Misha's Strange Wonderings

My strange and often bizzare thoughts.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

21

So my birthday was yesterday. Fun was had and I have the hangover to prove it. Yes, hangover. I don't normally get hangovers, but I'd swear that's what this feels like.

But then, I did drink an awful lot. Way too much in fact. Still, I had a good time. Probably said a few dozens things I shouldn't have, but... Oh, well.

So I'm twenty-one now. It's kind of odd. Who knows what this year will bring me. Hell, you knows what next week will bring? I certainly don't, but since it's me we're talking about, I'm sure it'll be interesting.

I'm still uncertain about a lot of things, but I'm going to take my chances. See where life leads me and maybe, for once I'm ready for their to be guy in my life. I'm not sure. I guess I'll find out.

Sunday, July 25, 2004

20: A Year In Review

This is my last day being 20. Tomorrow's my birthday. Out with the old, in with the the new. Goodbye 20, hello 21.

The day before my birthday is always a reflective time for me. I think about the past year and everything that happened and wondered what a new year in my life will bring. Each year has had it's ups and it's downs and I'm often sad to see a certain age go.

Not this time. I honestly can't wait to no longer be 20, to put this horrific year behind me. 20 has been the worst year of my life, thus far. My life changed forever at 20 and not in a good way. No, I'm not sad to see 20 go and can only hope that 21 is better.

Here's hoping.

Friday, July 23, 2004

Five Months

Yesterday, or rather Wednesday, was five months. And I didn't even realize it until afterwards, I was so caught up in my own drama.

It's weird for five months, my father's been all I've thought about. I mean I've managed to live my life, but never more than a few hours passed without me thinking about him. These last few days, I've barely thought about him.

It feels kind of wrong. Yet, I know it's natural. Maybe I'm moving on, or maybe I'm just so caught up in what's going on in my life, that I haven't had the time to think about anything else. Perfectly natural. Life is going on.

I have no idea what I want or where things stand. Or anything. I'm so confused. I've never been particularly good at this and guys suck at giving proper signals. I can never tell what they're thinking.

Oh, well, I guess I'll figure it out. At some point.

As for the other thing, maybe it's natural. Forgetting for a moment, doesn't mean I've forgotten about him or that the pain's gone away, it just means that I'm learning to accept it and I'm living my life again. That sounds like a good thing. It's what he would want.

Sunday, July 18, 2004

First Dates and Other Rarities

James called back and we went to the movies tonight.

I've decided just this once to go with the flow. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen, why obsess? Not that I won't, at least a little, but...

It was fun. Well, the company was. Spiderman2 might be the top movie in America, but it'll never make my top 100 list. Still, we drove to Bellevile, so we had a lot of time to talk.

It was okay. It really was. Who knows where it'll lead, maybe nowhere, but... Maybe it will. For once I'm just gonna go with the flow and enjoy myself.

Saturday, July 17, 2004

And The Plot Grows Thicker

He called.

He actually called. I didn't think he would. Or maybe I hoped he wouldn't, yet I kinda hoped he would. It's complicated, with me it always is.

I wasn't actually here when I called, but Mom took the message. She was pretty curious, but didn't get anything out of me. My mother is the last person I can talk to about these sort of things. Especially when I have no idea what's going on or what I want to be going on.

I called him back. I debated for like ten minutes, talked to Taela who told me that I kind of had to, since it's rude not to. He wasn't home, which is okay, 'cause now he has to be the one to call. As long as he gets the message...

That in itself was odd. I was really, really glad his stepmom answered not his dad. I like Roger, but he's known me too long and would probably make some comment. Anyway, when she first answered the phone and I asked for James, Sue was kind of cold, but when I idenitfied myself, she got really warm and friendly. Odd.

Now I wonder if he'll call again? And we get to play this dacne again. Yay.

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Astrology for Dummies

I decided to splurge on myself yesterday since I got some money I had been planning for. So I took Taela out for dinner, bought "Miracle" on DVD, and bought myself a book on astrology.

The subject fascinates me and I've always wanted to take a good look at it. So I bought the book and spent several hours doing up my chart. Results were pretty scary, actually. Not a 100%, bu5 close. Take a look.


