New Beginnings

Here's to a fresh start. In order to feel like I've done something productive with my day, I'm going to start blogging on a regular basis about things I see in the news as well as other pop culture/entertainment stuff that might make it's way into my day.

To start things off with a bang, I heard today that Sanjaya Malakar's mother and sister were both arrested a couple of years ago for growing pot. It was reported on my local news station, KXAS, that there were somewhere around 300 plants in their garage. I believe his mother was the one arrested for growing it and his sister was arrested for posession.

For starters, I'd like to let everyone know that I HATE Sanjaya Malakar and the craze that has swept the nation in regards to him. Only God knows why he was not voted off before the top 12 of this year's American Idol, and I think it's tragic that he made it to the top 7. Let's just thank heaven that he did not make the top 6. I hope the poor girl who was starving herself until he got voted off has since enjoyed a huge celebratory meal. I digress.

I'd like to point out that these two women were the only family or friends of any contestants who ever showed up in anything ... unsavory. It's one thing to show off what God gave you, but good grief, you're supporting a 17 year old BOY not a Chippendale's dancer! (and even then I'm sure THEIR mothers and barely legal sisters don't show up with enough cleavage to supply the whole army with an ample supply of images for the next six months or so.)

Anyway, from what I've read on various websites (click on the blog title to check out a link), it seems that Jillian Blyth is a single mother, and has had trouble making ends meet at times. As a college student, and the oldest of 8 kids, I can understand how hard that can be, but my gosh have some human decency! Based on what I've seen, it's a miracle these two weren't put in the system years ago.

I'm just praying that Sanjaya Malakar will eventually go the way of Justin Guarini, Clay Aiken, and that Chicken Little Kid

Frustrations

Well, it seems like my life has been falling to pieces recently. I think I've been crying, or on the verge of tears for weeks.

I'm back in the same spot with my job. It's easy, sure, but I don't move all day and I'm tired of being in the phone business... it's old. I really wish I had a job that requires more variety and movement. I work with chill people and it's a very employee friendly work environment. I'm just really tired of working on the phone, and now that they've imposed Mandatory Overtime... I'm about to go nuts by the end of my 10 hour day.

As for everything else... I've decided to wait to go to school until I get my residency. It cuts tuition in half and my year will be up in May. Wow.. crazy that I've been here for almost 9 months.

Recently there's been some drama with me and the house that I hang out at. Now, I haven't been too nice to them in the past month, but I just realized that due to some stuff that went down I was able to recognize that none of them care a flying flip about me and could care less about whether or not I'm around. I'm have not been a perfect friend, but to those of you who know me, I do make a big effort to be the best friend that I can be to everyone. I've been putting so much time and effort into trying to make some of these friendships work. I am so homesick for the friendships that I enjoyed in VA and when I moved it left a huge hole in my life that I've been trying to fill with mediocrity. And now I've realized that mediocrity won't cut it. Don't get me wrong I have made some very good friends that I love and adore, but the support system that was there in BV is gone. Well, it's still in BV, and I'm in Dallas... which does me no good. I am used to the respect and courtesey that was shared by my friends in VA, and the people that have caused the problem here do not understand what it means to be a friened. They have not even the slightest comprehension of what friendship and unconditional love really are. I have tried my best but I cannot deal with the disrespect, crassness, and completely juvenile behavior that I've just been letting roll off my back. To top it all off I'm still trying to learn to deal with my aunt and so I frequently feel like no matter where I go I'm being hit by a barrage of my faults and mistakes. I miss and love all of you on the east coast(and in Utah/Glasgow/and soon-to-be Russia ;-)), so keep in touch, because I desperately need to hear from you, and to the few of you who I have here, thanks. I couldn't do it without you. Sooo... yeah... I guess that explains whay I've been so... down. I'm working on it, so thank you for your patience.

Survey...

