021011 -- Oh, gods, what time is it?

I should be asleep.

But I'm not.

My sleep schedule keeps switching itself around. I keep wanting to stay up when I get back from work, and I don't fall asleep until, like, eight. This wouldn't be so problematic if I actually got stuff done during that hour and a half timeslot, but I never do. I just sit in my bed and wish for myself to go to sleep...and of course, it never happens until about eight. Hence why I'm up writing this. Although my eyes are BLAARGH right now, the rest of me is okay.

When I start trying to think of things to think about as I'm attempting to fall asleep at seven in the morning (which as stated before rarely works), I occasionally think of my own mortality. Probably not the best thing to be thinking of. I'm a pretty firm Christian (those of you who read my private blog know I have no reason to doubt my faith), but every once in a while I wonder if I'm wrong. Perhaps I'm wondering more now because I think, what will be here when I'm done with this life?

Putting all of the Christian/otherlife options aside, because I'm pretty sure I would get into the good places in all of those (nothing against people or beliefs; again, that's a private blog thing!), I've only really thought about two options. The first is incarnation, which my constant interactions with Japanese culture have brought about in my psyche. I suppose if I got reincarnated as another person, it would be okay. Although I hope to get it right on love the first time -- learned that one the wrong way this time around -- and if that were the case, I'd get a complete memory eraser, I'm sure. Fun stuff.

The other option is just being unconscious for all of eternity. Initially, that option freaked me the hell out. But then it made me realize that I was kind of okay with that option to. Not like it's ever going to happen. But if I was unconscious, then I wouldn't know any better. I wouldn't be disappointed. And it made me realize that I'll only have this one conscious go-around no matter how I look at it.

It reminded me of that poem by Dylan Thomas featured in Matched, a novel I just read. (Very Hunger Games-ish novel, but only lights a candle to the awesomeness that was The Hunger Games. Still a good short read, though, IMHO, if kind of Mary Sue-ish. I read it for research.) The quote I thought of was "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage against the dying of the light."

And I suddenly didn't want to sleep anymore.

021011 -- Easton!

Easton is, like, awesome.
In case you didn't know.

I'm sitting here in Panera, which is actually a new Easton find for me. My plan for today was to take Ringo along (hence this entry!) and go find some new stuff, maybe buy some new things, and at the end of the day find my way to Starbucks in Barnes and Noble and write an entry or two, send some emails, the whole nine yards. Except I didn't exactly know how I was going to eat. Panera has solved that problem; I've done all my fun shopping, and after I'm here I'll go to Barnes and Noble. (And before going home, I will stop by Walmart. Even the most glamorous of divas needs toilet paper.)

I am making a mess with this sandwich.

Due to me staying up late again last night (it was past eight before I finally fell asleep), I got up at three and made my way to Easton by five. For those of you not around this area, Easton is an outdoor shopping mall. It has a TON of stores, and a lot of them are well priced. What I like about Easton is that they're always putting something new in; and they have more than the mall, too. Easton is off of Morse Road, which is The Busiest Street In Columbus (patent pending), so there's a crapton of stuff there as well. When I went shopping for hotels around Ohayocon, I started my search around Easton, because I know the area. (I also know a killer scenic view that takes you there from my place, avoiding those gosh-awful interstates. There was an accident on Hamilton today, though, so I skipped that part and went for 270.)

I started my trek away from the main mall, as I wanted to go to Old Navy. Gosh. I haven't been to Old Navy in AGES. Anyway, they redesigned the interior of the store, and it looks SO fresh! They moved everything around, and the checkout line is so cute -- it reminded me of Hot Topic with all the candy and stuff out front. I like that vibe they're going for -- but I know Old Navy is also classy. While there I found the CUTEST trouser jeans, and they were on sale, so I scooped them up! (It doesn't hurt that they were a size smaller than the current Old Navy jeans I'm wearing. I love losing weight. It was a major picker-upper.)

After that I headed to the actual mall. There's tons of parking, if you know where to look and you don't mind walking. I parked in a garage, because I knew while it would still be cold, I'd probably have electronics in the car all day. The South garage is just a jaunt from the Holy Land Barnes and Noble, but I hadn't anticipated the Panera nearby. Hooray for soup and sandwiches!

From there I walked around the mall. I had an American Eagle gift card I wanted to use, and while we have an AE in Middle of Nowhere-land, I still wanted to use it. I looked at other stores -- I still love Forever 21, and I discovered H&M has great prices -- before stopping at American Eagle (conveniently next to the Apple store). I usually don't go for A&E -- I don't know what it is about their style that doesn't throw me. Aeropostale is my preppy style, Old Navy is my everyday look, and Hollister is where I want to go if I want a taste of summer (which considering today's wind chill, I spent a lot of time in there ogling the bathing suits). But A&E has always straddled the line for me, plus, their prices are usually a bit higher. Well, with the gift card, I could ignore that last factor for today.

And I found AN AMAZING DRESS. I fell in love with it, and I was so excited when I found a large on the rack. I tried it on in the dressing room and it fit me perfectly! Plus at $35 it wasn't out of my budget at all. I still have some money on the card if I want to use it back here. (By the way, Steph, I used your All-Access thingy. Don't be a hater. I'm sure you get some sort of reward for that XD)

After that I went next door to the Apple store. I asked about a cute little microphone that I've been looking at for the past few years months. And lo and behold they still had the little sucker in stock! It's called a Snowball and it should hook up to Ringo without any software (all the wonder of Mac, haha). I'm both very excited and VERY scared to use it. It will get its first test runs more than likely on Sunday, when I record episode 3 of HPP! (more on that later). I can't wait to hear how it all sounds.

I am still dreading my Leopard upgrade. I should just get it over with. Perhaps spring break? As if I don't have enough to worry about.

Anyway, now I'm here, the other stuff is in the car, and I'm almost done with my food. I'm going to head to B&N, and I might pick up a CD at Walmart while I'm there. I'm divided between Kesha and Nicki Minaj. What I've heard of Minaj's story is inspiring. Why am I such a Top 40 junkie? Oh, that's right, the colors are way vibrant and candy-like. :) That's also why I'm a small Bieber fan (I definitely do not have Bieber fever, but a Bieber cold, and it's all the music. Plus, how can that kid take all that pressure? God's *got* to be on his side.)

OH! And I'm gonna be on Z92 tomorrow! I'll be covering for Andy. Now if I could just wake up at the right time...