Dani's Diary

[daniellaaarisen]

Vivfox suggested that I start this thread, so I suppose I will! Apparently, I have some interesting things to talk about, both FM and non-FM related-- my experiences meeting Mick and Stevie and flirting with Lindsey (buahaha), my extensive work with horses, my aspirations as a writer, my close ties to France... I've recieved a few questions about the following things in private messages, so I guess this can be a place to just kinda share what I do....?? We'll see what it becomes.

First post: horses

On the West coast, my equestrian sport isn't taken very seriously, especially when compared to the hunter/jumper scene back East. Because of that, the few of us who take riding seriously have a better chance of success in the horse world than all of the serious riders on the other coast.

I own one horse, Sebastian:

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v235/167/68/1047240440/n1047240440_30336014_7335.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2711/167/68/1047240440/n1047240440_30590762_7630746.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v170/167/68/1047240440/n1047240440_30260935_7421.jpg

Over the past three years, him and I are achieved a lot more than I would have ever imagined-- I basically trained him myself, considering he was absolutely psychotic when I first bought him. A year later, him and I were showing against horses ten times his price ($200,000+) and kicking their butts :) We were ranked 3rd on the West coast in 2007.

Unfortunately, he was badly injured in January of 2008 and it took six months for him to heal. After vet bills like you couldn't fathom, he was finally healthy again-- but for a price. My parents were exasperated and with the recession slowly becoming a more and more prominent issue, we needed to move him from my stable to a field 2+ hours away from my house. Although my family is financially able to bring him back to me at this point, they are enjoying the ability to have "wiggle room" again. And so, to my complete devastation, there's a great chance I will never be able to show my own horse again-- I have one year left of high school and by the time I'm out of college, he will be old and crickety.

It's not all bad, though-- his absence has given me the time to basically intern for some of the greatest California trainers. I am paid to train young horses and "problem" horses. I then bring them to horse shows and if we "ribbon" (recieve top marks), I am paid based on our placings. It's an awesome experience, especially since the path I am on logistically leads to a career in horse training. I'm just wholeheartedly dedicating to writing and hopefully teaching-- it just feels like a waste to have such phenomenal experiences handed to me in the equine industry and throw them away for a job that is no where near guaranteed.



So yes-- that's chapter one, I suppose. It's so weird to write about myself on a forum about something entirely unrelated.... sorry if this is just weird, haha.

[vivfox]

I love your story so far. Sebastian is a handsome horse and I'm sorry for you and him that he got hurt. Such is the fate in the life of an athlete.
In the photo with the two young ladies and Sebastian, which one is you?
Thank you for sharing your story so far. It always amazes me that us tiny human beings can tame a wild horse. Personally I would never enter a pen with a crazed animal. I mean really, whose gonna punish 'em when they get outta line?

[Lala]

It's crazy that you've accomplished so much at such a young age. When I was your age (which makes me sound old, but really wasn't that long ago) I was doing trig homework, making subs for minimum wage and listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac.

Really neat stuff! Looking forward to chapter 2.

[daniellaaarisen]

I love your story so far. Sebastian is a handsome horse and I'm sorry for you and him that he got hurt. Such is the fate in the life of an athlete.
In the photo with the two young ladies and Sebastian, which one is you?
Thank you for sharing your story so far. It always amazes me that us tiny human beings can tame a wild horse. Personally I would never enter a pen with a crazed animal. I mean really, whose gonna punish 'em when they get outta line?

I'm the taller one, on the left. The girl on the right is my sister.

Oh, trust me-- us horse people are crazy :) I have had so many concussions from falls that I lost count and I also cracked my tailbone a few years back. Within my trainer's customers alone, we had 3 ER visits within a summer. One thing's for sure, though-- we love it enough to get back on no matter what happened the day before (or, in my case, two minutes before.... oh, the joy of riding young and problem horses-- you HAVE to get back on and fix the problem ASAP or else they aren't learning anything from it)

[daniellaaarisen]

It's crazy that you've accomplished so much at such a young age. When I was your age (which makes me sound old, but really wasn't that long ago) I was doing trig homework, making subs for minimum wage and listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac.

Really neat stuff! Looking forward to chapter 2.

Ha, it doesn't even feel like I "accomplished" anything. I just got a bunch of lucky breaks and before I knew it, I was flying to Germany to stay at an Olympian rider's house. These things kinda sneak up on you :)

And believe me-- I do my fair share of homework. And minimum wage work. And I DEFINITELY listen to too much Fleetwood Mac. :)

[vivfox]

I just remembered the name of Stevie's Australian racehorse: Illume

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/?action=view&current=GDW.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/GDW.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[iamnotafraid]

Apparently, I have some interesting things to talk about, both FM and non-FM related-- my experiences meeting Mick and Stevie and flirting with Lindsey (buahaha)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2711/167/68/1047240440/n1047240440_30590762_7630746.jpg


So yes-- that's chapter one, I suppose. It's so weird to write about myself on a forum about something entirely unrelated.... sorry if this is just weird, haha.

