3.31.2002
HAPPY EASTER! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday. I received an Easter basket filled with a plethora of candy. My favorite: Swedish Fish! Whoo hoo!!!! I also received an entire year's worth (and I'm not exaggerating) of Orbit Gum. May my breath be forever minty fresh. Oh yeah, and I got some luggage....with wheels! Totally awesome since I am going to New York City in two weeks. I'll tell you more about that later. Anyhoo, I'm off to sing for church. I hope they don't chastise me for not dressing up. I'm really not a "dressy" type of person. Corduroys and a tee will have to do. I'll see you after work!
2:00:36 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale



4.11.2002
Well, it's been quite some time since I've entered anything into my blog. Perhaps I wasn't feeling inspired. Right now my blog has an audience of one (maybe two), so I doubt I'll worry myself to death over it. Today I stayed home (skipped school...whoo!) writing and writing and writing. I wrote a "choose your own adventure" story and made a most interesting powerpoint for it. The star of my slideshow was Eric. I'm sure he'd be pleased with my application of his photos. I also wrote a practice college essay about my role model and a lovely current event on a most amusing and intellectual article from William Saletan.

I am mega-excited as I am leaving for a 3-day trip to New York City this weekend. No, I don't think I'll be visiting "ground zero," and to be honest, I don't think a depressing pile of rubble and dust should be the highlight of one's trip. I'd like to think of myself as a little more 'cheery' than that. Other reasons to be excited... I bought my prom dress on Monday. No, I don't have a date. I did ask two lovely young gentleman, both of whom turned down my offer. No worries, I'm not disappointed. I had orginally planned to go stag, but I asked them out of peer pressure. Someone did bring up the point that it is probably not called "stag" if you are a girl. Let's say I'm going "unicorn." Much more effeminate, wouldn't you agree?

For those of you who don't know, I go to an all-girl, catholic school, hence the prompting of my asking the boys and not vice versa. I find it rather ironic that prom is on April 20th (4-20) which is National Marijuana Day. My school is advocating (in a sense) one of the very things which it prohibits. Or maybe I'm just silly and I try to connect things that really don't go together. No wonder I never won at Tetris.

My select choir at school, the Mercy High Singers (yes, that's us...the ones in the sparkly blue dresses), has tried out to sing the National Anthem for the College World Series. It is a fact that the College World Series is held every summer in Omaha (where I am located). This is a series of baseball games in which men stand around throwing and catching balls (no, not their own....painful) and running in circles (or rather, diamonds) in the dirt. To help them, there is a white line so thoughtfully painted on the ground to help guide them in their geometric travels. Back to the matter at hand, my choir has made it into the final round. Unfortuantely, the final tryout is this coming Saturday, April 13, and over half of our choir will be out of town in NYC. I doubt I'll be getting lucky with Lady Luck this time. I suspect we will just take our bows now and revel in the fact that they liked us. They really liked us!

I have so much more that I want to write, but homework beckons. You will have to forgive me. I promise to come back as soon as I can. I know you miss me already. Until then, Happy trails...
3:09:15 AM | Lisa Bloomingdale

Huh? You said you also wanted to read my current event? Well! I am ever so pleased that you are interested in my writings. What is a current event you say? It is a short paper assigned weekly by my history teacher. It is a paper that will lower your grade noticeably should decide to not turn it in a few weeks in a row. We are to find an article discussing a current event in the news. We are to then (in MLA style...the devil incarnate) write a paper citing the article, summarizing the text, and discussing our opinion on the chosen topic. As I have noticed in the past, my current events were really BORING because I could only find articles about deaths and crimes in the Midlands, or deaths and crimes in politics. Recently I have looked elsewhere than the local Omaha World Herald for my source of news. So please, don't be surprised when this week's chosen article does not fall under the strict dictionary definition of "current event." And thus, my paper:

