Summer Lists

Well, today I am technically supposed to have my semester exam for this period. However, I have already finished my dual credit class, so there is nothing special about it. There is no exam to take. I have to take fifth and seventh period exams also, but I exempted the exams for those two classes, so I will be in the commons for those parts of the day. Next week, I only have to come to school and check in on Thursday, and I have first period only on wednesday. Friday we have graduation practice, then graduation. Monday we have off because of memorial day.

Nearly every summer, I have this list of songs that I want to make videos for, books that I want to read, and things that I want to do. This year, I haven't made them yet, so I decided to make them into part of the blog post. Let's go!

Summer Songs

• Summer's Not Hot by Selena Gomez
• Come and Get it by Selena Gomez
• Deathbed by Relient K
• Candlelight by Relient K
• A World Without Danger from Code Lyoko
• It's Time by Imagine Dragons
• Mamacita by Family Force Five
• Tank Top by Family Force Five
• Down at the Twist and Shout by Mary Carpenter

Summer Reading

• An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
• The Great Gatsby
• Catch 22
• The One That Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• Doctor Who/Star Trek (A crossover series that I will have to buy online)
• Some kind of manga series that I haven't determined yet... possible fma or something. I really wish there was a Doctor Who manga series...

Not-Bummer Summer List

• Go to the beach
• Get my drivers liscense
• Make music videos
• Read books
• Make a green screen video
• Cover more songs on the ukulele
• Apply for scholarships
• Make skit/sketch videos
• Have a party
• Dye my hair red
• Spend time with Taylor
• Pre-order This Star Won't Go Out
• Watch Les Miserables (the newest movie)
• Buy one of those "50 movies for $8" sets from walmart and watch all the old, cheesy movies
• Make a short film
• Learn ASL
• Get a new SMASH book and finish the old one
• Watch both the old and new versions of The Great Gatsby
• Get books from Half Price Books
• Screen print more shirts, possibly some with the lizardbreathwalker logo on them
• Paint things
• Sew things
• Get mini business cards from Moo.com
• Get another Snow White gig
• Blog more
• Post 365 nerds vlog (on my birthday, July 29th!)
• Start a bank account
• Start actually getting payed for ads and monetized videos
• Go swimming
• Go adventuring with my friend, Sarah
• Vlog more
• Get a WIDE ANGLE LENSE (maybe)
• Modify tshirts
• Go shopping at a thrift store and modify the clothes I buy
• Make a pikachu hat (or buy one)
• Get in shape by playing Just Dance on the xbox 360
• Work on videos for the Knowledge days channel, and be ready to release them when school starts
• Get a better intro video for my youtube channel that represents what the channel is about
• Go to some sort of concert (I would go to boomin' by the bay, but it is no longer by the bay, but in houston, and I only know about one of the artists that will be there, and I don't even care for him that much)

There are probably more things that I can't currently remember but will put here eventually. I feel like some of these won't happen and some of them are bound to happen no matter what. I think I might post an update about half way through summer about how far I have gotten. I am also not going to blog as often during the summer (sorry!). I haven't figured out the schedule yet, but I'm thinking about once a week. I will be posting videos more often though, so that might be helpful. Oh, and if you have anything that you think that I should do or whatever or if you are doing something interesting this summer, feel free to leave it in the comments. Book reccomendations are highly appreciated also.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Why I Love Vlogging...

So, I really like this vlogging every day thing. It is a way for me to talk about whatever I want and entertain myself while relieving some stress. I think that I may do it more often. What I am learning about vlogs, at least so far, is that they can be about anything and they don't have to be fancy and perfect to be good.

Yesterday I was watching videos on Hank Green's channel, since he is doing VEDA. Then, I go sidetracked to Emma Blackery's channel, and I was watching a video of hers that was supposed to be encouraging for people who wanted to be on youtube, but hadn't started making videos yet. One of the things that she mentioned was that you should always be making top-quality video if you want people to watch. I'm not sure that I agree with her there. I think that you should start out by doing what you enjoy, and be constantly looking for ways to make it better. I know that there are different opinions on things like that, but I think I was kind of appauled that she said that. She didn't mean editing, but content. I think that both editing and content are something that evolve over time as you become more experienced. I know that my first vlogs were really terrible. But, as I started doing more vlogging, I have gotten better at it. Once you start, the only direction you should be heading is up.

I enjoy some of Emma Blackery's content, but I think that her attitude and the way she acts just makes me hate her sometimes. I don't mean to start a controversy, because I watch her videos and I think that she is pretty cool. I have even subscribed to her channel. Maybe its the fact that she almost always sounds angry, and I feel almost like I'm being yelled at over the interenet sometimes. Whatever, I'm entitled to my opinions and you to yours.

I'm not sure how I'm going to vlog today. I may not have time, since I have drama practice until, like, 6. I thought about vlogging shortly after school or even shortly after drama practice, but I still have the problem of deciding what to vlog about. I really wish that people would comment and give me topic ideas, since I can rant about practically anything. Yesterday, when I went to edit my video, I saw that Hank had posted a video about books also. He did book reccomendations, and I did why I love reading, but it was still pretty cool, and I swear that I did not see his video until after I had already filmed mine.

I have been seeing and reading a lot of things about world war 2 lately. I watched two movies about it in one class (not history) and I picked up a book at the library and it happens to be about ww2. I think that its weird how things like that keep popping up. Once, we did a play called Elephant's Graveyard, and its about the hanging of mary the elephant. For about a month after that, I kept noticing elephants everywhere I went, whether it was jewelry or toys or something one television. And obviously these things were there before, but the play made them become noticable.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

VEDA

Yesterday, I got home at about 8:00 and decided that I had enough time to make a vlog. Yes, I am officially participating in VEDA! I'm not sure if all of it will be vlogs, but I'm going to try. I posted the video last night at about 9:00 or so. Maybe later. I hope to get the one for today done earlier. I'm not sure how much editing I am going to do with these. I think I'll just do a small bit to take out the stupid parts, like I did with the one last night.

The thing about VEDA is that I will be talking about something different everyday, and I'm not sure that my brain can come up with that many fresh topics. I'm not sure what I'm going to talk about today even.I plan to do it on the way to One Act practice. I think that will work out quite nicely. Feel free to comment about things that would make an interesting video. I really want these things to be interesting.