Michelle:

Sun: 3º Leo (7th House) [Defining Sign]: "You've got flair. If you're a typical Leo, you are generous, outgoing, loyal and likable (most of the time). Even in ordinary conversations, you frequently fall into the role of entertaining other people (if you're a Leo, you know what I'm talking about) because you love to be the center of attention--and with the Sun as your ruling planet, you really do light up the room. Blessed with a ready laugh, strong opinions, and the ability to have fun even under adverse conditions, you're confident, cheerful, creative and strong-willed. You present yourself with drama and pizzaz. Energetic and proud, you have charisma to burn--and a king-of-the-jungle sense of dignity (and entitlement) to go with it. Naturally, you want it to be recognized. You long for glamour, luxury and the sense that you're living life to the hilt.
"Beneath your flamboyant personality, you would be humiliated if anyone ever knew how hard you try or how vulnerable you actually are. You desperately want people to like you, yet you can hog center stage, sometimes reducing everyone around you to audience members. (You should know that most people don't enjoy that role.) You can be dogmatic and controlling. Terrified of rejection, you figure that if you play your cards just right, you'll win every hand. So you're more than capable of telling people what they want to hear and then weaseling out later when the truth is revealed. You find it hard to admit mistakes. You can be a showoff and a drama queen. But when you calm down, stop manipulating, and express your natural exuberance and warmth, you get the adoration that you crave."
"Pleasure seeking and romantic, you find happiness through love, children, and activities that give you the opportunity to express your creativity."

Moon: 26º Aquarius (1st House) [Emotional Reactions]: "In your heart, you see yourself as a sort of crusader or do-gooder. You like to think that you can make a difference in the world. No matter what the other parts of your birth chart look like, you're drawn to the offbeat and the unconventional--a tendency readily found in your family. Even if your early years were marked by disruption, your mother encouraged you to express your individuality. In adulthood, you still long to rebel, especially if you can do so based on an important principle of some kind. But expressing your emotions--even recognizing them--is hard for you, and you may strike people as distant. Actually, you don't know what to do with your feelings, so you try to pretend that you don't have them--and sometimes that technique works."
"Don't think your emotions are hidden or disguised in any way. They are obvious to all. Your well-being is oddly dependancy upon your appearance and how people perceive you."

Rising Sign: 27º Aquarius [Surface personality]: "You have dozens of interests, dozens of friends, and a cool, amiable personality. But you maintain a certain distance that can make you seem disinterested. People can tell that you march to the beast of a different drummer. Unexpected events, especially in childhood, made you wary, and resist change."

Ruling Planet: Uranus (11th House)
"A friend and a joiner."

Descendant: Leo: "A relationship that offers passion, vivacity, and personal devotion would counter your airy objectivity and bring you satisfaction."

Midheaven: Sagittarius [attitudes]: "You're happiest with a career that offers independence, the opportunity to broaden your mental horizons, and plenty of frequent flyer miles."

I.C: Gemini: "Your home is a busy place filled with books, magazines, and conversation. You'd love to have two homes and may move frequently."

Mercury: 21º Leo (7th House) [mental process]: "Dramatic, dignified, and ambitious, you think creatively, express yourself vividly, and are confident in your opinions. You always see the big picture and are persuasive, eloquent and organized in your thinking. You can also be dogmatic and boastful, but you're unreserved in your enthusiasm--and, as often happens with Leo placements, your warmth overcomes your tendency to show off and carries the day."
"You are a sociable person who craves lively conversation and intellectually stimulating relationships. But you may have difficulty finding the love--and the mental challenge--that you seek. Although you're outgoing and connect easily, you quickly become bored and, without realizing it, you may shy away from commitment. When you find the relationship you're seeking however the conversation never ends."

Mars: 18º Cancer (6th House) [actions]: "You are an inherently emotional person who needs to get a handle on y our moods before you can successfully accomplish your goals. Without realizing it, you tend to sulk. You're highly sensitive, but you may give signals of subtle that many people miss them. In a relationship, you can be possessive and tenacious when you ought to be angry and out the door. You stew. You bury your emotions. You need to learn to be direct. But you're also responsive, protective, devoted, and imaginative, in bed and elsewhere."
"Work excites you, even if (it exhausts you). You are efficient, skilled, and precise, with great physical energy and excellent mechanical skills, and a love for the tools of your trade. A dull job distressed you, and constricting organizational rules makes you feel rebellious. On the other hand, a challenge, even if it involves risk, stimulates you. Guard against overwork and get plenty of physical exercise."

Venus: Virgo 8º (8th House) [romance]: "When you're in love, you pay full attention, analyzing every interaction, rereading your love letters, and listening to your voice mail repeatedly to make sure you've gotten ever nuance. You'll do anything for your lover. But you can also be critical and controlling, full of opinions about how other people ought to behave. Some people with this placement have flashy personalities with the Sun in Leo and you're one of them, so people may imagine that you be blistering in bed. In fact, most people with Venus in Virgo are modest and even a little shy between the sheets."
"Admit it: You're seductive, manipulative, obsessive, passionate, and generally under the sway of a raging storm of feelings--and that includes powerful sexual appetites. You love life is probably a maze of complications. Money tends to come your way, often through marriage or inheritance."