Slate Magazine posted an article on Wednesday, April 10 about the politics and ethics of marrying within one’s family. The article entitled “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Surname” was written by William Saletan. The article from slate.com discussed arguments against those who marrying within their family. Saletan argued that if it is okay to marry one’s cousin, why is it not also accepted to marry one’s sibling? Many argue that no marriage of any kind within a family is acceptable because of increased rate in genetic defect. Advocates for these marriages say that genetic screening allows for seeding out of the “bad genes” and notifying the couple that it would not be a good idea to procreate. Cousincouples.com argues that what happens between a couple of any kind is their own business. There are many laws various states that have specific stipulations regarding marriages within the family. One can marry one’s second cousin, but not one’s first cousin. First cousins can marry, but only if one of the two spouses is sterile. The list goes on and on. Saletan compares the strict laws to that of interracial marriages. Saletan also argues the amusing point that marriages between cousins should be avoided for the simple fact that if the relationship were to end, there would be drastic effects throughout the entire extended family.

I found this article rather amusing. Saletan clearly did some research when writing his arguments. I personally don’t have an opinion about marriages between family members. I do agree with cousincouples.com, however, in that what happens between two partners in a relationship is their own business, and they should be left to deal with it as they please. Other than that, I really don’t know what to think about it. I don’t know anyone who is involved in such a relationship, and I most certainly don’t have any firsthand experience. My brother is too annoying, and I only see my cousins about once a year. Indifference is golden.
3:31:26 AM | Lisa Bloomingdale

Oh goodness... If I wasn't totally self-conscious about my body before, I am now. Last night I was sitting here working on homework when my dad decided to barge into my room. No, he did not see me naked, thank goodness to green grapes. It is that time of year for April showers and the stinky humidity that comes along with them (and boy does humidity smell bad! It made our whole school smell like poo today...yuck). My dad thought it would be a good idea to open my window which faces out into the street in front of our house. No problem. He leaves, it's fresh and airy, I'm comfortable now. I finish my work, undress, and sleep quite well. I woke up this morning to my alarm clock accompanied by the sound of cars rushing by and the streetlight from outside. What?! The streetlamp from outside?? I shouldn't be able to see that! Dad left the shade open!!! Do you realize what this means?! A short scientific explanation: When it is dark outside, and there is a light on in the room of a house, and the shade or curtain or drape is open, one who happens to be lurking around outside can see what is happening inside that room. In this case, me getting ready for bed...me being NAKED! Ack! My new neighbors across the street are in their early to mid-20s and friends can often be seen entering and exiting their house around the late hours of the night. I went to bed around 11pm. Also, now that there is a detour down the street, our street has much more traffic than normal. I don't even want to think of the weirdo creeps that may have seen me naked. I guess all I can do is wish them sweet dreams. <3
9:23:14 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale


4.15.2002
Welcome Back Me! It's Monday morning and I'm not-so-fresh as a daisy. I had a most wonderful trip in New York City this weekend. I'd love to tell you all about it right now, but I'm rushing like a mo-fo to get to school. See, I have had a total of about 8 hours of sleep in the past three days, and I am afraid that I'll fall asleep at the wheel today (or in class even, but they wouldn't care). Also, my teachers, being the dumbass dildos (pardon my language, but it is necessary to make one's point) that they are, assigned us homework for over the weekend. They knew in advance that we wouldn't have time to finish it. After all, I had left my house at 5:30 am Friday morning, and didn't return until 10:30 pm Sunday night. I didn't even have time to unpack. I've asked my father to let me stay home, at least for the morning, so I can catch up on some sleep and maybe get some homework done and my room clean. The man has no compassion! He's making me go to school, where I will get scowled at for not finishing my homework and scolded for sleeping in class (by those few teachers who actually do care). I don't have time for anything! I have choir rehearsals and concerts and work and a HUGE project on the Iran-Contra Scandal (which I know almost nothing about) to work on in addition to my daily homework, lack of sleep and meals, and a messy room filled with souvenirs and unpacked bags. I don't enjoy ranting, but something needs to be said. I can't handle all this, I'm not Superwoman for God's sake. So I guess I ask you to "pray" for me in whatever manner you see fit. "Pray" that I can get a grip on my life and that my headache goes away. Believe it or not folks, I actually cry when I get too stressed out. Imagine that. Stress occurs at times few and far between for me; but when it does, all hell breaks loose. So anyhoo, I'm hoping the next entry (which may be awhile since Time doesn't have me in its favor right now) will be long, happy, and filled with all the great stories from my trip. I'll even look for a scanner so I can post my pics and the amusing captions that go along with them. Until then, it's off to the hell-hole that is Mercy High School. (Other nicknames include "Whore House on the Hill" and "Have No Mercy High School.") Keep me in your thoughts, as I will you. If I get some free time, I'll fill out the postcards I got for everybody. Happy, crappy Monday morning, Blooms. *Sour face*
12:40:06 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.16.2002.
Congratulate me. I've just figured out how to post images onto my blog. It was confusing at first, but after many tedious minutes, I got it. I decided the first, most appropriate picture to post would be one of myself. Though I must warn you. I dislike this picture very much, and I think it looks horrid. My drunk grandpa forced me to smile at 3 am at a party we had, and I was pretty grungy and tired. So here I am, though I warn you: it may prompt nightmares. *cringe* So here's me Well! I guess that wasn't too horrible. Apologies for the commotion I was causing. Putting oneself down is never attractive; but as far as low self-esteem goes, it is most prominent in my personal appearance. I'm pretty optimistic in every other aspect of myself. I guess that's a good thing. So it's getting pretty late, and I still have some work to do before bed. Whoo! I have late start tomorrow. (I'll define the term 'late start' in another entry). *Yawn* Sweetest dreams (or maybe nightmares) to you all. <3
11:30:12 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.17.2002
I have just returned from my last formal choir performance of the year, possibly forever. Tonight was the Fine Arts Festival at school; and I sang some songs, flashed some smiles, and pretended to be the happiest girl alive. Acting is a part of any performance, you know. We all wear bright blue, sparkly, poofy dresses, the kind that fly up in your face when you twirl. They require us to get all gussied up in makeup and curls and matching earrings and shoes. Unfortunately, my dress is far too big and makes me look like hippopotomus with heels. Lovely. Back to the part about it being my last performance... Unless I make a huge commitment and join Show Choir next year (they're the ones that dance, but we're the ones with talent), I won't be participating in Mercy music my senior year. How sad...singing has been a part of my life for 5 years now. It shall be hard to give it up. "Why quit?" you ask. As an ambitious overachiever, I am responsible for filling up my schedule with as many difficult classes as possible. This includes Advanced Placement classes, as well as a plethora of extracurriculars. No worries. I'll warn you before I die from overload and exhaustion. It's the least I can do.
4:12:41 AM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.18.2002
Oy, ack, and ahhhhh! No one knows stress better than a Mercy girl. Our teachers have overloaded us with homework, the heat is unbearable (especially in these nasty school skirts), and we can't help but fall asleep in class and miss out on our "valuable education." How can I be expected to do homework with the Internet at my fingertips? I can make a photo album or talk to a friend from India or update my blog. Me? Being productive? That's insane!

I have to work at the worst time tonight, 6 - 8:30 pm. Just lovely since I have a DEADLY presentation on the Iran-Contra Scandal due tomorrow. Maybe one of my cute managers will be working tonight as well. There is a plethora of attractive people at my work, all between the ages of 15 and 30. One of them even made a guest appearance in my dream last night. *swoon* But that's shallow....looks don't matter. As I always say (and yes, I actually always say this) "Good looks are just a bonus." Now it's true that with some people you hit the Jackpot, and others you get "Sorry, try again." No worries. I'm just in it for the fun of the game. In case you don't get this metaphor, it means that I'm all about the personality. Why state this though? I'm not looking for anything serious. I just want to go out and have a nice time. I usually make personal relationships a priority, but right now I'm busier than a lisabee and I don't know what to do. (Apologies for my insufferable digressions.)

