Once upon a time, last night I went to a party! I don't usually go to New Year's Eve parties, being that I'm not a drinker or a partier in any way, but last night a bunch of people got together specifically because none of us wanted to drink, so it was okay. We were hanging out, playing games and just talking and having a good time. My friend Jamie was telling everyone that it was now 1990 instead of 2011, just 'cause he's weird like that and the 90s were awesome. ^_^ So we were playing Spin the Bottle and Truth or Dare, your basic 90s movie party games, and one of my friends dared me to eat a spoonful of cinnamon.
Apparently this is a thing, the Cinnamon Challenge. I didn't know it was a trend. But I agreed to do it, thinking it would be a small spoonful - but no, it was a heaping tablespoon of cinnamon. And though I was aware it would be hot, and thought I could handle that, I didn't take into account the fact that it's a super-fine powder. =/ You guys probably see where I'm going with this.
So I put the spoonful into my mouth, holding my breath for some reason. I realize I can't swallow it all at once, and I exhale, preparing to swallow it bit by bit. I just exhaled. I didn't choke, cough, anything like that - I just breathed out.
Aaaand a cloud of cinnamon goes *poof*ing out of my nose, which makes everyone else laugh, but BURNS. And I try to breathe back in, which causes a bunch of cinnamon to be inhaled into my lungs and the back of my throat, which makes me choke. Choking with a mouthful of cinnamon, by the way, is a terrible, horrible plan. Don't do it if you can avoid it. =/
So now people have noticed that I'm legit choking, and I'm freaking the eff out. I can't swallow, I can barely breathe, my nose and throat are burning, my eyes are streaming. I'm trying to wash the cinnamon out of my mouth because I can't actually swallow any water. Eventually, I do get enough out so I can swallow a little water, and I'm breathing, though I can barely talk. By the time it was over, everyone was laughing again because we were all so relieved that I didn't die. And apparently if you almost die in a game of Truth or Dare, you win and that gets you exempt from the rest of the game. So yay for me!
But seriously, it nearly killed me. There was a moment or two when I was actually honest-to-God afraid that I was going to die, right there at my sort-of friend's house with a bunch of people I didn't know and a couple of boys I thought were cute. What a way to ring in the new year, huh?
I blew my nose about thirty thousand times, and it was really gross for the first ten or so. It got steadily less gross all night, and by the time I woke up today, almost all of the cinnamon was out of my nose. :D But last night was freaking TORTURE. I had to drive my friends home, and I was burning and sniffling and choking the whole time. The first thing I did when I got home was chug a glass of water and take a Tylenol Extra Strength dude because my head was killing me, probably from the lack of oxygen and pressure from blowing my nose so much. I couldn't fall asleep for a long time because of the pressure in my head, behind my eyeball, and the clogged-ness of my nose. I was having trouble breathing because the left side of my nose was clogged, and then I finally cleared it but my nose was so chapped and my throat was so irritated that breathing hurt. And to top it all off, I felt like I was going to puke for the whole five hours after I did it to the time I fell asleep. It was awful.
Other than the whole nearly-dying thing, though, it was a terrific party and I had a great time. :D
Moral of the story: No matter how much someone offers to pay you, no matter who dares you, or who you're trying to impress, it is NOT WORTH IT to do the Cinnamon Challenge. Seriously, it is dangerous - I could have actually died. And it was unpleasant enough without dying, thank you. So don't let anyone you know do this, and please don't be the one suggesting it. It is not fun, nor is it funny to watch someone almost choke to death. So don't do it. :D
Showing posts with label myrtle beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label myrtle beach. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Internet rights?
I failed at blogging yesterday 'cause I was busy with Real Life Things. O_o I know. It happens sometimes.
However, today I come to you with A Story. :D Apparently some kid brought a gun to my old high school and shot the security officer dude, and then I think made a bomb threat or something. The officer is fine, and the kid was taken away, but several schools had to be locked down because of the bomb threat. This whole story has circulated around Facebook today, and now people are passing links to his Twitter around, too. And this kid... let me tell you, he's a real winner.
