A Letter to Me at 17

Adriane,

Stop being so angry, and try to be happy. I know that being evicted is hard but you’ll pull through. Syracuse will be one of the best things that happen to you. But try to get a job and be happy when you realize that your life isn’t really that hard. Save up money and help you Mom as much as you can with gas money.

When you get into college, follow your heart. Art is your love, but always go through anything that tickles your fancy. You got so much going for you, and you’re going to go on and do some great things. Don’t shut people out, and be glad when someone waves at you. And when you meet Rachel hug her as much as you can, she really needs it. Always give people the benefit of the doubt.

Hug everyone as much as you can, because you’re going to figure out what it is to love. Tiz needs a good waking up before you leave, but let him go it’ll be okay. Jasper will need you, don’t ignore his texts when you’re busy. Try and visit Rosey as muh as you can.

You need to thank Mrs.Flannery and Mr.Boyer they helped you so much. Find Mr.Tomidi and hug the stuffing outta that man. Because you never know where life is going to take you, writing is one of your biggest loves. They helped you build up that love.

Try not to be so mad at everything and defensive, I know a lot of people based on track record have fail miserably in the area of treating you great. Don’t play it safe! But don’t be stupid. Playing it safe never helped anyone get anywhere.

It’ll be okay, these aren’t the best days of your life. But I guess I’ll see you in the mirror here soon. I wish you’d work out, and eat healthier. I wish you would take school a little less seriously, and have more fun. I wish you put yourself out there. I wish you would follow your dreams before it’s too late. I wish you’d learn about cooking more. I wish you’d take some serious classes senior year.

Don’t worry about finding a guy, he’ll wander on in sometime. He’ll see the diamond sparkling in there and cherish you. That will be worth waiting for, and you are beautiful. Don’t brush off someone who tells you so. Hug Jason by the way, he really needs it. Augie will be moving soon, try to keep up with him.

So no fear, chin up. Be happy. But don’t worry about me, because hey you’ll know me soon enough. Have some faith. Give God a chance to poke into your life.

Love, Adriane.

P.S. Go hug Danielle Overland the first chance you get.

World War Z

The Zombie Apocalypse. The living dead, the horror of shooting your loved-one's face off as they try and eat your flesh. The most gruesome (in my opinion) of any monster created by George Romero.

The latest Zombie craze which has included movies, sayings on merchandise, books, games and has infected (no pun intended) my generation. I am a college student and have found myself talking out zombie plans, useful weapons and other such ideas.It is a pop culture idea that has turned many people into full on Zombie believers.

There are things that make it seem plausible that a Zombie Apocalypse could come about.

1. Brain infection/parasites.
2. Nero-toxins.
3. Viruses (biological mutations or crafted war-fare viruses)

To me seen the most plausible reasons for a zombie apocalypse. These three things can turn one into a mindless flesh eating monster. People have apparently milked this until it was dry. But I was surprised to find two things that caught my eye lately.

The first was a book. Pictured above. by Max Brooks. It is the Oral history of the Zombie War. This book hit me hard enough that it took me a good couple of weeks to actually finish it because in my mind it was so visceral. as an artist I have a painfully realistic imagination. The descriptions of battles, personal and organized by armies made my stomach clench. Brooks captured the horror of personal stories in his volume with few large plot holes that bothered me as a reader. It was surprising that it happened like that. Usually when it comes to Zombie stories, be it movies or video games, there are plot holes so large that I have to plug my ears and look away. It happens more than I wished it would but oh well.

The origin story of Brooks though not clear of the complete origins (unlike some who point at virus or others at Mad-Cow disease) he allowed it to be called "African Rabies" But it is never clear if the zombies were a natural virus that mutated or a brain infection. Another thing Brooks captured, is that Zombies or Zack are so much biological different from us just as they are the same. They Walk, Moan and are generally human looking, but the difference that is pointed out was that they are brains that don't need bodies to really survive. This is seen in Zack's ability to stay on the ocean floor and not be disabled. Unlike a human who would be killed by the pressure.

Brooks' book showed me the true horror of a Zombie War that Hollywood couldn't and wouldn't show me.

Now a video game team comes along and releases a teaser trailer that gives me a taste of that horror that Brooks' book gave me. Dead island is an upcoming video game. Take a look....

Dead Island (Teaser Trailer)

The basics, of my religion.