I think I should get back to work before I have to work, because I have so much work that I will be working until the wee hours of the morning, and that's a lot of work. Make sense? Help me!
5:22:45 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.20.2002
Make way for moi! Tonight is my junior prom, and I'm almost ready to go. All dressed up in black and red, I must admit I look lovely. I know it sounds immodest, but who cares? I'm ready to go out and have a great time. I shall be attending prom "unicorn" (a more feminine way of saying stag). I'm going with all of the girls from my lunch table, and any dates they plan to bring. The plan is to meet at Molly's house for appetizers and pictures (I'll try to post some). We'll head to dinner at Buca di Beppo's, an Italian restaurant with singing waiters and "the Pope room." Maggie will have a limo, but I don't think it's going to fit us all in there. I have no problem being the gracious loser and driving myself. Hopefully someone will want to ride with me as I do not want to drive alone to prom (sounds depressing). Then it's off to the Creighton Ballroom for the dance. The theme is "A Midsummer Knight's Dream." How romantic. There'll be mingling, dancing, a grand time, and of course, crowning of the court. I wasn't nominated for Junior Princess, but no worries. I hate getting my picture taken anyway. After a short stop at home to change, I'll go to the Ranch Bowl for Post Prom. This is a bowling alley/bar/concert hall/outdoor volleyball court. Yellow Peril will be playing live, and I'll be drinking all the MUG Rootbeer I can get my hands on. You may not care about the details, but I'm posting them for those of you who are bored and want to live vicariously through me. I have a limited supply of film, but I'll try to capture the moments for you. Well, I'm off to put the finishing touches on my ensemble. I hope you all have as much fun as me. *blows a kiss* Au revoir!
3:18:24 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.21.2002
Whoo hoo! I'm famous! I was mentioned on someone else's website. I had an awesome time at prom last night. We got our pictures taken at Molly's and had some fancified appetizers. I love how she goes all out. When we arrived at Buca di Beppo's, I was stunned. They have between 1,800 and 2,000 pictures hanging on the walls. We were fortunate enough to sit next to some photos of a little boy picking his nose, a chair made entirely of meat, and a dog jumping up on a rather large woman and pulling her dress down. How appetizing. We went to Cozmo's for "The Ultimate Volcano" which is a huge dish of ice cream and about a zillion toppings and sparklers. I took a picture to post with the others (once I can get enough money to develop them). After stopping into Baker's (the grocery store where I work) to buy more film (God bless the employee discount), we scurried downtown to the ballroom. My my, it was sooo much fun. I danced with everyone, on the floor, on the stage... I even got to dance with the bass player from the band that would be playing later that night. He was a cutie. I met lots of nice boys, and got tons of compliments on my dress and hair. At post prom, I bowled for a couple hours and won a free t-shirt. They raffled off a boombox and a VCR and some other cool stuff, but I was not a winner. The band Yellow Peril played a great show, and they promised to hook me up with a cd. The only not-so-great part about the evening, was that I encountered not one, but two of my ex-boyfriends at prom. Lovely. And they both made it a point to come up to me and ask why I didn't say hello. I suppose I wasn't too excited about seeing them, especially when I didn't have a date. I had a great time nonetheless. I attached myself as the fifth wheel to a great bunch of people, and we went out for breakfast afterwards. I hope to go out with them again some time. I think I ate too many strawberries. But all in all, prom was a lot of fun, and it was a nice break from all of the stress I've been under. Unfortunately, I have plummeted even further into debt, and I'll be working my ass off to come up even. Wish me luck!
7:26:18 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.23.2002
Happiness. I went on a date last night. It was ever so lovely. I won't go into the gory details though. I'm just excited to see where it leads.

I updated my photo album. One lousy picture :) I'll have more, I promise! I just don't have the money to develop them right now.

Hmm, what else? Oh yeah. Our school is requiring us to go to an Archdiocesan Vocational Fair tomorrow. All the Catholic high schools in the city are going, and I'll be part of the mass choir. I heard some crummy rumors that the whole thing is about becoming a priest. Why would you send a school of all-girls to a lecture about becoming a priest?! Crazy. Those who strongly oppose attending are basically skipping school tomorrow. No worries... I'm being a good girl and going.

*achoo!* Today has been sneeze-o-rama. I hate allergies and sneezing and sniffling. I actually got dizzy from it all; that can't be good. I hope I feel better soon.