Hi Daniellaaarisen,

Your story is starting to remind me of the movie "The Crush". Are you familiar
with it? (no offense intended at all)
Being compared to Alicia Silverstone isn't so bad, is it?

[daniellaaarisen]

Hi Daniellaaarisen,

Your story is starting to remind me of the movie "The Crush". Are you familiar
with it? (no offense intended at all)
Being compared to Alicia Silverstone isn't so bad, is it?

Viv-- AWESOME name. That's so cool that she technically has a horse... it makes me feel even more connected to La Nicks and further establishes my entire "kindred spirits" theory :)

iamnotafraid-- I haven't seen "The Crush". Brief synopsis?

[iamnotafraid]

iamnotafraid-- I haven't seen "The Crush". Brief synopsis?

Well a few of the things you've written about yourself reminded me of the young
woman Alicia Silverstone plays in "The Crush". She's a teenager who rides horses,
likes older men (didn't you write that about yourself?). A journalist moves in to
her parents guesthouse, and she develops this crush on him.

I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not, I just saw it on one of the movie channels the
other night. Check it out, and see what you think.

(Please note, I'm not saying you're exactly like the Alicia Silverstone character!)

[Betsy]

Interesting story and the photos which accompanied were incredible.

Thanks

[daniellaaarisen]

Well a few of the things you've written about yourself reminded me of the young
woman Alicia Silverstone plays in "The Crush". She's a teenager who rides horses,
likes older men (didn't you write that about yourself?). A journalist moves in to
her parents guesthouse, and she develops this crush on him.

I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not, I just saw it on one of the movie channels the
other night. Check it out, and see what you think.

(Please note, I'm not saying you're exactly like the Alicia Silverstone character!)

I need to see this movie. That sounds EXACTLY like me. Yes-- you were right about the old men :)

And thank y0u, Betsy-- I'm glad my story is somewhat interesting!

[LikeAWillow]

I need to see this movie. That sounds EXACTLY like me. Yes-- you were right about the old men :)

And thank y0u, Betsy-- I'm glad my story is somewhat interesting!

:laugh: I love how you're not even masking it with older anymore, just old. Bahahaha.

[daniellaaarisen]

:laugh: I love how you're not even masking it with older anymore, just old. Bahahaha.

aaaaaaaaand you totally understand. And love me for it. It was, after all, our initial means of bonding :)

[daniellaaarisen]

A lot of people have asked me about my ties to Dave Young, Stevie's old high school boyfriend pre-Lindsey.

In fourth grade (2001), he was my teacher. At 10 years old, I was ADDICTED to Stevie. It wasn't uncommon for me to practice my twirls during recess and belt "Nightbird" at any given moment :). One day, I was being a total chiffonhead (as usual) and another teacher asked me if I liked Stevie Nicks. Naturally, I started gushing about her. She then asked me if I knew that Mr. Young had dated her. My jaw dropped to the floor and I literally sprinted across my elementary campus to find him.

Once I ran into his classroom, I panted out, "you dated Stevie?"

He smirked and laughed, obviously a bit confused that such a young person was questioning him about her. I was freaking out with excitement-- jabbering away about how much I love her writing and the influence it had in developing a love for writing my own words, blah blah blah. In my excitement-induced stupor, I asked, "is Stevie nice?" He just laughed and asked me, "what do you think, Dani? Do you think she would be nice?" Obviously, that was followed by more gushing. :) "He told me that he would personally pass on anything I might have wanted to give her-- he suggested I put my own poetry within the package.

That year, Stevie came to Concord, CA on October 1st for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour. My mom and I had seventh row seats for the upcoming show and a few days beforehand, I gave Mr. Young some writing to hopefully pass on to Stevie. That night, he was backstage at the show. Apparently, he gave her my writing and letter before the show and she read it while backstage :). He said that Sheryl Crow and Stevie sat down together and read through it and that Sheryl said that my story reminded her of her own early passion for Stevie. He then told her that I was towards the front and to keep a lookout for me during the show if I was to somehow get closer to the stage.

During Edge of Seventeen, I was able to get up there and shake Stevie's hand. When she finally got to me, she knew who I was. A security guard lifted me up a little higher on the stage so I could see more eye-to-eye with her as she took my hand within both of her own, leaned down to kiss me on the cheek and tell me, "thank you for coming Danielle!"

It was amazing.

When I went to school the next day, Mr. Young had a signed tour booklet ready for me with a personal note inside. If anyone had doubts about my devotion to Stevie, that series of events sealed me as a die hard fan for eternity.

[CADreaming]

A lot of people have asked me about my ties to Dave Young, Stevie's old high school boyfriend pre-Lindsey.

In fourth grade (2001), he was my teacher. At 10 years old, I was ADDICTED to Stevie. It wasn't uncommon for me to practice my twirls during recess and belt "Nightbird" at any given moment :). One day, I was being a total chiffonhead (as usual) and another teacher asked me if I liked Stevie Nicks. Naturally, I started gushing about her. She then asked me if I knew that Mr. Young had dated her. My jaw dropped to the floor and I literally sprinted across my elementary campus to find him.