I am almost done reading the new Lois Lowry book, Son. I think I may finish it tonight and get a new book tomorrow. I had hoped to have it finished so I could get a new book today, but that didn't happen. The author is doing a pretty good job of connecting everything and tying up the loose ends that were just left hanging in the end of the other three books.

Yestereday, when I went back over to the school that my parents teach at, I felt like some kind of celebrity. They showed the video that I made about the STAAR test to all the kids and teachers, and they thought it was great. The awesome thing about it is that it can be used again and again, and for multiple grade levels. When they come out with a new standardized test, I can just make another one. All of the kids kept coming up to me and saying that the video was awesome, and even some of the teachers. If you want to see it, just go to my youtube channel and it should be one of the last videos posted, and its titled "STAAR Test".

I keep thinking of things to say, but then I realize that I already said them in my vlog yesterday, so I should just let you go watch the vlog whenever you get a chance, instead of restating myself.

On one of the karaoke CDs that I have,  I was looking at the tracks, and I was surprised to find a song by an artist I discovered a couple months AFTER I bought the CD. Forever yours by Alex Day. I was like, wait... Is that the Alex Day from youtube? And, of course, it was. WHOOO.

Why are people so obsessed with british people. I love their accents, I'm not going to lie, but what makes them so special. Are there countries where people obsess over American people and think that southern accents are awesome? These are the thoughts and unanswerable questions that plague my life.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Launch Date!

Okay, so first of all, I have to announce that as of today, the blog has reached over 1000 views this month! WHOOOOO! And, that means that something special is about to happen.

Yesterday I was sitting there in one of my classes and thinking about nothing in particular. And I had this idea. I like to learn, but I can also teach. Many other people want to learn, but cannot understand some topics until they are explained in detail. I can teach them, but how? And then it hit me. I could use YouTube in the same way as Vsauce and SciShow and all of those other fantastic people, in the way of teaching people about things. But I could not think of one thing in particular that I want to teach, so I figure, why not teach all the things!?

So, starting in April, I will be posting videos every week to my second channel, Knowledge Days. Its called knowledge days because each day of the week is deticated to a different subject, and the whole thing is about learning and teaching. Here is the schedule:

Monday - Math

Tuesday - Language

Wednesday - Science

Thursday - History

Friday - Fun Stuff

I will be posting a video on that channel within the next 48 hours to explain in more detail about the show. I hope to record and upload them in advance and have them be published on those days.

I was hoping to have this ready in time to participate in VEDA, which is the idea of doing a Video Every Day in April. It was something that I heard of from one of the Green brothers. I will still be posting things on my main channel, because this is just like a side project. An expansion of what I am already doing to fight against stupidity and world suck. I hope to get that started by April first, but I may have to wait until the monday of the next week: April 7th.

Yesterday I filmed several videos for the channel and shortly afterwards I realized that I was wearing the same shirt in each video. So, I think  I'll make it so that in each week of videos I wear a different shirt, that way I have the ability to film all of the things in one day. The only thing that I am concerned about is editing the videos. I may recruit my brother to help me with that, since each one will be about 2 or 3 minutes long.

Tomorrow we don't have school because it is Good Friday. Its the Christian holiday where we remember the day of Jesus' death on the cross, and three days later we celebrate him rising again through Easter Sunday.

I have something that I will be doing on Saturday, plus I have to take a test for my online Sociology class. Gosh, I am ready for that class to be over.

Next week I have talent show auditions on monday. I'm scared and excited at the same time, because I'm not quite decided as to what I will be performing. I have had several ideas, I just can't decide. I guess I'll know by monday though. Then on Saturday of next week, I will be visiting a college with my mom. I've been to that one before, so its not a big deal. Wednesday of the week after that, we have our official rehearsal on the Hunstville stage for one act play. The next day is the contest, which I am very scared about because I don't know what to think about it. I hope we advance. Then, on Friday I am taking a college day to go with my mom and spend two days at a college in San Marcos, which is pretty far away. We have to spend the night in a hotel and visit the college the next day, so I will be missing school. There is supposedly a mall nearby that we will hopefully visit. And those are my plans for the next few weeks.

Happy Weekend!

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Gavroche

Yes, it is true. I am almost done with Les Miserables. I love this book so much. I know what is going to happen, but its nice to read it in words. My favorite character right now is Gavroche. I think it is because of the way he was portrayed in the 25th anniversary edition that I watched. He was so adorable. And now that I am reading the book and I know his backstory, I almost feel sorry for him. His parents didn't love him, so they cast him out into the street, and he made his way on his own, even though he was just a child.

My friend, Ellen, who loves Les Miserables, got slightly upset at me yesterday. It wasn't anything major, she was just appauled that I wasn't reading the full version of Les Miserables. She said that I should have to suffer through all of the thousands of pages in the whole version. I don't think I could ever do that. If I can't finish a book in three weeks or less of reading in my spare time, I get bored with it. Thats why I haven't read some books like LOTR and stuff. Oh, that AND the vocabulary sometimes just bores me to death. There shouldn't be THAT many words that I don't know in one book. And sentences should be less than five lines long.

Yesterday was rather productive for those of us in One Act. However, it was more so to the crew than the actors because the actors didn't really get to run through the play. After the rehearsal, we went to eat at a burger place in the same city. Its called Jax or Jack's or something like that. They have amazing food at a decent price. I had a three cheese 1/3 pound burger, fries, a Dr. Pepper, and a chocolate milkshake afterwards. It was so delicious and I was super miserable on the way home from eating too much. I didn't think that I was that hungry, but when I got my food, I devoured it immediately.

We also had the great idea to order using the names of the characters in the play. So, I went up there when they called for "Tillie". It wasn't spelled right though. They spelled it with a Y instead of an IE. We were a little annoyed at that, but the reciept is still going in my smash book. Speaking of which, I have collected a bunch of stuff to put in there, so I think I'll sit down this weekend and put it all together.

