Let it pan

Castle Pan from Abi Freeland on Vimeo.


So. I shared my photoshop drawings, here's the final work. Eh? Eh? Also, make sure you let it keep playing for a couple seconds before closing the window. Just trust me on this.

xoxo

Some Harry Potter loving

There has to be some correlation between how much homework I have, and how much I want to blog. The only homework I could do from where I am is either sketching, which I'll get to after this post (maybe), or reading for psych, and I don't have my book. Oh, fiddlesticks. I don't even know what exactly I'm going to talk about, so that's exciting.

Or maybe I'll just write a blog on Harry Potter, and why I adore it. Let's go with good old JK. (Doctor Who reference, anyone?) Growing up I was not allowed to read Harry Potter. Which I resented greatly, I have never liked being told what not to read. Books are sacred, don't limit my options. (Does that even make sense? Whatever.) I finally read all the Harry Potter books last summer, after having seen all the movies, and having read fanfiction. I was a pretty big potterhead before having read the books, and I had a cousin who would often read sections out that she found funny, and would share tons of facts and bits with me.

Then I read the books for myself. Let me just say, damn. Those books are phenomenal. The character development, plots, and funny bits all weave together and make it masterfully written. My dad was always against them because magic and witches and witchcraft is bad unless allegorical. But that's not what the books are about at all. It's not a book about witches doing witchy stuff, there books about friendship, loss, war, social injustice, love, loyalty.

When the books start, we get so happy that Harry finally gets out of his old home life, without love, and gets to go to Hogwarts, gets to finally have friends and people around him who like and cherish and love him. Really, the bit with Voldemort is exciting, but not the part that thrills me. He finds a home. A real home, not just a house where he happens to reside.

Then we go to the next book. All the old friends are back, Ron, Hermione, and Harry are all closer than ever. And we keep going on to the next book, we keep needing to know what happens, we love these characters, we cry when something happens to them. The end comes, and some people die, and it breaks our hearts. These are people that we love. They may be fictional, but that does not stop it from hurting.

My favorites are Tonks, Sirius and James, Fred and George, Oliver Wood, Luna, Seamus, and McGonagall.
Tonks because she expressed herself by using bright colors. When her heart got broken, the color went out of her life (and hair), and I relate to that. Well, not having my heart broken, but on bad days, it just seems like the world is a bit less colorful. Plus, even though she's a bit clumsy, she's still a bamf.
Sirius and James (they go together in my mind- I love all the Marauders. Except Peter. He's such a rat) Because they just seem like they always have so much fun. I mean, yes, they were a bit of jerks, but they were also loyal. I'm mostly basing this off Marauders time period, so most of what I'm basing this off of is fanfiction, but I love them. Even when Sirius is older, and gets a bit emo, he manages to give Harry a bit of what it would be like to have a family.
Fred and George, because honestly, who doesn't love them? They always make me smile.
Oliver because he's so obsessed with quidditch, and it's adorable, and he and Katie Bell belong with each other. Also, the actor who plays him in the movie is Sean Biggerstaff, and if that doesn't make you chuckle, I don't know what will.
Luna because even though she's a bit odd, she's so sweet, and loyal. I actually feel like I relate to her alot to, I never really had an abundance of friends, and definitely not super good friends, and it can mean so much when you finally get some really close friends. You end up cherishing those friends, and do whatever you can to make sure they stay happy. Did I mention she's adorable? I actually want to name a daughter Alice Luna because of her. Someday off in the future.
And Seamus cause he's Irish and blows stuff up on accident, and makes me smile.
I want to be McGonagall when I grow up. If you haven't read the books, or seen the movies, you wouldn't understand, but if you have.... There's a chance you know what I'm talking about. I could prolly fill a whole blogpost about how much I love her.

My dad has said he doesn't approve of the books because of what's in them. But he's never read them, so he really doesn't know what's in them

Yes, there are spells. And potions. And ghosts. And even werewolves. But there's so much more. There's a family, just waiting for you behind the cover, a humongous family, based all over the world. It's not just the Weasleys and Potters and professors waiting for you, it's also the huge fanbase. So many hundreds of people have read this series, and it all means something different for everyone. But it also means kind of the same thing, too. Home.

Pick up line time!!! And of course they be HP themed!

Last thing, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries? SO GOOD. Just so fucking good. And we finally found out about Wickham, and what he's doing to hurt Lydia, and gah. So many feels. I just really love it, but simultaneously want to cry. Why do bad things have to happen to good characters? Or characters we love?

I am so proud of this. It took about 8 hours on Photoshop, and it was worth it.