Once I ran into his classroom, I panted out, "you dated Stevie?"

He smirked and laughed, obviously a bit confused that such a young person was questioning him about her. I was freaking out with excitement-- jabbering away about how much I love her writing and the influence it had in developing a love for writing my own words, blah blah blah. In my excitement-induced stupor, I asked, "is Stevie nice?" He just laughed and asked me, "what do you think, Dani? Do you think she would be nice?" Obviously, that was followed by more gushing. :) "He told me that he would personally pass on anything I might have wanted to give her-- he suggested I put my own poetry within the package.

That year, Stevie came to Concord, CA on October 1st for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour. My mom and I had seventh row seats for the upcoming show and a few days beforehand, I gave Mr. Young some writing to hopefully pass on to Stevie. That night, he was backstage at the show. Apparently, he gave her my writing and letter before the show and she read it while backstage :). He said that Sheryl Crow and Stevie sat down together and read through it and that Sheryl said that my story reminded her of her own early passion for Stevie. He then told her that I was towards the front and to keep a lookout for me during the show if I was to somehow get closer to the stage.

During Edge of Seventeen, I was able to get up there and shake Stevie's hand. When she finally got to me, she knew who I was. A security guard lifted me up a little higher on the stage so I could see more eye-to-eye with her as she took my hand within both of her own, leaned down to kiss me on the cheek and tell me, "thank you for coming Danielle!"

It was amazing.

When I went to school the next day, Mr. Young had a signed tour booklet ready for me with a personal note inside. If anyone had doubts about my devotion to Stevie, that series of events sealed me as a die hard fan for eternity.

AWESOME story, Danielle!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[FMlex]

A lot of people have asked me about my ties to Dave Young, Stevie's old high school boyfriend pre-Lindsey.

In fourth grade (2001), he was my teacher. At 10 years old, I was ADDICTED to Stevie. It wasn't uncommon for me to practice my twirls during recess and belt "Nightbird" at any given moment :). One day, I was being a total chiffonhead (as usual) and another teacher asked me if I liked Stevie Nicks. Naturally, I started gushing about her. She then asked me if I knew that Mr. Young had dated her. My jaw dropped to the floor and I literally sprinted across my elementary campus to find him.

Once I ran into his classroom, I panted out, "you dated Stevie?"

He smirked and laughed, obviously a bit confused that such a young person was questioning him about her. I was freaking out with excitement-- jabbering away about how much I love her writing and the influence it had in developing a love for writing my own words, blah blah blah. In my excitement-induced stupor, I asked, "is Stevie nice?" He just laughed and asked me, "what do you think, Dani? Do you think she would be nice?" Obviously, that was followed by more gushing. :) "He told me that he would personally pass on anything I might have wanted to give her-- he suggested I put my own poetry within the package.

That year, Stevie came to Concord, CA on October 1st for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour. My mom and I had seventh row seats for the upcoming show and a few days beforehand, I gave Mr. Young some writing to hopefully pass on to Stevie. That night, he was backstage at the show. Apparently, he gave her my writing and letter before the show and she read it while backstage :). He said that Sheryl Crow and Stevie sat down together and read through it and that Sheryl said that my story reminded her of her own early passion for Stevie. He then told her that I was towards the front and to keep a lookout for me during the show if I was to somehow get closer to the stage.

During Edge of Seventeen, I was able to get up there and shake Stevie's hand. When she finally got to me, she knew who I was. A security guard lifted me up a little higher on the stage so I could see more eye-to-eye with her as she took my hand within both of her own, leaned down to kiss me on the cheek and tell me, "thank you for coming Danielle!"

It was amazing.

When I went to school the next day, Mr. Young had a signed tour booklet ready for me with a personal note inside. If anyone had doubts about my devotion to Stevie, that series of events sealed me as a die hard fan for eternity.

That's it, I officially hate you... Kidding!!! :p
What a FABULOUS story!!! You were one lucky fourth grader, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing that with the less fortunate ones like myself.

[daniellaaarisen]

That's it, I officially hate you... Kidding!!! :p
What a FABULOUS story!!! You were one lucky fourth grader, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing that with the less fortunate ones like myself.

Here's the problem, though-- although I am so lucky to have that experience, I refuse to rest until I've had a legitimate conversation with her!!! That would be something out of a dream.

[Lala]

A lot of people have asked me about my ties to Dave Young, Stevie's old high school boyfriend pre-Lindsey.

In fourth grade (2001), he was my teacher. At 10 years old, I was ADDICTED to Stevie. It wasn't uncommon for me to practice my twirls during recess and belt "Nightbird" at any given moment :). One day, I was being a total chiffonhead (as usual) and another teacher asked me if I liked Stevie Nicks. Naturally, I started gushing about her. She then asked me if I knew that Mr. Young had dated her. My jaw dropped to the floor and I literally sprinted across my elementary campus to find him.