I am so ready for all of this crazy mess to be over with so that I can have free time again, and catch up on my sleep. I think I might try out for the talent show this year. I did it last semester, but it was cancelled because not enough people showed up. I'm not sure what I will do though. I could sing and play the ukulele. Or I could just sing. Not really sure. Or I could do a combined act with my little brother, since he is in middle school and we could both play the ukulele and sing. Or he could play the ukulele and I could sing. I don't know. I had a song ready last semester, so I might just do that one.

I meant to show my lifescouts collection to my friends yesterday because I told them about it and they thought it was cool. I keep forgetting that not everyone watches the same youtube channels that I do, and that not everyone keeps up with british pop culture like me. It is kind of annoying to be into different things than everyone else my age in the same area. I mean, it shows that I am very much an individual, but I get kind of tired of it sometimes.

I watched this video the other day called "Llamas with hats". Its not a super nice video, but its kind of funny and kind of dumb. It was made by the same people as the charlie the unicorn videos. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I won't explain it. CAAARRLL! THAT KILLS PEOPLE! haha.

I hope to be able to work on the legacy videos some more this weekend. I'm brainstorming as I go, and I have some ideas, so I just need to write them down and make the videos. I'm really excited abou this mini-series type thing. I saw a video yesterday that seemed almost like it was copying my idea to some extent, but it was on a different subject matter. Plus, I think many people do that same style of video as I used in Legacy, so I'll let it go.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

The last day...

Tomorrow is my first day  back at drama practice. I really want to just sleep in instead and not go out and talk to people. I just want to be a hermit over spring break, is that too much to ask?

I am currently downloading yet another video editing program. Magix. This has been one of my favourites. I downloaded a lower quality version about two months ago, but my free trial ran out, so I'm trying this one.

I really need to just decide on one program and buy it. Then I don't have to worry about finding a new one and I can learn all the features of the one that I buy. I can spend a lot more time editing too. I would have just used WMM for this video, but it includes cloning, and WMM on windows 8 doesn't allow cloning.

The only really good thing about the practice tomorrow is that during spring break we go to someone's house after practice each day and have a party type thing. I don't know who will be hosting it tomorrow though.

I really don't have much to talk about right now. Although, we got a new car yesterday and it is awesome. A Buick Enclave. There are 7 seats and a ton more room than our HHR had.

I designed some mini business cards yesterday on the website moo.com. They were pretty awesome. I think I might actually buy some, I just have to get some money first. I need to come up with about twenty or so dollars, and that will get me 100. They have a QR code on them too, which takes people to my youtube channel. And on the back there is a full color picture of my account picture ( the one from the cloning montage).

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Free Day Monday...

I almost typed friday, because it would sound good.

Yes, today is monday, and free day monday because it is in fact spring break. I am currently discussing graduation with my grandmother while stealing my brother's french fries. It almost feels like summer.

I am enjoying being away from one act and all of the people associated with it. I miss my friends, Ellen and Maddie, and the other people are fun to be around, but I really don't feel like the practices are enjoyable anymore. I would quit, but I'm the lead actress, and I think my director would kill me. Especially since I have her for drama class also. I just have to muck through it.

I have been kind of lazy all day. I listened to music and watched youtube videos. I watched a movie and washed some clothes and dishes (seperately, of course). Since my grandmother just left, I am listening to vlogbrothers videos while blogging.

I realized yesterday, while watching fun summer-y music videos, that I really want to go to the beach or go swimming or something of that nature. I just have no way to get there. I have several friends who went to the beach this week, and some of them even went to florida. But... I am stuck at home while my parents are out car shopping.

I have also watched quite a lot of movies during this time away from the school-ish place of torture. Like, in the last three days I have watched more movies than I have in the last three weeks. I watched Wreck-It-Ralph, Oz the Great and Powerful, Here Comes the Boom, Red Dawn, and I feel like there was another one, but I cannot remember one. I also neglected to check my stock today and I cannot because the market is closed. SNAP.

I enabled ads on my videos on youtube, but I have not been approved for an adsense account. I do not understand. Google, Y U SO CONSUFING? Okay, that was a terrible typo, but I felt that it was still kind of awesome so I left it there.

I also tried to find some geocaching apps to work on my phone, but I haven't been majorly successful yet. I really want to go geocaching, but I have not gotten a chance to do so yet. And I am now cooking waffle fries and drinking cherry dr pepper. Awesome foods FTW!

I have a sudden urge to go biking, but I am babysitting, so I cannot. And my parents may not get back before dark, so I will probably go biking tomorrow.

I found out today that, thanks to my younger brother who is made of awesome, my grandfather is addicted to Doctor Who. Nerdfighters for the win!

I gotta go do something. Maybe.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Oh, and go vote for forever the fierce so that they can play Warped Tour. It would mean a lot to them is you did. You can vote once each day.

Happiness...

For some reason, today has just been a great day so far. I did great on my lines test in drama and my fish name test in aquatic science. I found out that my group member who left the class in sociology is nothing to worry about, and I should just rely on myself and the other two members. I got to sit and chat with my boyfriend and some other friends for quite a while. I have a quiz in spanish class, but I'm not really worried about it. Then, after school I get to go shopping for costume pieces for the two plays I am in. I just feel happy.

I think I want to make a music video for the song "Heart of War" by Forever the Fierce. I really like it and it is a really intense song. I don't know if they will let me make their music video for them, but I can at least make my own version, and I can help them with theirs if they want it. I keep trying to brainstorm and plan it, but I really need to know the true meaning behind the song before I can finish doing so. I plan to ask Nick today which band member wrote the song and what the lyrics are supposed to mean exactly.

I am really looking foreward to working with other people to make videos. I should be able to do this more this summer and once I start college. I really want to get a new camera too. My grandparents promised me that my graduation gift would either be money, or a new camera - it was my choice. I'm still a little indecisive. If I tell them money, I can have whatever camera I want and have a little bit of time to shop around. All I know right now is that it WILL be DSLR. I keep looking at cameras and $400 is beginning to look cheaper and cheaper. I already have most of the stands that I would need for anything, except one that straps to your torso, but that is something that may be an investment later on down the road.

