Welcome to The Tempest...the alter ego and niche where a woman named Nerissa pours her  thoughts and feelings, rants and quite often gushes.  It is also part of Tempestdesigns [dot] com. If you would like to view all my fun filled sites, please visit my collective.  This is the 21st version featuring the movie Constantine.

A P R I L  07,  2 0 0 5
THE DAY I CURSED THE PTB

It's Thursday.  I have exactly two more days until Nic and I are flying to the Bahamas.  And guess who has a Spring cold?  Why?  Why? *shrieking....then coughing because of the sore throat*  I have been a good girl, really I have.  I swear.  I prayed that it was just my allergies earlier this week as I have severe Hay fever.  Or maybe the changing weather (hard to believe that two weeks ago we were under a bunch of snow and now it is no jacket weather) Maybe my boss has cursed me since she missed out on the trip this year (total karma though...yes I am bitter about missing Cancun last year) Maybe Ants is jealous because I am taking his wife with me and he can't go (though he's sick too)  This sucks. *pout...sniffle....cough*  Send warm fuzzies my way, 'kay.

El sicko sinned @ 11:02 am || |
[blech:  the way I feel right now.] 
[My Fanlisting]

A P R I L  06,  2 0 0 5
SUCH A SPOILER WHORE

We have the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith comic book and novelization in the store.  I read the comic book and the last three chapters of the novel.  I am such a cheater.  However I am now pretty excited about the movie.  So much that I bought little temp tattoos that I will wear with geek pride as I stand in line with all the other geeks on opening day.

Nerissa sinned @ 06:36 pm || |
[3:  days until the Bahamas.] 
[My Fanlisting]

M A R C H  31,  2 0 0 5
FEELING BETTER

All right so I had some down time...literally.  I am feeling better.  I think I need this Bahama trip in more than one way.  And it's only a week away.  Next Saturday. Yeah! Found Wishbone caps and made a slew of icons.  Isn't he just adorable? Which reminds me that I still have to post the old ones I have done over at the journal.  However am too tired to do so now.  I have a full day tomorrow...open until close and then afterwards am going to go see Sin City, which I have really been looking forward to.

Finally started nabbing some fanlistings.  Finished one Darkest Blood which is the Vampires: Of Film and Fiction fanlisting.  I have Guam, Witches, Gypsies, and the Vampire Huntress Series by L.A. Banks left to make. I should really try to to do it before i go on vacation as the month of April leaves me running to and fro and being everywhere but my home in front of my computer.

Have been worried about my dad lately.  He works for Continental and has been flying since he was younger than me. Well everything is up in the air as the pilots and rest of the workers either take a new contract or not.  If they don't my dad may have to retire earlier than expected...like May just to get benefits a seasoned pilot like him should get when he retires in a few years.  Now to some this may not mean a lot.  But a year and a half ago my dad broke his back.  He spent the next year or practically a year fighting to get to work again, to fly again.  And now to think that it was all for naught?  It just sucks.  It would be like me not being able to dance again.  It would kill me. I love you dad.

In other news watched Eyes, have decided that I have a new crush on Tim Daly.  Loved LOST and Alias last night and the Carnivale finale had me screaming (was nice to see Jonesy on CSI tonight by the way)  Still have to go over my SG1 and BSG finales or at least the first part of BSG. Will have to do a TV/Film post over at the livejournal tomorrow night when I get back from Sin City and go through everything from this week.

Thanks to all those who gave me hugs when I needed them.  You rock and I love you all...a lot.

Nerissa sinned @ 11:40 pm || |
[Laundry:  need to go do so I have work clothes in the morn.] 
[My Fanlisting]

M A R C H  21,  2 0 0 5
UNSURE

Apparently I am at that stage in my life where I need change.  Of course I am terrified to do it.  Sioux falls has never been 'home'.  Never will be.  And as much as I love movies, I do not want to grow old in retail, despite the fact that I am damn good at my job.  But what do I do then?  Where do I go?

