The Daily Adventures of Mercat

Interestingly, I feel more guilt about taking only 15 credits this semester than I do a lot of other things. I mean, initially, I feel a lot of guilt about things, but I have the feeling this will hang around as one of those "regret" type things... Like after I graduate, I will find out there was some awesome few-credit course I should have taken but never heard about. =/ Oh well. I am too busy with corps stuff (I want to be superbamfready for the next camp--my legs are killing me), and I want to have some free time to finish moving, do my room, work on Phi Rho stuff, actually hang out with people, and maybe do stuff for the musical, who knows. OH, and finally meet with the art department and declare an art history minor. *whew*

Anyway, I'm too tired to talk about camp right now. All worn out from camp. Amazingly, my back does not really hurt, but my legs are frigging KILLING me.

So I took Frontier, and apparently the $15 flight insurance my dad got also got me "plus" status, so I could have boarded earlier, and I got a snack (usually $3) and a drink (...minus I'm not old enough, haha, but $2-$5) and the TV/movie access ($5.99). On the way there it was six in the frigging morning, and I didn't know ahead of time I got the movie, so I wasn't paying attention and the stewardess gave it to the guy sitting on the aisle. I was kind of mad later because I could have seen Eagle Eye essentially (to me) for free. And I guess because I was asleep, I didn't get a snack, either... I would have liked to have something to munch during my five-hour weight at the fucking Denver Whirl of Doom (aka, the Denver International Airport; trying to get into or out of it is like climbing into and out of a hole. I hate the design of it, god damn is it confusing). ANYWAY, on the way home I got to see The Mummy III: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and I new going in it was going to be cheesy. One, Rachel Weisz dropped out as Evie; too bad, because I think she lended the character much more credibility than whoever is playing her now. Two, that link that showed up on cleolinda's journal ("if I knew there were going to be Yeti Field Goals, I would have seen this movie"). Yeah, by the previews (not that I was paying much attention to The Mummy III earlier this summer because Weisz dropped out--usually meaning the script will suck) I really had no idea there were going to be yetis, and a dragon, and a frog... bull... lizard... thing. (Seriously, what was that?) Okay, ALSO? WHO THE HELL MAKES A MOVIE SET IN CHINA AND THEN PUTS EUROPEAN DRAGONS IN IT. FUCK YOU. Would have been SO much more creepy if they'd used asian-styled dragons, FORTHELOVEOFGOD.

HOWEVER! Going into it knowing it was cheesy (I mean, think of how kinda-lame Mummy II was; valley of the what-what, right?), kind of along the lines of "this is somewhat along the lines of Temple of Doom sequelitis", it was extremely enjoyable. I liked it. Could have gone with a bit less interaction with the yetis, and obviously a different dragon, and the plot had some holes (a lot of misexplanations/lack of explanations/badly places exposition lines) a mile wide, but if you just sit back, laugh, and have fun with it, it was good. But maybe you have to be one of those people who grows into Temple of Doom first, I don't know. (I never really thought ToD was that bad anyhow, until I sat back and watched people bitch about it. But that was probably because I knew I still had one left in the series when I first watched it, and also when you're younger you don't give a shit as much about Cheese Factor. Oh, and the beginning kind of hooked me; I'm a sucker for musicals, what can I say.) SO ANYWAY, I LIKED IT AND I PLAN ON INVESTING IN IT since I already got the other two last Christmas.

I would say that the only thing that honestly turned me off of the movie was some of the cheesy lines, and the actor playing Alex. Not the we-lack-the-focus-to-properly-set-up-the-plot lines, but the ones that are supposed to be funny. I realize that these movies are kind of funny-movies, I mean for the love of god it's Brendan Fraser. (<3 George of the Jungle!) But those lines... like the ones they gave Jonathan... Yuck. Please, step back a little and realize those lines suck. (Or, director, your version of "delivering" sucks.) And the Alex character was way too suffering-from-sequelese-we-can't-get-anyone-decent-do-we've-got-some-random-guy-who-looks-like-Brad-Pitt. Bitch please. They kept Brendan Fraser, they kept the guy playing Jonathan, they got an awesome guy to play Mad Dog, they got a pretty good chica to play Evie, they got fucking JET LI AND MICHELLE YEOH, and this is the shit they got to play Alex-all-growed-up? Come on.

Also, Temple of Doom parallels kinda thick for my tastes, but at the same time made it more enjoyable. Lol, Shanghai nightclubs. What are you, a trope now? I hope not.




(Oh, also? Nights in Rodanthe looks like SHIT. Haha, I hate romantic bullshit like that... They totally made obx into something it's not and it looks DISGUSTING. If I am ever forced to watch that movie I will gag. I was watching the preiew decently until the woman like breaks down seeing wild horses actually running wild on the beach. TOO MUCH HORSES ARE NOT THAT COOL AND OBX IS NOT THAT EMPTY OF A VACATION SPOT SORRY GAME OVER.)

