Below is an alphabetical list of the people in my life that I encounter with on a day to day basis and tend to write about the most. The people that mold me and make me laugh - or cry. Family, friends, and then... not so much. I realize there are some people I have not included, but heed this notice: this page will be added and subtracted from as my life presses on; but this is how my neighboring towns and cities reside for now. Love 'em or leave 'em, these are some of my favorite people in the world.
 - Also known as Alicia, Lisi, Kittymoosh, and Adobe Photoshop (and a few other names, too). She is my princess and faithful confidant, and an established commuinity within Small Town, Ginger. She's 5. Her namesake is Alice from Alice In Wonderland (and Through the Looking Glass). She is a Calico/Tabby cat with large green eyes and a wonderful personality - she likes boxes and bags and things that move quickly and when we had Rosie (our wonderful Lovebird that passed away; Frank and I are still heartbroken...) she loved her too... though probably in a different way than I did. She loves to wear a pink leather coller w/a bow on it and it is studded with rhinestones. I LOVE my kitty. She is an angel sent from above and she always knows *exactly* when to cuddle with me; just as a good friend should.
 - He can make me laugh out loud, knows how to shut me up and continues to harp me about gifts that I bought him long ago. He's been with me through virtually everything that's been hard in my life and has been so supportive I can't even find synonyms to elaborate. He likes Conan, The Simpsons and thought provoking literature as well as punctuation and the letter "Y". Quirk just may be his middle name if it isn't "*SKOFF*". He should move to Los Angeles but has it stuck in his head that he belongs in New York. Ha.
 - I don't know how to summarize this without crying because this is a very hard subject for me. But I must go in some depth because this what carried me to who I am the most. His name was Lanny. My mom and dad were married for like 34 years totally happy and blissful. They were the true meaning of 'marriage'. He played guitar and wrote music. He got himself a gold record and a bachelor's degree in psychology. He acted sometimes too. He wanted to take a path into tv direction. He was a wonderful dad to all 4 of us and molded us beyond comparison. He liked the color gold. He liked the band Chicago. He had strong faith in God. He was from a town in Illinois called Salem like population: no one. We visited there once, it was amazing. When I turned about 8 my dad started getting sick. No doctors knew what was wrong with him. Cat scans, blood tests, everything... and no doctors had any idea what he had. He became forgetful. He forgot my name sometimes, once he got lost in the neighborhood. This was heartbreaking because he was such a smart man. His body started retaining water. The doctors then said that he had an inflammation of the brain. That's when he had brain surgery. I spent most of the 4 - 6 grade in hospital waiting rooms doing my homework. His health constantly flew up and down. One Christmas when I was about 12 he had a seizure and was in a coma throughout the holidays. The doctor urged us to pull the plug. We absolutley did not. I don't remember that Christmas. After he came out of his coma, my mom took care of him at home. He did not have alzheimers. Soon when I was about 13 it became very hard for my mom to take care of my dad, and as a result we had to put him in a convelesent hospital for 24 hour care. My mom would visit him every single day. I went with her about once a week. The hospital scared me; it felt like it was full of death. Every time I went there there was another empty bed in another empty room. On March 15, 1996 when I was 14, they called early in the morning and told us my dad had passed away in his sleep. I cannot begin to tell you how intense that day was. We had a memorial for him and celebrated his 'life' and not mourned his death and no one wore black at our request. I spoke there, and everyone said how eloquent I was after, but I do not remember what I said. I don't remember that day very well. Nor that year, either. But I do feel my dad with me everyday. And he takes incredible care of me through my path of life. And this summary doesn't even capture the highs and lows and pain and frusteration that my family and father throbbed with for about 7 years. I love and miss my dad incredibly and each day try and remember that he is in a better place. The only thing that has kept me in one piece is my nephew. It seems silly but... he has my dads smile. I know he had something to do with that. I just know it.
 - This is our dog, named after the little boy in E.T.. he is a german shepheard/jindo mix, and a HANDFUL. He's got a LOT of personality and I love the dog but he has total control over the house and mom condones it. I put him in here because he is definatley part of my everyday life; like when he chews up my eyelash curler or chases me when my telephone rings... or just to moosh.