Once I ran into his classroom, I panted out, "you dated Stevie?"

He smirked and laughed, obviously a bit confused that such a young person was questioning him about her. I was freaking out with excitement-- jabbering away about how much I love her writing and the influence it had in developing a love for writing my own words, blah blah blah. In my excitement-induced stupor, I asked, "is Stevie nice?" He just laughed and asked me, "what do you think, Dani? Do you think she would be nice?" Obviously, that was followed by more gushing. :) "He told me that he would personally pass on anything I might have wanted to give her-- he suggested I put my own poetry within the package.

That year, Stevie came to Concord, CA on October 1st for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour. My mom and I had seventh row seats for the upcoming show and a few days beforehand, I gave Mr. Young some writing to hopefully pass on to Stevie. That night, he was backstage at the show. Apparently, he gave her my writing and letter before the show and she read it while backstage :). He said that Sheryl Crow and Stevie sat down together and read through it and that Sheryl said that my story reminded her of her own early passion for Stevie. He then told her that I was towards the front and to keep a lookout for me during the show if I was to somehow get closer to the stage.

During Edge of Seventeen, I was able to get up there and shake Stevie's hand. When she finally got to me, she knew who I was. A security guard lifted me up a little higher on the stage so I could see more eye-to-eye with her as she took my hand within both of her own, leaned down to kiss me on the cheek and tell me, "thank you for coming Danielle!"

It was amazing.

When I went to school the next day, Mr. Young had a signed tour booklet ready for me with a personal note inside. If anyone had doubts about my devotion to Stevie, that series of events sealed me as a die hard fan for eternity.

Dear god that's an amazing story. I feel like it should be in a movie or something

[daniellaaarisen]

Dear god that's an amazing story. I feel like it should be in a movie or something

Ha, I just saw this-- people say that about basically everything that happens to me because I've had a "dramatic life", in the good and bad. But honestly, it never feels like that big of a deal. I mean this situation was AMAZING and I'm shocked that it happened but Dave Young was just Mr.Young to me. I was petrified of getting his tests back in 4th grade while all of the Ledgies were probably wanting to learn more about the mysterious Dave Young from Menlo Atherton High. It's just weird...

[vivfox]

What's new in yer life? Aren't you planning a trip to LA soon? Did your laptop find it's way back to you from France? What will you do while you are away from home and someone posts some cool live Rhiannon or some other great tracks?

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/?action=view&current=stevie2rr.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/stevie2rr.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[daniellaaarisen]

What's new in yer life? Aren't you planning a trip to LA soon? Did your laptop find it's way back to you from France? What will you do while you are away from home and someone posts some cool live Rhiannon or some other great tracks?

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/?action=view&current=stevie2rr.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/cielosharon/stevie2rr.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I was supposed to be in LA this weekend although the trip fell through because my dad tore his achilles tendon. I will be going down there within a matter of a few weekends, though-- I'm planning on staying in Santa Monica with a friend of mine and lurking outside of all buildings with penthouses by the beach ;)

My laptop did return, FINALLY. My cousins eventually harassed my aunt enough and it got to me about a week ago. I've been downloading like CRAZY ever since-- it felt as though I had been parted from a loved one for way, way too long :(



In terms of my life.... I am actually writing a lot, which is good considering I have taken a bit of a haitus lately. School starts on Wednesday and although I am seriously not happy about it, I have to force myself to realize that completing senior year brings me a bit closer to being an age I actually FEEL. I don't think I will ever quite catch up with myself, though. :)

Thanks for asking about it, Viv-- if there's anything you (or anyone else) want me to elaborate on from either this thread or others, let me know and I will.

[daniellaaarisen]

What will you do while you are away from home and someone posts some cool live Rhiannon or some other great tracks?



I'll expect people like you to fill me in, of course!

[FMlex]

I was supposed to be in LA this weekend although the trip fell through because my dad tore his achilles tendon. I will be going down there within a matter of a few weekends, though-- I'm planning on staying in Santa Monica with a friend of mine and lurking outside of all buildings with penthouses by the beach ;)

My laptop did return, FINALLY. My cousins eventually harassed my aunt enough and it got to me about a week ago. I've been downloading like CRAZY ever since-- it felt as though I had been parted from a loved one for way, way too long :(



In terms of my life.... I am actually writing a lot, which is good considering I have taken a bit of a haitus lately. School starts on Wednesday and although I am seriously not happy about it, I have to force myself to realize that completing senior year brings me a bit closer to being an age I actually FEEL. I don't think I will ever quite catch up with myself, though. :)

Thanks for asking about it, Viv-- if there's anything you (or anyone else) want me to elaborate on from either this thread or others, let me know and I will.


I know how you feel about that. People (family, friends, strangers) tell me all the time that I'm an old soul. Enjoy senior year while it lasts! :)

[daniellaaarisen]

I know how you feel about that. People (family, friends, strangers) tell me all the time that I'm an old soul. Enjoy senior year while it lasts! :)

It's actually a really overwhelming feeling. It seems like a blessing as well as a curse to me-- something that will just kinda stick to my bones and everything I do for a long time.