I keep wanting to make a video blog while somewhere different. Like, at the store or something. And I almost always have my camera with me, but I never think of these things until after the time has passed. I still haven't really used my car camera stand. Maybe today when I go to the store I can use it. We're going to go to Burke's Outlet, which is kind of like a thrift shop, so I could use the song "Thrift Shop" by Mackelmore. The clean version or a cover version of course. Whatcha know about wearin' a wolf on ya noggin? What ya know about wearin' a fur fox skin? haha. Now you probably have that stuck in your head if you know the song...

I also had coffee this morning, so I really feel like talking and blogging and stuff.

I am not doing as good today in the stock market. I am ranked 28, while I was 24 yesterday. I'm not worried though. Pretty much everything is bullish.

I really really don't know what to say anymore. I want to talk about stuff but I've run out of ideas. If I had stayed off of the stock market, I would probably still have ideas and be typing like crazy. I just HAD to check my stocks. BLECH.

Is my blog getting too self centered? I noticed that most of the sentences start with "I", meaning that I talk about nothing but what I am doing. What else am I supposed to talk about though?

Spring needs to come faster, because I am ready to wear shorts and capri pants all the time. I miss wearing flip-flops and sandals constantly and not having to wear a jacket all the time. It keeps getting warm-ish then getting cold again, which is driving me crazy! I like the spring and summer, and I want them to come faster! Winter is soooooo two months ago.

If I could have been anywhere doing anything this week, I would have been in California with Family Force 5, Isaac Dietz, and Meekakitty, shooting the music video for "Chainsaw". I really wish they would have done it in Texas, because then I could have found a way to go or something. FF5, Meekakitty, and Tub-o are people I want to work with someday, and I keep thinking that I might get the chance. So far, the only possible way that I will meet them is staying after and waiting in line when FF5 comes to Kemah for Boomin' By The Bay. Last year they came, but I didn't get to wait in line for autographs because I went with a church group and we had to leave immediately. I did win an HD radio last year at Boomin' By The Bay though. It still isn't installed in my car, even though they gave me a "free installation" voucher. I just haven't had the time to go to Car Toys and get it installed. I actually had a radio before I had my car. Life is crazy like that.

I think that when I get some money and buy a camera and stuff, I'll buy an old school gameboy. Like, a Gameboy advance. I had one of those when I was little, but we traded it in for a ds. Then we got a dsi, and now we cannot play gba games. I think you can get gba's for like 30 or so dollars on amazon. I also want some of the games like tak and the power of juju or whatever. I miss them. I miss the game Luigi's Mansion also, but I'm think that might have just been on the gamecube. I also keep thinking about I want an adipose toy from Doctor Who, but thats a different story.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Ehhh... Close Enough

Well, views got pretty close to 975 yesterday. Only 927 or so, but thats alright. Close enough. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't make that big of a difference. This month I would like to reach 1000 though. I think it would be really cool to have 3 months in a row that had over 900 views.

I started writing my documentary script today during Aquatic Science. The teacher wasn't there and we were watching a documentary on poaching and stuff, so I was half watching the movie and half writing the script. I got about two and a half pages into the actual script. That doesn't seem like much, but for a documentary that includes interviews, that is like 15 minutes of the film.

I also wrote an outline/list of things that I want to cover in the film. I think this is a real possibility. I wrote down names of a few people that I know personally, and a few that I hope to meet someday. I think that if I get the equipment and crew and time to actually film this, then I'll write them and ask them to be in it. I think it would be really cool.

I'm still trying to figure out if I want to go becoming youtube style and sit and narrate it or use voice recordings over clips of related things. Either one is possible. I don't know if I want me to be the narrator or if I want to hire someone. The only thing that bothers me is that I really can't hire people because I don't have money to do so. If I can get it going, I'll do a kickstarter, but I have to have a fully written and typed script and some publicity first.

The notebook that I started writing the script in is a fancy one that I begged my mom to let me have at the beginning of the school year, but then forgot about until now. Its a crayola "Wild Notes" notebook. It came with a special pen that only writes on the paper in the notebook and when it does, it has a purpleish color with blue and green and pink and yellow and orange spots in it. I think it kind of fits and makes the rough draft of the script more interesting.

I know this sounds really mean, but I kinda want one act play to be over with already. I love the acting and the family feeling with the other actors and the crew. I love spending time in the theatre. I just miss being able to do other things besides go to practice. I have practice today from 4:00 to 8:00. Thats a whole 4 hours! And tommorow we have an eight hour practice. We also have four (three for me) practices on spring break. One Act is a lot of fun and really rewarding, but I don't remember it requiring this much sacrifice.

I have quite a few youtube videos that I have been ready to edit but I haven't gotten the time to do so yet. I have like two music videos, a mini documentary vlog, and like two vlogs. I should get to upload at least one over spring break. Maybe.

Since it is friday, I might as well leave you with an amusing meme or picture, so here we go...

Just kidding, all I could find on short notice was this. Enjoy!

Love,
Elizabeth W.

The last day of February...

This month went by really fast. I mean, REALLY FAST! And my senior year is going by really fast. Its already the 5th 6th weeks. 5/6ths of the way through.

I have a favor to ask of you all today. Its not much. Currently, for this month, there are 903 views. I know that that is quite a lot. However, last month there were 975 views. There is only a 72 view difference! So, today. On the last day of Febraury 2013, I want you to share the heck out of this blog. It can be this post or one of the videos or one of the stories or even the lifescouts page. It all counts. Just do it so that I can be happy about the fact that the number of views either stayed constant or went up. I know February is a short month, but I still want this to happen. Taylor, if you're reading this, do not just sit there and refresh the page.

So, I think I am getting better at the stock market game. I am currently 23. I am learning how to sit and wait with the stocks instead of constantly trading. I'm kinda proud of myself because I haven't borrowed any money. I still have some cash.

I started reading an adapted/abridged version of Les Miserables yesterday. Its pretty good. I just didn't want to try and read the 2000 page version. I don't have the time or patience for that.

I have actually come up with another film idea. A documentary. I got the idea while I was taking a shower. I get a lot of my ideas either in the shower or when I'm about to go to sleep. I think it would be cool to make a documentary about thespians. And have interviews and behind the scenes footage and stuff. A kickstarter would be nice for a project like that. I could interview high school kids and college kids, and maybe I could get a few real professional actors and directors and stuff in on it. I would need a nice camera. And probably a good place to film the interviews. Looks like I have a summer project now. I could do it "Becoming Youtube" style and do a 30 min segment every week or so.