Nicole and Anthony will probably leave for Japan in September.  I am using them as my excuse for change.  In fact their leaving will spur me to do it. I don't know where I want to go, I just know that I am stagnating here.  I don't want my spirit to be crushed and Sioux Falls, no fault of it's own, is doing that.  I have been thinking about Missouri.  I would be near my brother and my niece which would make me happy.  I have also thought about Colorado, namely Fort Collins.  My dad used to live there so I know the city, but then again I would know no one.  That appeals to me.

As far as my job goes, there are things I love about it.  Most notably that it deals with film and tv and I love my customers. But I am not thrilled with the company itself.  Would I be happier at a big box chain like Best Buy?  No, because then I would lose the customer service, the familiarity I have with my frequent customers. Now most of the reason I am unhappy is my boss.  Who does like their boss. Unfortunately I am one of those sad individuals that looks for approval, from those...yes as sick as this may sound to those who know my district manager...I respect.  My boss is not one to give out the happies on a regular or irregular basis (though the past few months have been rather bearable).  So I have been working my ass off for five years whether it be as a lowly third key and then eventually the store manager, bringing my store from the worst to one of the best, hoping to receive that recognition and approval I will never get. Why do I work for people who treat you like that? Imagine the results you would get if you motivated, acknowledged instead of criticized. Maybe I take things too damn personal, that I have issues.  Yeah, all of that is true.

I have thought about transferring to another district, but would it be any better?  Is that just a safety net because I am so unsure that I am good at anything else?  My parents think the job is beneath me, don't applaud me the way they do my little brother.  Maybe I think it is a bit beneath me.  Brighid knows I never thought I would be working retail for as long as I have. *shrug*

See I know I need changes in my life, but I am so scared to do those changes.  In some ways I am still very much an introverted, shy girl.  Granted I have grown out of a lot of that crap, but it rears its ugly head every now and again. And on top of all of this the domestication itch is getting harder and harder not to scratch. I want my 2.5 kids, white picket fence and someone to share it all with.  I have been so involved with work for the past two years that I haven't even allowed myself to date really. Sometimes I wonder if I have forgotten what it means to have fun. And I do have fun with my friends, when I get the chance to see them. But I don't feel free. That makes me so sad sometimes.

Don't mean to be so maudlin all of a sudden.  Somehow I feel a little better though.  Ciao.

Nerissa sinned @ 11:55 pm || |
[found:  my ipod.  it's amazing what you find when you clean.] 
[My Fanlisting]

M A R C H  14,  2 0 0 5
BAHAMA MAMA

Woot! This Scottish Lass is heading to Atlantis....that is the resort in the Bahamas. ( I too was disappointed to discover that it would not be the fabled island on a planet far far away where Major Shepherd would fall madly in love with me.) That's right after five years of hard work I am finally being rewarded. And I must say it's about damn time. It'll be in April and though it's only four days, all expenses are paid. Plus vendors will be there which equals free things. I also get to take a guest...Nicole. Did I mention that it is in the Bahamas? Woot yet again. I have never been and am quite excited if you cannot tell. *grin*

I really will post those icons, though probably over at my livejournal.

Nerissa sinned @ 11:39 pm || |
[lost:  my ipod.  I really should clean the house.] 
[My Fanlisting]

M A R C H  10,  2 0 0 5
THE DAY I PLAYED CATCH UP

Jeez, I have to got into the swing of blogging again.  Not that there isn't a slew of things running about in my head.  I just haven't had my computer for so long that it is hard getting back into it.

Ah, the Oscars.  Had my little soiree because after all they are my super bowl of movies.  Was actually very bored.  It was a dud of a telecast.  I was very happy with some of the winners (adore Cate B. you know) and disappointed with others.  Is it wrong that I wish they would bring back interpretive dances to the best songs and such? And what was with all the standing? Boo.

Applied for a bunch of fanlistings.  I lost a bunch when I had no computer (John Hannah, Cirque du Soleil, Pagans and LXG) The only one I really miss is my Pagan one, but I have had a Pagan project mulling about in my head since I got into the webby world a few years ago, so I should probably do that.  Anyway, tried for a few like vampires (film and fiction), the Vampire Huntress series by LA Banks, Asher from Anita Blake, Gypsies, Geisha.  I really wanted Constantine, but ah well.