I'm not going to post a name or a Twitter account, or quote him directly, but there were at least 15 tweets involving guns, bombs, and death of some sort. I just glanced over the first page, all the tweets before the shooting occurred, and as one of my friends put it: this probably could have been prevented. But that's where I find issues.
On the one hand, if the authorities had access to this kid's tweets, they might have been able to keep the shooting from happening. They would have had to have access to his location, full name, and school information, but they could have prevented it theoretically.
On the other hand, would it have been an invasion of his privacy? It's a public place, his tweets aren't protected, so anyone can see them. But his information, unless he makes it public, should be protected by Twitter, right? And he should be allowed to say whatever he wants on his own Twitter, right?
So what should be done about these kinds of situations? Everyone's always saying that the world has become obsessed with social media and the internet and instant everything, and it's true. I'm part of it, of course, and I love Facebook and Twitter, but even though they're on the internet I still consider it sort of private and personal. It's my own corner of the internet. And no one can tell me what to post, or not to post, and if I don't want you to have access, I don't think you should be able to see it, police, government, or not.
In a case where monitoring social media could potentially save lives, is it better to protect our freedom of speech, or to violate those rights but keep more situations like this from happening?
However, today I come to you with A Story. :D Apparently some kid brought a gun to my old high school and shot the security officer dude, and then I think made a bomb threat or something. The officer is fine, and the kid was taken away, but several schools had to be locked down because of the bomb threat. This whole story has circulated around Facebook today, and now people are passing links to his Twitter around, too. And this kid... let me tell you, he's a real winner.
I'm not going to post a name or a Twitter account, or quote him directly, but there were at least 15 tweets involving guns, bombs, and death of some sort. I just glanced over the first page, all the tweets before the shooting occurred, and as one of my friends put it: this probably could have been prevented. But that's where I find issues.
On the one hand, if the authorities had access to this kid's tweets, they might have been able to keep the shooting from happening. They would have had to have access to his location, full name, and school information, but they could have prevented it theoretically.
On the other hand, would it have been an invasion of his privacy? It's a public place, his tweets aren't protected, so anyone can see them. But his information, unless he makes it public, should be protected by Twitter, right? And he should be allowed to say whatever he wants on his own Twitter, right?
So what should be done about these kinds of situations? Everyone's always saying that the world has become obsessed with social media and the internet and instant everything, and it's true. I'm part of it, of course, and I love Facebook and Twitter, but even though they're on the internet I still consider it sort of private and personal. It's my own corner of the internet. And no one can tell me what to post, or not to post, and if I don't want you to have access, I don't think you should be able to see it, police, government, or not.
In a case where monitoring social media could potentially save lives, is it better to protect our freedom of speech, or to violate those rights but keep more situations like this from happening?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Musings about the seasons and holidays and stuff.
I STARTED THIS BEFORE MIDNIGHT IT TOTALLY COUNTS :D
The weather today was fan-freakin'-tastic, so even though I slept through my first class (whoops) and did my Spanish homework wrong (I did it too well, actually), it was a pretty great day. I had lunch with some friends I don't see nearly enough, then hung out with my sisters, and it was just delightful.
I'm so excited that fall is nearing. Everyone loves the change from summer to fall, the arrival of the pumpkin-spice-everything, hoodie weather, apple picking if you're lucky enough to live somewhere where that's available, and most of all - the holiday season.
I don't care what religion or nationality you are, there is something for everyone to celebrate in the last few months of the year (Author's Note: this may or may not be true of all religions or nationalities). Thanksgiving is my personal favorite, mostly because it's got the best food. Seriously, it's not about the whole Pilgrims vs the Indians thing, at least not anymore. It may have started that way, but that's not what we think about these days. It's about being thankful for what we have, namely the delicious food we're about to eat. :D But seriously, it's a time for thinking of the less fortunate and being glad for what we have, and I think that's nice. It's a good holiday.