 - How lucky I am to have a friendship with someone so thoughtful, caring and knowledgeable of the true meaning of a 'friend'. She goes through the same BS I do, she likes the same crazy stuff that I do and man can she play video games! She likes anime, the 80's, hot boys (don't we all?) and donuts. She is truly one of the most awesomest people I know and I miss her. We are aiming our goals at rooming down here and I have high hopes - it'd be a cool as ice adventure! Pizza Party 4 ever.
 - Eric is 20. He is one of my BEST friends and I love him w/all my heart. Many people have once said that he is the male counterpart of me, and vice versa. He's obsessed with orange, Disneyland, Superdrag and Donald Duck; I am obsessed with pink, Disneyland, The Donnas and Daisy Duck. We have a LOT of other similarities, as well. It's an interesting scenario. MANY people have accused us of having something more than a friendship but that's NOT the case... sorry to let all of you down, HEHE. We joke about it though; it's so ludicrous. I love Eric. He's simply smashing.
 - He's my mom's boyfriend, though she doesn't like that term because it makes her feel juvinnile. He's SUCH a great guy. They've known eachother for like 34578349 years, so that makes it better. This whole relationship happened unexpectedly. I didn't know him, but my brothers knew him from when they were small so it helped me be more comfortable with him. He's been great for my mom - she's ALWAYS giggling - and me, too. He's positive and really quirkey (possible pouches, boiling walking sticks and theorizing The Duke as the REAL American Hero) and he looks a lot like Dustin Hoffman. He lives with us now, and is permanantly on rival status w/Elliott - maybe that's why we get along so well. He's a part of our family now, basically. My 'fatherly' figure when I need a physical dad. I'm really lucky.
 - This is my nephew, pronounced "Isaac". He's 4, and I LOVE him w/all of my heart. He's my oldest brother, Shawn's baby. He loves Scooby Doo and instead of 'pow' he says "pyew". He knows who The Donnas are and asks me about them - quite a musical guy. He's kinda spoiled, but that's what you get when you're an only child. He's the youngest one in my immediate family - I'm next in rank. Us babies have to stick together.
 - My brother Shawn and her were recently divorced. She moved to Minneasota with Izak and I miss them both. Quite the eccentricity - I wish things didn't have to turn out like this. She's been a wonderful sister to me, but now we just have to be friends... which is ok, because I know it's what was best for all 3 of them.
 - Jesse is 22 - OoOoold ;). I met him at a Donnas concert back in March 2k. He is a wonderful person and I love him to death. Honesty is a rare quality in people, but I know that I can find it in him whenever I need it. Not berry many people will sit down with you and tell you that you are insecure and that it worries them. It takes nerve, and I couldn't respect him more. He makes me laugh ALL the time. He's a metal head, self proclaimed 'dirt rocker'. He's always in the pit getting the sh*t beaten out of him and loving every second of it. He loves planes and can tell you everything about 'em... I'm currently training in how a plane works. He's a good teacher. But he's an even better friend.
 - My evil partner in crime, faithful tram partner, Anti-Rapist Pro Double Dater, and a LOT of other things, as well. She's my BEST FRIEND in the world. We've known eachother since the 7th grade. She adorable and has every quality a best friend should have: she's caring, NO ONE shops like her, she tells the BEST stories, and she's there for you if you need her in a snap. We ALWAYS laugh together AND she listens to me when I blab about ex and OOA (a task MUCH admired). She has a great opinion on everyone too, which I LOVE. Our ride is The Haunted Mansion and our song (one of MANY) is Fiona Apple's Paper Bag. The font I put everyone's names in looks a lot like her handwriting. She goes to college up north and it is my lifelong quest to go up and see her because I miss her so much. It is absolutely terrible to be away from your best friend - your soulmate! I love her so much, I can't even begin to tell you. In fact, it's partially because of her that I started this journal. So she'd feel maybe a little closer to me when she read this. Or maybe even vice versa. *Sigh* I miss her now.