[Ghost_Tracker]

It's actually a really overwhelming feeling. It seems like a blessing as well as a curse to me-- something that will just kinda stick to my bones and everything I do for a long time.

Tell us more, tell us more! . . . . ;)

http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,grease.jpg

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/03_04/greaseDM2303_468x460.jpg


http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/071203/grease_l.jpg

[daniellaaarisen]

Tell us more, tell us more! . . . . ;)



Well, I've always been mature for my age. Seventeen-year-olds usually talk about things that I am not interested in and react to situations in ways that I consider obnoxious and/or inappropriate. It's always been like this and it has never been easy. Typically, high school students don't like to associate with people out of their "mold". It irritates me, especially since I would much rather be talking with someone older than 30. I have many 20-25 year-old friends and I can't even connect with most of them.

It doesn't help that I'm a very intense person, both in my past and my internal nature. I've lived a much harder life than most of my peers at my Catholic private school. I just don't take many things lightly when the people around me take everything lightly. The intensity of my personality turns off a lot of people, regardless of age. I do an excellent job hiding it (if I do say so myself) but I shouldn't have to. I don't want to.

It's kind of a lonely existence.

[Black_Moon]

Well, I've always been mature for my age. Seventeen-year-olds usually talk about things that I am not interested in and react to situations in ways that I consider obnoxious and/or inappropriate. It's always been like this and it has never been easy. Typically, high school students don't like to associate with people out of their "mold". It irritates me, especially since I would much rather be talking with someone older than 30. I have many 20-25 year-old friends and I can't even connect with most of them.

It doesn't help that I'm a very intense person, both in my past and my internal nature. I've lived a much harder life than most of my peers at my Catholic private school. I just don't take many things lightly when the people around me take everything lightly. The intensity of my personality turns off a lot of people, even those who are significantly older than me. I do an excellent job hiding it (if I do say so myself) but I shouldn't have to. I don't want to.

It's kind of a lonely existence.


You're so much like me in this respect. I'm sixteen, and I know exactly how you feel.

[daniellaaarisen]

You're so much like me in this respect. I'm sixteen, and I know exactly how you feel.

I like to think that more people feel this way than I would expect. But who knows? At least I've found one more example :)

[iamnotafraid]

Tell us more, tell us more! . . . . ;)

http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,grease.jpg



If you Ledgies knew just how close my head was to "Sandy's" belly button, you'd
be shocked!

Sorry this has nothing to do with your diary Dani.

[fleetwoodtrick]

Dani, I don't even know how to express my reply to this! THAT'S SO COOL! YOU'RE SO LUCKY! I WISH MY TEACHER DATED STEVIE NICKS! And your horse is absolutely adorable! What breed? (I could probably figure that out myself, but I'm feeling lazy, and I might get it wrong and look like an idiot!)

[daniellaaarisen]

Dani, I don't even know how to express my reply to this! THAT'S SO COOL! YOU'RE SO LUCKY! I WISH MY TEACHER DATED STEVIE NICKS! And your horse is absolutely adorable! What breed? (I could probably figure that out myself, but I'm feeling lazy, and I might get it wrong and look like an idiot!)

Hahahaha, don't worry about sounding stupid!

He's a 16.2hh (pushing 16.3) Trakehner (German Warmblood) gelding. I'm glad you like him; I love looking at pictures of him from a little over a year ago when he wasn't super fat, hairy and faded from living in a field :(

[fleetwoodtrick]

Hahahaha, don't worry about sounding stupid!

He's a 16.2hh (pushing 16.3) Trakehner (German Warmblood) gelding. I'm glad you like him; I love looking at pictures of him from a little over a year ago when he wasn't super fat, hairy and faded from living in a field :(

Hmmm, I don't know very much about Warmbloods. Or really show jumping in general. My best friend and I taught our dogs how to jump. :) But you can't ride a dog. Unless it's really big and you weigh 10 pounds.

Awww, I'm so sorry! I haven't ridden in over 3 months because I've been busy helping out with my grandparents. (My grandpa has been in the hospital for 3 days now.) The horse I ride is 'bulky' in general, so he's probably uber fat too, because I'm really the only one who exercises him. :/

[belledejour]

Hey Dani,

your so sweet to share your experiences with us ~ your horse is so handsome ~ i'm sorry he isn't 100%.

I used to ride too (last time was about 5 years ago:( I rode mostly dressage and hunters. I think it is so great that your ridding is bringing you so many exciting experiences ... (there are so many incredible equestrians - I used to work for the AHSA - when it was the AHSA haha like eight years ago) I'm writing you from the East now but there are so many talented riders on the West coast esp in hunter/jumpers like the whole circuit there... really happy for you !!! whatever you choice to do with it the least you'll have a great time!!!

so cool that you got your writing to Stevie too!!