Good day today. I wasn't sure it was going to be a good day, because Islander Exchange Club plans were falling through and so were my plans to hit up the swap meet. But Islander Exchange Club just ended up going to North Shore again doing the usual rounds, Waimeia Bay and then Haleiwa for lunch, and you can't go wrong there!

So we drove up to Waimeia Bay and had breakfast, I definitely got about eight bug bites. Well the waves were already CRAZY so we just sat and chilled on the beach, not really sunning or napping or anything because it was cloudy and sort of spraying-sprinkling. Eventually it stopped and the sun sort of came out, but there was nooooo way we were getting in the water because about every ten minutes there'd be this HUGE break of waves. It was insane. So we were just sitting around and I felt something land on my back. It felt like, I dunno, a half-rotten blueberry or something, just, kind of mucousy but more solid. Anyway so I reached back to see what it was and grabbed it, and as soon as I saw what it was (a bee), it stung me. I don't think it stung me before that because I didn't feel anything. But I was just like "oh, shit." and dropped the bee and smashed it into the sand with my sandal. Luckily enough Katie Reed (who's 20th birthday it was! woo) had brought ice in the cooler to keep the cream cheese warm so I numbed my finger and it wasn't too bad. I just always forget how much bee stings hurt more than most other things until I get stung again. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain but I'm not very good at remembering it. As soon as it's gone, I pretty much can't recall just to what extent it hurt. (Man, the first time I got stung it was on the inside of my ear, and I can't imagine that happening again, it must have hurt sooo bad. But I was at summercamp and I don't remember it hurting enough to cry or anything.)

Anyway. So about an hour before we left Katie really was pumping to get in the water and got some people to go in with her. Bascially just swim out to right before the wave break and try not to die. ;) The benefit with the bigger waves was that you got a break in between because they were so big. As opposed to the last time we were there, where the waves were just like a tumble-dryer where you just totally got pounded and it as soon as you stood up you'd get knocked over again. So most of us stood there watching them dive through the waves and they came out when the big break started to come, which was a good thing because these waves were flipping everything left and right. Insane! So there was this BIG guy standing next to us (crazy long hair, too!) telling us we should get in. I took some video (which I'm going to try to edit together and post on youtube or something) and sent some to mom and dad and Laura and Savannah, and we just stood there for a good while and watched the waves break like crazy. So Katie decided since it was her birthday she really wanted to jump off the rock since it might be her last chance, and Tom Middleton wanted to because he hadn't done it before, so they went to do it and Tootle went with them. I guess what happened is that the big guy trying to convince us to get back in the water said he was going to jump off the rock, so Katie decided to get some encouragement from him and go. So they all went up there and jumped off all at the same time, which made me kind of nervous, especially when the guy jumped in right after them! Those waves were crazy. Dang.

So after that we all packed up and headed back to Haleiwa for hulihuli chicken (which apparently means "turn turn" chicken) and Matsumoto's (YUM. I think I put "Yamamoto's" last time I wrote about it) and shrimp. I got Pina Colada shave-ice with ice cream and adzuki beans, and really the beans and rice make it. You wouldn't think they do, but they DO. Other shave ice just does not compare to the real deal! And then we hastily drove down the shrimp trucks, and I got garlic shrimp again, which was delicious. (I felt kind of bummed because Katie skipped lunch because they didn't take credit cards, and then her parents called and reminded her about the whole UD/Chaminade fiasco, which upset her, and I was remembering Dad being a little upset because he couldn't park anywhere when we came here, and then I got a little sad missing mom and dad. BUT. Still a good day.)

I am still sad that the legit woody wagon with board that we saw parked in front of the gas station the first time we went up to Haleiwa was not owned by the owners of the shop like I thought it was. I skipped getting a picture for dad because I assumed it would be up there when we went, but it wasn't. =( It made me want an old car like it so I could make it a real woody wagon. I LOVE THOSE OLD CARS! Every time we've gone up to North Shore I see just about one nice old car that makes me ooh and ah, but I don't think I've seen any nice 50's Chevys. Though I did see a red and white one similar the other day on the bus down to Kahala mall! Verruh nice cars.

Anyway so tonight was White Sunday, which is a Samoan holiday. The mass was beautiful! Their music and dancing was amazing. =D I wish I had pictures, but I don't. I'll have to see if I can get some from Genny!

I am kind of sad that it looks like I won't be able to go to Maui for more than a day or so because of the student recitals concert (and Hokule'a! maybe), but DARN I guess that means I have to come back!

38 days until Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull! Oh geez oh geez exciting. I can't wait~~~

This is a pretty rad poster: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/04/05/new-3d-indiana-jones-4-banner/

Yup =D

oh dear god I'm so sore. I suppose I'm kind of a masochist in that I love the soreness that comes after a good workout or adventure or whatnot, but it's usually muscle soreness I'm talking about.

Riding TOSRV straight up without any practice beforehand (like I've done the past few years...) is a bad idea. Mm, crotchrot. Hey, you try riding 105 miles a day for two days without having done anything beforehand. Even gel saddles suck then, let me tell you. The last ten miles into Columbus on Sunday give you the damn right to sing the My Butt Hurts song.