So what I'm giving you today is a run down of paganism and wicca, though I am not wicca as I don't follow the reed I will still cover it.

Now there is a popular saying that if you ask ten pagans what their religion is you'll get ten different answers, and this is true. Not one pagan is alike in their thoughts about the religion. There are dozens of different wicca and pagan groups in the U.S. today.

But first thing is first, there is no 'bible' for wicca/paganism nor a governing body. Though there is some ideals that transfer from one wicca/pagan to the next. Pagan's come from all walks of life, and don't have a certain look or way about them. Anyone you know can be pagan, and they all have their own reasons.

Since the religion doesn't recruit it may be hard to find a group in your area to ask about. So just be brave and ask about, find a show that sells incense and other things and chance is you'll find a pagan.

Now in traditional customs one would train for a year and a day, though as a solitary I did this, sort of. Since I could not completely train myself I read as many book s a possible. However if you find a coven don't think you know more, because in truth you don't.

The belief and use of magic is a staple within paganism, and is a pillar in the religion. The belief is that magic is not supernatural at all, but a natural thing in every persons life.

Be pagan does not mean you embrace the concepts of sin, heaven or hell, the evils of sex or nudity, confession, Satanism, animal sacrifice, or the inferiority of women. Paganism is a religion of self expression through a religious practice.

There are basic beliefs that go through every form of paganism, harm none, respect other's religions, The divine is everywhere in nature and us, the divine has both a male and female part, you are responsible for your own actions, and Holidays are based on the turning of the earth and the cycle of the seasons.

Now for an alter

On your personal Altar you should have the following;

An Altar Cloth (Center and Vail) – This helps to separate you from the mundane table. Black is good to absorb unwanted or extra energy.

A Censor (East and Air) – This helps to contain the smudge or incense that you use in the ritual or ceremony.

An Athame (South and Fire) – This helps you direct energy in ritual space.

A bowl of Water (West and Water) - This helps to hold the charged or blessed water.

A container of Sea Salt (North and Earth) – This helps to contain the Sea Salt.

A Pentagram Paton (Center and Spirit) – This helps for centering energies in ritual and charging tools for ritual.

Use Sage incense when in ritual. It’s a good basic incense to use because it helps to keep negative energies away.

Below is an example of how I set up my alter.




1 A bowl of salt
2 A bowl of water
3 A hand made small dish with jasmine oil for air.
4 A Candle
5 Is a stone box with a pentacle.
6 A goddess statue
7 A god statue
8 A wand
9 A athame
10 Twine for knot magic

This picture is my alter at college, the only picture I could find. There is no candle or athame, as I am not allowed to have those at school.

There are tons of books to read, and understand at bookstores and libraries. So read before doing anything. That is the point.

PeAcE

Day 13

Well finals are over and now I am home. I've been catching up on some Z's and now feel ready to get back to having fun.

Though I believe that being home sucks, A) because I do not have a bed B)Because of my mother and C) there is absolutely nothing to do. But I'm doing pretty well, having watch the Princess and the Frog three times, the dark knight and the Doctor Who marathon and new season first ep.

Which now I have the urge to try fish sticks and custard. :) Which though seems gross I have a feeling would be completely delicious at the same time. But I am strange like that.

You know this updating one every week or so seems better I have much more to talk about.

I'm going to soon check my grades and hopefully have at least a 3.0 GPA. I need it! But you know, I don't know I did try quite hard this term. But now on to third term and archeology. Which is going to be full of dirt and sunburns. Well not bad sunburns I hope, my skin couldn't take it.

I cannot wait until free comic book day, I am dressing up as Delirium from the Sandman comics, and two of my other friends are going to be Death and Dream. Totally golden man!

Day 12

Today was fairly relaxing, which it shouldn't be since I have to have two papers done by Friday. I really need to crack down but my brain is just in lazy bones mode. Oh well.

I went swimming today again, I forgot how enjoyable it was to swim in an indoor pool. It was fun and I truly loved it. I feel at home in the water, is that weird? Well it can't really be, I'm sure many people feel like that. I have no idea why I update this so much, I mean is there anyone who actually reads this, because i have no real way of telling.

Anyways, I saw Alice in Wonderland today and was quite bothered that it was called Alice in Wonder land, though it was more like Through the Looking Glass. It really bothering me now. But the acting was nice. The Hatter, who has always been my favorite character, was done nicely by Depp. I actually really loved the random thick Scottish Accent that jumped into his voice once in a while. Quite good!