I'm excited for many things this coming fall/winter season. There are a few concerts coming up that I want to go to, there are some movies, specifically HARRY POTTER, the holidays, the weather... I'm mostly just ready for change. I'm excited for a few certain events, but really, I just love the changing of the seasons. It makes me happy. :D
Especially because here in Myrtle Beach, we really only have three seasons: semiwinter, OMGSOHOTOMG, and comfortable. Comfortable is my favorite part of the year. It happens twice - sometime in April and sometime in September or October. It really only lasts a couple of months, if we're lucky, but it's delightful. Leaving the doors and windows open, the crisp coolness of the air with the warmth of the sun... it's awesome. :D
Someone better start suggesting blog post ideas, or this Blogging Most Days in September thing is going to fail. XD
The weather today was fan-freakin'-tastic, so even though I slept through my first class (whoops) and did my Spanish homework wrong (I did it too well, actually), it was a pretty great day. I had lunch with some friends I don't see nearly enough, then hung out with my sisters, and it was just delightful.
I'm so excited that fall is nearing. Everyone loves the change from summer to fall, the arrival of the pumpkin-spice-everything, hoodie weather, apple picking if you're lucky enough to live somewhere where that's available, and most of all - the holiday season.
I don't care what religion or nationality you are, there is something for everyone to celebrate in the last few months of the year (Author's Note: this may or may not be true of all religions or nationalities). Thanksgiving is my personal favorite, mostly because it's got the best food. Seriously, it's not about the whole Pilgrims vs the Indians thing, at least not anymore. It may have started that way, but that's not what we think about these days. It's about being thankful for what we have, namely the delicious food we're about to eat. :D But seriously, it's a time for thinking of the less fortunate and being glad for what we have, and I think that's nice. It's a good holiday.
I'm excited for many things this coming fall/winter season. There are a few concerts coming up that I want to go to, there are some movies, specifically HARRY POTTER, the holidays, the weather... I'm mostly just ready for change. I'm excited for a few certain events, but really, I just love the changing of the seasons. It makes me happy. :D
Especially because here in Myrtle Beach, we really only have three seasons: semiwinter, OMGSOHOTOMG, and comfortable. Comfortable is my favorite part of the year. It happens twice - sometime in April and sometime in September or October. It really only lasts a couple of months, if we're lucky, but it's delightful. Leaving the doors and windows open, the crisp coolness of the air with the warmth of the sun... it's awesome. :D
Someone better start suggesting blog post ideas, or this Blogging Most Days in September thing is going to fail. XD
Saturday, August 7, 2010
In which I TOTALLY OWN at the challenge game.
I am sick, and it sucks. BUT I have a blog to post to and a challenge to update you all on, and so I must sally forth despite my wobbly head and ouchy throat.
So for the last two weeks my challenges were:
18. Learn at least three simple songs on my accordion -- OWNED
27. Write some letters to the editor of the Sun News -- TOTALLY DID IT
52. Start learning American Sign Language. -- STARTED, AT LEAST
I OWNED this chunk of the challenge, which is excellent since I failed so spectacularly on the first bit. I learned "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Mary Had A Little Lamb," and "London Bridge," NOT TO MENTION "Zelda's Lullaby" and "Epona's Song" from The Ocarina of Time. :D I am a huge nerd and I am proud of it, you be quiet. ^_^ I (crappily) recorded all of this on my digital camera, but we've been having some computer issues of late so it will have to be uploaded later. But if you don't believe me, ask my parents, who had to listen to me play them over and over and over.
I wrote a letter to the editor of the paper, but it turns out you're only allowed one every 30 days, so I only did the one. I have no idea if it was printed or put on the website or what, but here it is, copied from my email:
"Have you noticed the enormous amount of tow-away zones in the Myrtle Beach area? Probably not, because the tow companies like to hide their signs where you can't see them, so that you will park there unknowingly and have to give them $200. The area right behind the late Crazy J's/The Basement is a designated parking area, but when you pull in, the first thing you see RIGHT AFTER the "PARKING" sign is a row of parking spaces that are in a tow-away zone. There are about ten spaces, and the Corner Cars Towing sign is at the very end, right behind a light. How are you ever supposed to see that, unless you're parking in the space right in front of it? And they're not the only company that does that, although they are by FAR the rudest and most difficult I've ever dealt with. I wish it were mandatory that the tow-away areas had to be CLEARLY marked, from ALL angles, instead of just a tiny sign that you can't read as you drive into Piper's Point Apartments, or a hidden sign in a designated parking lot. Please stop trying to screw us all over, City of Myrtle Beach."