Speaking of Constantine.  I have seen it twice now.  Went in thinking I would hate it.  I have read a couple of the Hellblazer comics, but am not well versed.  Aside from a few bad lines, Balthazar's finger lickin good atrocity in particular, the movie is not bad.  In fact I think it will be a keeper. Loved Tilda Swinton as the angel Gabriel and cannot wait to see her in Chronicles of Narnia next year.

Made a slew of new icons and if I am a good girl will get them posted and uploaded.  They're mostly Ioan, Empire Records, Labyrinth, the Last Unicorn and Equilibrium.  Been trying a few new techniques.  You'll have to tell me what you think.

Jenah has me hooked or at least wanting to know more about Battlestar Galactica.  For this she is evil, but I love her still.  I just don't need another show to watch.  Let's see...Monday - Medium, Tuesday - Veronica Mars, Wednesday - Lost, Alias, Thursday - CSI, Friday - Numb3rs, Stargates and now BG, Saturday - Blissfully nothing, Sunday - Carnivale.  Thank Brighid they are putting out most of these shows on DVD.  It is the only way I am going to catch up.

Want a new layout.  Hmm, maybe I will do a Carnivale layout. However I am dying to do something a bit springy, maybe a pin up again.  I miss my pinups.  But at the same time I want to challenge myself, try something new.  Been wanting to do that a lot lately.

Well I better be off, have some updates left to do over at Permanent Midnight.  If I don't do it, my players will kill me and that's the last thing I need. *grin*  Have a good one.

Plugs go out to Deb, Jenah, Karebear, Humaira, and Kim

Nerissa sinned @ 1:30 pm || |
[PM:  RPG of choice] 
[My Fanlisting]

F E B R U A R Y  2 0,  2 0 0 5
CLIFF NOTES - RISSA STYLE

So I was gone for a half a year. Long time, non? What on earth did I do? Why did I do it? Well here is the Cliff Notes version.

WHY I DID IT
1. My computer broke. No computer. No webby life.
2. I needed some time away to sort out of life stuff.
3. Have I mentioned my computer committed suicide?  Much to my displeasure I might add. Especially since I was too poor to buy a new one.

THINGS I DIDN'T DO
1. Fall in love
2. Become rich and famous
3. Save the world
4. Run off to Borneo
5. Find a cure for cancer
6. Learned not to procrastinate or get too stressed

THINGS I WISH I HAD DONE
1. All of the above, except for the run off to Borneo bit.  I think I would be happy with Tuscany, Greece, France, somewhere warm with oceans and fruity drinks with umbrellas in them.  Or anywhere but here.

THINGS I DID DO
 1. Discovered scrap booking
 2. And how expensive it is to do said scrap booking.
 3. Saw RENT again...5 times now.
 4. Went home to New Jersey for a couple of weeks
 5. And fell in love with my niece all over again.
 6. Became utterly dissatisfied with all aspects of my job and my company I work for except for my employees and the whole movie bit.  I am the film goddess you know.
 7. Survived another Christmas in Retail. 5 of them now.
 8. Saw some good movies: Finding Neverland, Grudge, Garden  State, etc.
 9. And some bad ones: Darkness, Suspect Zero, The Forgotten, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
10. Lost 15 Pounds
11. But then rediscovered food and gained 5 back
12. Or is it that I lost my will to exercise?
13. Actually....hurt my back, herniated disc and discovered chiropractors
14. And the expense of them
15. Went from a blonde to a lesser blonde (I call it light brown, others call it dark blonde.  Either way much darker than I am used to.)
16. Became addicted to the following fangirly tv things - LOST (J.J. is next to godliness), Project Runway (go Kara!), Numb3rs (am in deep lust for Charlie), Stargate Atlantis, Veronica Mars
17. Watched the entire Wonderfalls series
18. And loved it
19. Got an Ipod
20. Had some fun.

Exciting huh?  It was....sometimes. All right, off to bed for me.  Talk to you later.

Nerissa sinned @ 11:32 pm || |
[tired:  ah, now to get some sleep] 
[My Fanlisting]

F E B R U A R Y  1 5,  2 0 0 5
GUESS WHO'S BACK