Esper

Huh. That's a funny coincidence, I just put "Sophie's World" on my to-read list a few days ago. I don't suppose that's the book of his you've read? It seems to be his most famous work.

Yeah, I'd def. recommend it - it was sort of Douglas Adams-esque, following in the tried and true footsteps of whimsical fantasy worlds. It was also fun because the main character was an intellectual of sorts and delved briefly into areas of (fantastical) philosophy. Children's books are never really "worth it" to me unless they're more than they seem, like other pieces of literature, and this one definitely was.

Is this by any chance the same guy who wrote "The Thirteen and a Half Lives of Captain Bluebear"? Because I am looking at that book sitting on my shelf write at this very moment and smiling. It's so durned cute~, plus it has illustrations!

I've actually visited Austin only once, surprisingly, and I'm glad I skipped prom for it. Lots of events happen there, apparently, I'd like to visit more often, get a taste of this "sanity" you speak of. You have friends from Stephenville? I lived about an hour, hour and a half maybe, away from Stephenville, I have friends there myself. There's an amazing little Chinese restaurant there I could live off of.

I wish public transportation was an option here, but I live thirty minutes away from Austin, and there's nothing stopping me from moving there. I'll go ahead and put that on my list of things to maybe do someday.
Shyeah, I'm equally paranoid about that sort of thing. It seems like all methods of travel involve some level of pressure. 8/

I feel like you'd have a lot of traffic to deal with, living in SF. I'm the same way, I'm not a very fast thinker nor am I a graceful driver, the whole situation just makes me nervous.
Don't they have a lot of social goings-on on cruises? I feel like that's where I'd be spending my time. It'd probably stress me out to leave the boat and have to be back at a certain time.

I hear you, plus I'd hate to be the one driving. Sounds fun, though.
I don't know what it is about airplanes, I'm one of few who enjoy flights, despite being confined in such a tiny space in between strangers. Boats I enjoy, I'd love to go on a cruise someday. Trains, too, there is an Amtrak that passes through where I live, I kind of just want to drop everything I'm doing and hop on every time I see it.

It surprises me that the weather is cool there, I always associate beach with hot weather. My mom is actually going to California on a business trip soon, maybe she'll let me tag along.
Currently, with my ~financial situation~, no, I don't get to traveling much. I'd love to travel though, I've flown a few times in my life and every once in awhile I crave the feeling. I love airplanes, maybe I should become a flight attendant or something.

I bet that's a wonderful feeling D: One of these days I'm going to know what you're talking about.
I don't know anyone that doesn't know how to swim, I don't actually remember being taught but I do know how to swim. Where I live, it's so hot, you've at least gotta take a dip in the community/your own swimming pool every once in awhile.

I'd like to live in one of those mountain-towns in Colorado.
That sounds perfect, I wish our nearest beach wasn't four hours away. I only have been to the beach once, and that was a sneak-vacation that took place at night and we were delirious and slept in the car for two hours wet and sandy, so the experience wasn't as pleasant as it could have been. I'm jealous of the people who can just walk right on over to the beach any time they feel like it.

Coming from a small town, I find that to be true. I want out so badly but I'm attached to the characteristics of a small town.
Do you live close to the beach in California?

Oh, thank you very much. You come across as strikingly intelligent, just to let you know, I hardly see anyone quite as articulate and reflective as you posting around these forums.
That's true, my friends refuse to go as far as the nearest beach for vacation.

Really? I'd think exploring anywhere outside of where you live would impress people, but my friends are the exact same way. Then I come here to discover that I'm actually the one with a lot to learn. 8/

Psh, you're out exploring Japan and studying literature! That should make up for the lack of modern music knowledge, and then some. 83

I used to be so into modern music, discovering new artists and such, and these days I'm in your position...I guess I'm comfortable with knowing as many artists as I do now, anything new I hear tends to sound like some other band that I already listen to, it's just not as exciting anymore...that and I just don't really feel like keeping up. x3

Haha, youtube does that to you. Golden Girls in on, so I'm sure I'll be losing track of time myself. *x*
I can see how you'd associate Paris Combo with Beirut, for the French-ness of the both of them (even though Zach Condon is from Mexico, but I associate Beirut's sound to France, I suppose it's because of the accordion 8/) but I don't feel the XTC. I get what you mean though, I get that feeling a lot with different people's drawing styles.

Haha, he might as well be, he's a musical machine. He's in the band Beirut, here is a link to the video for the song "Nantes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5xZow5iPmE

That would be ideal. Or I could be like Zach Condon and learn every instrument ever/have a very manly, prominent voice. I think I could pull it off. :3

I was thinking more in the direction of Yundi Li or something, if my fingers can become nimble enough.
Yeah, not pleasant. She's not in-my-face about it these days, since I'm more independent, but deciding for my future is still kind of an awkward process...because there's what she wants me to do, which is something useful and profitable, then there's what I want to do, which is something that makes me happy. 8/ My life though, so I won't let her stand in the way completely.

Ugh, samesies...I have no motivation, my mom is a serious-business-control-freak-I-love-schedules lady, so she's not exactly thrilled that my only plan in life is to not to let plans...run my life. 8/ Meh, happiness is really the only thing I'm looking to pursue. [insert life-is-too-short quote here] Being bitten in the rear is common for me, whether I've done something I consider wrong or not, so I'm not too concerned about it...just hope for the best! *u*
Mmm I'd say playing piano is more of a passion, I could freestyle for hours...drawing is more of an in-development skill that I'm hoping will one day become a passion I can perform with ease, it's really just something I do when I get an idea or have nothing better to do.