Hoggy Hoggy Hogwarts by ~purplypanda20 on deviantART

It's part of an assignment for my 2D computer animation class, we all received a different castle to base a background off of. I pulled out Hogwarts. While I really enjoyed this, and love all things Harry Potter related, I have to wonder. Does anything really need that many turrets and spires? I'm thinking no.

 
Hoggywarts -WIP by ~purplypanda20 on deviantART

More work!!! Damn, I'm so super excited about this project. It kind of makes me want to just pour all my energy into it, but I have other homework to work on to. But adding the colors was about another 4 hours.

#feelings. ::or:: I'd like to be consistantly happy for a bit.

This isn't going to be super long. It's just feelings, pouring out. Plus I'm tired, but I don't want to go to sleep just yet. I prolly will after I write this.

I just sometimes feel like I want to sleep with someone. Not fuck. But just be close to someone and fall asleep. Is that weird? I don't even know. I just think it would be nice. You could even cuddle, and share bodywarmth. I think it sounds lovely. Maybe it's just me....

On another not, over the past 2 months, I have found myself incredibly attracted to Tobuscus on YouTube. I don't know why about that either. I just wish I could hang out with him, and be his friend. And play video games with him. That's not weird either, right? Totes not.
Have a picture of him. I'm contemplating potentially drawing this picture, with my awesome colored pencils, just cause he looks happy. Even with the bandaids on his forhead.

On a different note:


In philosophy, we're talking about personal identity, and I was just sitting there, like, Doctor Who addresses this in Journey's End. Oh. This was talked about in the Forrest of the Dead/Silence in the Library. This is just like The Almost People/Rebel Flesh. It's weird how taking philosophy after watching Doctor Who, and even after reading comics, I feel like I've heard a bunch of these theories before. It's weird. I mean, I like feeling like I get what's going on, and that it's not all new information.

On Monday, my Grandma is going into surgery. I really love my Grandma, and over the past couple days since I heard, everytime I think about being in this world without her, I start feeling like I want to cry. It hasn't been as bad today, possible cause I'm not PMSing any more. Thank goodness. But I'm still really worried. If y'all wouldn't mind praying, or if you aren't into praying or God, or whatever, if you could send positive thoughts for my Grandma in surgery, that would be great. And maybe some thoughts and prayers for my friend's mom, who is also in the hospital, and they're all worried. (Danielle, if you're reading this, I love you. And I am praying for y'all. <3 I know with everything going on, you might not read this, but I don't care. I adore you, and I want everything to work out fine for you and your family. And I'm cool with proclaiming my love for you in front of the internet. Even if you never see it.)

All in all, it's been kind of stressful, the past couple days. I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving break. Though some highlight of my week have definitely been the recent Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

Here's the latest one. Though if you really want some cheering up, you should look for the ones with Fitz. I've watched those episodes several times the past few days. And Nevermind the Buzzcocks. Which is also a very wonderful show, and a favorite of mine.

Pick up line time!
......I really do like pick up lines.

And finally:
Dear Toby, if you ever happen to stumble upon this, and you'd maybe like another friend, you should consider me. I am normally pretty decent at using proper grammar, and I'm funny sometimes. Other times just awkward. But I'm sure I could still be a good friend. If you'd like references, I can get some. 

 

Mornings are hard.

So, it's been a while. I guess. I just haven't felt like writing stuff. Especially when I have to write stuff for school. Though no academic articles or anything, so it's not that bad. Maybe a bit.

Anyhoo, I have to write a paper for my UCF (Understanding the Christian Faith) class, and we can talk about some big issue. So pretty much anything. And I'm kind of leaning towards how we should love, or just love in general. I think it's an important issue, that we skim over, because it seems like it should be obvious or easy. And it's not. It's just not. So I just thought I'd organize my thoughts out a bit before truly starting out. Maybe see if anyone has any thoughts about it.

Which I actually asked my professor after class if he thought it was a good topic. And he said it could use to be narrowed a bit, made more specific, but over all it's a good topic. That makes me pretty happy. I have a topic!!

In other news, I have bright red hair again. I just redyed it, it's all lovely and bright, and oh my Celestia, I feel like the little mermaid. There's something about bright colors that is just wonderful, you know? They brighten up my day. All day, I've been walking up to doors and staring at the bright red reflection in the glass. Also, I'm happy my school has doors made of glass. 

