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Ok, so it's been a million years since I've been on LJ, I know. Sorry about that. I've been busy doing important things like getting my degree (finally!), getting engaged and subsequently getting married, and working till my wrists break. But - huzzah!- I made the time to squeeze out an audition for Glee. But I've only got 6 days top get as many votes as humanly possible... So HELP ME!!! Click the link below and give me a gold star. Pretty please?
check out Krissy @GleeCurrent Mood:  accomplished |
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Is anyone out there in the abyss?Current Mood:  curious Current Music and/or Distraction: Legally Blonde - the musical |
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With knowledge comes great responsibility...
I, Krissy MacQueen, am going vegetarian.
For several years now, I've considered the idea of eventually going veg, but various things would stop me: a fear of not getting enough protein, my family's pressures to not exclude yet another thing from my diet, the fact that veg-alternative food is more expensive, it's harder to order in restaurants, etc. But you know what? Doing whatever's easiest is not tantamount to doing what's right. So here is my plan, along with my reasoning for doing it.
Eventually, I would like to be vegan. Knowing that this is INCREDIBLY difficult, however (you don't just give up meat, poultry, fish, and dairy, you give up anything that has honey, gelatin, beeswax, or casein too), I'm not entirely sure I'll ever be able to live up to that standard. So I figure that I'll start as a lacto-ovo vegetarian (i.e. one who doesn't eat meat, poultry, or fish, but who does partake in dairy and eggs), and then I'll try and transition away from dairy and eggs over time. I've never been much of a milk drinker; I get Almond Breeze in lieu of milk from the store, and have always liked to order soy when possible, but it'll be MUCH harder for me to phase out cheese, butter, milk chocolate, nonfat yogurt, frozen yogurt, ice cream, pudding, cream cheese, sour cream, and most store-bought smoothies, cakes and baked goods. Plus I'll have to annoy every waiter for the rest of my life with "is there any dairy in that?" and then I'll probably tack on an apologetic "I'm allergic," just so he/she'll take me seriously (a white lie, but effective). As someone who loves her lattes, frozen yogurt, scrambles, sour-cream-based dip, cheesy-anything, and milk-chocolate everything, this is a tall order. A verrrry tall order. Something that will take me much longer to adjust to, as opposed to the meats/fish, which I think will be easier.
And now for the reasoning...
I love animals. In a nutshell, that's it -- I love animals, and hate to see them exploited for our benefit. It would be one thing if life for these animals is like it's portrayed in those "happy cows come from California" commercials, but it's not. These poor creatures are constantly kept pregnant for their milk-producing capabilities, and when their calves are born they're ripped from their mothers so they can spend their short lives chained up and eventually slaughtered for veal. That's what veal is, btw -- baby cows. They're kept immobilized so their flesh is more tender. And despite what the FDA regulates, these animals are NOT "rendered senseless to pain" before they're slaughtered. Many times they're fully alive and in torturous pain when they're chopped up. And chickens have it no better -- they're placed in barbaric "battery cages" wherein they can't even stand up, let alone turn around in their nests. They're fed and pumped up with growth hormones to the point where they're too big to support their own weight... All so you can have a big, juicy chicken breast. Because they're spaced less than 2 inches apart, their beaks are either burned or broken off (w/o pain medication) so they don't peck each other. Accidental male chicks are immediately killed in a grinder, females are kept on to produce eggs until they're too weak, then they too are killed. ...I could go on, but you get the picture. They may not be human, but that doesn't mean that they don't feel pain or fear. And by not patronizing these industries of death, at least I can feel like I'm not contributing to their pain.
Secondarily, it's a healthier way of living -- both for me and for the Earth. Animal farming is one of the biggest obstacles in reversing the effects of global warming. It takes thousands of acres to grow all grains/crops necessary to feed the animals, then fossil fuels to run the plants and power the trucks used to transport them to and from their deaths (is this starting to feel like a description of Nazi Germany to anyone other than just me?). If we stopped farming animals for food, we could turn global warming on its head. And yes -- it's better for me, physically. Any time you're eating foods that have less fat, cholesterol, additives, or preservatives, you're doing your body a favor. Vegetarians are way less likely to be obese or to suffer from heart disease; vegans are a good 10 times less likely to fall into any category of bad health. It's good all around.
