Goodbye, Always Riddikulus.

I've decided, as I am going to be entering college in the fall, that I need to move on with my life. But don't you go thinking that this means no more blogging. No way. I am just done with THIS BLOG. I am moving on to a newer, as of now, empty site called www.natparker.com. I think I have known for a while now, just as Harry knew he held a horcrux inside of him, that I have been done with this blog and I just needed it to be made final for myself. So without further ado, I say goodbye with one last quote.

"It's not over." -Neville Longbottom (DHp2)

This is Totally Not Legit

I realize that I haven't been blogging lately, but I really need to concentrate on my very late blog post for the Harbinger Online, my school newspaper's website (click that like a boss), thus I am posting this very brief thingy to tell you to go there and see some stuff.

On a non-related, but just as pressing note, I have realized that I begin a lot of sentences and blogs with the word "so". "So" is not another word for um. It represents a consequence of a previous event, just like THUS.  I need to get that into my brain.

"Where do cows go for fun? To the MOOOOVIES."

Oh gosh.

-Natalie

Awkward Times and Such

Today, I was speaking with one of my good friends, Katy. She has a photographic memory and has almost every line from every Harry Potter movie memorized. Our conversations usually begin with me saying something like, "Do that line, you know the one from Goblet of Fire? The one in the tent? Victor I love you..." Katy then promptly finishes, "Victor I do, when we're apart my heart beats only for yoooooou!" And then she spouts out each and every line preceding and following the aforementioned line. She's pretty amazing. 

But getting to the point (because apparently there must be one) Katy and I got to talking about awkward moments. Not embarrassing moments, mind you, really awkwardly strange times. Awkward moments can be embarrassing, but awkward moments differ in that they don't make you sneak off to your car to cry like some embarrassing times have done for me. (So, I cry. Big deal.) I enjoy recounting awkward moments, while I can only appreciate the embarrassing times long after they have occurred. For example, one time I saw my middle-aged, butch (though female) math teacher at the gynecologist. I didn't feel shameful at seeing her, but it was truly, awfully, awkward. SO PEOPLE, I have solicited you to regale me with some of your most awkward moments. Did you walk in on your crush, Cho, while she was staring at a picture of her beloved dead boyfriend whose death you witnessed? Did you then promptly make-out with her? Share with me people, and we will partake of awkwardness together.

“You know the prefects bathroom on the third floor? *bobs towards Harry with a sense of hesitation and awkwardness* Not a bad place for a bath. Just take your egg and mull things over in the hot water.” –Cedric Diggory

-Natalie

Oh yeah, I've done some stuff for my school newspaper's website. Check it out here.

Support.

I'm looking at colleges. To be specific, state colleges. And I've got a BIG BIG BIG decision to make. This decision includes choosing a financially savvy option that will still guarantee me an excellent education. Because my parents aren't funding college for me. I won't be stranded if I need something, but most of the money part is up to me. And that concept is seriously hard to grasp. I get dizzy just thinking about it and no, it isn't from the copious amounts of gatorade I've been guzzling. (Sorry, bad joke in the midst of a serious discussion.)


I have to admit: before I really stood back and analyzed my situation, I had a difficult time holding back resentment for my parents. I know that they have always worked their hardest to provide for me and I know that I am a priority to them, no matter how much it seems that they can't wait to push me away. But I couldn't help thinking: Why didn't they make better choices? Why didn't they save more money? Why didn't they fulfill their responsibilities as parents?! But that's just it. They did. If they hadn't taught me how to be an independent person, then I wouldn't be spending my free time researching federal aid forms, finding scholarships, and actually caring HARDCORE about my future. I have just come to terms with exactly how thankful I am that I'm in this place right now. I am becoming an independent person, and, as hard as it is for me to sit down and realize that the right college for me might not be my dream college, I can still make a dream out of the future I'm making for myself. 


And I'm EXCITED. I can't wait to go to [insert name of college here]. It's a great school, I'm going to meet new and amazing people, and I'm going to just stuff knowledge into my skull. And I'm truly thankful that I will end up living fairly close to my parents. Because no matter how much I mature and grow, I'm still gonna need my parents to calm down my often frantic OCD, to hug me when I'm feeling down, to give me a smile and a reassuring thumbs up, and to support me. Because a parent's true role is to guide and support their children. It's my life, and my parents aren't swaying me in any particular direction. They aren't trying to convince me to go to community college, or to go to the school they attended. They're supporting me. And I can't thank them enough.


I WOVE YOU MOM, TONY, DAD, AND BECCI! 


-Natalie


*COMING UP NEXT: WHAT MAJOR WILL SHE CHOOSE? DUH DUH DUHHHHHHH*


A/N: See my mom's response to this post here. 

God, That's Good. TV.

