Blog Archive...
August- 2004
Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - Summer's End
Not quite, but it is getting dangerously close. School starts the 10th. I just got my "school supplies" last night, fun, fun, fun, let me tell you. All these little kiddies running around screaming at Staples. I still have to gets my skorts hemmed, last year the tailor only hemmed them like half and inch and I needed them done up about 4 inches. I ended up rolling and pinning all year, a big annoyance. I am also still waiting for some of my books to come in. That is a big problem also. I already found out that I ordered the Driver's ed textbook instead of the workbook. My grammar book too, it had the description "some writing", some of course meaning all filled in except maybe 2 pages. Now I am going through and erasing it all. My chem book is partially written in too.We didn't end up going to Egypt cuz a lot of people couldn't make it, so I just stayed over Kate's house instead. We hung out at her pool watched Elizabeth and The Prince and Me. I absolutely love The Prince and Me, it is fabulous. Elizabeth wasn't bad either. I have the feeling that Sarah is kind of avoiding me again. I don't know, I should call her, but either way I'll see her soon when school starts. I was talking to Tanner today, one of Kate's old friends, who went to Australia with me. It was pretty weird, we actually talked for a long while though.
I found out that sharpies do not work on your nails. It came off and now all is left is a stain near the edge of my cuticles.I'll go back to regular polish. I am looking for a host for here again. Hopefully I will find a good one, I have a long list of potentials, lol, if any of them will actually accept me. I should probably get off, I have only been on for about 6 hours, "getting sucked in" as Dan just said.
Ashley swam by @ 6:57 PM
Friday, August 27, 2004 - Cleaning up the Site
Just trying to fix some stuff up around here, so don't be surprised if it is all messed up, lol. I want to next work on getting some of my drawings up. I scanned most of my good ones.No good Phelps's wallpapers, so I have a crappy one. Now I just have to update the color scheme on my computer. He is going to be on "Access Athens" tonight. A must tape, lol. I really relaize more each day just how much we need a new computer. I was trying to watch a 33 second video of him and it played like crap. It is pretty sad when something like that happens. The computer is going really slow too for some reason, it is getting annoying.
I can't wait til Egypt on Sunday, it should be awesome. I haven't gone to a dance in like forever, and I love it so much. I do it before I goto bed, with some singing, to wind me down, haha, or at least get me ready for bed anyway. I don't know whether I prefer sharpie or black nail polish. I heard Avril did it, but before then I had been trying to do it with a ballpoint pen, just wasnt smart enough to think marker. Well, I am trying the sharpie out anyway, it doesn't seem to bad.
I have to say my farewells and get ready to go to mom's. I'll probably be back on later, since there is absolutley nothing to do over there. Going tigger style, ttfn.
Ashley swam by @ 4:44 PM
Later...Been on the computer for like ever, so fun. It is a great way to waste time, let me tell you. I really wish I had my bike with me, I really just feel like going for a long ride like I did last night, it was really nice, so much better than running.
I haven't really been doing much. I fixed up this site a little more and added 3 more icons. I discovered to my delight that my brand new headphones are not working, and my mom's really suck too. I also found out from Kate that we might not be able to goto Egypt on Sunday. She might have to fly up to Buffalo, NY cuz her grandmother is really sick and not a lot of people are going anymore. Kevin, NIcole's friend, got in touch with me tonight about Nicole's party on Sunday night. Talk about short notice. I would love to go, but even if we don't goto Egypt on sunday I still have no transportation.
About all I have accomplished tonight is to look up the press conferences of the US and AUS Men's Swimming Teams. Interesting, let me tell you, lol. I also found some Friday five sisters (since it itself is now closed). There is the sunday seven, the saturday seven, the friday four, the thurday three, or the ten on tuesday. I am going to choose my favorites and continue on with those. I'll try a ten on Tuesady (although it isn't Tueday) now.
10 Sports That Should Be In the Olympics
1.rugby
2.croquet(lol)
3.polo
4.billiards
(can't think of any other good ones)
10 Memorable (Summer) Olympic Moments
1-8. Michael Phelps's medals
9. Nadia Comanici?'s perfect 10's
10. Atlanta Magnificent 7 (women's gymnastics team)
10 Favorite Olympians (of '04)
1. Michael Phelps
2. Kate Marcraf (soccer)
3. Brendan Hansen
4. Aaron Peirsol
5. Ian Thorpe
6. Lauryn Williams?
7. Mohini ..? (gymnastics)
8,9. Hamm twins
10. Natalie Coughlin
Here are some friday fours, actually in sync with the day...
1. Did you watch any of the Olympics? Of course, mostly swimming, gymnastics, soccer, field hockey, women's platform diving,etc
2. Do you like the winter or summer games better?summer
3. If you could be a medalist in an Olympic sport, what would it be?either swimming or soccer or crew(rowing for the dumbbunnies)
4.What's the goofiest thing about the Olympics in your eyes? The coolest thing?goofiest,hmm...I don't know. The coolest would have to be just the whole thing in general. Watching the athletes (who you wish you could be), just the sense of national pride, honor that they win and have. These I would have to say in particular just Michael Phelps,lol.
