Is This Thing Still On?

So...I realize it's been FIVE FREAKING YEARS since I've posted a single word to this blog. And holy crap does THAT make me feel old. As one might imagine, a lot has happened in that span of time. There have been many times over the years (Side note: using the phrase "over the years" just reaffirms how old I feel) that I've wistfully thought to myself, "hey...I remember that blog. I should write again..." only to immediately move on to some other thing. Today, I again had that thought, and I finally followed through with it. Considering what I named this blog at its inception, I did so for an appropriate reason. It's because I realized something about myself. A trait I had hoped would disappear after college, but alas, it did not. It's this: my motivation is directly and negatively correlated with the amount of things I need to do.

It's been a lazy Saturday at my house, which is great. I love lazy Saturdays! But eventually, after sitting around for most of the day, I decided I would do something. Anything. And then I started thinking of all the things I could do. Which in turn led me to think of all the things I should do, followed by an immediate absence of any desire to do anything. And then I thought...

Those are definitely fireworks, by the way. And I'm pleased to see I haven't entirely lost my drawing skills! (Not that I really had any to begin with...)

Being in need of a good form of procrastination, this seemed like the only appropriate action to take. So here it is, my re-entry into the blog world. It's a short post, and I only included one drawing (unless you count that graph I guess) but it was refreshing. And considering how much I didn't do today, I'll probably be back really soon. Lots more procrastination to achieve! Besides, I have five years of stories I can tell! There are so many fun things that have happened! I bought a house! I got a cat! I quit my job! I got MARRIED! (I can't wait to bring in cartoon husband. He'll love that I'm sure. Mehehe...) And so much more. I don't know if anyone is still out there reading this, but if you're there, thanks for coming back! I hope you keep sticking around, because it feels good to be doing this again. 

P.S. Ironically, two days ago I decided I need to drink more water on a daily basis. Obviously it was unconscious, real-life foreshadowing that I would come back to this blog. Dehydration...get it?! Man...this is going to be great.

A Serious Post

I know in general my blog is very lighthearted and silly, but this is the post I need to write today, and I'm sorry it has to be a somber one after being an absentee blogger for so long.

Today, a terrible, senseless tragedy occurred in Connecticut. For anyone reading who doesn't know what I'm referring to, a 24-year-old man entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire, killing 26 people. Innocent people. 20 of those 26 were children. Innocent children.

I'm not writing this post to pass judgements or make any sort of speculation as to why this tragedy occurred. I don't think that's what's needed tonight. I think tonight there are more important things to acknowledge. I was saddened by the news, and of course I was also shocked and confused. All I know is that right now, my heart is heavy.

I've never been to Newtown. I've never been to Connecticut at all, but that doesn't matter. My heart is there. My prayers are focused on that community today, and I am crying out to God to bring peace to the friends and families affected by this tragedy.

I'm not a parent. I have absolutely no idea how it would feel to lose a child, especially in such a terrible, violent way. All I can do tonight is pray for the families of the 20 children whose lives ended much too soon. Tonight, 20 little beds will be empty, and the parents and siblings of 20 children are facing the prospect of waking up tomorrow without a precious member of their family. My heart is with them.

Tonight, I am saddened. But I am also touched by the stories I heard through the day of teachers bravely and fiercely protecting the children in their care. Stories of teachers huddling children into a corner and shielding them in case the gunman entered their room.

As I said earlier, this was a senseless tragedy. No matter what motive is eventually presented by the police, it will never make sense. No one will ever truly understand why any of the lives taken today had to end. Rather than understanding, I pray for peace and comfort. I believe it will come in time.

That One Time I Watched Movies ALL DAY.

This is going to be a lazy post. Because I've just had about the laziest day EVER. Of my life. My whole LIFE! I'm not even joking. Guys...I'm not even that tired today. I was just so incredibly lazy, that I didn't even feel like changing the channel on the tv. How pathetic is that?

I got up, went to get some coffee, then came home...and sat. And watched movies all day. Literally. The tv has been on ABCFamily all day, so I've been watching whatever movie was on. First, it was Race to Witch Mountain. I'd never seen it before, and I was like "Meh, why not?" So I watched it. I don't know what I expected out of it. I knew it wasn't going to be a cinematic masterpiece. It was entertaining enough I suppose. The REAL test of my laziness for the day came next. Witch Mountain ended, and then...THEN...

Here.