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Keely Shiraki
Birthday:	02/05/1983
Birthplace:	Must I?.... okay.....Provo, UT
Current Location:	Dallas, TX baby!!!!!!!
Eye Color:	Dark Brown
Hair Color:	Black
Height:	5'6"... or close to that.
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Right
Your Heritage:	Mom is caucasian... Irish, mostly, and my Dad is full Japaneese. No I'm not hawaiian, tongan, samoan, or any form of Islander.. well, Japan is an island, but that's beside the point... Ireland is too come to that... ANYWAY
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Tennis shoes, but I'll be barefoot as soon as I'm off work!
Your Weakness:	baby blues, broad shoulders, a deep voice.....*sigh* and presents will get me EVERY time.
Your Fears:	death, loneliness, and 18 wheelers (curses on I-81!!!)
Your Perfect Pizza:	dunno... I like most kinds. it really depends on my mood.
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Be happier
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	lol... and I'm the worst culprit!
Thoughts First Waking Up:	*groggily eyes the blaring alarm clock* What time is it? Damn!!! I HATE MORNINGS!!!!
Your Best Physical Feature:	I like my nose.. it's cute :-D... and my eyes on a good day.
Your Bedtime:	usually I try to make it around midnight... unless it's the weekend and then... whenever.
Your Most Missed Memory:	Childhood in general.... innocence, ignorance, and joy.
Pepsi or Coke:	Fountain Coke and Bottled Pepsi
MacDonalds or Burger King:	Whataburger?
Single or Group Dates:	Depends on the Guy
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	I hate tea
Chocolate or Vanilla:	White Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Starbucks or Daily Grind :-D
Do you Smoke:	nope
Do you Swear:	Hell no!!! ;-)
Do you Sing:	yup.. but a lot of people don't know that... it's really a passion of mine
Do you Shower Daily:	most of the time.
Have you Been in Love:	Yes.
Do you want to go to College:	Yeaahhh.... about that.....
Do you want to get Married:	Yup.
Do you belive in yourself:	Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	On occasion in my family's van.
Do you think you are Attractive:	Very infrequently
Are you a Health Freak:	Not really. I should be though.
Do you get along with your Parents:	As long as I'm not living with them.
Do you like Thunderstorms:	Yeah... they're... wonderful... I love the smell before one, especially here in Texas
Do you play an Instrument:	Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano.. and I've tinkered with a few more, though it's been years since I've been serious about any of them.
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	nope. never have, actually
In the past month have you Smoked:	no.. I don't like the smell
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	Nope
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	Sadly, no.
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	Uhh.. Christmas was JUST here... what do YOU think?
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	box? no.. but I have had a few
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	yeah.. but it wasn't so good, which was depressing.
In the past month have you been on Stage:	Don't think so.
In the past month have you been Dumped:	Did you read where I haven't been on a date?
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	nope
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	nope.
Ever been Drunk:	I don't drink... remember?
Ever been called a Tease:	Not to my face.
Ever been Beaten up:	Nope.. but I've beat someone up before.
Ever Shoplifted:	wow.. that's redundant... refer to my answer 4 questions up.
How do you want to Die:	in my sleep.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	Happy
What country would you most like to Visit:	Oh geez, Can I say all of them outside the US? Well... maybe not all. but most of South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Australia too.
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	Blue or Hazel... but it doesn't really matter.
Favourite Hair Color:	hmm... darker, but I've been known to like a few blondes.
Short or Long Hair:	usually medium length.. kinda beach-bum type, but a good short haircut can be hott
Height:	6'+ is preferrable.. I like 'em tall usually.
Weight:	never really cared too much.. just... proportionate is good
Best Clothing Style:	something that fits and looks good... if you, as a guy don't know, ask me, I can help. No really, I have refrences :-D
Number of Drugs I have taken:	uh... well, pain pills when necessary.
Number of CDs I own:	not enough of the ones I want and too many of ones I don't listen to.
Number of Piercings:	1 in each ear... though I've considered a nose ring or a tounge ring occasionally... i'll probably never do it though.. I don't like needles...
Number of Tattoos:	Yeahh.... like I said, I don't like needles. I'd have to be drunk to get one.... aaand since we've established that I don't drink...
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	maybe 5 or 6 things that still hurt when I think about them.
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Ringing in the New Year

Road trips are awesome though 16 hours of driving can be a little bit long especially after just getting home from VA, but I LOVED spending the new year in OK with Art and Hali. Sooo... I don't think I ever realized how FLAT the Oklahoma panhandle is. The crop fields seem to be never-ending. It's fantastic. It was sooooo good to spend time with Arte again.

As for other news, I'm still just working, and I'm not sure about what I want to do regarding school... we'll see what happens there. I spend the rest of my time chillin' with the crew at the boys' house aka the local bachelor's pad.