Last,last,last week's(8/8)
1. What's the closest you've even been to death?sometime when I was sick I guess
2. What's the closest you've ever been to a celebrity? sadly, 12th row at a concert,lol
3. What's the closest you've ever been to fame? I had the chance for an extra role, or even a bit bigger in Titanic but my parents didn't think the movie would be big and it would take time away from school
4. What's the closest you've even been to infamy? Too far awar to tell, lol
(7/23)
1. What was the first movie you remember seeing? Adam Sandler golf movie,I forget the name
2. What's the last movie you saw in a theatre? The Princess Diaries 2, very funny, kinda corny
3. What's the first movie you saw on DVD?Lord of the Rings:FotR:EE
4. What's the last movie you rented? Last of the Mohicans (for school let me tell you)
Ashley swam by @ 2:55 AM
Thursday, August 26, 2004 - ...
No real headlines. Crew wasn't too bad yesterday, the beginning with the incline workouts is always the hardest part.Scoping for a good Michael Phelps wallpaper, I don't feel like making one myself. Just saw him on "Access:Athens". He seems to like all the public attention, good for him, eh. Hitting the party scene with his roommate Lenny Krazleburg and Amanda Beard. I heard online he has a girlfriend though, so sad, isn't it. Lol, he is still awesome though. I am still waiting to see him on the late night shows, I missed him on a morning show yesterday, I don't even try to catch him on those cuz they are far too early for me. namarie
Ashley swam by @ 7:43 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - Lazy Day
Isn't everyday during the summer? Crew wasn't bad at all yesterday. We did bleachers 5 times, that was certainly the hardest part. We did 10 hills, not too bad. Then we played ultimate frisby, my team lost horrificly, something like 15-0,lol. Then we did a core circuit and hung out until everyone got picked up. The prospective coaches are Emily and Mike, they looked pretty nice, he is a senior at St. Joe's University.He looked, if possible, more intense than Paul was. I wonder if he does crew himself still. Who knows. Amy siad we could go out on the water 1 day next week would be awesome, it feels like forever since I've been out there.Alas, I am again missing Phelps on tv, lol. He is going to be in an interview at 7:30 with Mark Spitz though,lol. I was so proud of this layout, especially being done so fast, and then I go on these super great graphic designer's sites and I get humbled again. It never fails to make me realize how bad I am at graphic design,lol, I guess it just keeps me grounded.
I should probably get off the computer, I've been on it almost all day, tenna' telwan.
Ashley swam by @ 4:46 PM
Monday, August 23, 2004 - No More Phelps
I have to make this quick because I have crew at 6 and I've already been on the computer for almost 3 hours. Added my icons and the site codes to this page. I worked on Reagan mostly, but it wansn't cooperating at all so not much got done.Michael Phelps and swimming is all done, nothing to watch at the olympics anymore,lol. He won his 8 medals, he got the last one for being in the preliminaries. He actually won, but wanted to give Ian Crocker the shot at a gold medal. I think it was a very shrewd and honorable decision by Phelps to give up his spot. Ian beat him in almost all of the 100fly events before the olympics and he had had bad swims up til the last relay. Really, Phelps only won because he had a better touch and last stroke than Ian. Brendan Hansen, from right around me, finally got his gold medal too. gtg now, will talk more tmw.
Ashley swam by @ 4:24 PM
Friday, August 20, 4004 - Phelps Again
Did anyone hear the news about him, he is dropping out of his last race, whyyyyyyy????????? AHH, they said you'll see in his race tonight, he probably lost and wanted to send the best racer to the race. Unless he got 4th though, he is killing his chance for his medal record. At first I thought I heard he wasn't going to anymore olympics, and then I thought it sounded like he was dropping out of the whole olympics including his race that will air tonight. I can't believe it though. There is absolutely no way I am missing his race tonight then. I am so sad, no more Michael Phelps on tv, hopefully he will be on some of the late shows or something, they really should show swimming championships on tv, I would love to watch them, and nnot just for him. I wish I had tivo.Anyway, the layout is up, I have to fix the bg, it doesnt look good, and put um my icons and new site buttons. tata.
(ps. it saved thank god, I x'ed out before it said I saved this post and I thought I would have to type it all over again, which would majorly suck, anyway, namarie)
Ashley swam by @ 5:22 PM
Thursday, August 19, 2004 - Phelps
Ah, yes the new layout I made over the past 2 days is up already, a world record I think, lol. It isn't bad, especially for being made so fast. You have to admit, he is pretty damn good looking. Only 19, 3 year difference, lol, ah, j/k. I more admire him, he is just awesome, that's all you can say.I think I am going to start doing the friday five again tomorrow, it is pretty interesting and gives some info about moi. I am going out with Kate tonight to see the Princess Diaries 2. It is the first time I have been out for like a month, it feels like forever. I got in touch with Sarah, or rather she called me, yesterday. The Scuillis are having everyone over on Saturday. I can't believe Hobbit is moving. My fellow lotr junkie is leaving me. No. I will be all alone again. Brice is no consolation, he's just too civilized, lol. I am the only obssessor left.