Some of you may be wondering if J will also be going veg -- and the answer is no. Both he and my mother aren't supporting my leap into veggiedom, mainly because (I think) they're anticipating the frustration that will ensue at restaurants and when anyone other than me cooks. J is from North Carolina (where they live on down-home meaty things) so I guess that's his excuse; I'm not sure what my mom's is. But I'm doing it anyway. Once I get the hang of being lacto-ovo veg, I'll start weeding out the dairy... And I'm also going to do my homework and stop patronizing companies (cosmetics and otherwise) that test on animals. It may limit me a little bit at Sephora, but I've discovered that Smashbox, Urban Decay, Benefit, and Bobbi Brown (to name a few) don't test, so it'll likely be easy to shop -- I just have to research ahead of time. As for leather, wool, and silk -- I'll try and weed that out too, but it's low on my list of priorities; I've got enough on my plate!
If any other vegs have advice for me, I'd love to hear it -- wish me luck!Current Mood:  determined |
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It's officially been my birthday for one hour and 15 minutes.
I am 24 years old. In lieu of having any kind of formal event or party this year (and also to put off doing my 10 page paper due tomorrow), I thought I'd take the opportunity to reflect on what has been these last 24 years, and what I anticipate for the future. Some of it will be introspective, some of it will be obvious, and a lot of it will likely degenerate into girlish rambling, but it is what it is. ;-)
1) Unless I fall into a coke habit and end up pulling a Nicole Richie, I will always have cellulite. As I age, this will only get worse. After I have children it will be beyond hope. It's best that I come to terms with this now -- whether I weigh 98 or 120, my legs will remain a bastion of cottage cheese. And to hell with it.
2) Whether I weigh 98 or 120, it shouldn't change who I am inherently. My weight is a number; it does not (or it *shouldn't*) define me. I do not know how much I weigh today, and I'm going to make an effort to not care for once. This doesn't mean that I shouldn't do my best to maintain a healthy, attractive weight and shape, but it should not rule my life. I need to cope with this.
3) I need to learn how to cope in general. I am a bad coper. Please understand that if you should ever break up with me (romantically or in a friendship), I will not cope well. I will put on a brave face and act like I'm above it, but I will spend weeks or months (if not years) mourning the loss. I invest my whole self in my close relationships, and so I'm truly devastated when they go awry.
4) I have a deep, shameful feeling/suspicion that everyone leaves me -- or will leave me someday. Experience has taught me that no matter how close I am with a person, they eventually all leave me -- even if it's amicable and/or gradual. As a result, I constantly have my guard up.
5) In letting my guard down, I tend to go to the opposite extreme of behaving immaturely and self-consciously. I go into "must check in" mode, and I do random things to feel out the health of my relationships. If you catch me doing this with you, please understand that my sending out feelers merely means I care and love you and want to make sure that you're happy and everything's good.
6) I will likely always be a walking dichotomy.
7) I must come to terms that not everyone knows what a 'dichotomy' is, and they may think I'm a dork for using it as a descriptive personality trait.
8) My butt is big. My butt is hungry. If I wear butt floss, I should expect to be uncomfortable.
9) There will always be something that someone else has that I don't; life's not fair. I need to be happy for all of the things that I do have, and I need to cut my losses when need be without dwelling and stewing. Not everyone gets to live in New York, or reach their pinnacle of talent and success before 30. I'm incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many talented people that *do,* but if I'm not one of them then so be it -- I'm happy and proud by association.
10) I've always been told that I have "such potential," and yet I feel like I never really live up to it. I sing well -- I'm not amazing. I dance well -- I'm never the best. I write well, but it's not my passion. I'm scholastically adept, but a lazy, procrastinator of a student. I cook well, but I'm no top chef. I genuinely think that I would be happier if I were excellent at just one thing rather than pretty good at a lot of things. Mediocrity irks me.
11) I can't wait to get married and have kids, but I live in fear that once I get what I want I won't have anything left to look forward to and/or I'll find that I'm not a very good wife or mother. I tend to always look to the next step; the next goal in line, and since that's such an ultimate dream for me, I secretly worry that I'll sabotage it somehow.
12) I am not photogenic. I never have been, and I never will be. This doesn't mean I'm ugly. Some people who aren't pretty take amazing pictures and the reverse can also apply.
13) If you ask me 'how are you,' expect me to answer you honestly. If you don't really want to know, then don't ask me. ;-)
14) Though I don't really believe in karma or anything spiritual per se, I do kind of feel like you attract what you put out into the universe. When I'm feeling dramatic / woe-is-me, I seem to attract more drama until it's a snowball. When I'm feeling optimistic and Galinda-fabulous, I seem to attract that sort of happiness around me.