Well it's off to bed with me now, and to wake up for Schwartz in the morning. :)

Day 6

Well today was a pretty active day! After stumbling my way through Paradise Lost Book 1, I spent an hour praying to ever deity in the Greek Pantheon that my professor would not choose my vase painting of Heracles fighting the Nemean lion. I didn't have the paper written. But I'm happy to report that she skipped over my picture.

On a higher note! :) I am now EC Comix Treasurer for next year, and EC Lions Club Coordinator. Four friends and myself were inducted today into Lions Club International as a Branch club. It was pretty awesome. We are already planing a Good Will Drive and Organ Donor Sign Ups. I think were started up pretty well. I'm also running for a position in G.A.S.P. as V.P. I might get it you never know.

As for now I'm planning my two final drawings for Drawing 1 and slowly getting tired. I have to finish my research for my 20 page paper and get my other paper for Classical Myth finished for Wednesday.

Sorry for the odd weekend posts, I was over scheduled but hopefully it won't happen again. Working from 10pm to 2am really isn't fun and mix that with Rely for Life from 8pm to 8am and you get DEATH!

This has been a update on my life. Have a good night and pleasant tomorrow.

Day 2

Morning Class at 8AM makes form some interesting conversation. Half sleeping people shuffling into the Campus Center for Major English Authors I, with Professor Schwartz. With only three weeks left in the term, dear readers you have missed many interesting things. As for today we read John Donne, and Marvell two great poets in their own right.

A friend of mine Julia, and I are the only two who seem to think that these two poets are pretty easily read and interpreted.

Oh! I have forgotten to introduce Julia, one of my newer friends. We met during our time as O.L.s this tear welcoming that class of 2013 in. She is a player of Dungeons and Dragons, and has just recently gotten into L.A.R.P.ing. She and some others have been trying to get me to join, and truthfully I have no interest in it. She shares my major with an added English Lit. Major. We are both the class of 2012. (Yeah dooms day)

I should explain the whole class year fiasco at my school. At E.C. we must introduce ourselves with out class year, example Adriane O'Hare'12. The class year must be there, even on papers. If it is missing you lose points. Crazy right?

Back to the class, My professor is a fun guy. Love so have fun and laugh at silly things in the works we read. Such as "The Relic" He couldn't stop laughing out loud.

Authors I, if I may so myself is one of my more interesting classed because of Schwartz. He explains things in very understandable ways that are also funny. He is fun, but by no means is his class an easy 'A'. You have to work hard to get a great grade in his class. But it still is fun.

With only three weeks left in this class I'll start throwing in some Schwartz-isms, and quotes. Such as "But! There is a but, and it's a big but it has two 'T's." It makes me laugh whenever he uses these sort of things.

My second and third classes are with Heidi, my academic advisor and professor. She is a fun woman though her classes can be death. But I guess that is understandable since most of her classes are in the Classics area. After that is yoga, which I have yet to go to since it starts at 2-ish. The weather is nice out and i belive we wil be going outside. Though I'd prefer not to. There isn't much I can say about it.

I'll be tired after this day but I hope this gives a little insight into my life so far...does it?

The Schwartz quote of the day!!!

"Books are like pants, you always brings them and you always wear them."

Day 1

I'm not a very selfish person from what I know. But I guess this is what this blog is about. I want to figure out what I'm going in this world. Why am I here? What do I love? This is my road to self discovery. However let me start by introducing myself.

I am Adriane, a girl who lives in New York and goes to school at Elmira College. I'm an amateur artist and writer. My major is Classical Studies, with two minors in Art and English Lit. I'm six feet tall, (naturally) blond, however my hair is always changing, with blue eyes.

My family is large, I suppose. I have three older sisters all which have at least one child. My parents are, though not always happily, married and I technically live with them in Syracuse. I have a single Aunt and Uncle who have six children. Though I don't suppose that I will be speaking very much about them.

I have many friends that will probably make some sort of appearance and might come and go as my life progresses.

I have no real clue where this blog is headed but I hope I personally will get somewhere with it's help...I'll have a living archive of my life. I might not make the same mistakes twice, (hopefully) but life is hectic.

My goal here is to write a entry everyday about my thoughts and happenings. I'll hopefully have a physical journal in my hands at all time and be able to jot down what ever thoughts glide through my head at any time.

I hope readers (however few there may be), that you will help me through this journey of life.