I think I'm going to get a notebook and start writing an outline and interview questions. I think its good to have seperate notebooks for each project idea. I have one for the screenplay. I have one for... Well, thats all I can think of right now. Man, I am typing really fast. Probably because I had coffee this morning and now I feel wide awake.

Oh, I'm ranked 24 now. And a lot of my stocks are just costing me money instead of helping me. Thanks a lot Bank of America and Citigroup. Gosh.

We have a spanish project that is due next friday and it is a fashion show that we have to present in spanish. I think its a cool idea. I went home and got some music for it last night, but I think I burned it to the CD wrong so I might have to go back and do it again. I got a bunch of songs that were originally in english but someone did a spanish cover of them.

For some reason I really like listening to spanish music. I just think it sounds prettier I can be the only one that understands it sometimes.

I had a dream the night before last that I was signing a song (in sign language) while wearing a fancy red and yellow skirt in a classroom with a teacher that I haven't had since my freshman year. The song was "Give me your hand" by The Ready Set. I really like the ready set. And that song. Anyway, in the dream I could recognize the parts that I was doing wrong and right. I have no reason why I was signing, but I was and it was awesome.

DARN YOU BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP! WHY DID I INVEST IN YOU?

Just so you know, I love it when people message me on youtube and ask me to watch their videos. I really do go and watch them most of the time. And it makes me feel good that someone wants my opinion and watches my videos.

Okay, I blogged the period away. Share away! I'll see you tomorrow.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Laugh, Kukubara, Laugh...

Kukubara sits in the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh, Kukubara laugh
Kukubara, gay your life must be...

Lizardbreath sits near the old gum tree
Hears Mr. Kukubara laugh at she
Die, Kukubara die
You know not the worries of that lady...

Yes, that was rather violent, but it got across a point (hopefully). Actually, I really just have that song stuck in my head and I thought I might be able to share it so you could join in on the suffering... ANYWAY, I am super worried about a million different things right now. I am like a stress toy being squished in on every side and I cannot return to my original shape. I am also extremely tired and I have a million different things to do.

The field trip yesterday was fun, and I managed to get some decent video out of it. I have some interesting ideas as to what I will do, but I can guarantee that it will be something Youtube-worthy. It may take a week or so before I post it though, because I am, as previously stated, SUPER BUSY!!!

Tomorrow we have a clinic for One Act Play. That means that from 10:00 AM to about 7:00 PM I will be gone and I cannot work on homework or anything. I have a quiz in Aquatic Science on monday, I have at least one scholarship that has to be mailed before the end of next week and several others to work on, I have to call the people at SHSU to get them my SSN that they were missing, and I have to learn the lines for two plays. I think theres more, but I cannot recall at the moment.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Oh, and the reason I used the "stress toy" analogy earlier was that I saw this thing on ThinkGeek that I really really really really really want. Its a Doctor Who Adipose stress toy. Remember the episode with the weight loss drug and the little fat creatures that were really aliens but they were completely made of fat? Yeah, its one of those creatures. And its a stress toy. And its absolutely adorable. However, they are sold out on thinkgeek and they cost like $40 on Amazon.com, but they're like $25 or so one Ebay and the next time I have $25 to spend, I WILL have my own adipose toy. Oh, and did you know that the word adipose tissue actually refers to fat? I never realized that they wree being scientifically accurate. Yay for nerds and british people! Man, I bet this blog would sound really good if it were read out lound in a british accent...

I really need some sleep and some time off from life. I don't want to die, I just want to take a vacation. I would say that spring break would work, but 1) that is not soon enough and 2) I have only 2 days of spring break that will not be taken up by stuff...

Anyway, so enough with that rant. I have been filling out scholarship applications like crazy and one of them asked about what I have learned about patriotic duty from the Pledge of Allegiance. So, this morning when I began writing the essay, which has to be like two pages long, I had to search through my brain to find something that would make sense when I regurgitated it on paper and I realized that I had never actually thought about what the pledge was saying. It was always just a kind of daily monologue that everyone had to recite. I think this essay might bring a little more meaning to it, but I think I just want to get the essay over with and all. I am a patriotic person, but I despise writing essays, especially hard to answer ones like that.

See you on monday, or maybe tomorrow.

Love,

Elizabeth W.

For the art...

Today I am going to the museum of fine arts in Houston. This is the first time that I've ever been to an art museum. Man, it is really hard to blog on a bus!

I brought my camera, so hopefully I can make a video out of all of it. We're going to the Prado exhibit. I'm excited. I can't video in some of the places, especially the Prado exhibit. But, I figure I'll manage to get some footage.

Right now I'm listening to killer by the ready set. I love this song. I think I might switch over to sugar rush by cash cash soon though. I like to listen to songs on repeat until I memorize the words. Both of those songs fit my mood right now.

Okay, I don't want to get car sick from reading and vlogging. So I'll get off for now.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Comedy Throwdown: Day 1

So, today has been really hectic so far, and there is not going to be a break from the hectic-ness any time soon. Yesterday I had to go to the dentist, so I missed school AND I missed blogging. I figured that I would try and make it up to you all today.

In second period, I had a quiz over fish identification today. I made flashcards last night, and I think I made a 100, since I remembered all of the scientific names and the common names. I laminated the flashcards with clear tape and they have printed color pictures of the fish. I think they look rather fantastic. I have to make 4 more flashcards tonight for the quiz tomorrow.

I have a spanish composition due today in 7th period. I have to read it out loud from memory (I guess that wouldn't be reading it then) or else have 20 points taken off of my grade. I have most of it memorized, but the way I memorize spanish compositions is strange. I make sure that I know the storyline or whatever in English first, which I know most of. Then, I mentally translate it into spanish as I repeat it. My parents think that it is a rather complicated and inefficient way to memorize a composition, but it works for me. I have all but the last third memorized, so hopefully I can get that in before 7th period.

The first night of Comedy Throwdown is tonight. If you live in the area, I encourage you to come. Audience seating starts at like 6:30 I think, and the performance starts at 7. Just be there by 7 and you should be fine. I am not one of the performers this year, but an MC. This should be interesting.