[CharmedHour]

Wow, Danielle I love your story! That is so cool you got to meet Stevie! I hope I get to meet her some day.
Keep up with the horses! I am so sorry he was injured. :distress: But hang in there, it will get better and there are many many more horse shows where he is going to be number one! :nod:
I show dogs, and it is a feeling like no other when you accomplish something with them, and they know it. I can't even say the words "dog show" or "agility" at my house, they go crazy, won't leave me alone, and run to the back door! :D

[daniellaaarisen]

I'm writing you from the East now but there are so many talented riders on the West coast esp in hunter/jumpers like the whole circuit there... really happy for you !!! whatever you choice to do with it the least you'll have a great time!!!


It's so nice to hear that there are other horse people around here-- but you're the first person with hunter experience! You can understand how ridiculous the sport is on so many levels, especially having seen it on the East coast. They have the best hunter/jumper circuit in the world, bar none. I'm jealous that we West coasters don't have that type of emphasis on the hunter/jumper world but at the same time, I couldn't IMAGINE competing with all the Maclay and Devon riders. :shocked:


Wow, Danielle I love your story! That is so cool you got to meet Stevie! I hope I get to meet her some day.
Keep up with the horses! I am so sorry he was injured. :distress: But hang in there, it will get better and there are many many more horse shows where he is going to be number one! :nod:
I show dogs, and it is a feeling like no other when you accomplish something with them, and they know it. I can't even say the words "dog show" or "agility" at my house, they go crazy, won't leave me alone, and run to the back door! :D

Although I kinda met her once, I'm counting down the minutes until I have another opportunity. I have somewhat interacted with her twice so my theory is that the third time is the charm :)

Dog showing-- that is awesome. One of my borzois was bred to show but he has a minor underbite that kept him from being worthy :)

[CharmedHour]

twice[/B] so my theory is that the third time is the charm :)

Dog showing-- that is awesome. One of my borzois was bred to show but he has a minor underbite that kept him from being worthy :)

One of the several Stevie and Fleetwood Mac concerts I have seen, was last year in June in Cincinnati and I had 5th row seats! At the end when she was shaking people's hands, I jumped up and down and just yelled as loud as I could, "STEVIE!!!!!!!!!" Sh turned and looked staight at me and waved!

I have a friend that shows borzios and papillons :)

[belledejour]

[QUOTE=daniellaaarisen;838296]It's so nice to hear that there are other horse people around here-- but you're the first person with hunter experience! You can understand how ridiculous the sport is on so many levels, especially having seen it on the East coast. They have the best hunter/jumper circuit in the world, bar none. I'm jealous that we West coasters don't have that type of emphasis on the hunter/jumper world but at the same time, I couldn't IMAGINE competing with all the Maclay and Devon riders. :shocked:


OMG you are so sweet I didn't compete with the Maclay's - just with the huntseat team - yea there are ssssoooo many good riders here it's crazy - really there is even a lady I work with right now that rides hunters. The woman who's stable I worked at grew up riding hunters and had hunters ( she had beautiful horses) mostly Dutch Warmbloods and some very big thoroughbreds ~ yea I miss riding a lot but it was great while I was doing it ...

[daniellaaarisen]

OMG you are so sweet I didn't compete with the Maclay's - just with the huntseat team - yea there are ssssoooo many good riders here it's crazy - really there is even a lady I work with right now that rides hunters. The woman who's stable I worked at grew up riding hunters and had hunters ( she had beautiful horses) mostly Dutch Warmbloods and some very big thoroughbreds ~ yea I miss riding a lot but it was great while I was doing it ...

Ha, I know most people don't get to make it to Maclay but it would be amazing to even just get to see that caliber of showing. I got to watch Spruce Meadows in Alberta and it was a phenomenal experience. I've ridden with Peter Wylde, George Morris and Bernie Traurig but seeing Beezie Madden, McClain Ward, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum and Pessoa was soooooo cool. Plus, Meredith's horse Shutterfly and McClain's Sapphire are two of my favorites on the circuit, followed by Beezie's Authentic.

BUT Spruc Meadows is only jumpers-- you guys have the awesome hunter riders! We are much more jumper based over here and being a hunter through and through, its frustrating to not get to see the really nice horses. We do have a trainer named John French over here, though, who has some of the nicest hunters you will EVER see.

I miss riding like I used to :(

[golddustdrummer]

One of the several Stevie and Fleetwood Mac concerts I have seen, was last year in June in Cincinnati and I had 5th row seats! At the end when she was shaking people's hands, I jumped up and down and just yelled as loud as I could, "STEVIE!!!!!!!!!" Sh turned and looked staight at me and waved!


no way...I was at that show too!!!
we had 7th row seats, but people let me up to the front.
so I got to shake Stevie's hand, twice!! awesome :thumbsup:

[CharmedHour]

no way...I was at that show too!!!
we had 7th row seats, but people let me up to the front.
so I got to shake Stevie's hand, twice!! awesome :thumbsup:

Oh how cool! You are so lucky, I should have ran up to the stage too...I don't know why I didn't. :confused:

[belledejour]

Ha, I know most people don't get to make it to Maclay but it would be amazing to even just get to see that caliber of showing. I got to watch Spruce Meadows in Alberta and it was a phenomenal experience. I've ridden with Peter Wylde, George Morris and Bernie Traurig but seeing Beezie Madden, McClain Ward, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum and Pessoa was soooooo cool. Plus, Meredith's horse Shutterfly and McClain's Sapphire are two of my favorites on the circuit, followed by Beezie's Authentic.

