really all I can say. I'll be posting my pictures when I get them. I hope my outdoor ones did the place justice since I think I forgot to turn the flash back on for a couple of them. I also hope to go back during the day and take one of the other tours. No wonder they have 5 different tours, it would take quite a while to go through the main house and the two guest houses in one tour. Not to mention the grounds. My mom said that there is also a garden tour.

Overall, a great day.

Reminders
Now Playing: "If I Open Up My Heart To You" by Amanda on "Everybody Doesn't"
How many reminders do I need to bring something home with me when my parents are coming here first? I think my mom has e-mailed me at least 3 times in the past two weeks to bring Norton's home, mentioned it on the phone and now my dad has e-mailed me about it. I mean I would understand if I was driving down today, but they're coming here. *shakes head* Silly parents.

Well, shit
Topic: Apartment
1. I somehow managed to misplace of one my picture CDs when moving apartments last month. Which sucks cause I didn't copy them onto my harddrive first. I just can't believe I lost it. I also just realized I lost the index print too. Makes me wonder if I still have the negatives. I won't know because I can't compare the numbers. Thankfully I put the pictures in an album.

2. I found out today that Kathryn got an extension on her lease to go through summer while she looked for a job. And I was so looking forward to having the place to myself over the summer. Where I wouldn't have to worry if there was a clean spoon or fork for me to use. Currently our sink is full with every knife, fork and spoon sans one spoon and one baby fork as those were the ones I used and therefore they got washed. Kathryn leaves tomorrow for Costa Rica and I doubt she'll wash her dishes before she goes. I'm not going to wash them again for her. I did the half she left before winter break. I did all of the ones she left in the sink at the old place. She has to do them herself all the way down to the bottom so she can see how disgusting it is to leave dirty dishes there for over a month. She's created her own vicious cycle: she doesn't like to dishes by hand and yet the longer they stay there, the harder it is to get the crud off. And I am still the only one to really take any cleaning product to the kitchen. If they have ever done it, it's not noticible. I'm the one who cleans most often and that is still a terrifying thought. So is the fact that only one of them?the better in terms of cleaness?is moving out for summer.

Computer update
Now Playing: "Everything For Everyone" by Everclear on "So Much For The Afterglow"
The good news is that there is still no ticking noises. The bad news is that it still doesn't sleep correctly and still takes a couple pushes of the power button to start up. Thanks to this article I think it might be the internal battery. Now I just need to get a replacement battery and put it in without breaking anything (more). I'll have to read through the articles I found a little more carefully and then decide the best course of action. But go me for fixing the ticking problem.

And now back to senior project stuff. And I thought the quarter was over...

Yay! No more school work!
Mood:  down
Now Playing: "Solitude" by Evanescence on "NoAlbum"
Topic: School
I wish. I still have my senior project to work on. *sigh* So completely and utterly not in the mood to do that. I did finish my paper for Anthropology and it ended up being exactly 4 pages. I didn't bother proof reading it. I really just didn't give a damn anymore. It's amazing how crappy weather can bring you down.

Yipee! I think I fixed my computer!
After running Norton Systemworks for about 7 hours, I have yet to hear the little ticking noise, startup took a normal time and everything seems to be running smoothly.

I had deleted a number of old OS 9 applications and files a couple of days ago, ran a fix permissions thing and then today I ran Disk Doctor and Speed Disk. First I did Disk Doctor and had to fix a couple minor issues. Then I ran it again to make sure no issues. Then came Speed Disk which took an awfully long time (2.5+ hours). Then reran Disk Doctor and got a clean bill of health. I had a little bit of difficuly switching back to booting from harddrive from the CD because for whatever reason the CD won't let me choose the startup disk and then the mouse didn't work when I tried to pick manually. But quick hands when ejecting the CD fixed that.

Now the computer is purring instead of ticking and I am happy for that.

Not happy about writing my report due in 18 hours that I haven't started. Should work on that.

Oh now I remember
Now Playing: "Down Once More-Track Down This Murderer" by Original London Cast on "The Phantom of the Opera"
I wanted to give Valencia a copy of my phone bill so they can give me the $33.01 to transfer my phone and give back my old keys. Also drop off crap at Good Will. And pick up my pictures.

Hmm, and Jaime owes me money.