v a l e r i e

The dogs

2011-12-03T14:56:00.001-08:00

I love the way the dogs are so free when they're outside.

Today's rings

2010-10-08T10:55:00.001-07:00

The rings I'm wearing today...

long time, no post

2010-10-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd say HOWDY here. It's been a very long while. Not sure if I'll come by here often but hey, I should keep it up. ;)

just a few little thoughts

2008-12-30T20:34:00.001-08:00

music:: Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

I don't think I've ever written in all of my blogs on the same day. It's not as if I have that much to say. lol!

a cute picture of holli, eh?

I'm trying out Windows Live Writer. I wish there was an equivalent sort of thing for the Mac. I do write on the Winchester 2.0 more often than this PC. ;)

alina with auntie val

2008-12-01T17:36:00.001-08:00

alina with auntie val
Originally uploaded by walelia

It's me with the latest baby in the family! Isn't she cute? Well, she is. :)

looking out the window

2008-10-10T15:19:00.001-07:00

looking out the window
Originally uploaded by walelia

Holli likes looking out the window and bark at the cats who visit our backyard. :)

Kauai 2004

2008-09-09T22:03:00.001-07:00

Kauai 2004
Originally uploaded by walelia

A shot from Kauai on April 24, 2004. I like how the sun shines through like a veil reaching down to the water...

me and Breelyn

2008-08-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

Just had to share what is currently my favorite picture with Breelyn. I'm sure I'll have more in the future, but this one is from my first time meeting her. Isn't she cute? She's not even 24 hours old yet in the picture. Awwww!

up close and personal

2008-08-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

If she could, I think she'd tell me to step back. lol!

my muxtape!

2008-06-05T18:07:00.000-07:00

I finally made my muxtape. Just for fun. Go here.

Let's Go A's!

2008-05-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

So wow, I can post to different blogs from Multiply. Kinda cool.

LET'S GO A'S!!!

evil eyes

2008-05-24T15:03:00.001-07:00

The Catcher in the Rye

2008-05-17T17:51:00.001-07:00

It's been MANY years since I first read this book, but after getting a parent complaint (yes, in this day and age, people still want to complain about this novel), I thought it was time to reacquaint myself with this classic.

It's still a great read. Holden's voice comes through strong and filled with angst. Even though I knew the basic story, it still felt like new. And when I finished it, I felt justified in my opinion that people are idiots for complaining about books (or movies) without having ever read (or watched) the said book (or movie).

I must repeat, how can you complain (and call to complain) about something you haven't read yourself?! This parent in question, a mother of a teenage daughter, was offended (yes, offended) that her daughter was made to read a book at that had the F-word in it. In this mother's opinion, if it's in a book, then kids think that it's okay to say outloud. Really? Seriously, really? You haven't taught her daughter enough common sense to know the difference between a book and real life? And do you really think that your daughter doesn't hear worse in the quad between classes in HIGH SCHOOL?

Yes, high school. Not middle school, high school.

Sometimes I just feel sorry for people.

When the mother asked my opinion, I tried to keep it short because I began to think that she's perhaps some kind of moron. I told her that it was all about reading it in context. And she argued back at me! It doesn't matter about context, blah blah blah. I went on and said that I'd read it myself and I repeated the whole context thing. She didn't really reply back at that one, she just went on with her argument. And then I knew she was certainly a moron because she hadn't even read the book, which meant that we couldn't have an intelligent conversation.

BTW, the F-word appeared on page 201 of 214 pages of my version of The Catcher in the Rye. If this concerned parent had taken the time to read the passage, she might have noticed that the narrator doesn't actually say the F-word to anyone. He sees it and is actually distressed about it. As angsty and irreverent Holden Caulfield is, something in him recognizes the disrespect of seeing "F--- You" on a wall. He imagines children seeing it and wondering about it and he goes a little crazy inside about it. And oh yes, Holden Caulfield is a little crazy inside. It's one of the things about him.