 - You know how there's always that one person you feel like you have rooting for you no matter what? This is where Lisa comes into my life. I love her to death and would do anything for her. She has done wonders to my life and has made me be the best I can be each and every day. If there is one person who truly deserves the moon, it is she.
 - My uncle, my godfather, my employer. He's a great guy w/more gadgets than I've seen in my life. Very very supportive, very into politics and always wants the best for me. He runs a wonderful restraunt that I swear to you will be a nice booming chain one day and he's got a great sense of humor - sarcastic and very close to mine. Sometimes he's hard for other people to understand but I love him totally and love him for how much he helps my mom. He is my moms best friend.
 - My mama is really awesome and supportive and everything else all together. I hope one day I'll be as independent and collected as she is. She's been through a lot of stress with my dad being sick and passing away and all. She took care of him and stayed with him up until the VERY end. I've been through it with her. And, honestly, I don't know WHERE I would be without her; I really admire her. But with Frank around, I haven't seen her this happy since I was a lot younger, and I couldn't be happier for her. She's really pretty and thoughtful and keeps me in line. And she always knows exactly what - or what not to - say and when. It's odd to see as I grow up that I actually am starting to look a lot like her. Well, except for the 'really pretty' part. ;). She is the best mom in the universe. She can be silly and a little scatterbrained sometimes and that does push my buttons occasionally, but if that's all the complaints that I have about my mom, I should be thanking my lucky stars. And I most certainly do.
 - In age order (from oldest) I shall present them to you.
Shawn - In his late 30's; he lives up the street. He plays the drums and is fairly business minded. He's a great chef, and works for a movie catering company. He's obsessed with the internet and is constantly on me about seeking a career in it. He likes fairly gothic things, video games and baseball. Oh yes, and VERY hard rock. But since he's a drummer, he tends to listen to a lot of different music. I have a deep feeling that although Jeff is the 'songwriter' in our family, that Shawn appreciates the magic of music a little more than most people I've met. He is just a little bit insensitive to emotions sometimes. But he suprises me in the strangest moments; I love him - very much.
Jeff - He's in his mid 30's and lives up to the name of an 'odd middle child' - he's our martian. Single. Jeff has claimed many a times that he wants to become 'asexual' just beacuse women drive him nuts. He is the true blue musician in the family; moody, REALLY weird and just a little bit flighty sometimes. He is a wonderful guitar player and songwriter though, and he's taught me a lot about music. He's obsessed with harmony, The Beatles and his music; he is probably his biggest fan - it's really cute. He loves Izak a LOT. They're buddies. Jeff and I are in fact VERY similar in what we like - we get along VERY well. I love him very much, too. He's just really misunderstood, and it's my family duty to help him be understood.
Matt - He is the youngest of my brothers. He has a berry wonderful heart and he's really caring. Logical, as well. He is KISS' most dedicated fan, and has successfully converted me from my previous KISS hating fiasco - a feat well accomplished. He is incredibly good to me and my mama - I am perhaps closest to him. We are a lot alike in personality and this helps us just 'hang out'. It's strange how recently I've actually recognized him as one of my friends. He does not have a girlfriend - he is the guy next door that girls don't realize they knew until it's too late. He will find love some day. I know it. He plays bass and is also a guitarist; he taught me my first chord. I really love him.
All three of my brothers are in a band called DC4 with another guy named Hyland. They are really really good. They'll make it one day, I just know it. All of my bros are really funny and great to be around, and they love their mom and pops. Just like me. I am proud to be one of such a great foursome. And it's cool how even though I did come a little late... they welcomed me anyway.
 - Patrick has a heart of gold and a very genuine sense of humor. I know that I can go to him for anything, as he can come to me for anything. He and I have a very unique friendship - one many people have a hard time finding. He also, more than many people, cannot wait to see me flourish in life. I appreciate this about him and he has done nothing but support me so that I can. He likes trains, Rush and his ferret Rascal. And... the internet. I've never seen a human being online more than him....
 - Somehow in the process of life's unexpected twists and turns, when the war is over, you find that you have gained a very good friend... and a punching bag. ;)
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