*shudder* As a kid, I LOVED Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Loved it. I watched it all the time. But this...this is just...creepy. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will NEVER be Willy Wonka. Never. As much as I love Johnny Depp, this movie is just...scary. Other than his occasional funny line, the movie has no redeeming qualities in my opinion. But, seeing as I was apparently trying to break some laziness record today, I watched it anyway. Who does that? I mean, really. A movie you hate comes on tv, and you think "Well...I guess I'll watch this." What?! That's either insanity or inexcusable laziness. I'll plead laziness.

But THEN! After Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I was rewarded with...THE ORIGINAL! That's right. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was on next. And of course I had to watch it just to remind myself how much better it is than the Tim Burton one. Because who doesn't love this?

Here.

Ah, good old Willy Wonka. So anyway, I watched Willy Wonka, and then Lady and the Tramp was on next! And I thought, "Well dang! I haven't seen this in forever! Better watch it!" And I barely remembered any of it. But now the dvd is totally going on my Christmas list, because I love Disney movies. So much. And if one Disney movie wasn't enough, I then watched Aladdin, which came on after Lady and the Tramp. Following Aladdin, my mom and I watched the last hour of Independence Day. Heck yeah alien movie! And...that's how I spent my entire day.

So, as I said, this is a lazy post, but maybe some of you will read it and then be able to say to yourself "Wow, I've been lazy before/today/in my life, but at least I'm not THAT lazy!" I give you permission to feel better about your own laziness because of my absolutely inexcusable, slothlike behavior.

Now if you'll all excuse me, Aladdin is on again, and I need to watch it.

Oh...Hey, Guys...Enjoy Some Random Shenanigans

So...I'm slacking again. And this is weird, I log in, check my stats, and even though I haven't posted in OVER A MONTH!! my stats for September are like...whoah high. What up with that, people? When I DO post a few things in a month, no one reads. When I DON'T post, everyone and their brother decides to look at my blog.

Not that I'm complaining. I like views. I just wish they'd be a little more consistent. But now who's the pot calling the kettle black? Because I'm sure you're reading this thinking "Well jeeze, Joanna. We'd like YOU to be a little more consistent with your posting!" I got it. Enough with the accusing stares. I'll TRY. I promise.

Also, fun fact...That adorable little drawing up there of me looking confused is titled "Huh?" and while adding it to this post, I realized I have another drawing simply called "Huh." Two different emotions, clarified by a simple changing of punctuation. The other fun fact..."Huh." is wayyyyy uglier than "Huh?" It's an oldie. Want proof? Here.

That's "Huh." Scary, innit? I'm pleased to see my Paintbrush drawing skills have improved. Slightly. Also, I clearly do take my actual appearance into consideration when drawing myself. Since these drawings are so lacking in other details, I guess I figure the least I can do is get my hair somewhat realistic looking. So, as you can all see from the difference from "Huh." to "Huh?" I haven't cut my hair in a while. It's getting crazy long, and I don't know what to do with it. It's a serious dilemma. If I cut it, I'll constantly be telling people "Gee...I liked my hair long." But if I don't cut it, I'll just keep saying "I should probably get a haircut." Wow. #firstworldpains, anyone? And no, I will not be regularly hashtagging things in my posts from now on. Hashtags have their place, on Twitter, but not elsewhere, thank you very much.

So...this post is starting to feel like a whole lot of nothing going on, and me just blabbering about whatever the heck pops into my head. Is anyone even still reading...?

Well...for anyone still around...

Jeeze...I'd like to apologize. I feel like this post is nonsense. I don't know what this hyper stuff is. I'm not really sure why I'm even publishing it, but...maybe everyone and their brother will come back and get a giggle out of it or something. Here's hoping my next post is a little more cohesive and a little less crazy. Unless you people like reading my crazy stuff. In which case...maybe my next post will be an experiment in writing a post before I fall asleep but after I've taken a sleeping pill. THAT would certainly make for an interesting post. And terrible drawings. Even more terrible than normal.

We'll see I suppose...

Whoah Awesome!

Alright, so this is going to be a short, short post, but one PACKED full of excitement!

And apparently excitement=confetti.

Anyway, I am SUPER stoked today, because in a totally awesome twist, just one day after writing my post about wanting my own coffee shop someday but having no idea how to run one, my manager told me I'm going to be sent to manager training! AHHH! MORE CONFETTI!!

I am super pumped, because while I'm not going to be taking my manager's job, and I have no plans to go manage a different store, I know this is going to give me all kinds of great skills and information that will absolutely help me in the future, especially if my goal is to one day have a shop of my own.

So like I said, short post, I just wanted to share my excitement with all of you! And I'll be sure to keep you posted on how my training goes once I've started. It's a three day thing at the end of the month, so stayed tuned!