15) In realizing 14, I'm going to make an strong effort to attract more happiness, less drama and pessimism, and more joie de vive!
16) My dad is a schmuck. This is never going to change; I need to stop being surprised by every new example of shmuckiness.
17) I will always need my mother, whether I'm 4, 14, 24, or 44. Next to J, she is my closest friend and confidant, and the one person I know would never betray me no matter what.
18) I have been wearing my sterling silver ring w/faces on my index finger of my right hand since I was 11. I've rarely taken it off; my finger has seemingly grown around it. I don't care if it's childish, but I will wear it forever if I can. It was a gift from my mom -- and it's the only thing that I somehow have managed to hold on to over all of these years and never lose.
19) I am genuinely touched when people call, write, or text me out of the blue. It doesn't matter how long it's been or the circumstance -- I get a genuine warm, fuzzy feeling when people reach out to me.
20) I want your approval. I know that I shouldn't care what other people think, but I do. It's the Achilles Heel of my personality and I let it effect my self-esteem, for better or for worse.
21) Stress breaks me physically. Some people feel stress mentally and emotionally -- I actually don't. Instead, my body takes the blow. I gain weight, I break out, I become prone to illnesses and stomach issues (and subsequent panic attacks), and I'm way more prone to headaches and body aches. I think it's my body's way of trying to put itself out of commission because I'm trying to do too much. It's like my brain won't listen, so my body goes AWOL in an effort to stop me. It's debilitating, but it works; I usually force myself to take a breather to recoup.
22) I will likely always break off more than I can chew -- I feel like if I don't, I'm being lazy and then I get bored and frustrated with myself. So if it feels like I never have a minute of spare time, it's because I don't -- and whether I like to admit it or not -- I made it that way.
23) I am CRAZY good at guessing my gifts! Seriously, try me. Put a wrapped object in front of me and without much effort I can usually accurately predict what it is. It makes my mom laugh, but it's forced Justin to go to great lengths to either hide my gifts or keep them out of reach so I can't guess what my presents are.
24) I may kvetch a lot or espouse my disdain for various elements of life when given the chance, but in the end, I really am a happy person. I know how fortunate I am, and every day I wake up to Justin and my dogs, or get a call from a friend, or laugh with one of the My Gym kids I am reminded that it's the little things -- my day to day life activities -- that make me who I am. I don't know where I'm going to be 5 years from now; whether I'll be successful, whether I'll have a family, or whether I'll still be stuck seething at CSUN (if that's the case, put a girl out of her misery, already!), but I do hope that with every year that passes I continue to gain perspective, maturity, and be the best person that I can be. I am far from perfect, but if I can be there for my loved ones, try to make this world a better place, and do everything in my (limited) power to help those in need and show my friends and family that I care and love them to pieces, then I can sleep at night.
...Cellulite or no cellulite.
Thank you and good night.
Current Mood:  thoughtful |
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...When you light a fire under my (big) ass.
Paula suggested that I write to the lovely people at WASC regarding CSUN's reaccreditation. Needless to say, I was game. Here's what I brought to the table off the top of my frustrated, tired, and on-allergy-pills head:
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Right now CSUN is about getting a quantitative education and not a qualitative one. It was understood 20 years ago that a committed student entering a state university would be able to get out in 4 years. Both CSUN-sponsored and independently run surveys and statistics reveal that this is not only unlikely today, but almost a preposterous proposition. But why?
It is wholly unwise to blame it entirely on factors out of our control, e.g. students work more (and have less time for classes), there are so many more students to attend to, the quality of the average student is not the same what you'd get on a UC campus, there isn't enough qualified staff to accommodate the large campus population, etc. There are specific elements that we can point to that need remedying, and with such a plan in place, maybe a higher number than 5% of students would graduate in 4 years time -- and still with a well-rounded education under their respective belts.
1) Drop the extraneous requirements. Forcing students to take (surprise!) courses upon completion of the lower-division 60 unit GE requirement (e.g. section E, section F, an extra science class, 9 upper division GE units and other random requirements) doesn't make us more "well-rounded," it merely exhausts our motivation to continue on as well as our pocketbooks as we spend money on classes we don't really need. Streamline the requirements: the 60 GE units suffice for general education. Eliminate the gunk around the edges (see the requirements mentioned above), and instead allow the CSUN student to focus on their major/minor, which should be their bread and butter anyway.