Oh right, where was I? Muscle soreness... my butt hurts... Oh yes, did I mention my butt hurts? HA god damn. It's muscle soreness, and my back hurts, but it's not the normal kind of muscle soreness. It's not work-out soreness, it's impact soreness.

Here's some advice: when you jump off a big rock that's higher than your average high dive, try to break the fall with your feet. Really. I tried to do a cannonball-esque maneuver so I wouldn't slap the water, but I just managed to break the water with my butt/back. Twice.

AHAHAHA moving hurts today. Sitting hurts today. This is hilarious.

So, nobody got sleep Saturday night because everyone was really excited about the shark diving. I was excited over Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, and excited for shark diving, and had had a huge Mountain Dew (Baja Blast mix*! yummmm but I really need to learn not to drink those at movies because about an hour and a half in I have to PEEEEEE. You think after sitting through both Pirates 2 and 3 [which are like three effing hours] like that I would have learned my lesson, but noooooo), and we had to be ready to go at 6:30.

Um, so, today I was half asleep all day and every minute has been either "whahmmm? So... tired..." or "HAHA dear god my baaaack" so yeah. It's been a rather hilariously enjoyable day. I'm either a minor masochist or small things entertain me sooo much that I'm just entertained by the irony of it all.

I guess part of it is that dull pain doesn't really bother me much. I just... never bother to take Tylenol unless it's a sharp pain or something.

I'm totally rambling, aren't I. Ah, well, such is today. I have been half asleep and therefore don't really have anything I want to say at the moment.

I am watching Lost season 1, though. I don't think it's really my kind of show, but it's not bad by any means. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DAMN MONSTER THING IS

*Mountain Dew plus Baja Blast mixed together. A DELICIOUS TOXIC GREEN. Only available at Taco Bell. =(


72 days until Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull! Today's trivia: NEEEEEW PHOTOOOOO

aaaand that's about all my brain can handle for today.

I am here! It's very surreal. More to post tomorrow, after orientation--I'm so tired.

Also, I think some cats are fighting and/or getting it on outside my window. The screeches are quite unecessary.

Blaaaaaahhhhh.

(Also, my calf has been hurting all day as if I just got a charlie horse there. Am I dehydrated?)

Man, life is just... I don't know, anymore.

Not good? Hm.

Well, they didn't release the Indy IV trailer, for which I am deeply saddened because I have to wait until February and the movie wasn't that good anyway. And sadly this is not even the "bad news."

Changes. Yes. They... are. Hm.

If there is one thing I hate about my life it is my inability to find best friends. Perhaps I have new ones now (Kim and Melissa I seriously love you guys) but it still hurts to... lose? something you had.

So after a painful day of ignorance and such, the standards, sadly, I got the group of guys together for a holiday-hurrah and goodbye for MattE. Unfortunately no one can apparently get over themselves anymore, and everyone pretty much hates eachother but pretends not to? I don't know. People need to talk things out. And it seems like it's a bunch of bullshit (or INACCURATE) reasons also.

Um, but I am tangentializing here. The main deal is that... these guys are still my crowd, and I'm glad they know that, even if they don't like eachother. But... two of them... who shall remain nameless... you know who you are.

I can't deal with you anymore. I'm not... your mother...your bank...your schedule...your secretary... I'm not so many things. We're supposed to be friends and as much as I want to be your friend you are bringing nothing to the table. It is a chore for me to hang out with you and I can't take it anymore. It's insulting to make plans and have you show up late. It's BULLSHIT to make plans and have them forgotten. I love you guys. But I can't be friends with LEECHES. That's not a relationship. Humor in return is not enough, because you can't take anything seriously anymore. I don't know what happened to you, I don't know if you are oblivious or ignorant or just plain stupid. But I can't forgive it anymore. This is your last chance. I've turned my cheek and everytime I end up crying. There's only so much one person can take, and for me this is it.

It's not about being strong, it's not even about growing up. I'm fine with the fact that you're immature, it's goofy and it's fine. I'm not cool with the fact that you're completely irresponsible.

I'm hoping the letters I send you will finally make you realize what's going on. I don't even know if you care. And that way you can either fix it or let me know you don't care, because the ambiguity is killing me.

It hurts to rip off the leeches, but in this case the leeches are draining me and that hurts even more.


And also sorry the metaphor and for those who read this who it doesn't apply to, for the depressiveness. That's just been my entire day and I think if I could scream it from every mountain top it wouldn't be enough because I don't think they'd get it.

And also I can't seem to find my Christmas spirit, even though I tried more this year, and that's making me sad, too.

When did life become such a suckfest? And around Christmas, too.

It always seems as though whenever my friends are having bad times, I'm okay, and the other way around, too. It would be nice if life would work some stuff out for once. I feel like I try so hard to be "good" or "normal" and life just hands me more problems because of it.

I just don't know, anymore.