SO YEAH. OWNAGE. NEXT TASK. :D I started learning ASL, but I'm not very advanced yet. I can do the alphabet, almost entirely from memory, and a few words. But this will be an ongoing goal, I just have to like... remember to practice. XD
I've made up a little schedule thing for when school starts back up, so I can remember to do all the things I keep meaning to do, like helping keep the house tidy, working out (failed again to go to the gym), learning languages and instruments, and writing. I've got a laptop now so I should be able to be more on top of things. School starts in like, two weeks or something, which is slightly terrifying because I'm not ready, and slightly exciting because I'm bored. ^_^
OKAY. So for the next two weeks, these will be my challenges:
17. Learn three simple songs on my lap harp,
54. Learn to juggle,
16. Write a musical (excluding the music for the songs - the book and the lyrics can be done in two weeks, but the music will take longer).
Unofficially, I will be trying to keep learning sign language, keep practicing the accordion, and try to get into a gym schedule. I don't think I will be reaching my weight loss goal, but if I can get into a regular exercise regimen, I'll be satisfied.
So for the last two weeks my challenges were:
18. Learn at least three simple songs on my accordion -- OWNED
27. Write some letters to the editor of the Sun News -- TOTALLY DID IT
52. Start learning American Sign Language. -- STARTED, AT LEAST
I OWNED this chunk of the challenge, which is excellent since I failed so spectacularly on the first bit. I learned "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Mary Had A Little Lamb," and "London Bridge," NOT TO MENTION "Zelda's Lullaby" and "Epona's Song" from The Ocarina of Time. :D I am a huge nerd and I am proud of it, you be quiet. ^_^ I (crappily) recorded all of this on my digital camera, but we've been having some computer issues of late so it will have to be uploaded later. But if you don't believe me, ask my parents, who had to listen to me play them over and over and over.
I wrote a letter to the editor of the paper, but it turns out you're only allowed one every 30 days, so I only did the one. I have no idea if it was printed or put on the website or what, but here it is, copied from my email:
"Have you noticed the enormous amount of tow-away zones in the Myrtle Beach area? Probably not, because the tow companies like to hide their signs where you can't see them, so that you will park there unknowingly and have to give them $200. The area right behind the late Crazy J's/The Basement is a designated parking area, but when you pull in, the first thing you see RIGHT AFTER the "PARKING" sign is a row of parking spaces that are in a tow-away zone. There are about ten spaces, and the Corner Cars Towing sign is at the very end, right behind a light. How are you ever supposed to see that, unless you're parking in the space right in front of it? And they're not the only company that does that, although they are by FAR the rudest and most difficult I've ever dealt with. I wish it were mandatory that the tow-away areas had to be CLEARLY marked, from ALL angles, instead of just a tiny sign that you can't read as you drive into Piper's Point Apartments, or a hidden sign in a designated parking lot. Please stop trying to screw us all over, City of Myrtle Beach."
SO YEAH. OWNAGE. NEXT TASK. :D I started learning ASL, but I'm not very advanced yet. I can do the alphabet, almost entirely from memory, and a few words. But this will be an ongoing goal, I just have to like... remember to practice. XD
I've made up a little schedule thing for when school starts back up, so I can remember to do all the things I keep meaning to do, like helping keep the house tidy, working out (failed again to go to the gym), learning languages and instruments, and writing. I've got a laptop now so I should be able to be more on top of things. School starts in like, two weeks or something, which is slightly terrifying because I'm not ready, and slightly exciting because I'm bored. ^_^
OKAY. So for the next two weeks, these will be my challenges:
17. Learn three simple songs on my lap harp,
54. Learn to juggle,
16. Write a musical (excluding the music for the songs - the book and the lyrics can be done in two weeks, but the music will take longer).
Unofficially, I will be trying to keep learning sign language, keep practicing the accordion, and try to get into a gym schedule. I don't think I will be reaching my weight loss goal, but if I can get into a regular exercise regimen, I'll be satisfied.