2) Revise advisement. As the system currently stands, I as a journalism student am required to seek advisement every semester. ...I am NOT allowed to make an appointment, rather I am told to visit my assigned advisor during his office hours... Which occur at a rate of just 3 hours per week, when I'm otherwise in class. Droves of us sit in the hallway for hours while we camp out and wait our turns for advisement. I suggest either allowing us to make appointments, allowing us to see more than just one counselor, or both. But something has to change -- the students are frenzied and restless, and the faculty members are burned out.
3) Improve the quality of classroom instruction -- NOT by laying on seemingly random, not-well-thought-out research projects and papers, but by really *teaching.* Every class I have within the communications, liberal arts, or humanities department requires a big project from me every semester. Are these projects actually teaching me anything, other than how to google search items and then regurgitate the facts back in the form of a paper or a presentation? No. We all know what the professor is looking for -- and this generation is particularly good at parroting back what we think the powers that be want to hear. But we're not learning anything. Rather than assigning a tedious, time-consuming so-called "research" project or paper every semester, why not come up with something creative that will really motivate the students to reach outside of the box and learn something? I once had an intercultural communications class, and for our final "big project," the professor had us visit a culture outside of our norm -- a mosque, Tijuana, a homeless shelter, a gay restaurant/bar, etc -- and then we were to give a presentation to the class about our experiences. Was there research involved? Yes. Did I still have to work hard? Yes. But it was different; it wasn't such an exercise in futility like so many of these other projects and papers seem to be. Again, think *quality* and not *quantity.*
4) Treat students like real people and not just numbers. This should really almost go without saying, but all too often we at CSUN are treated like cattle. I may not be paying for a USC education, but I still expect my school to know a little bit more about me than my DOB and GPA. Personal attention is really lacking, and the students are sick of being treated like children waiting in line at Disneyland.
5) Enrollment appointments = a serious problem. Another reason some of us are stuck here longer than 5 or even 6 years is that we can't get into the classes that we need. Why? Because by the time our individual enrollment appointments come around, everyone else has already gotten first (and second, and third, and fourth) crack at the classes offered. I've met more than a handful of students who specifically did things like volunteer for peer counseling with the express purpose of being able to qualify for an earlier enrollment appointment. They felt forced to manipulate the system, or else have the system manipulate them. There must be a better way to handle enrollment other than the current model.
6) Stop the pyramid of prerequisites within the major. In Journalism, for the first 3 semesters I'm trying to get my core classes, I'm limited to taking a mere *two* classes at a time -- as every other class is prereq'd up at least one level. Come on guys... We can handle more than 6 units a semester of major coursework! This practice alone all but assures the student that he/she will be staying around at least 6 years on campus. I understand that some classes (but not all, like the current model would have you believe) build on previous knowledge, but then why not consolidate some of the lower-level courses (100 and 200 level) into one big 5 or 6 unit class, so we can move up the ladder that much faster? If junior colleges can do this (and they do), CSUN can too.
And finally, realize that although CSUN is a state school with certain hang ups -- a lack of funding, overpopulation, etc, it is still an accredited University of higher learning. As such, students should be treated with a fair amount of respect -- for their time (not 6/7/8 years of it), their money (not $30,000+ of it), and their motivation/drive/inner strength -- which wears very thin after years of being put through hoops that do nothing to support the crux of your education or career.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
--Krissy
May. 17th, 2007 @ 12:56 am
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| » Going crazy (and it's not a long drive) |
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First of all, a disclaimer: all of this = NOT proofread. Yes, I'm throwing grammar and spelling to the wind!!
Also, I don't have too much time to write, but I wanted to drop a quick line to let those of you who know (and hopefully still love) me know that YES I'm still alive despite appearences to the contrary, and YES I feel like an awful, flaky friend for being so out of touch as of late!!
With regards to the many reasons as to why I seem to have fallen off the face of the planet, here's the Readers Digest condensed version:
1) T-Mobile is the DEVIL. No, seriously, I want to find the powers-that-be over in T-Mobile land and inflict special Chinese tortures on them. They say I owe them over $300. Put simply, I don't, and I've spent a myriad of conversations with the T-Mobile schmucks explaining that much. Each time (after about 45 minutes of me breaking down the "fuzzy math") they admit that I'm right, apologize, and tell me to not pay anything except for my monthly service charges while they sort out their billing error. I agree to do that, and even though I'm by all accounts NOT at fault, still continue to receive nasty, threatening voice mails, text messages, and SNAIL mails, the bulk of which chalk up to "your account is past due and in poor standing, pay us $300 or we'll turn off your service." They actually have gone so far as to suspend it not once, but *twice* in just the past two weeks! I've gone ahead and filed a very angry (but well worded) complaint against them with the Better Business Bureau , and investigation is underway. Meanwhile, they shut off my phone again this morning -- which I didn't realize until I got off of work and tried to make a call. Sooooo if you've been trying to get a hold of me any given time in the past two weeks, the chances are VERY good that I never got your call/voicemail/text because T-Mobile has refused to, oh I don't know, provide SERVICE. ...I love how it's *their* error in the first place, and then they see fit to repeatedly punish me (late fees, service interruption, nasty messages) for something that's not even my fault. But I digress... Hang in there with me people!! Hopefully it all get sorted out soon enough.