Jupiter: 1º Sagittarius (11th House) [experiences]: "Because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, this is considered an auspicious placement. Sagittarius brings out the best in Jupiter, making you genial, optimistic, generous, tolerant and philosophical (so you don't obsess over the small stuff). A skilled teacher, you are drawn to foreign travel, higher education, and large, all-encompassing philosophies and belief systems. But be aware that this position also inflates your faith (or fanaticism), along with your tendency to lecture."
"You're open minded, congenial, helpful to others, and fair. You work effectively with others, you know a zillion people, and your friends are extremely important to you. Large ambitions bring out the best in you. Success comes through group enterprises."

Saturn: 28º Libra (9th House) [fears]: "This favorable position makes you rational, reliable, diplomatic, and serious, especially in relationships. You fear being alone, which makes you all the more anxious when you try to form relationships. Your relationships affect you--yet you might not like what you see. Fortunately, you are essentially committed and monogamous, and you are always willing to negotiate. Although you may think you desire a passionate entanglement, you are ultimately far happier when you make the sensible choice. You tend to marry someone older, and you may marry late."
"You are a serious person with a wide-ranging intelligence. You are attracted to large ideas--philosophy or religion, for example--and your thorough exploration of them makes you a natural educator, writer, or publisher. You can also find success through travel or law."

Uranus: 5º Sagittarius (11th House) [instincts]: "You're optimistic, independent, and lively, with large aspirations. You resent nay sayers and pessimists who think your big dreams are unrealistic. You'd like to see the world (but not by following someone else's itinerary). You'd like to achieve spiritual enlightenment (but you rebel against standard-issue religions). Travel and education excite you. You feel freed by the forces of change."
"You are a tolerant person with unusual aspirations and many highly intelligent but erratic friends who can motivate you to achieve. People come into your life on a moment's notice, especially when you're involved with a cause, but you can lose contact with them just as quickly."

Neptune: 26º Sagittarius (11th House) [ideals]: "Questions of philosophy, faith and religious values play in your mind: You find them easy to talk about but difficult to resolve. You have a great need for personal freedom. Travel (ideally to sacred spots) is fulfilling. But be cautious in legal dealings, where you tend to be gullible and easily misled."
"You have shifting ideals and vague aspirations, along with a large collection of inspiring, talented friends who may have drug or alcohol problems. Your view of them may easily be overly exalted, because you tend to see what you want to see in your friends. Joining a spiritual organization is beneficial for you."

Pluto: 26º Libra (9th House) [change]: "You're obsessed with balance, beauty, and social relations. You derive great power from profound sharing, but you demand a marriage of equals. The arts have a strong impact on you."
"Philosophy, religion, and great systems of thought attract and strengthen you. By immersing yourself in study or becoming passionately involved with people from a culture other than your own, you deepened your understanding of life. Education and travel are your tickets to transformation, but you have to approach them on your own terms."

Element Emphasis: Fire
"You are active, adventurous, spirited, assertive, a natural leader."

Pluto (26º Libra) and Saturn (28º Libra) in Conjunction: "Pluto Seeks transformation, but cautious Saturn restricts its action, creating compulsive behavior and hard-to-break habits, and plenty of resistance. To get around this frustrating situation, you need organization, a systematic approach to problem-solving, and a heavy dose of self-discipline)

Uranus (5º Sagittarius) and Jupiter (1º Sagittarius) in Conjunction: "This is the aspect of sudden good fortune. Opportunities arise out of the blue, and you're prepared to take advantage of them."

Moon (26º Aquarius) and Mercury (21º Leo) in Opposition: "You respond quickly but often become anxious. Gifted with an unconventional mind, you often feel that people don't understand you, and you're highly sensitive to criticism."

Venus (8º Virgo) and Uranus (5º Sagittarius) as a Square: "Looking for a reliable relationship with an appropriate person? I doubt it. You seek the thrill of the forbidden. Out-of-the-blue love is part of your story; sudden betrayal may be another."

Venus (8º Virgo) and Jupiter (1º Sagittarius) as a Square: "You go overboard. Like a teenager with a crush, you blow your feelings out of proportion, and tell the world about them. You also may eat or drink to excess, or be unreasonably demanding."