Friday, May 21, 2010
I made a protest! :D
Today I crossed off "protest something" from my list of life goals. These horrible people, the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, KS, came to Myrtle Beach this week to protest at our churches and high schools. This group maintains several websites, all along the same lines - godhatesfags.com is their main one, but there's also godhatesamerica.com (and pretty much every other country in the world, apparently), godhatestheworld.com, jewskilledjesus.com, and priestsrapeboys.com. I'd say don't go to any of their sites, 'cause I think they get money for it, but if you're really curious about them, Wikipedia has some good info.
Anyway, what they believe is basically, anyone who isn't a member (all of whom are family members - incest apparently is okay) of their church is going to hell. Pretty much. Blacks, Jews, gays, other Christians, Hindus, the Pope, soldiers, and anyone who "enables" ANYTHING. EVER. They hate them all. And they picket at funerals, for victims of hate crimes and fallen American soldiers alike, they picket at churches (Catholics seem to be favorites), they picket at high schools, claiming that the teachers are allowing our children to grow up damned, believing homosexuality is okay and allowing different religions and all that. I don't even know, they're ridiculous and they hate pretty much everyone. Their picket signs say things like "God hate fags," "You will eat your children," "You hate God," "God hates America," and other stupid things that don't make much sense.
I don't know why they came to our town, but we were totally ready for them. :D They went to six high schools today, three in the morning and three in the afternoon, when kids were coming and going. They weren't allowed on the property, but they made sure they stood at high traffic areas, on a street corner or at a light. I made signs with my friends last night that said things like "I am human and I need to be loved" (mine obviously), "All kinds of love are fine, it's your hate you need to watch!" (a Margaret Cho quote!), and some Bible verses, like "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love," and "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." It was cool, 'cause a lot of signs on our side quoted the Bible, and not many of theirs did. ^_^ We also made a big banner on a sheet that said "God loves everyone," which also seemed to be a pretty popular idea on our side.
We met at Socastee High at 7:45 AM, joined by about fifty other people we didn't know, and stood across the highway from the WBC jerks. Across from the school, lining the fence, there were many more of us, maybe over a hundred. From what I hear there was a DJ and all kinds of craziness. But I don't think there were any more WBC people other than the ones across from us. People were honking and yelling and throwing peace signs and thumbs up as they drove past us, booing and thumbs-downing the WBC, and the stupid people were singing, but we drowned them out with our yelling and occasional bursts of songs. A lot of people had funny or nonsense signs, saying things like "God hates Thai food," "God thinks you're totally awesome," "Dumbledore and Grindlewald forever," "God hates these Tetris blocks," and "Who brought donuts?" It was fun, but a little scary seeing these people in real life. They had a kid, maybe 10 or 11, holding signs saying these awful things, and he really believes it. That's scary. It was sad and enraging and terrifying all at once.
They left before we did, and some of us followed them down the road until they got in their cult van and drove away, and some of us stayed a little while on the street, holding our signs and wooing at the people honking for us. Then we got breakfast! :D
At 2:45 we showed up, this time before the bad guys, at St. James High, where I went for a year. When it opened in our sophomore year, half of our class went there while the other half stayed at SHS, so our class sort of feels like we belong there too, even though it sucks. :D Anyway, there were a CRAPTON of people there. Possibly over a hundred. Definitely close. It was pretty great to see that many people out there supporting this thing, and it was made even better by the fact that the WBC numbers were barely in the double digits. We won. ^_^ People were yelling and chanting (this group was very into the chanting) and all the cars were honking... it was really cool. And this was much less scary, somehow. The WBC didn't sing or chant or anything, but at one point one of the guys yelled over at a little girl on our side. He said "Not you, little girl, not you," I think because she or someone near her had a sign that said "God loves everyone" or something along those lines. But she was like, six! LITTLE-little. It was messed up. But he was the only one who shouted that I could hear, so I'm calling our shouting a victory. And they again left before we did, causing five solid minutes of shouting and cheering from us, and I'm calling that a victory, too. :D
All in all, it was a fun day and I really feel like I did something good, but there are also feelings of sadness, pity, anger, fear, and the fact that they don't care if we counter-protest. I mean, we didn't do it for them, but knowing it made absolutely no difference to them kind of sours it a little. But still, it was great to see our community come together like that, all religions, races, genders, sexualities - and in the Bible Belt and all! It was heartwarming to see the passion our side exhibited, and knowing that it was happening at four other locations with the same kind of results makes me really feel proud of Myrtle Beach. I'm proud of us, of our town, and most of our country for similar actions. It was a really great experience.