For those of you who don't know what Comedy Throwdown is, it is an improv tournament that my school puts on every year. The kids in drama class play improv games and contests and the audience gets to vote to see who wins. There is actually some audience interaction where they get to volunteer ideas and be part of the games. It really is very fun and rather hilarious. There are three nights. The first night, part of the teams compete for a winner. The second night, the rest of the teams compete for a winner. The last night, the winning teams from the previous nights go head-to-head to decide what team wins overall. There are two team categories: the first year drama kids, and the theatre production kids. The production class has two teams that perform every night, ensuring that the show will be hilarious.

As one of the two MCs, I get to help run the games, keep score, and explain everything. It should be an interesting experience.

I have started something that I call and "idea jar", which is basically a big container that I am using to hold my ideas so that I don't forget them. I write the video ideas down on slips of paper and fold them up and put them in the container. When I get bored or feel like doing a video, I simply pull out a slip of paper to decide what to do. Some things are very complicated while others are super simple. If you COMMENT an idea for a video, I will put it in the idea jar for later use. This can be anything from a cover or music video for a song to a rediculous dare. Currently, the idea jar only has about 20 ideas in it, so it will take some time to fill it up enough to start using it.

 Description practice!

He sits in solitude all day long. Porcelain limbs too stiff to move. Occasionally a spider might crawl by, but otherwise, he has no company. Being porcelain, he is too fragile to be loved. Every day he watches the sun rise and fall and rise again. His blue trousers collect dust and his red yarn hair begins to unravel. But the painted smile stains his face for an eternity.

Okay, I kinda have stuff to do and a composition to practice.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Unexpected Awesomeness

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were filled with unexpected awesomeness for me. Friday, I got a date for prom (WHOOO!) and throughout the weekend scheduled a date on Saturday the 9th. Saturday I got to go see The Hobbit in theatres, and it was rather amazing. I love the wizard who lives in the woods. He is so adorable and eccentric. Then, I also got to go to Barnes and Noble and I bought two amazing books, LOOKING FOR ALASKA and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by JOHN stinkin' GREEN! I am currently in the middle of a Stephen King novel, Dreamcatcher, but I have the mental capability to read more than one book at a time, so I am reading Looking For Alaska at the same time. AAAAAAAAAH! Then, on Sunday I got to make a music video, which I am currently in the process of editing, and spend the day texting my dearest. I like that word. Dearest. I should use it more often. I feel like if this was a Vlogbrothers video, one of them would be screaming excitedly at the screen right now, because that is what I feel like doing. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Also, during one act rehearsal on Friday, we got assigned parts, and I get to play, like THE main character. I'm almost kind of scared about this, but I really would have played whatever character, as long as I got a part.

I started reading Looking For Alaska last period and I realized that one of the best things about John Green's books is that they are so awesomely relatable and quotable. My favourite quote so far is "You may be smart, but I've been smart longer". That may be paraphrasing. I'm not sure, but I am way too lazy to get up, walk across the room, and get the book to check.

I also spent quite some time watching John and Hank's videos and surfing the DFTBA website. They have some really cool stuff, and I think the next rubber bracelet that I buy will be one that says DFTBA (I collect rubber bracelets with words on them, just check in my videos if you want to know what I mean). I have also been repeatedly told here recently that my glasses are rather hipster-ish, which is something that I am not sure if I like or dislike. I'm unopinionated about it at the moment.

I totally had something that I wanted to talk about but now its gone...

Oh, yeah, my camera decided to come back to life, at least for now. I just went over and tried to turn it on (it had been sitting collecting dust for more than a month) and it worked. I used it to make the music video on sunday. I still want a new camera though. I think I'll leave this one to James (maybe) when I go to college so that he can have a nice camera to vlog with. I don't want him using a crappy webcam, because that would really annoy me. Plus, it would give him versatility and mobility when filming.

I just realized that I haven't posted a video that used my car camera stand yet. I will have to do this in the near future. Come to think of it, I haven't used it since Christmas break. I guess I could do my next vlog in the car. It might be kind of odd if we aren't going anywhere special, so I will have to figure out an interesting destination to be headed toward when I use the stand.

If you have any ideas, leave them in the comments below, I will see you on Tuesday.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Getting Things Straightened Out

Yesterday I got my transcripts and scholarship applications sent off, which is good. They should arrive at their destinations by tomorrow. This is good, because it will be right on time. I also had a relative that was admitted in to the hospital. Please be in prayer for her and the rest of my family.

This morning I taught a lesson in FCA over the fact that God is the greatest artist. It really is an amazing thing to think about, especially being an artist of sorts. God made me and all of creation and he loves me more than is fathomable and even though I am imperfect, I am perfect and Christ has a plan for my life.

Yesterday during drama practice, I sat out in the audience and took notes while the other people performed. While doing so, I also wrote down lists of things that I was worried about, things I needed to do, and things that I had thought about doing but hadn't done yet. I don't know why, but lists help me keep track of my life.

One of the listed items was earning money on my blog and youtube accounts via ads. I know that if I do this, it won't start until this summer, when I officially turn 18, but it is still something that I need to think about. I could earn a teensy bit of money, collect it via paypal, then use it for various little things that I purchase over the internet. I can't really get a job, and I'm kinda forbidden since my parents want me to focus on academics, but I think it might help me out a little.

I want to ask you, the audience, what you think. I have never talked to anyone that has used ads and made money. My mom thinks its just a waste of time. I think it might be worth something in the long run though. If you have been successful at making money via ads, PLEASE leave a comment telling me how it worked out for you. I really do not know anyone to talk to about this, so I am relying on you.

Another item on the list was a vlog/blog schedule. Right now, I blog every day and vlog about once every two weeks or so. I want to remedy this problem. Also, when the summer comes I will have less time to blog but more time to vlog. (I know, its complicated) Then, when I go to college, I want to have certain days for certain things so that I keep track well and I can also do a back-and-forth vlog with my brother. (Speaking of which, I think that he might agree to it, since he is a kind-of nerdfighter himself. He is not as deticated as I am, but he is still a nerdfighter.)