Mars (18º Cancer) and Pluto (26º Libra) as a Square: "You have strong passions, but difficulty controlling them. Though you tend to sabotage yourself, you also have impressive stamina and the ability to change your negative behaviors and achieve what you really want: power."

Neptune (26º Sagittarius) and Mercury (21º Leo) as a Trine: "You have a discriminating mind, an artistic imagination, and an imaginative manner of expressing yourself."

Sun (3º Leo) and Uranus (5º Sagittarius) as a Trine: "A free-spirited adventurer, you possess originality, independence, a flexible attitude, and a tendency to stumble into unexpected patches of good luck."

Sun (3º Leo) and Jupiter (1º Sagittarius) as a Trine: "This aspect brings health, success, a pleasing and positive approach to life, and a generous nature. Possible downside: a tendency to kickback and be lazy."

Pluto (26º Libra) and the Moon (26º Aquarius) as a Trine: "You handle important changes with ease. You have deep emotions and a strong need, from time to time, to purge yourself of old feelings, which brings you relief and satisfaction."

Mercury (21º Leo) and Pluto (26º Libra) as a Sextile: "You are an astute, creative thinker who can dig beneath the surface."

Pluto (26º Libra) and Neptune (26º Sagittarius) as a Sextile: "A link between the mystical yearnings of Neptune and the transformative urge of Pluto, creating an upsurge in spirituality, clairvoyance, ESP, and everything unseen."

Neptune (26º Sagittarius) and Moon (26º Aquarius) as a Sextile: "You are compassionate, intuitive, and caring and you may find it hard to say no. Although this aspect increases your creativity, harnessing it can be difficult because you are inclined to float off on daydreams. Turning fantasy into reality involves work, and that can be a problem for you."

It's pretty close. You have to look at the recurring themes. My chart keeps reating the same things. It keeps saying that I'm creative, my friends are important to me, I'm afraid of commitment and letting people get too close. I'm selfish and dramatic, but at the same time I'd do anything for the people I love. All of which is true.

I've always fit the description of a Leo and the rest just add to that. It makes sense that I have Aquarius as my rising sign, since I'm very transient. I knew Virgo wouldn't be that big of an influence since I embody almost no traits of that sign, except having Venus in Virgo makes sense because relationships tend to be where I'm at my most cautius and reserved. Most of my planets are influenced by Fire signs, which shows in my personality as I'm outgoing, energetic, and forceful. My 11th House is the most prominent, showing that friendships are very important to me and that's true.

So, all in all, I thought it was kind of freaky. I mean, I'm not sure how much faith you can put in it, but I think there is something to it. I'm doing Taela's chart next and I'll see if her's as freaky as mine.

Sunday, July 11, 2004

Uh Oh

I have to work in 5 and a half hours. Yay. That's going to be fun...

I went to see Bad Company with Roger, Sue, and James. I had fun. James and I got cozy. Not sure that's a good thing. I was drinking so I started flirting with him and he flirted back and we started talking. Really talking, actually that started even before the flirting. It was interesting.

The conversation was interesting, so was everything else. It was the most interesting night I've had in a while. Of course, now I'm left panick-stricken, dissecting everything and trying to figure out what's going on. I honestly have no clue.

I'm just afraid I might have started something that'll be disasterous. If nothing else, I can't do this sort of thing. I really can't. Especially not with someone I've known so long. Becasue what happens when I mess it up really badly, then he stops talking to me and I lose a friend and lot's of people are torn into the crossfire. Wonderful.

Assuming anything happens, of course. In the morning, it might just blow over and go back to normal. That would be better. I think. Or would it?

I don't know. I'm just so confused. I need sleep and then tomorrow I'll bury myself in work and I'm sure it'll all blow over. Maybe.

Thursday, July 08, 2004

Heirlooms

I got an early birthday present today. My birthday's not for another two and a half weeks, but Aunt Linda gave me my present today anyway.

She gave me my grandmother Margret's amethyst ring. Now I'm normally not too fond of jewellery or rings in particular (if I wear Jewellery, it'll be a necklace or maybe earings), but this is the exception to the rule.

I love amehysts and this ring is lovely, even if it is larger than my normal tastes. The size suits it and I love it mainly for sentimental reasons. This was my grandmother's favourite ring and that makes it special. Amethysts were also Daddy's birthstone, so that makes it special too. I don't know how often I'll wear it, but I'll certainly treasure it.

It's a pretty cool birthday present. I wonder what else I'll get. I'm not even sure what I want. Maybe "Miracle" on DVD or "A League of Their Own". What I really want, I can never have, of course. I just want my old life back.