I love those Saturn commercials, especially the one with the guy on the catch. He's like "wait,hold on a minute,what were we talking about again, oh, yes, the catch." It is just funny, and unusually I never get tired of it no matter how many times I see it. Tenna' telwan.
Ashley swam by @ 4:42 PM
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - Olympics
Alex is leaving, not a bad thing, it will be nice to have some free time to myself.Anyway, the olympics are fantastic. Anyone in the USA could not help but love Micheal Phelps. He is simply fanatastic. I must say, I probably enjoy watching swimming the most. Ian Thorpe is also a cool one. I really like all of our swimmers and those of Australia and Uk too. Someone really needs to build a Phelps fanlsting, and the one for Ian Thorpe is down, which is really annoying.
Be back later.
Ashley swam by @ 3:44 PM
Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - Preparing For England
My (2nd) cousin Alex from England is coming tomorrow, he said he was bringing tea with him, I can't wait, lol. No actually we thought he wasn't going to come beacue we didn't hear from him and it was getting pretty late. He called like the 3rd week of July and said "oy, Ill be coming the 1st week of august then, eh?". So, for the past 2 weeks that has taken over lives, preparing the house for him. He'll be staying in Dan's room and Dan will be in Dad's. I think originally Alex was going to stay in my room, but mine is nowhere near done. It still needs another coat of paint, repaint windows, trim, curtains, carpet, new furniture and it is an absolute mess with all my stuff. I really really hope it gets done before school because I hate being so disorganized and messy. I get a headache just looking at it. Then I get really p.o.ed when I can't find stuff beacause it is all packed up and mismatched and it becomes impossible to find anything.I will tell about Six Flags next time I am on as Dad needs the phone and has the patience of a two-year-old. (p.s. below is my king arthur "review" I transferred from my livejournal user-elendun)
Ashley swam by @ 7:40 PM
Saturday, July 31, 2004 - King Arthur
I finally saw King Arthur, with my mother and brother of all people. O thought it was fantastic. I can't understand why it hasn't done better at the box office, I guess it is just not most people's type of movie. I also heard that people were displeased with it online and someone said the costumes were too lately dated. I didn't really find any of that true though. Besides Guinever's dress at the end and some of the peasants' clothing, it was all very accurate, or appeared that way to me. I am of course no fashion expert though, so I guess my opnion doesn't really count.The story was most definitly an untraditional version, I liked it better than the usual King Arthur tale. It was much more close to what the story was really based on. From what I could tell it was very historically accurate. If the HIstory Channel was so obssessed with it I figured it would be. For like 2 months all they played was their commercial for the documentary for it, "did the greates king who ever lived, ever live", that is pretty sad that I can quote it isn't it, lol. It was very believable source for the legend. I actually have to agree with them in their guess of the origins. They kept it in line with actual history, as in reference to the Saxons and Britons(whom they called something weird). I liked their negative reference to the Christian religeon at so early a point, but also at the same time not agreeing with paganism. It more supported the good ideals of Christianity without actually supporting the organized religeon itself. The knights and Arthur are supposedly descended from an elite group of barbarian calvary that were forced into 15 year terms in the Roman army. It would be a good source for the legend. Their names (of the 7 left): Artorius, Galahad, Gawain, Moor(i?)s, Lancelot, Triston, Deomer?. I have no luck with the spellings, but they are all of good origin also. The regular themes of loyalty, self sacrifice, freedom, equality, love, trust, etc. was all there.
Instead of sword in the stone, it was sword in the hill. Supposedly Arthur was born of Briton mother and Roman soldier(of Sarmatia descent) father. Excalibur was his father's sword and it was in his grave. Merlin was leader of the Britons, all of whom wore blue tatoos and in which women played a key role (both historically correct). The round table was at Arthur's post at Hadrian's wall and seated all of Arthur's knights, those of Sarmatian descent. We meet them when there are only 7 of what started as about 30 and they are nearly at the end of their service. There is no Camelot, instead at the end, Arthur and his remaining knights join forces with the Britons.
The costume looked very accurate and the overall look of all the people. They did a good job with contasting the stye/culture of the different peoples: britons/pics, romans, peasants, soldiers, and saxons. The setting was pretty good also. Typical english countryside for the most part. It gave the appearance of being a bit later designed, but that's okay right, lol. Armor was also a bit later I think at some points, but I could be wrong there, because I have never really studied armor at all. It had an Eastern influence, according to the origins, which was a good touch.
As for the characters, I thought they were all very well portrayed. Guinevere was very untraditional, but I liked the differnt role she played in the movie. There was not much between her and Lancelot, more just an admiring from afar by him, but stayed away in respect for Arthur, which I think is more likely to wjat would have actualy happened. There was some small humor at points, which mostly served as a bit of comic relief because the movie at most parts is so serious and deep, it worked well.
Overall, I was more than satisfied, it exceeded all the expectations I had for it, something that hasn't happened in a while with a movie. I absolutly loved the story, the action was fabulous at most parts.. I just loved it. I am definitly buying it when it comed out on DVD. The soundtrack wasn't bad either.
namarie
Ashley swam by @ 10:38 PM