2) J's mom is in town for a long weekend!! She's staying with us in the apartment while here, and in the immediate days leading up to Melanie's (J's mom) arrival, I was crazy getting ready and trying to make the apartment presentable and whatnot. And even when I wasn't actively cleaning/planning, I was thinking/worrying about the logistics of stuff. Needless to say, it's been preoccupying.
3) I'm up for an internship! I've been applying for paid arts internships over the summer (sponsored by the LA County Arts Commission), and so a lot of my "spare time" (like I have any) has gone to applying, checking up, interviewing and researching my options. I've applied for a whole bunch, but the one I'm most excited about is for for a position with the Theatre of Will. I interviewed with them today and I REALLY hope I get it. The directors seem lovely, the environment was laid back (but still very focused), and the job description/requirements just scream "Krissy"!! In fact, I joked with Jackie today that they didn't even really need to post a job ad, just a little blurb that said "now paging Krissy MacQueen!" Lol... If I *do* get it, it's 40 hours/week, and I'll most likely have to quit My Gym, at least for the duration of the internship. I've been relatively upfront about my intentions to apply for internships w/them, but I'm of course afraid that they'll be upset with me since we're understaffed. But honestly, if TOW does offer it to me, I can't pass it up. After all, how often do you come across an internship that is PAID and that you're actually really well-qualified for?? BTW, If you wanna see what I mean, here's the specifics:
Theatre of Will
Theatre of Will is a non-profit arts education company dedicated to the
integration of arts, history, and education. We engage children in
live theatrical experiences that stimulate their creativity and
enhance their learning opportunities. Our performing arts programs are
developed by teams of award-winning, professional playwrights, actors, and educators who are devoted to bringing the arts back
into the classroom.
Arts Education Intern
A memorable experience working in the performing arts and arts education
arenas. The Arts Education Intern work at the NoHo Arts Center and will assist with a wide range of theater arts programming and marketing activities, theater arts workshops for children and at-risk youth, production rehearsals, and preparation of educational outreach materials including website development. An energetic individual with strong multitasking abilities is ideal in this dynamic position. He/She is interested in working in a non-profit arts environment and possesses excellent oral and written communication skills and is PC or Mac literate. This intern should be able to work both independently and collaboratively, have an eye for detail and be well organized. Strong interpersonal skills are also important for working effectively with a wide variety of staff and outside representatives from the education and artistic communities.
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::sings I Hope I Get It!::
What number are we on? Three? ::shrugs:; I'll assume so.
No, wait. Four.
4) It's midterms week! My performance has been mediocre across the board, by my standards anyway, but it's been hard to get in ANY study time with all of the other things I have going on. I'll just be happy to pass at this point. My last midterm is a timed online quiz, and because it's timed it's hard to do well w/o having studied appropriately. I also have to write TWO articles, conduct a research project, and choreograph a group dance thing. If you're religious, feel free to pray for me. ;-)
5) I'm on Vicodin for my back and head, and am getting sleepy now. Verrry sleepy. It's time to drag my fat bootay to bed. I will leave you with this, aka the Very Best Thing Ever:
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HLWZZhWM KfM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HLWZZhWMKf M" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> MWAH!
<3- Krissy
PS
Justin smells like cotton candy, aka Vanilla Bean Noel from the Bath and Body Works winter collection. ;-) Either way, it's all good!
PPS
Was anyone else really effected by the travesty at Virginia Tech? Cause although I knew no one there and it couldn't have happened farther away from here, I've been truly and deeply disturbed over it... It felt like 9/11 all over again. I mean, Tuesday morning I could barely bring myself to go to my classes -- and not out fear of it happening to me, but because I was blanketed under a layer of sheer, unadulterated sadness. Anyone else feel that way??
Apr. 21st, 2007 @ 12:57 am
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| » It was a dark and stormy night... |
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Ok, I'm still actually laughing about this...