Each summer for the past few years it seems like my summer has been full of one show or another. Last year it was Buffy and Angel, this year it's Wildfire and Dexter. Now Buffy and Angel may make sense together, but Wildfire and Dexter? A show about a bada** jockey and then one about a serial killer in Miami? They may not go together well, but they both suit me just fine. For those Wildfire fans, I am team Krunior, and my favorite character besides Junior is Todd. Those who haven't seen Wildfire, don't simply dismiss it as ABC Family crap about some "ponies on a farm". And if you are going to deem it as crap, at least try watching it. Last summer I really didn't want to give Buffy a try, but look where I am now!


I'm not going to have a free minute all week so I had better stop blogging and get my fill of TV while I can! I was going to apologize about the brief length of this post, but I'm thinking no one is really complaining about me not talking more. It's a rare occurrence, so enjoy it while you have it.


Ta Ta


-Natalie

A Thorough Analysis of Important Things

When I look at the photo to the left of this post, my mind starts buzzing like a plethora of chainsaws about to cut down some Christmas trees. Weird simile aside, this photo makes me feel happy, curious, and excited. Shall I explain? Let's just analyze this photo. Posted on twitpic.com by Nathan Fillion (BTVS, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, Castle, etc.), this photo features Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Nathan Fillion, and of course Joss Whedon. First, I'm thinking WHAT IS THIS? A FIREFLY REUNION? ARE THEY SHOOTING A MOVIE OR SOMETHING? But then I look a little closer. They aren't in costume, Fillion is wearing a watch, Tudyk some sort of grey do-rag, and Baldwin has on a Los Angeles sweatshirt with what looks like a crown of thorns on his head. Next I move to the setting. It looks like the outdoors because of the obvious flower near Fillion and the branch that Joss "the Monkey/Christopher Columbus" Whedon is hanging off of. But there's a wall behind Baldwin. So I'm right back to square one as it looks to me like a set. Are they rehearsing? Visiting the Warehouse 13 set where Jewel Staite and Sean Maher filmed their episode of the show?  Hanging out at Whedon's Pandora look-alike house? And why are they staring up at something? Is Neil Patrick Harris stuck in some Devil's Snare above them? Now I'm just grasping at straws.


So, that "analysis" of the photo should have explained my curiosity and excitedness. But why am I happy? Because whatever the heck they're doing, they're doing it together and it looks like fun. If you know what they are doing you may leave me a comment explaining. Or you can let me wonder. Because sometimes it's more fun to be curious and investigate like the Ghost Whisperer (I have never actually seen the show so I am not sure if she investigates or not, but I would assume that it is a possibility so there you go). 


"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare. It's deadly fun...but will sulk in the sun! That's it! Devil's Snare hates sunlight!"


-Natalie

IT'S MY BLOGIVERSARY!

On this day last year I wrote my first blog post! I know, I know, you're impressed. So, I've decided to inform you of some of the momentous things that happened this year to ME. Ready?

In July 2009, thanks to my dear friend Helen Bradley, I became obsessed with Joss Whedon. Since then I have watched all 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, all 5 seasons of Angel, Firefly, Serenity, Dollhouse season 1, and Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Also, the most fabulous episode of Glee ever created, Dream On. Joss is truly the definition of genius.

In August 2009 I met Kellan Lutz. He was verrrry nice, charming, and of course extremely attractive. He is the first celebrity I have ever met, thus, I consider this an important moment. (Shut up you people who don't care about famous people! It was a big deal!)

In January I dropped out of the International Baccalaureate program. To those who are not aware, it is a hellish thing that kills you with it's awfulness. Picture a jackal viciously murdering a meerkat. That's what it is. But really, the experience taught me that I can make big decisions that turn out in my favor with few outside influences.

In March I went to Washington D.C. The entire time I felt like I was Ben Gates. Plus, I had the best vegetable tempura in the world. 

In May I watched the Lost series finale. This was a wrap up to my teen years. I started watching Lost in seventh grade and the finale of this amazing show was like, well, wasn't like, it was, THE END.

Throughout this year I have learned one very important lessons. The first being that sometimes a filter for your mouth is beneficial. Secondly, you shouldn't be afraid to speak your mind. Those seem kind of contradicting, I know. So let me add that you shouldn't be afraid to speak your mind. Just not ALL THE TIME. 

*declares in an announcery voice* "THIS CONCLUDES NATALIE'S BLOGIVERSARY BLOG POST. PLEASE SEND HER BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP!" 

Let's see if I can keep this up for another year.

-Natalie

Bacon to be Sizzled.

I feel pretty darn awful about not having blogged in awhile. Recently my mother has gotten a blog and every time I see her typing away with her deep thoughts I am all "I should be doing that". Instead I muster up some excuse about either A) being tired because I have had to wake up at 6 am every morning for the past two weeks to go to summer school B) needing to work on my US Government summer homework, or C) being too into Pretty Little Liars that nothing could possible arouse me from the hypnotized state I am in (that show is seriously addicting). Choices A and B both have issues. Firstly, it is quite ignorant for me to say I am tired when my mother works longer than I do and wakes up at the same time. Secondly, I usually am not working on Government homework, but am instead delving deep into choice C.

