Day 16

Day 16: A Song that Makes Me Cry

Go the Distance

From Disney's Hercules

Alan Menken and David Zippel

This is my most favorite Disney song. Not only is this song overlooked, but this entire MOVIE is overlooked. I love it.

Once upon a time... I had to have my gallbladder out. I was TERRIFIED. Not really of the surgery, or of dying, or of having my organs prodded and removed. I was extremely frightened of "awareness" during the surgery. I read this horror story while in my younger years (I'm talking 7th grade... or 4th grade... somewhere around there) about a woman who was "asleep" but, totally aware during her surgery. She felt EVERYTHING, and couldn't do a thing about it. Anywho, that is where my "awareness" fear stems from. The day before the operation Dr. Surgeon (I think it was Dr. Lambert or something of the like) asked if I had any questions for him. I finally found the courage to ask about my highly insane, yet totally legitimate fear. He shook his head with a smile and told me the chance of that was extremely rare, and I think he may have said something about my heart rate and blood pressure would alert them, I don't remember exactly. He made me feel a small amount better. Like this much better. But, being the brave girl that I am, I proceed with my surgery.

The day of mine surgery had arrived. I took a deep breath, and walked into my OR with my head held high. And what do I hear upon entering? Disney music. Dr. Surgeon knew of my current employment, and my love for Disney. Laying on the table, they started my IV. My anesthesiologist tells me I'm going to get sleepy. The last thing I remember...? A certain song. Go the Distance. I listened to about half of it before I took my brain by the balls and said "you've got this". Then I woke up, hurting, nauseous, and sans gallbladder.

While I know the delightful sleepy drugs kicked in... I give this song credit for helping me through it. I love this song even more because it gave me the extra little bit of courage I needed to go the distance... And I did.

I truly get misty eyed every time I hear it. Which, I might add, is embarrassing during the "wishes set free" portion of Wishes (every time!) I'm reminded of that silly little story, and it gives me hope and courage that I'll find my destiny and be able to achieve it.

Day 15

Day 15: A Fanfic

Alright. I don't write nor read "fanfics" (fiction written about already existing stories, unofficial spin offs, if you will).

I don't really have anything against fanfics. I just... I don't know, there's no real substance to them. And, aren't there some sort of copyright laws being violated there? I know for some, it may be flattering or what not. But, if people were writing about the lives of my characters, I'd be pissed. I'd feel like you'd be ruining my characters and their lives. Then, as a result, my life. Back off! Try writing your OWN story. With your OWN people. Have we, as a society, completely run out of originality?! We have to rewrite someone else's crap?! Ingenuity people! Trust me... it's better! Why do you think I wear mismatched earrings, or write my own novels, or do my own interior decorating? Because it's ME. Not someone else's opinion or idea of what's awesome. It IS awesome. It's 100% authentic. It's real.

Huh... I guess I do have something against fanfics.

*shrug*

Day 14

Day 14: A Non-fictional Book

The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth for Dummies

Don't judge me.

Day 13

Day 13: A Fictional Book

American Gods By Neil Gaiman

I just finished this book last week and it was NOTHING I expected. Briefly, it's about the mythological gods and their roles (or lack thereof) in America. It wasn't as adventurous as I was hoping, but in no way did I want to put it down. This book really forced me to remember there are older things and older ways than what we know. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I'm so grateful that the literary world has someone like Gaiman to keep the spirit of "grown up" enchantment alive.

Day 12

Day 12: Something That Tickles My Fancy

I love coffee. It does more than tickle my fancy. It fuels my life! It's delicious, it's energizing, and it warms your body and soul. The above image is 100% true. Ask my mom. She says I drink too much coffee. She lies!! 18 cups a day is NOT too much. I promise! (It's actually only three to six, fear not.) Who needs sleep?! I've got coffee!!

Day 11

Day 11: A Photo of Me Taken Recently

My birthday! It's the most recent photo of myself that I have. That really was a fun (albeit frigid) night. I was the birthday captain AND a queen. I was a very kind and just sovereign. Ruling is hard... but somebody's got to do it.

Not 1999

So... My last post (Day 10) was, as I feared, wrong. It's the head shot from Nutcracker 2000. I remembered this when I took another look at the photo and realized I had no braces. I got my braces off in September of 2000 (what a liberating day THAT was). Which means the photo could not have taken place in 1999.

There you go.

I should be on CSI.