So, I was thinking that I could do blogs every day for right now, and vlogs on wednesdays and other vides stuff on saturdays. Saturdays and wednesdays are my off days right now. Then, in the summer I could do vlogs on wednesdays, and blogs on fridays and mondays. I think then I'll have plenty of time to plan for stuff and still keep up ye olde blog and spend other days just doing other stuff and my other video stuff. I really think it could work.

So, if I don't have too much homework I will edit and post a vlog tonight. If not, then on saturday. I am really scared to be telling you this, because according to Meekakitty (yes, I am a fan of her too) if you tell someone that you will do something, you are less likely to do it, since you get the satisfaction that you need from just telling other people. I hope that isn't the case here.

I have started making a list of possible future vlog topics too. Many times I just turn on the camera and say whatever pops into my head, whether it is relevant or not. This really makes for some crappy vlogs, in my opinion. So, I think that planning them out will help me. If you have any vlog ideas, you can leave them in the comments also. Contrary to possible belief, I actually do read all comments on the blog and on youtube. And I try to respond to most of them.

Well, I have run out of things to say and I still have to google stuff and then read a chapter in my economics book before the test next period, so... DFTBA!

Love,
Elizabeth W.

BUSY!

Once the next few days are over, I will be glad. Heck, once January is over I will be glad.

So, today (actually, in a few minutes) I have to go talk to the counselor, who was not at school on friday but should be here today, and hopefully pick up my transcripts. If I can't get to her this period, I have to wait until lunch, which will no doubt be very bad and I probably won't find her.

As far as my college classes, I took a test yesterday and made an 80, even with only about 10 minutes of studying. I am working on getting my group together and I hope to be able to have a 4 way online chat/webcam thingy. I found this site that lets you have such a conference for free, I just hope the other people have webcams. I don't want to be the only one.

I have a test in spanish today which I probably won't study much for, but I will probably make a 90 or so nonetheless. Then, I have a composition rough draft due tomorrow.

Sometimes when I blog during this class, I wonder if the teacher ever questions what I am doing. I type a lot and very fast, so I think he might be confused sometimes, though he has never questioned me.

I have to get some college stuff done soon. I have to finish sending off stuff to complete applications and whatnot, hence the transcripts and the trip to the devil's office. I need to do so like, today.

I have to finish picking out pictures for my senior page, so I have to do that when I get home.

I also have drama practice every day this week but wednesday and saturday.

I can't wait until things slow down again. Oh, and there is another vlog and music video coming. I already filmed it, I just have to edit it. Don't forget to be awesome!

Love,
Elizabeth W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, I went to the counselor's office. I got the transcripts. But, I have to go back at lunch to see the counselor. Apparently they've been "swamped". Hmmm... Maybe because they're NEVER HERE?!?!?!?!?!? So, I have to go back at lunch and hope that she is in the office. Many times, she is not. If I can't find her then, I 'll have to stay after school, which is something that I dread. WHY!!!!!????

Love,
Elizabeth W.

Stuff for the New Year

I am currently working on a bunch of stuff for the New Year. Tons of videos and music videos and skits and whatnot. All floating around in my head.

I have an issue though. Yesterday, I went to make a Vlog. And my camera died when I tried to turn it on. I have had the camera for two years or more, mind you, but I am still saddened. I used my mom's camera to film the vlog, and it should be uploaded soon.

However, this leaves me without a camera,and unable to film with my own camera on my own terms.

My mom says we can find another camera rather cheap. I don't know how cheap is cheap enough. I have literally no money at all right now. Okay, I have a five dollar bill. But thats it!

Anyway, my video editing program is just a trial version. I have only twenty days left to use it. I hope to get the actual full version sometime soon.

At the moment, life is rather boring. I make videos and upload them. Uploading takes about two hours because YouTube is stupid. I watch Doctor Who and drink coffee. I stalk people on facebook, instagram, etc. In my spare time I play the ukulele. Life is just okay.

School starts back next week. Not looking forward to that. I can't do anything about it though.

Love,
Elizabeth W.

New Ideas For The New Year

So, the new year is in just a few days... Well, NO DUH! That is practically all that everyone on Facebook and whatnot are talking about. The new year (and a new laptop) will definitely mean some cool things for me and you.

SKITS!
This last year I didn't do many skits or music videos on YouTube. Honestly, 2012 has just been a year void of time and creativity. However, I am currently working with my brother, James, (who has agreed to be in my videos again) and we have been coming up with some awesome video ideas. I have been working out the logistics for each of them in my spare time.

EDITING!
I have also been very un-creative in my editing this year. I just got sick of using windows movie maker. However, I currently have a trial version of PowerDirector (hopefully I will get the full version sometime soon) and I absolutely love it. Its not Final Cut Pro, but its better than what I was working with.

MUSIC VIDEOS!
I am so ready to make some more music videos. I have new camera stands that I am dying to use and tons of new music to incorporate. I would love to make another video like Zombie, where I actually have other people. Directing that video was fun, and because I had other people depending on me, I was able to push myself to make it great and get it done.

COVERS!
 With the new year, I plan to make a ton of cover videos too. I am constantly learning new songs on the ukulele and I hope to get a mic sometime soon, so that I can have better quality audio.

VLOGS!
I have never considered myself good at vlogging. That is a major reason that I blog. However, with a new editing program, I feel more confident that I can make some interesting vlogs, so look out for those as well.

In the mean time, happy new year!

Love,
Elizabeth W.

236...

I just checked the number of views for this month, 236. I think that y'all can totally make 500 before next Friday. By the way, no one has commented on anything, meaning that I will probably have to choose which fanfic on my own. It really depends on how much I feel like typing at that point.

The play that I directed performed last night. We messed up a few times, but we did decently. Certainly better than the last few times. I was proud of my cast for just going along and winging it. The other two plays did okay too. I'm not such a big fan of "The Quiet Place". It just wasn't something that I enjoyed. I don't mean to bash the director or the actors, its just my opinion. "Do Not Go Gentle" was amazing though. Some of the actors were a little sub-par, but you don't get to choose actors in high school. I almost cried at multiple points during the play.

The cast that I am a part of performs tonight. I feel like I am prepared, but I am unsure about some of the other actors. I really just want to get it over with at this point. My grandparents are supposed to be in the audience tonight. Whether they will make it or not, no one knows, but they said that they would. At this point, I really don't care. I just want it to be tomorrow.