It's been a heck of an evening here in Hollywood: the dogs are sick again, and I've been on diarrhea-cleanup duty (or doodie, if we're into puns tonight). Anyway, I decided to kick back and veg out for a while, so I've been putzing around the internets.
...And then I decided to google myself.
I've actually done it before (who hasn't?) and I've also googled pretty much everyone I've ever known at some point or another. At first it was the same old stuff: YAE links, Adelphia press releases, and my old Friendster page. ...And then something caught my eye.
Oh yes, my friends, a story I submitted to the Daily News for a contest when I was *12* years old! Krissy MacQueen, 1st place.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
My story is the last one on the page. Honestly though, how hilarious is this??!! Man, you can really see the influence that too many Sweet Valley Twins books had on my impressionable mind!
Meanwhile, I'm considering going on an audition for this weekend, but for now I'm going to keep mum about it. After all, I wouldn't want to jinx myself! Feel free to think happy thoughts for me, though.
Also, how do we feel about Haley on American Idol this year? I've been saying that I think she's underrated. I mean I certainly wouldn't pick her to win (she's got stiff competition in Melinda, LaKeisha, Jordin, and Blake), but comparisons to these front runners aside, why does always get the short end of the stick? I think she's got a Cat McPhee-like quality about her, and I've always enjoyed that her voice has a really clear quality to it. What are your thoughts, my erudite (and musically educated) friends? Hmmm...
Well that's all for now, my dears. If you're going away over spring break, be safe and have a great time, and if you're a townie like me then let's make plans and be townies together. :) Have your people call my people. We'll lunch. At The Ivy. And watch Lindsay Lohan wreck her car on Robertson. ...Just another Thursday afternoon... ;-)
<3-Krissy
Mar. 28th, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
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| » As I Live and Breathe! |
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Guess who's out of the hospital...?
Ohhh wait, you probably never even knew I was there! Sorry -- it's been a long time since I've updated, I know. My lack of posts have been largely due to the same old same old -- namely work, school, and homework suffocating the livelihood out of me. And whenever free moments have arisen, I've been hesitant to write, as I ran into a little birdie (we'll call her MB) who told me that my blog is depressing, dramatic, and 'woe is my life!' Actually, her exact words were somewhat like... "Ohhh, my name is Krissy, and my life's so HORRIBLE and everything SUCKS and WOE IS MY LIFE!"
iiiiinndeeed!
As flabbergasted as I was that she would say this to my face, she struck a chord with me. Since our little run-in, I've become concerned that my postings as of late have accumulated into a heap of melodramatic, self-indulgent schlock. What started out as a venue for my occasional venting has ostensibly become Cry Me a River on a loop! So with this in mind, I plan to put a happier face on this here blog -- to make sad things sound happy, to make injustices seem inconsequential, and to make misfortunes look more fortunate.
Here we go...!
So yeah, I was in the hospital this weekend... and I'm still alive (HOORAY)!!!! I had a brush with history (remember 2004?), as a case of the flu turned into gastroenteritis which was turning into infectious colitis which basically means that my colon was shedding like a snake again.... a TOTALLY AWESOME SNAKE!
After pumping me full of various morphine-like drugs and IV fluid I was sent home with a prescription for Vicodin and explicit instructions to rest and only consume clear liquids (i.e.: apple juice, chicken broth, and jello), which ROCKS because I really wanted to lose 10 lbs! (By the by, that totally didn't happen -- my body went into starvation mode and I didn't lose a damn ounce!) ...But who doesn't LOVE jello?!
Now I'm starting to tolerate solids again, and I'm compelled to stick with the "BRAT" foods: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast -- aka carbs. All carbs. All carbs all the time. Yeesssss, sweeeeet sweeeeet carbs. Ahhgggllluugh.... ::drools:: The ER doc told me that the last things I can work into my diet are proteins, dairy, and fatty food. ::shrugs:: Maybe this will be little blessing in carb-laden disguise since I'll be sure to watch my portions and enjoy some foods I haven't had in a long while. Ohh wait, I mean... THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!! I'm SOOOO happy!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
...Way to think positively, MacQueen! ;-)
In other news, my little illness forced me to miss Tess' show, lose tons of money by missing work, and fall way behind in my schoolwork -- and I'm upset *psyched* about those things in that specific order. Tess, if you read this (and I hope you do), I'm so incredibly sorry I missed the show. Are you playing anywhere else even semi-local?? I'll make the extra trip if it means I can make amends. Let me know, my love! As for everyone else who missed Tess' show... I don't know what to say. I wish that we all had more money so the $50 ticket wasn't such an issue, or that people would've at least called me back about it as the date approached, but it's done now... So let's just do our best to show our girl some love! Call, send flowers, come with me if/when I travel to see JC elsewhere -- just do something to show you care, cause right now it looks like we don't -- myself included, even though I had a valid reason for not going. I know that she wouldn't be that way towards us -- Tess is one of the most loyal people I've ever known -- and she deserves to know that her friends care about her, that's all.