Monday, July 05, 2004

Grieving

I worked my first day of 8-4. This shift is going to kill me, really it is. I am not the kind of person who is cut out to be functional at 8 in the morning. Yuck. Oh, well, it's like being in high school again. Double yuck.

I've been thinking more about the past weekend. It was a lot of fun to have everyone out here. I really enjoyed it. I'm glad the idea came to me, I'm especially glad Tonya decided to come. I don't see enough of her.

We went to the cemetary since no one else had seen the stone yet. That was hard. Definitely a tense moment for all of us. Because the stone meant it was real. I still haven't really come to terms with that yet, seeing my father's name written in stone with the years 1956-2004 Too few years.

Also, it seems strange that a life can be summed up just like that 1956-2004. Birth year and death year, speaking nothing of all the years in betweeen. The important years. It made me think of the poem Lisa read at the funeral.

The Dash
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone,
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth,
and spoke of the second with tears.
But he said that what mattered most of all,
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time,
that he spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved him,
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love,
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard,
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know
how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range.")

If we could just slow down enough to consider,
what is true and what is real.
And always try to understand,
the way other people feel.

And...be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more.
And love the people in our lives,
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash,
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be pleased with the things,
they have to say about how you spent your dash?

Because I took a moment to speak,
And you took a second to smile.
A tiny part of me will leave with you,
And a little bit of you will stay!

It summed up my father's life very well. She made a great choice with it. He lived his dash well. He lived every moment to the fullest, almost as if he expected it to end the way it did, in an instant. From a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend to a name on a grave. It happened to quickly.

I had a moment at the graveyard on Friday. I totally lost it at Menya's grave. I think everyone was startled, especially since I'd held it together pretty well at Daddy's, but...

With my father, the pain's still too fresh. I still won't let myself deal with it, which is why I've cried so little since the accident. Because I'm not ready to deal with the full pain, the full loss yet. And when I visit his grave, which is rarely, I make myself be strong, put walls around myself so that I don't fall apart, because if I do I'm afraid I won't stop.

So, I managed to keep it all together at Daddy's stone, but when I got to Menya's... I've had thee years to deal with her death, three years to accept the pain. But it still hurts when I think of the deal she got and just seeing her name on the storne and the numbers, then thinking about my father's name on his stone. I thought about how they're both gone, how I'll never see either of them again. And I just lost it. I lost it for Menya, because I'm not ready to lose it over my father's death.

I also didn't want to talk about it afterwards. I was kind of embarrassed for just falling apart like that. Besides, I didn't want to talk about the pain I feel when I think of Menya's death and of her last years or when I think of my father. I don't know how to put it into words. So, I spent a few minutes by myself, trying to pull myself together and then I started talking about other things, once I had calmed down and closed the door on my feelings for another day.

Saturday, July 03, 2004

Summer!

Well, the July first weekend is at an end. I have to work tommorrow, so my weekend in the sun is over. Sigh.

But, it was a great weekend. Waterfront, a barbecque, hanging with my friends. It was all good. I had a blast.

There's a party at Em's tonight, but I'm not going. I'm tired, sunburnt, and I have to work tommorrow. This is one of those times when I have to make a judgement call and apparently my judgement is getting better, because I made the practical decision. There have been many times when I've made the fun decision and suffered for it. So, maybe I'm matruing. Scary thought.

Taela and I hung out at the Waterfront festival today. It was one of those wonderful days when we just seemed to be on the same waverlength. Sometimes, it seems as if we have nothing in common, most of the time we get along fine, but there's still a barrier, but days are today, it's like it always was.

Mom's birthday is in eight days. I decided what I'm getting her. Which is good. I want it to be a special birthday, since it'll be the first without Daddy... He always made such a big deal out of her birthday...

Mine's two weeks after that. Twenty-one. It seems hard to believe that I'm almost twenty-one. Still, I'm looking forward to it. I'm willing to put twenty behind me forever. It's been a hard year, one that I wouldn't want to repeat for anything. Well, the first part maybe... But not these last four months...

I hate this. I hate that my mind alwyas comes back to that day in February. That I always end up thinking about it, dwelling about it. The day my life got dividied into before and after. Before the accident and after. I hate it.

I know I can't turn back time. I know I can't have him back, does why can't I think about something else? I hate feeling like this. Like the darkness, the pain, the anger is never going to leave me. It's not fair.

It's summer. My favourite time of year. Yet, I feel as if it's winter. Dreary and bleak.