My spanish teacher assigned a last minute Christmas project yesterday. I have to make a commercial selling a Christmas product, in spanish. I plan to sell "Christmas Pets". Basically, I will have a bunch of different stuffed and live animals with Christmas accessories on them. I will say that they make great gifts, decorations, and you can even send Christmas animal-grams to you relatives. You can rent or buy them, and they can be real or fake. I am just excited that I get to work with video. The only drawback is that I can't use cue cards. But, I am in drama, so it shouldn't be that hard to memorize a few short lines.

I really want to make the Christmas documentary that I discussed yesterday. I feel like it could bring some very important issues into the view of people who can help. I also want to talk to both kids and adults in the interviews. That way I can get both sides of the story.

Just so you know, I am writing part of the FF5 fanfic while I type this, so this post may not be very long. I only type when I cannot think of what exactly to write. Just for your entertainment, I will put a quick little excerpt from the story. It comes from a part just after the beginning.

Not wanting to seem nervous or awkward, I briskly walked to the building. Just as I was reaching for the door handle, the door swung open, knocking me out of the way. A rough hand reached down to help me up and a familiar voice uttered "Oh, I'm sorry!" Soon, I found myself face-to-face with the golden-haired bass player, Derek Mount, AKA: Chapstique. "No, it's okay," I reassured him, trying not to sound like an obsessed fangirl. "The shoot doesn't start for two hours," he said. "Why exactly are you here?" Still in shock at how awesome it was to meet him in person, I managed to stutter, "Um... I talked with Isaac... I'm, umm.. Supposed to help with the video." His face lit up in recognition, "Oh, you must be Lizardbreath, err, Elizabeth! Isaac and the rest of the guys are inside. You might want to go find him and let him know you're here." "Thanks," I replied as we parted ways.

So, there is a itsy bitsy, tiny little piece of the story to give you sense of what it will be like. At the moment, I think I might have some more to add to the story, so this post is probably going to end soon.

 Yep, this blogging thing is too distracting while I am trying to write a story. Not to mention, I lack anything else to talk about. Goodbye for now!

Love,
Elizabeth W.

The Boredom Sets In... And The Thinking Begins!

Well, I am very much bored out of my mind today. At least right now. I have nothing to do this period as far as school work. By the way, we have a total of 210 views this month so far. That means there are only 90 more views to get by next week if you want the fanfic to be posted. Honestly, that is not very much. I think I might change the total to 500 or something like that. I am averaging about 20 views a day at the moment. I looked and as a running total from the beginning to this exact moment, my blog has 2012 views. I thought it was cool because it was the year. I guess I'm better at entertaining people through blogging than I thought.

As far as YouTube videos, I need to stop making promises that I can't keep. I did not get to make any videos yesterday because I spend that time helping my grandma pack presents for kids in New Mexico and painting Christmas pictures with my mom. My grandparents left for New Mexico today. I'm praying that they make it there and back safely and get the chance to minister to many people along the way. I wish I could go out and minister to people that I don't know. I stink at people in my area because I'm so afraid that they will judge me more harshly. But people in my area need Jesus too.

Yesterday I watched a music video for Britt Nicole's "The Lost Get Found". The whole concept was that she went on this roadtrip, basically heading out into the great unknown, driving in no particular direction. She prayed that God would put people in her path that needed to hear about Jesus. The video showed some of the people that she ministered to, and you could tell that lives were touched.

I thought it was a really cool idea. I just don't know that I have the guts to do something like that. I am a very shy person. Some people I try really hard to be an example for and minister to, but they just see me as a quiet girl who decided to stick her nose in their business. They won't really listen. And I'm always afraid that I'll say the wrong thing. This, coming from the girl who speaks her mind about everything, regardless of who it offends. I need to just get out of my comfort zone and start reaching people. I said it myself this summer at youth camp, I feel like this is the point in my life where I am ready to go out and start reaching people for Christ. I don't want to just sit around and do nothing when I have been called by God.

A very similar thing that I saw on the internet that has inspired me is Isaac Dietz's "Search For Joy". Basically, he went to places like Africa and searched out real joy that existed and thrived even though people were in poverty, the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. I can only imagine how many people were reached for Christ through these two projects.

I feel like I have the ability to minister to people, just the inability to find the people that need to be ministered to. I have thought about using my YouTube channel to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ, but I am not sure exactly how to do it. I feel like I have done it some through this blog, but I want to use all of the resources I have. Video making is one of my strong points. I have that talent. I guess I could start making Christian music videos. It couldn't hurt.

I feel like I should plan my own project like this, I just don't want to copy anyone. I like the "Search For Joy" idea a lot though. I might take it and put my own spin on it. I will do it in my area, of course. Right now would be the perfect time to start it, because everyone is focused on Christmas and how presents will make them happy. I could interview people at different events that I go to. Church. Plays. Stores. Neighbors. I really wish that I had a better camera to do this with. One that I could adjust the focus on, because my camera doesn't always focus right. Maybe I could film it with my cell phone. That way, I could kinda adjust the focus. It would still be decent quality video. Charity Functions. Parties. Band Concerts. Family Gatherings. I could just interview them and ask them a few questions.

What do you think the real reason for Christmas is?
What part of Christmas is most important?
Why do you, personally, celebrate Christmas?
Does Christmas time make you feel happy or stressed?
What do you wish Christmas time was more like?
What is your favorite part of Christmas?

I think this could really work. If you have a question that you think I should ask, please leave it in the comment area. Don't forget to comment and say which fanfic you want posted next friday also.

Oh! I almost forgot! Today is the day that our play is performed. I am the director for tonight's show. The show starts at 6 I think. I have to be there at 5, which makes me unhappy, and I will probably have to stay until 8 or 9. The cost of admission is $3 per person, if you plan on coming. There will also be a silent auction during intermission. The first play (mine) is Amber Waves, then there will be an intermission, then the plays The Quiet Place and Do Not Go Gentle will perform. The performances will take place in the middle school auditorium. If you live in the area, feel free to come.

Well, that is enough talking for today. Woah, there is still 20 minutes left of class. Wierd.

Love,
Elizabeth W.