A few things.
So, my counselor gave me a list of 258 journal ideas to help get me writing again. And I'm going to write out 10 or so at a time. They may not be long, but at least I'm writing.
1. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
My pessimistic nature forbids me from ever thinking I'd win more than $10 in the lottery, but I have entertained the notion from time to time. I'd pay off this house and renovate it up and if I found a house I liked more, I'd rent this place out to a low-income family who needed a break. I'd buy Jess and Chris a house, do something for my mom, and get Dad and Terry settled - and pay off Terry's college funds. Probably buy Jess a car. I might buy myself something, but I really want to make everyone else's lives easier.
2. Why do you think that some people don't exercise their right to vote?
I think for the most part, people don't vote because they think their vote doesn't matter. It's why I won't be voting in any major elections. The last few elections, my vote hasn't even been minority - it's been below the minority vote. In SW Calgary last year, about 25,000 people voted for Stephen Harper (and the Conservative party). The next party down was the Green party with about 5,000 votes, and below that was NDP (who I voted for). I voted NDP or Liberal in the last provincial election and was drowned by the Conservative votes. I can't remember the last time we've had a liberal in charge of Alberta. (And after looking it up, we've been conservative since '71. How fucking pathetic is that?) Not to mention, Alberta has so few seats compared to the Eastern part of Canada that by the time it gets to our neck of the woods, Ontario has the election already settled. So, fuck you, Canadian electoral system.
3. What is your favorite Disney character or movie and why is it your favorite?
I'd probably be torn between a few movies. My love of Dickens and Billy Joel would make me vote for Oliver and Company, but I'm also a girl, so I love Beauty & The Beast and The Little Mermaid. Really, every major Disney animated feature has something I like; a song, a character, the art style, the story... Except for Tarzan. Fuck Tarzan. Not only did it annoy the fuck out of me, but I also remain adamant that Phil Collins should not have won the Oscar for Best Song that year. Each movie has its flaws, but I've become kind of a Disney nerd in the past few years and have really been able to appreciate them now that I'm a little older.
4. My full name and how it was decided on.
My parents were married in British Columbia, and from the sounds of it, spent a lot of time there. As embarrassing as it sounds, my full name is Mara Dawn, and I was named as such because I was conceived there at dawn. So, yeah. I was named such to signify my parents fucking. Awesome.
5. My dream house.
My dream house would be not too big, but at least a two story, all the walls painted (though I wouldn't have to paint them), deep red kitchen, with black/pewter/stainless steel fixtures/appliances, comfortable furniture, and a yard big enough for me to have a deck/hot tub and room for a dog to run around in.
6. I am the one who...
..is exactly the same person she was 10 years prior at the reunion. Lonely, fat, depressed, and hanging around the side of the gym not really talking to anyone.
7. First grade memories
I remember being in the grade 1/2 split class and meeting Rachel, and the pair of us being sent to the hallway because we'd gotten caught reading Archie comics.
8. In the left corner, behind the filing cabinet..
.. are all the things I've meant to do but never gotten around to. Different hobbies that have petered out, different muses that wanted to but never really came to fruition. Wants and wishes that I've set aside due to time or money or family restraints.
9. The Holiday I Wish We Had..
Last Christmas, my uncle had just broken up with his girlfriend (who was there), my father was in pain and had to leave early (which may have been a blessing in disguise, because he wasn't exactly friendly and jolly.). My aunts took over the night exchanging gifts and chattering about their trip to Paris, and.. pretty much everyone but me got a gift. (The rule is that the kids over eighteen don't get a present, but I'm pretty sure my nineteen year old cousin still gets presents from my Aunt.) So, the holiday I wish we had? The opposite of the one we did have.
10. The day I went to the circus..
To be honest, I remember going to the circus once. I'm afraid of clowns, and well, the circus wasn't the best, and it was jammed into a minor league hockey arena, and between the clowns and loud noises, it was enough to make me not want to ever go there again.
1. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
My pessimistic nature forbids me from ever thinking I'd win more than $10 in the lottery, but I have entertained the notion from time to time. I'd pay off this house and renovate it up and if I found a house I liked more, I'd rent this place out to a low-income family who needed a break. I'd buy Jess and Chris a house, do something for my mom, and get Dad and Terry settled - and pay off Terry's college funds. Probably buy Jess a car. I might buy myself something, but I really want to make everyone else's lives easier.
2. Why do you think that some people don't exercise their right to vote?
I think for the most part, people don't vote because they think their vote doesn't matter. It's why I won't be voting in any major elections. The last few elections, my vote hasn't even been minority - it's been below the minority vote. In SW Calgary last year, about 25,000 people voted for Stephen Harper (and the Conservative party). The next party down was the Green party with about 5,000 votes, and below that was NDP (who I voted for). I voted NDP or Liberal in the last provincial election and was drowned by the Conservative votes. I can't remember the last time we've had a liberal in charge of Alberta. (And after looking it up, we've been conservative since '71. How fucking pathetic is that?) Not to mention, Alberta has so few seats compared to the Eastern part of Canada that by the time it gets to our neck of the woods, Ontario has the election already settled. So, fuck you, Canadian electoral system.
3. What is your favorite Disney character or movie and why is it your favorite?
I'd probably be torn between a few movies. My love of Dickens and Billy Joel would make me vote for Oliver and Company, but I'm also a girl, so I love Beauty & The Beast and The Little Mermaid. Really, every major Disney animated feature has something I like; a song, a character, the art style, the story... Except for Tarzan. Fuck Tarzan. Not only did it annoy the fuck out of me, but I also remain adamant that Phil Collins should not have won the Oscar for Best Song that year. Each movie has its flaws, but I've become kind of a Disney nerd in the past few years and have really been able to appreciate them now that I'm a little older.
4. My full name and how it was decided on.
My parents were married in British Columbia, and from the sounds of it, spent a lot of time there. As embarrassing as it sounds, my full name is Mara Dawn, and I was named as such because I was conceived there at dawn. So, yeah. I was named such to signify my parents fucking. Awesome.
5. My dream house.
My dream house would be not too big, but at least a two story, all the walls painted (though I wouldn't have to paint them), deep red kitchen, with black/pewter/stainless steel fixtures/appliances, comfortable furniture, and a yard big enough for me to have a deck/hot tub and room for a dog to run around in.
6. I am the one who...
..is exactly the same person she was 10 years prior at the reunion. Lonely, fat, depressed, and hanging around the side of the gym not really talking to anyone.
7. First grade memories
I remember being in the grade 1/2 split class and meeting Rachel, and the pair of us being sent to the hallway because we'd gotten caught reading Archie comics.
8. In the left corner, behind the filing cabinet..
.. are all the things I've meant to do but never gotten around to. Different hobbies that have petered out, different muses that wanted to but never really came to fruition. Wants and wishes that I've set aside due to time or money or family restraints.
9. The Holiday I Wish We Had..
Last Christmas, my uncle had just broken up with his girlfriend (who was there), my father was in pain and had to leave early (which may have been a blessing in disguise, because he wasn't exactly friendly and jolly.). My aunts took over the night exchanging gifts and chattering about their trip to Paris, and.. pretty much everyone but me got a gift. (The rule is that the kids over eighteen don't get a present, but I'm pretty sure my nineteen year old cousin still gets presents from my Aunt.) So, the holiday I wish we had? The opposite of the one we did have.
10. The day I went to the circus..
To be honest, I remember going to the circus once. I'm afraid of clowns, and well, the circus wasn't the best, and it was jammed into a minor league hockey arena, and between the clowns and loud noises, it was enough to make me not want to ever go there again.