::steps off her soapbox::
Alrighty kids, I've gotta go -- work is calling my name and we all know I could seriously use the money, because as of right now I can't pay my rent, credit cards, electric bill or phone bill. Ohh yes, it's deliriously fun to be poor! YAY!!
K-Mac OUT!
Mar. 19th, 2007 @ 11:59 am
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Hola peeps! Alas, I back from the abyss, albeit a little late in the game. I'd actually been planning on updating for a while now, preferably when I had both the time and inclination to sit and let my loquaciousness guide my random and at times neverending prose. Alas, I have neither in large supply, so I'll have to take what I can get! Consequently, I'm sitting here at one in the morning, racking my itty bitty little brain and trying to reach for the various bits and pieces that I wanted to share. So, w/o further ado, here's the latest in La Vida de Krissy...
1) Dancnblondie...?
Ok, Ok, I've been harboring a deep, dark secret. For those of you who haven't heard, on a complete whim I recently decided to copy Mandy Moore's hair color in her new movie, Because I Said So. So I went out and spent an arm and a leg on a variation of her color (which is now lighter due to multiple washings, thank JEEBUS), and I am for the first time, posting pictures, which you can see in my profile. And in answer your most FAQ:
Do you like it?
Eh, it's ok. Nice for a change, but I think I prefer myself with blonde hair in the long run.
Will you keep it?
For the time being, I have no choice but to. It cost waaaaay too much for me to "fix," and I need the time to save up more money.
Did you cut it too?
Yes, your eyes do not deceive you -- I did cut it and added some bangs, which are growing so fast that I can't keep up. I haven't yet decided if I'll cut them (and keep them) or let them grow out. What do you all think?? I have to decide soon though, cause for the time being it sucks to have to shake the bangs out of my eyes every 5 seconds, which makes me look strangely as though I have a nervous tick. Hmm... Also, it's a little weird to have bangs for the first time in, oh, 6.5 years. I feel like I'm in HS again, which is not an altogether pleasing sensation.
2) Doctors, doctors, and more doctors.
A lot of you have been inquiring as to my health and test results and such. Firstly, thanks for being so kind and supportive -- your concern means the world to me. I still don't really know what's wrong, though I am still taking the self-proclaimed "obesity drug" Ionamin, to help with my seeming inability to ever feel full. We've ruled out Diabetes, Cushing's Syndrome, and PCOS -- but the doc is pretty sure that I have a hormonal deficiency of some kind, likely w/testosterone. To this extent, he took a battery of blood tests last week to figure out why my hair's still falling out, why my skin has gone to shit, and why my body is totally out of whack now that I'm off of The Pill. All in all the blood tests cost $937 -- none of which will be covered by my insurance, since the dawn of 2007 also begot the resetting of my $2400 deductible. Dad = super pissed, and has outright *refused* to let me go back to the doc (or any other doc, for that matter) once these pending results come in. And then he went so far as to insinuate that all of this money would be "better spent in psychological therapy." Cause, y'know, ill physical health (with substantiated proof via blood tests) MUST be something I've either made up/manufactured or caused by "thinking" myself into sickness. Wow, why didn't I think of that??! Gee, thanks, Mr. Alkeeholik, for reminding me as to who needs the shrinking in the family! ::rolls eyes, sighs:: And we wonder why I have high cortisol...
3) The grades are in...
And (wait for it, wait for it)... I ACTUALLY PASSED MATH WITH A C+!!!!!!!!! ::shrieks with delight:: I'm still in shock. No more math for me, ever. That's it. All of the failing, all of the repeating of algebra, all of the testing for dyscalculia -- it's over now. I can actually have some peace! Although there is a funny twist to my grades this semester... For the first time in my entire life, I managed to get not just a passing grade, but a *higher* grade in math than I did in... (are you sitting down?) THEATRE. I kid you not, my friends! I got a C+ in Math Ideas and a straight C in my Acting the Text class. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Ohh, irony... How I love thee. Actually, it makes sense that I only got a C in the theatre class -- the professor warned us that she'd drop us a full letter grade for every two absences, and you all know how flaky I am when it comes to such things as, well, *attending.*
4) And speaking of flakes...