Anyway, what they believe is basically, anyone who isn't a member (all of whom are family members - incest apparently is okay) of their church is going to hell. Pretty much. Blacks, Jews, gays, other Christians, Hindus, the Pope, soldiers, and anyone who "enables" ANYTHING. EVER. They hate them all. And they picket at funerals, for victims of hate crimes and fallen American soldiers alike, they picket at churches (Catholics seem to be favorites), they picket at high schools, claiming that the teachers are allowing our children to grow up damned, believing homosexuality is okay and allowing different religions and all that. I don't even know, they're ridiculous and they hate pretty much everyone. Their picket signs say things like "God hate fags," "You will eat your children," "You hate God," "God hates America," and other stupid things that don't make much sense.
I don't know why they came to our town, but we were totally ready for them. :D They went to six high schools today, three in the morning and three in the afternoon, when kids were coming and going. They weren't allowed on the property, but they made sure they stood at high traffic areas, on a street corner or at a light. I made signs with my friends last night that said things like "I am human and I need to be loved" (mine obviously), "All kinds of love are fine, it's your hate you need to watch!" (a Margaret Cho quote!), and some Bible verses, like "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love," and "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." It was cool, 'cause a lot of signs on our side quoted the Bible, and not many of theirs did. ^_^ We also made a big banner on a sheet that said "God loves everyone," which also seemed to be a pretty popular idea on our side.
We met at Socastee High at 7:45 AM, joined by about fifty other people we didn't know, and stood across the highway from the WBC jerks. Across from the school, lining the fence, there were many more of us, maybe over a hundred. From what I hear there was a DJ and all kinds of craziness. But I don't think there were any more WBC people other than the ones across from us. People were honking and yelling and throwing peace signs and thumbs up as they drove past us, booing and thumbs-downing the WBC, and the stupid people were singing, but we drowned them out with our yelling and occasional bursts of songs. A lot of people had funny or nonsense signs, saying things like "God hates Thai food," "God thinks you're totally awesome," "Dumbledore and Grindlewald forever," "God hates these Tetris blocks," and "Who brought donuts?" It was fun, but a little scary seeing these people in real life. They had a kid, maybe 10 or 11, holding signs saying these awful things, and he really believes it. That's scary. It was sad and enraging and terrifying all at once.
They left before we did, and some of us followed them down the road until they got in their cult van and drove away, and some of us stayed a little while on the street, holding our signs and wooing at the people honking for us. Then we got breakfast! :D
At 2:45 we showed up, this time before the bad guys, at St. James High, where I went for a year. When it opened in our sophomore year, half of our class went there while the other half stayed at SHS, so our class sort of feels like we belong there too, even though it sucks. :D Anyway, there were a CRAPTON of people there. Possibly over a hundred. Definitely close. It was pretty great to see that many people out there supporting this thing, and it was made even better by the fact that the WBC numbers were barely in the double digits. We won. ^_^ People were yelling and chanting (this group was very into the chanting) and all the cars were honking... it was really cool. And this was much less scary, somehow. The WBC didn't sing or chant or anything, but at one point one of the guys yelled over at a little girl on our side. He said "Not you, little girl, not you," I think because she or someone near her had a sign that said "God loves everyone" or something along those lines. But she was like, six! LITTLE-little. It was messed up. But he was the only one who shouted that I could hear, so I'm calling our shouting a victory. And they again left before we did, causing five solid minutes of shouting and cheering from us, and I'm calling that a victory, too. :D
All in all, it was a fun day and I really feel like I did something good, but there are also feelings of sadness, pity, anger, fear, and the fact that they don't care if we counter-protest. I mean, we didn't do it for them, but knowing it made absolutely no difference to them kind of sours it a little. But still, it was great to see our community come together like that, all religions, races, genders, sexualities - and in the Bible Belt and all! It was heartwarming to see the passion our side exhibited, and knowing that it was happening at four other locations with the same kind of results makes me really feel proud of Myrtle Beach. I'm proud of us, of our town, and most of our country for similar actions. It was a really great experience.
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