BUT Spruc Meadows is only jumpers-- you guys have the awesome hunter riders! We are much more jumper based over here and being a hunter through and through, its frustrating to not get to see the really nice horses. We do have a trainer named John French over here, though, who has some of the nicest hunters you will EVER see.

I miss riding like I used to :(

I basically live in a suburb of Paris, Le Vésinet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_V%C3%A9sinet), for two months every year. My dad is French so he sends my sister and I there to stay with his sister. My cousin, Béatrix, then comes for the remainder of her summer. I do a lot of riding when I'm there, too-- but I usually fly to Germany for a week or two to test out horses for my trainer back in California. I've been lucky-- she has connections with some of the best riders in the world (Peter Wylde, for example) so I get to see some pretty awesome stuff in the horse capitol of the world-- Germany :)

I am so happy for you that you get to experience all of these great riding experiences!!! your going to be so successful at whatever you do:angel:

[LikeAWillow]

I basically live in a suburb of Paris, Le Vésinet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_V%C3%A9sinet), for two months every year. My dad is French so he sends my sister and I there to stay with his sister. My cousin, Béatrix, then comes for the remainder of her summer. I do a lot of riding when I'm there, too-- but I usually fly to Germany for a week or two to test out horses for my trainer back in California. I've been lucky-- she has connections with some of the best riders in the world (Peter Wylde, for example) so I get to see some pretty awesome stuff in the horse capitol of the world-- Germany :)



Okay, so I could probably answer this question by reading back through this whole thread, but I'm going to act like its longer than a few pages, and I'm justified in skipping that part.

Is what I've quoted Dani and just wasn't quoted in Belledejour (great movie, by the way)'s message, or is that Belledejour's life? If it's the latter, I'm really weirded out by the similarities between you two right now because I'm apparently way too invested in other people's lives.

[belledejour]

sorry I added confusion :(

I was expressing my happiness for Dani's experience in Europe.

[LikeAWillow]

sorry I added confusion :(

I was expressing my happiness for Dani's experience in Europe.

Ha, don't worry about. I should have just gone back through the thread to see if Dani ever said that. With your awesome username and horse experience, it seemed plausible that you could be French and had worked with horses in Germany as well.


I'm really weird.

[David]

Dani, I like reading your journal. I'm browsing through it now, while listening to some Satie piano music that Wil (Ledgie) sent me a few years ago.

[belledejour]

Ha, don't worry about. I should have just gone back through the thread to see if Dani ever said that. With your awesome username and horse experience, it seemed plausible that you could be French and had worked with horses in Germany as well.


I'm really weird.


no really I probably messed the thread up (uuggh) I do that sometimes ADD ~ I was reading the Rhiannon thread for Dani ~ and I copy and pasted to this thread not wanting to threadjack and I think that's what I did !!??

Yea it is an interesting movie thanks for appreciating my username

[daniellaaarisen]

Dani, I like reading your journal. I'm browsing through it now, while listening to some Satie piano music that Wil (Ledgie) sent me a few years ago.

Thanks David. I'll post something new in the near future, although I need ideas. I have a thousand things I COULD say but no idea what is actually relevant.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Thanks David. I'll post something new in the near future, although I need ideas. I have a thousand things I COULD say but no idea what is actually relevant.

I think maybe we're going to have to ban you. :p

KIDDING, KIDDING! - I was referring to that comment you made in one of your videos. :thumbsup:
Keep posting the vidoes though, they're fun! :)

[daniellaaarisen]

I'm surprised I haven't mentioned my love of writing on this thread, especially since it is such a defining part of who I am. Plus, I consider Stevie Nicks my catalyst, the writer who showed me the written word's capacity to not only emotionally sway a reader but also to change him or her. I have very poor confidence in my abilities as a writer, seeing myself as incompetent in some form throughout every piece I write. I am truly invested in literature because I LOVE it, because it has provided me with a medium of communication that no one can really take away from me. It's as vital to me as breathing.

I'm hoping to be a creative writing major in college. My top choice is currently Kenyon College in Gambier, OH but I might list all of my top schools in a future post.

I am almost done with a short story that may become my favoite piece yet. I'll post that when I finish it.

_______________________________________________________

"Old Habits Die Hard" (August 13th, 2009)

I eat and I sleep so I can eventually
spin:
My arms to span east and west
To their corners of some sea,

my legs to launch heart and mind to heaven
and the Souls of my feet far in hell.

And the rotation begins,
I do time in suspension

all the time I gave up
So as to pollinate you.

So I spin and I spread
and I learn to live thin

Since loving you isn’t enough and
you’re so good at hating me first.