So, let me get to the point and just probe out there on these vast interwebs and provide you with some food for thought. I will call this "bacon to be sizzled" because I like that better. I really just like the word SIZZLED. I do apologize if you are reading this and you are a vegetarian and the description of pig meat being cooked offends you; I simply couldn't think of a better one. Please provide me with one if you see fit.

Let me actually attempt to get to the point now. Today, I have encountered two different sets of humans. One set is of the variety that goes to your high school and will throw an empty box of Trojans at your car after you have so decently let them merge in front of you. The second type is a random stranger that will go out of his way to move his car so that you can avoid getting a ticket. So which action outweighs? Does one good action counteract all bad ones? Or is there some sort of ratio? For example do 2 crappy events make the one good one nill? Or does the one nice person make the bad ones zilch? I know you like my wordage, people.

So, for the benefit of myself, and for yourself (I always feel that thinking about something for the purpose of something else actually tends to help me as well, if that makes any semblance of sense) please leave me a comment on either my twitter, facebook, or preferably on this blog to let me know what YOU think about this subject.

"Oh and btdubs..." -Chemistry teacher extraordinaire, Steve Appier.

-Natalie

THE PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE MUMMY BUT DIFFERENT

As my favorite movie of all time is The Mummy, I throughly enjoyed Prince of Persia. Actually, I loved it. I haven't ever played the video game it is supposedly based on or anything, so I am not sure how to compare it to that, but Jake Gyllenhaal was exceedingly attractive and Aladdinish and it had just the right touches of humor, action, and romance. Jake, as Dastan, did some excellent parkour and had some unique surfer hair that I enjoyed looking at. Gemma Arterton, who played the Princess Tamina, is absolutely gorgeous, and acted beautifully. The story was decent and the special effects and cinematography were well done. Let me just say that lately I haven't been purchasing many movies (Netflix is a miracle) but I will most certainly be purchasing this film. Not because I think it is the best film ever made, but because I liked watching it. Yes, I had a few problems with the plot. One example being that throughout the entire film many characters said that the Apocalypse would happen if certain things occurred, and when these certain things occurred, NO APOCALYPSE. Secondly, one of the things I like most about The Mummy is the history that is involved. I didn't really get so much Persian History in this film and I think there could have been room for some. Also, I think it could have been funnier- Alfred Molina was pretty much the only comic relief in the entire film. OSTRICHES! Still, looking at it from a debater's perspective, the benefits of seeing the movie (I will restate: humor, action, romance, etc.) far outweigh the disadvantages. In conclusion, if you enjoy The Mummy and other movies like that (see also: The Librarian, Stardust, National Treasure) I believe that you may like this one as well. 

On a fairly unrelated topic, I have been concentrating much of my time, money, and effort into get a TAN. Yes, this is vain, risky, and dumb, but I ask you to ask the sun to not give me cancer anyway. 

"What is a place like me doing in a girl like this?"- Evie (The Mummy)

-Natalie

MY HUG BUCKET

Towards the end of April, Hank Green of the Vlogbrothers made a video (CLICKY FOR DA LINKY) in which he discussed who is in his "Hug Bucket". He explained the Hug Bucket to be the bucket where your hugs go into. He said that everyone wants to hug certain people before they, well, die. This is a bigger deal than just meeting someone famous. For example, I met the very attractive Kellan Lutz, but I was unable to hug him. I have a feeling that I would have been arrested if I had attempted to. So the Hug Bucket is kind of like a bucket list for people that you really want to get close to. So, here are just a few of the people, both fictional and real, that I would like to hug.

1. Patricia Belcher, otherwise known as Caroline Julian (see also: Sue Sylvester), the tough, hardcore prosecutor on Bones, seems like the ideal candidate to reside in my bucket of hugs. I would adore cracking that tough exterior and slapping her with a warrent. For a hug! Okay, bad joke, Natalie. 

2. Jason Alexander: Really his character from the Cinderella movie with Brandy, Lionel. Lionel is constantly frustrated with the inane antics of the prince and his parents, Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber. I would like to relieve some of his weighty burden with a massive hug. I think he would appreciate that.

3. Josh Groban: He is adorable and his voice is more stirring than Anton Yelchin with a spoon and a pot of macaroni. Bad Joke O-Meter: 2.

4. Joss Whedon: It's friggin Joss Whedon. 'Nuff said.

5. Molly Weasley: It doesn't even need to be Julie Walters, I just want to hug the character. She is warm and kind and probably smells good because she cooks all the time. That there just sounds pleasant to me. 

6. Angus T. Jones: This guy, better known for his role as Jake Harper, or The Kid from Two and a Half Men, is just charming. Yes, he eats a lot, and is kind of gross, but there is something to be said for his brutal honesty. Plus, he was a really cute kid. 

For clarification purposes, there are obviously more people on this planet that I would be willing to hug than just those I have included on this list. These are just the ones that were floating around in my brain at the time I decided to write this. But you are probably not dumb, so you have probably already ascertained this.

And I just realized what the hugging meerkat picture looks like. Oh, well.

"Natalie, you're such a slippery, seductive otter."

-Natalie