In Case You Haven't Had Enough of Our Political Campaign...

Here are some bloopers!

Angelica Christianson Versus Damien Diablo

Instead of reading the fourth Harry Potter book today, I've been spending my time editing a video that Megan and I filmed a few days ago. We've been seeing a bunch of political campaign ads on the TV and we decided to make one of our own. Enjoy!

Hello. My Name is Danielle, And I'm a Harry Potter Fanatic

There is only a month until the next Harry Potter movie comes out and I am SO excited. It looks awesome. Have you seen the trailer? Watch the trailer. I command you.




Yeah, so I'm a little bit nerdy. But at least I'm happy.

So my family, in preparations for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 have been watching one Harry Potter film a week so we will end with the sixth one right before we can go see number seven part one.

Also, I spontaneously decided on either Thursday or Friday night (so long ago...how could I honestly remember what day?) that I was going to read the entire series over again before November 19th, the day the movie is released. As more things start to pile on my plate, some may think it's a crazy notion, but I still have a month to finish 4-7 plus the 100 pages of Prisoner of Azkaban that I'll probably finish the moment I finish this blog post. This is totally doable!

Besides, I'm reminded over and over that I don't remember half the things that occur in books 6 and 7. I remember everyone who dies... That's something at least.

So there you go. That's what I've been doing. Also I got a job! Huzzah! I haven't actually started yet, but that will definitely interfere with my HP time. Not to mention I just started an account for National Novel Writing Month. Oh dear. So many projects. But again, doable.

That's all for now. Time to get reading!

(I wonder how many people read this and think I could finish all seven books in a day! Well I like to take time to eat, sleep, and use the toilet whenever I feel necessary so...a month it is! Ha ha just kidding. You know I love all you crazy Harry Potter types.)

Spiralstaircase Books Short Story Contest

Hello there! I'm holding my first contest for my bookstore. Check out the site or watch this little video for more information. Please enter and encourage your friends to do the same! Eventually the word will spread enough that I can have more contests with bigger and better prizes! Have I created enough insentive for you? :)

Well, don't just sit there. Check it out!

Yesterday's Over, Go Ahead

I have this great ability to stress myself out to the point of tears/want to give up on everything.

I'm ashamed to admit, that seems to be happening a lot lately. I seem to be in this limbo state, and most of the time, I can deal with that. But sometimes, I really let things frustrate me when they shouldn't. I should just take a deep breath, remind myself that everything's going to be okay, and move on.

I think it comes down to negative thinking.

So I've been taking a yoga class twice a week for the past few weeks. Our last class was on Friday, and I must say, I'm going to miss it. In that short amount off time I was able to gain some more flexibility. Plus, it just got me thinking a bit.

One thing our instructor would tell us everyday as we were warming up was something to the effect of, we need to remind ourselves not to hold any judgements, and to realize that we've got to work with what we can do today instead of dwelling on the past. I remember one day of yoga, I was getting so frustrated with myself. Something had already been bothering me that morning, so my mind wasn't as focused as it should have been. I seemed to be struggling more than usual with the poses that day, and one thing kept going through my head, "I can't do it. I can't do it."

I would let myself come down to my knees so I could relax for a moment as I fought the urge to cry.

The next time I went to yoga, I had a much better experience, and as our instructor once again urged us to let go of judgement, I realized that part of my problem that day had been that I wasn't focusing on what I could do in that last session. I was focusing on what I couldn't do, thus creating a worse situation and outlook on myself. The rest of our yoga classes were a lot more enjoyable for me as I came to except that you have to listen to your body and make adjustments sometimes and that's okay. You go day by day, doing the best you can for that day.

I came to realize today that I've been doing the same thing in my life. I try to do something, but then I let frustration overcome me and I again think to myself, " I can't do it. I can't do it."

I was doing that today in fact. But thankfully I have an awesome mom and sister who urged me to stopped stressing myself out and to move forward. You see, I need to stop focusing on the things I can't do and instead focus on the things I can. I want to gain more confidence in myself. Things will work out. I just got to keeping working on it and not stress myself out to the point of ulcers and other bad things. I can be happy. I can be confident. I can influence someone's life for the better.

I know some people seem to have things against yoga, but my experiences with it have always been positive (except maybe when I try to do it on the wii. That does not make me a happy person.)

Our instructor liked to create her own acronyms. Her acronym for yoga is Yesterday's Over, Go Ahead. Again it plays off of that idea of letting go of judgements (and even too high of expectations I think) and allowing yourself to move forward.

Another thing I love about yoga is ending the session with the phrase nameste, which by definition means the divine (or greatness) in me honors the divine in you. That's something that I've always thought was so powerful. We all have qualities of greatness in us, and we have the opportunity to use that greatness (hopefully) for good in our lives and those around us.

So my message for you today: Don't bring yourself down because of your failures or inadequacies. Instead, lift your spirit and focus on the things you are capable of.

Happy adventuring! And Happy Columbus Day!

Getting in the Halloween Spirit

So my friend Breanna is getting in the Halloween sprit via jibjab! She honored Megan and me by including us in the video. Can you pick us out?

Bringing a Little Etsy to My Life

I have started an etsy account. Woot! Woot! While I was at school, I took a book arts class, so I decided to continue making books. I'm kind of in a leather-bound mode so those are the only types of books I have up for sale right now, but if I may toot my own horn, they are pretty awesome. Don't believe me? Click here to see for yourself.