The best thing about the new year, aside from all the afore mentioned stuff, is the NEW SEASON OF 24!!!!! Everyone should tune in on Jan 15th and 16th for the 4 hour premire. 2 hours each day starting at 8pm/7pm central standard time... so 8 on the East Coast and 7 for those of you here in Texas with me. And that'll be airing on Fox. Lol... geez I'm obsessed... thanks Hannah. :-D

Well, I hope that everyone's new year was good, and I wish you all the best of luck on all your dreams for the upcoming year.

'Five-hundred Twenty-five Thousand Six-hundred Minutes....'

Four-hundred Sixty-three Thousand, One-hundred Fifty-five minutes so far... Sixty-two Thousand, Four-hundred Fourty-five minutes to go...

Life... is so frustrating. There's some days that I just want to crawl into a hole and sleep. And there are days that I feel like I could conquer the world... unfortunately on those days, I don't. But here's to keeping at it, right?

Anyway, life these days is... good. I hang out with a great group of people. I have no job right now because the job that I hated?... well, they ended the temp assignment, which was great because I don't have to work there anymore, but it sucks because I no longer have any income... oh well... I'm looking for another one.

It's getting colder here. It actually happened in one day. The morning was like, 70 degrees and by six that night it had dropped to like, 40. And it's been really cold ever since. I can't believe it's halfway through November already. I can't believe that the year is almost over. It's crazy. How DO you measure a year? I think measure my life by the people who have affected it. I know I've said it before, but I can't believe how much things have changed since last year. Geez... it's nuts.

This time of year always makes me nostolgic. I love the cold weather and being able to bundle up to keep warm. I love the snow (lol... I'll miss that this year, being in Texas...) and the lights and the spirit of the holiday season. I know that's cheesy, but it's true. I love the warmth and comfort everything.

Well, enough of that. I've got to go do more job hunting... blegh... wish me luck!

Life as I know it.

Hey kids, I know it's been a while, but I haven't actually sat down at a computer for an extended amount of time for a looooooooooooong time. Life right now is soooo blah, so I guess I haven't had much that I've felt the need to share. Well, this weekend has been really fun, but recently, that's abnormal. Sad eh? Anyway, so back to this weekend. I got off work on Friday and Hannah and I went and got our nails done. It was great. Then she went to Paul's and I went to a dance at the Meandering Way building... it was good. Suprisingly enough the singles dances here aren't bad AT ALL. It's so refreshing to hear some actual real music at these things. Anyway, it was a good night. On Saturday Hannah, Chris, and I went shopping all day long!!! From like, noon to six pm. It was so much fun, and I was really impressed that Chris lasted that long! Most guys would get tired of walking all over the mall after like, 2 hours. Well, we were shopping for him and, if I do say so... every man should take Hannah and I shopping with him. He will look SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good wherever he goes, and he'll get an ego boost in the meantime. :-D So last night we just chilled as well as today. I hate Sundays though, because that means I have to go to work the next day and I hate work. I think I have to be at work early tomorrow too because they're making us do mandatory overtime. Grrrrrrrrrrr... I just hate this job! It's sucking the life out of me. I can't handle this 'nothing changes' thing... I have to have some kind of variety in my day. I'm so used to the environment surrounding the restaraunt business that anything slower and less versatile is like living in a slow motion clip on repeat. Having Hannah back in town has made me realize how much I really do just miss home so much and how much I just want to go back to my friends there. I miss you all sooo much. I just can't talk to most of the people here like I did back home. I miss the stimulating conversation the most. Now, not everyone here is a horrible conversationalist, there are a select few that I can talk to, but I just miss having that at my disposal whenever I want.

Well, I guess that's it. I love and miss you all. Drop me a line sometime, and I'll say hi back when I get to a computer.

24

Just a note in passing....

TNT IS DOING A 24 MARATHON ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!! STARTING AT 2PM...or something like that. I'M SOOO EXCITED!!!!!!! EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH WITH ME!!!!

lol.. Just thought you all should know. :-D

hold me closer...

So today, I was at work, and I was on hold waiting to talk to a supervisor. It'd been a pretty long day, and I was dealing with a rough call to begin with. Anyway, it was a pretty long wait, and I was kind of zoning out and all of the sudden I hear the intro to 'Tiny Dancer'. It was like I had been instantly transported to the best summer term ever, to the living room of the Blue House, surrounded by tons of good friends, watching one of the best movies ever made, for the first time. I mean, just the feeling of home, that the song gave me... the feeling of good friends, and even better times. *sigh* It was an oasis in the middle of a very long, dry day. Anyway, I love things like that. It just makes your day a little brighter, y'know?