To add to all this happiness, I found my last good hair tie! It's the only one that's not overly stretched out, or broke so the elastic peeks out and pulls at my hair. In the words of Luna:

A not so lovely thing that happened today (besides making myself get out of bed) is that a fellow student in my philosophy class got pissed and stormed out. And on his way he called both the class, and the teacher fucking retarded. And then he threw in that philosophy is gay. And tossed over a lectern. Everyone sat there in silence for a bit after that, just shocked. That sort of behavior is not okay. I don't care if you don't like the class, or the teacher. You paid for that class, you chose to sign up for it, so either sit there and keep your mouth shut, or drop the class. It's not that hard. If you really don't like philosophy, just stop coming! Or even just show up and not pay attention. Put earbuds in, or zone out, or whatever. And using words like retarded and gay? Not cool bro. Seriously. Not cool.

I personally like the class, and the teacher. He's a super cool guy, he was my alpha group leader when I first got to college, and I'd looked forward to taking this class, pretty much all because of him. And philosophy isn't that bad. I mean, it's not something I get easily, but then I don't get every single subject right on the nose all the time. That's why I'm a student who goes to class to learn from a professor. A professor who has the credentials to work at a college. I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure they don't let just anyone in.

And now back to using words like retarded, and gay. You're using them to call something worthless, and stupid. That is not okay either! Honestly. You wouldn't like it if someone said "That is so rude student who just barges out of the room!" Especially if they meant it in context to you. You'd feel horrible! Like, why have I done something wrong?

So, yah. Good times.

Pick up line time! The main thing every one has missed in the couple weeks I haven't posted anything. I don't feel like doing a ton of searching, so here's my personal favorite. Cheers!

I lost my teddy bear. Can I sleep with you?

Still don't have anything to ramble about so picture spam time!

 I found most of these on Pinterest, and couple on Tumblr... I didn't find anything that said "Do not use", so if you know that this is someone's picture or what have you, and they wouldn't want it on here, please let me know, and I'll take it off.

Have a fantabulous day.

Not Alone

So, Glee came on again last night. So good. So much Darren. And my friend Danielle was practically in tears during all the Darren Criss- y goodness. (Like when he was in the shower. Which was my favorite part as well)

But then she wrote a blog about why she loves Darren Criss, and Team Starkid. And it was beautiful. And it made me want to write a blog about why I love Darren and Starkid so much.

Growing up, I didn't have an abundance of friends, or really close friends. My sister is 5 and half years older than me, so she pretty much stopped playing with me about when I was 7. I was homeschooled and lived about an hour away from most the people I know. Off a highway, so I don't even really have neighbors. Don't get me wrong, I went out and did stuff with people. I wasn't a total recluse. But I never had a chance to get to be bosom buddies with anyone. I always pictured myself as Anne Shirley, but I had no Dianna to run and play with. And so, my bestest closest friends that I cherished the most, (and still dearly loved), were books. Through middle school and high school, the highlight of my week was always going to the library to get an assload of books. New friends, old friends. Some I left as acquaintances, which I never fell in love with, but I still recognize them on the shelves. Others I fell deeply and ardently in love with, and I read and re-read them like crazy.

Somewhere in highschool, between my Junior and Senior year, I discovered A Very Potter Musical. And I loved it. Also, about when I started, they had just put out A Very Potter Sequel. And I just watched it and loved it. I went on to watch Me and My Dick, and then when Starship came out I watched, got the album, would've gotten the shirts, but I had no money for it. On Friday, yes this Friday, April the 13th, Starkid's next musical comes out. And you can bet your ass I will be watching it. Possibly much more than once.

You see, the magical thing about Starkid, more than them being college students who wrote and put on these amazing musicals, more than them becoming super popular and still incredibly nice, The thing is..... They made me feel like I wasn't alone. Whether it was Harry Freaking Potter finally finding a home at Hogwarts, or a dick finding true love, or Bug becoming a Starship Ranger, they were all there for me. Through their musicals, and their cuteness, and their nerdiness. They are just lovely human beings.

They gave me hope for college. That I would find friends there, and we would go on to do great things, and be supermegaawesomefoxyhot friends. As someone who is really shy/awkward around people she doesn't know, I was super nervous about going to college, if I would become friends with anyone, if people would like me. Actually, I talked with people the very first week about Team Starkid. And we're still good friends. Actually the people I talked to are now some of my best friends on campus.

Starkid told me I'm not alone. That I need to kick it up a notch, that there's no way we're giving up, that I don't know me, the way they do. And when it's time, in less than a month, to say goodbye to all these wonderful people I've come to love for summer break, Days of Summer will be constantly playing. Along with Gotta Get Back to Hogwarts.

And I would just like to say, bless Joe Walker's abs. Just.... just bless them....