At the unbearable risk of redundancy, if you think I'm either avoiding you or being flaky w/regards to keeping in touch, I promise I'm not -- I'm just on my third (awaiting my fourth) cell phone this month. You may recall that the first one broke, then I had to send the second one back to T-Mobile.com, because there was this crazy high pitched, appliance-like hum that only me and a couple of other ultra-sonic-dog-hearing people could hear, and now I'm on my third (a cheap loaner from the T-Mobile store), while I await my new phone which is being shipped. Soo, yeah, bear with me kiddos. Also bear with me because I've been working INSANE hours at My Gym (we're ridiculously short staffed -- anyone wanna come work with me?? We're hiring!!), and so my social life has come to a crawl. Seriously though, if any of you are in need of a new job, you like kids, and you've got lots of energy and personality, you could come and work with me at My Gym in Encino. :) Working only 20 hours a week you can make a nice wage as long as you're willing to work weekends (for birthday parties, and really you pretty much HAVE TO if you work there). Message me and we can talk more about it. Mike Westheimer actually came in (randomly; unplanned) for an interview the other day, and it was crazy and all kinds of awesome to see him for the first time in years. :) So yeah, you should come work with me. 'Cause I'm fun, the other staff is fun (it's like The Office on caffeinated crack), and the kids are the best. Wheeeeeeee!
5) My mom = down for the count. :(
Remember that crazy cold snap we had about 2 weeks ago, during which we had freezing temperatures and icy conditions as late as the midmorning? Well one such day my mom was walking Katie and she slipped on a patch of ice, twisting her knee quite severely in the process, and finally falling hard on it with all of her weight. She's been laid up at home (and mostly in bed) ever since -- for about two weeks. I've been puppysitting Katie at my apartment during her recuperation, which has been slow and painful. :( I'm taking care of her as often as I can (i.e.: whenever I'm not actively at work), and trying to hold down my brigade of dogs and life at home as well. Things were going relatively smoothly -- until Katie bit J 2 days in a row. Honestly, I don't even really know why... He didn't incite any kind of attack; he just wanted her to come to him and get her leash on for a walk. But each time he beckons and she doesn't come (and usually runs the other way, in fact) J gets frustrated. Sensing his growing frustration, she gets ultra scared and intimidated, so that when he finally does catch her, she freaks the f*ck out and screams as if we were boiling her in a stew. In her panic she also scratches, bites, and pees. ::sigh:: I feel sorry for everyone -- my mom for being laid up and now feeling guilty over what's happening, despite the fact that she can't control it. Katie for feeling so panicked and scared that she lashes out like that, when she's otherwise a very good, sweet, funny dog. And mostly for J, who certainly didn't ask for any of this, and who (up until now) has been a good sport about helping me out with everything, and now has bites/scratches all over his hands. Ugh. To boot, I'm feeling all guilty because I feel helpless to make the situation any better. Poor Mommy. Poor Katie. Poor Justin. Poor Krissy. ...Well at least Maggie and Kiley are happy!!
6) Kiley lives to see another day!!
Kiley's blood work came back and he's officially got a clean(er) bill of health -- no liver problems or cancer. The sky-high liver enzymes were caused by a really bad infection, which (with treatment) is history, thank God. He still has a touch of the non-communicable demodex mange, but that's benign as long as it's kept in check with creams and the occasional oral medicine. Yay for Kiley not dying!!! And thanks again for your support and love -- I really needed it back when I was worried sick.
7) Who wants to play with me??
You know you want to. ;-) School starts this week, so whatever time I had will officially be zapped -- but I do have some scattered 2-3 hour breaks on my Tues/Thurs school days, and if you're in the Northridge area, we could work out playdates. Also, I'm usually off of work by 3 on Weds and Fri, and I can squeeze in time on Sundays, so let me know what all of your schedules look like and we can work stuff out. Capiesh? Capiesh.
And now that this novella is coming to a close, let me leave you with one last thought, which may disturb those of you who have known me for years...
....I think that I may actually prefer Coffee Bean to Starbucks.
...with the exception of Frappuccinos.
Yes, the world is coming to an end. Plan for the apocalypse starting... NOW.
<3- Krissy
Jan. 29th, 2007 @ 02:15 am
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