Yesterday our power was out for 13 hours!!  We had a big ice storm and everything was covered and encased in ice that was about a half-inch thick.  Trees (not just branches, mind you) couldn't hold up all the weight of the ice and there's tons of trees snapped off at the ground laying around.  We didn't have school yesterday, even.  That's pretty bad, when Mr. Calaway actually agrees to call school off.  Then when the power came back on, I updated the site a little bit, found out some cool stuff and some scary stuff, and wanted to post them in my journal immediately but then the Internet lost connection until late this afternoon.    Oh well, I think I remembered everything I wanted to say.

First off, for all my faithful journal readers out there (all 1 of you . . . me . . . and maybe Vianne), I imagine you've been wondering where my latest entry was.  First of all, I haven't been motivated to post journal entries and second of all . . . ummmm . . . I haven't been motivated.

But anyways . . .

A very good friend of mine spent New Year's Eve with her horses and one of them was being a *pssst! rhymes with witch* and she tried to kick the other horse.  Her aim was off, and she kicked Mel.  In the head.  I was in a state of shock when Vianne told me.  I think about her alllllllllllllllll the time.  So everybody, keep Melanie in your thoughts and prayers.  GET WELL SOON, MEL!!!!

And this is kind of a long story, but it made me so freakin' happy you have no idea.  One of my all-time favorite bands (Lifehouse) released a CD a year or so ago.  Since then, I hadn't heard of them.  This June I went to their website and it was empty except for a few pictures.  I freaked out and asked my brother about it.  He's like, "Oh yeah, they broke up."  So I've been moping around for the past 7 months, wondering why on earth they broke up.  Well, the bass player left (I'll miss you, Sergio!!!), and they've been looking for a new one since then.  They found one (welcome to the band, Bryce Soderburg!!) now and they're gonna release a new album in February.  YAY!!!!!!  I almost peed my pants I was so happy (okay, not really, but I was uber-happy about it).  Oh, and Jason Wade (lead singer) is a super big Cleveland Cavaliers fan.  Alright!  He's a Calfornia resident—I thought he'd like the Lakers.  I'm glad that he's got his head screwed on straight.

Okay, gotta go (Mom wants to watch a movie)!

Peace, love, and happiness,

Marianne

P.S. PRAY FOR MEL AND THE TSUNAMI SURVIVORS! 

*Flys in with red cape tied around neck* I'm here! *Waits for action song, smacks computer when nothing happens, and sadly takes of cape*

Speaking of capes, did you know Johnny isn't going to play Superman (or his dad, whichever one it was?). Kevin someone is (not Bacon mind you)...Just thought I should enrich your life by sharing that thoughtful little detail with you...

Well, I'm glad your power is back on because the internet has been a sad and lonely place without you and Miss Melanie (Get well, Mel and Fancy, work on your aim! My grandma aims better than you!). The ice reminds me of Edward Scissorhands a little...well, nevermind, LOL!

Congrats on Lifehouse...you should give me some info on their album so I can maybe check it out. What kind of music group are they?

So, is Johnny gonna be in the movie at all? I heard they were trying to convince sooooooo many people to be in that movie and there was hardly anyone that wanted to. They tried to get Jim Caviezel to play Superman at one point, seeing how his role as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ put him into the spotlight. There were a few other people I heard that they tried to get, but I forget most of 'em. Oh well . . .

I hope Mel will be encouraged by that little get well package you sent her. You're so sweet. :)
And yes, the ice is very Edward Scissorhands-ish. You shoulda seen our ancient, beat-up lawn tractor that didn't get put inside in time. I doubt that thing's ever gonna run again, lol

And about Lifehouse and their new album. Their kind of like alternative rock with a Christian theme running behind their music (if you've heard Creed, imagine a quieter version of them and you have Lifehouse—they also say that U2's stage prescence is a big inspiration to them, but I wouldn't necessarily classify them as sounding all that similar). Most of their songs are sung to God (ever hear the song "Hanging by a Moment?" It was the most played song on the radio in 2000, and it's definitely their trademark song—it kicks butt), but they also have a lot of songs where they sing about their own unworthiness compared with God ("Breathing" is an AMAZING song), encouragements to their listeners ("Simon," "Only One," and "Trying" are some of my favorite songs by them simply because I can relate so well to them), and how this world can be so . . . I don't know, crappy sometimes ("Just Another Name," for example, "Take Me Away," and "Cling and Clatter" *starts singing at top of voice* And it's all good if You would stop the world from making sense . . . *gathers composure*). They're absolutely amazing. I like them because their music relates a lot to me, it has a good sound, and the guys in the band are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet (I met them at a con

(FINISHING POST THAT GOT CUT SHORT)

I met them at a concert in Columbus.

Sorry I just went on and on about them, but I couldn't help it! Imagine if someone asked you who Johnny Depp was after he had taken a long break from the moviemaking business (so long to the point where you thought he retired), and all of the sudden he resurfaced. You wouldn't want to shut up about him, lol! But I hope you feel very informed now, and I highly recommend checking 'em out. Their first album, "No Name Face," is definitely the best out of their two albums. The second one, "Stanley Climbfall," is really really really good, but I still like "No Name Face" better.