So, I feel better that I've re-read The Catcher in the Rye. It still holds up in its narrative voice and Holden's despair still reflects much in the world today. It's definitely a novel that incites discussion and reflection. And apparently it's still a novel that brings controversy.

Well done.

when we were little

2008-03-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

Look, I'm actually taller than my sister! Such a long time ago. :)

Kevin Smith at Pasadena

2008-03-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

I took this picture long ago and I still remember some of the moments there. I had such a good time. And it ended up being the last time I saw Kevin Smith in person.

Still miss him.

right after the grooming

2008-02-17T21:27:00.001-08:00

right after the grooming
Originally uploaded by walelia

Look at that face! I think she was a bit mad about going to the groomers. But she got over it. ;)

Warriors up 51 - 46 on the kings.

2008-02-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Warriors up 51 - 46 on the kings. - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Waiting for my number one

2008-01-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

Waiting for my number one - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Beer.

2008-01-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

Beer. - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

They move too fast for the pearl

2008-01-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

They move too fast for the pearl - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Misty and cool

2008-01-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

Misty and cool - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Poor yorkie

2008-01-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

Poor yorkie - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

I remember watching this when I was...

2008-01-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

I remember watching this when I was a kid - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

I went to a candle party today. I...

2008-01-12T18:10:00.000-08:00

I went to a candle party today. I bought more candles, of course. - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-12T01:38:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Moby posting

2008-01-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

- Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Lovin the camera.

2008-01-09T21:04:00.000-08:00

Lovin the camera. - Posted from http://mobypicture.com

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T21:55:00.001-08:00

With Holli

2007-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

merry christmas!

2007-12-26T13:39:00.001-08:00

merry christmas!
Originally uploaded by walelia

My dinner last night. Christmas was nice. Food was good. Gifts are always welcome. :)

Saffy!

2007-12-25T00:37:00.000-08:00

2007-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is how you know I love my doggie. Or I like to take pictures. Or both. ;)

eclectic

2007-12-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

eclectic
Originally uploaded by walelia

We like our DVDs. I just need to actually watch them! I haven't watched one ep of Due South. Ye gods! But I have watched Half Nelson and Hex and Cheers. :)

so cold

2007-11-30T23:20:00.001-08:00

so cold
Originally uploaded by walelia

It's cold in the morning.

And that's all I really want to say. ;)

wine tasting

2007-11-24T07:55:00.001-08:00

24th Annual Holiday Open House, originally uploaded by walelia.

We went wine tasting yesterday in Sonoma. It was lovely! I LOVE the Ledson House. It was our second stop. Beautiful grounds. The fountain in the front is just beautiful. :)

Riiiight!

2007-11-17T19:11:00.000-08:00

Well, okay then!

my seat at the games

2007-11-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

Season tickets rock, of course. This is a picture of my seat. I sat in it for part of the game yesterday, but since seat #22 was unoccupied, I figured it would be nice to have a little more room. :)

no one knows I'm here

2007-10-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

I added this blog to my main listing (http://val.kiari.com) but I don't think anyone will really notice. ;)

I'll be glad when my tattoo is finished peeling and is smooth all the way around. Soon? I'm hoping!

This time of year makes me slightly wearisome.

Burning candle

2007-09-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to see if I could email photos to my blogger. Woohoo!

autumn break

2007-09-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

The kids at work are off for two weeks. I work at a school. A high school.

The Sacramento Convention was nice. It's fun being with other freak geeks. I just realized that I'm not as freaky or geeky as some of them. And it almost makes me sad.

I got to take a picture with Marina Sirtis and Jonathan Frakes. I think if I ever get the chance, I want a picture with just Marina too. She's still so beautiful.

watching tv on a saturday night

2007-08-25T21:11:00.001-07:00

I don't think I'll actually use this space very much. But while I have it why not use it randomly?

Watching Dead Man's Chest. Aeon Flux was on earlier and I watched that too.

watching some baseball

2007-07-28T19:04:00.001-07:00

Actually, it's just background noise right now. I'm wondering why I'm even trying blogger. I remembered when I loved it so...