Yeah, so where's the funny stuff I'm always rambling about? I guess everyone has their off days. Maybe I'll add more later. (I always say that, don't I?) OK, I promise I will. Otherwise you can do something really mean to punish me. Watch the Veggie Tales episode about Daniel in the lions' den. They sing a whole song about mean things you could do to get back at me. Be somewhat merciful.
6:12:25 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.24.2002
Ack, quit bugging me already! I've been nagged to the bone to update my blog. Sorry, but I've been busy. I went out and got a life! Whoo!! Actually, I got a boyfriend. I never thought I'd stoop so low, but what can I say? I'm irresistable. Bryan is the sweetest guy I've met in a long time (and he's a good kisser, too!). More on him later.

Hmm, so what have I been up to? I got sick...poo! I hate being sick. It feels bad and then you have to go and work 8 hours a day, and that makes you feel even worse because you hate your job. I'll be looking for a new job by summer. But for now, I'm the coolest Baker's employee ever! (That's pure, hardcore fact ladies and gentlemen.)

Speaking of Baker's, can we say "crazy"?? In order to pull in more customers, they've resorted to multiple coupon days. I'm sure all of you have heard of the little old ladies going crazy over saving 60 cents instead of 20 cents on their PolyGrip on a triple coupon day. They've come up with the silliest names for it: "Super Mega Ultimate Millenium Totally Awesome Slap You On The Butt Fantastic Money Saving Mayhem Triple Coupon Weekend!" (please read aloud as fast and loud as you can for added effect.) And of course I get scheduled to work for 6-8 hours each day all three days of the sale. I hope I never become a little old lady. They kill me!

I got my ACT scores back. The average for high schoolers in Nebraska is around 20 out of 36. I got a 28. Whoo hoo!! That's puts me in the 93rd National Percentile (that means pretty darn good). I'll be retaking the test though. It couldn't hurt (except that $80 fee one has to pay). Imagine that. You have to pay to take a test. That's back asswards.

I'm more tired than a mofo right now, and though the nagging still continues, I just don't have anything else to say. Perhaps I should carry a notebook around with me and jot down things to say as they come to me. That seems to be a popular and practical way of going about things. Should I get a normal notebook, or a little flippy one like detectives have? Hmm...
Catch you on the flipside <3
9:30:42 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

4.30.2002
Oof, I think the computers at school hate me. Every time I try to send an email, it closes the window. I tried to update my blog after school, and it kicked me out then, too! It's just one more thing to add to the "dislikes" list about my school.

I went to the Oscars last night. It was our awards ceremony for the theater department at school. I got dressed up and had an escort and everything. Unfortunately, I wasn't even nominated. No worries, however, as I was there to support my friends and have a lovely time. I even got a free snickerdoodle cookie! The evening concluded with Chinese food and Swedish Fish. Quite the foreign affair.

Remind me never to use hot curlers again. Never has my hair been "frizzy" until I touched those blasted things. They burn your fingers, too! Chaos called for drastic measures, so I grabbed a bottle of hair spray and a curling iron, closed my eyes, and hoped for the best. It turned out well enough for me to walk down the proverbial red carpet looking like a princess. Too bad that carpet didn't lead to a small golden statue so delicately placed in the hands of an Oscar presenter awaiting my acceptance.

More bad news... I don't mean to bring you down, but I could really use your prayers, good hopes, and best wishes. My mother's condition is in major serious mode, and things are pretty solemn around here. As some of you already know, my mom has had cancer for about 3 1/2 years. Well, we just received some news that she may not have much time left. Yikes. So just keep her in your thoughts, and pray my life doesn't get turned any more upside down than it already has.

Better news... I'm finally getting my homework done on time! Whoo! I think the cutbacks on internet usage have really helped with that. It can be so addicting sometimes. I've also found time to try out for next year's Show Choir, run for student class officers, and perhaps even NHS officers. It'll be tough with all the challenging classes I'm taking next year. Basically, I'm an overachiever who spreads herself too thin but somehow manages to pull off decent grades and a social/family life. Wowzers I'm good.
5:36:45 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale

Here's an update to my photo album. I added a picture of Bryan, although I don't think it looks exactly like him. He's much cuter in person anyway. Did I tell you I was excited to see where things were headed between us? I reiterate. It's looking great so far! Can you tell I'm a bit giddy? Probably because I just returned from a date. See? I'm not always cynical. I can be romantic when I want to be. Sweetest dreams <3
11:06:24 PM | Lisa Bloomingdale