This is my body, given up for you.
(and I don’t think I know your name)



"Gold Dust" (July 18th, 2009)

It makes the pocketwatch far from
My pocket
Tick against my thigh
At the type of speed
My heartbeat misses. It's like
The rain can't be wrong today
If it's dropping gold for me
From the hands of a man
Birthed in foreign fields--
Expelled from a womb
That still tells her wives' tales
In terms of pesos and siestas.
It's "adios" to that
For the man
Who now loans me the dollar
So I forget how to nap--
Forget how to eat in a world
Taking it too easy
In a world
That won't stop moving
In a world
Bound to a clock
From some world
That can't tell when time's up.
I choose to roll in gold dust
In a world
Where I can't be golden.




"Death Row is a State of Mind" (May 22nd, 2009)

The day I decided that I was no longer living for you, I started my slow descent to the bottom of the Dead Sea. Buoyant force doesn’t do **** when the atmosphere feels as heavy on your head as it actually is. All this pounding in my ears and implosion on my skull makes “light as air” simply not good enough; I want it to be lighter. I want a long drive at its best with somebody who has nothing to talk about, a Yuletide most celebrated without plastic garlands along each banister—but I crave casual conversation all too much now, and Christmas just can’t be Christmas without halls decked in holly.

You have come to show me that death row is a state of mind, a sense that cannot be shaken by that feeling you’re supposed to get when he holds you, or when your little boy paints a pretty picture and tells you to keep it. I’m the one of the two of us who sees beyond the plank, searching for heaven out of a seven-forty-seven window and finding solace in the wiser words of foolish men. You’re the one with September nights that have morphed into witching hours, blankly tapping the heavyweight bag twice with your left fist, soon after swinging around with the right.

And the truly amazing thing is that I can watch you without sensing each blow now. I’ve got a heaven and a hell to find and a way to find them: through midday moons and gasoline, red-tailed cardinals and dogwood.

The truly amazing thing is that you’re the only one with sore fists while I can finally see every star as the Northern star.




"Bonne Hiver, the Third Chapter" (April 28th, 2009) [about a conversation I had with an old teacher)

My name rolled off her tongue like honey. With her, the four letters that constitute who I am didn’t have to puncture the sweet still of silence lingering between us. Her tongue twisted the word just enough that it eased between her teeth and lips and into the emaciated air, her breath flowing freely to me from across our desks. The quiet was interrupted by something far too beautiful to consider a burden: the softness she expelled from her lips became my mantra; it rang to me in that transient moment and rings to me still.

“Dani,” she said, her voice slightly quivering, “tell me everything.”

And I did. I shakily recalled the worst moments of my life, choking in my attempt to exhale each syllable and string them together in a way that might make sense of my desperation. I told her what I knew of that sickness she had studied, the one so ancient and cross that no crucifix could ever fix it quite enough. I told her that I was happy and healthy and free, all while my heartstrings stretched and eventually shredded under the mere thought of return into open empty arms. After minutes of the most honest communication I can remember having with another, I made a point to assure her that I was just fine—plain old fine, one big step ahead of it all.

Yet, she still asked the question: “Are you afraid?”

I hesitated, and then my eyes climbed from my feet up to her face, and then inside of their counterpart within her own: “Yes, I think I am.”

I tattooed it to the inside of my mind, the way she looked at me after I was finally revealed. That stare targeted my eyes and spread like wildfire, the synapses between my every thought and bone firing signals left and right until my toes were alight. I fueled her somehow, resonated to something inside of her that I know someone else riled up a time or two. Her eyes held no questions of whether or not that moment was the one in which she should expand herself to some greater purpose; she knew it, her certainty emanating through the most convincing of charcoal irises from beneath a velveteen layer of tears. I could sense that I was being analyzed to every intricate detail of my makeup, for eyes like that discover scrolls of scripture, witness the crumbling of our modern Egyptian Alexandrias and always feast upon the simplest mechanisms of a beating heart.

It is in that stare that I fell in love with being loved.

[David]

I'm surprised I haven't mentioned my love of writing on this thread, especially since it is such a defining part of who I am. Plus, I consider Stevie Nicks my catalyst, the writer who showed me the written word's capacity to not only emotionally sway a reader but also to change him or her. I have very poor confidence in my abilities as a writer, seeing myself as incompetent in some form throughout every piece I write. Based on these poems & prose, I say you are an absolutely marvelous writer, & far superior to Stevie Nicks, as far as I'm concerned. In "Old Habits Die Hard," for example, the multiple layers of meaning in the line "and the Souls of my feet far in hell" outdistance in complexity & reverberative impact anything Stevie Nicks ever wrote. And you're only in your late teens.

I'm hoping to be a creative writing major in college. My top choice is currently Kenyon College in Gambier, OH but I might list all of my top schools in a future post. Some of these excerpts remind me of Sandra Macpherson. Have you read her poetry? I audited a creative writing course she taught at U.C. Davis many years ago.

[daniellaaarisen]

Based on these poems & prose, I say you are an absolutely marvelous writer, & far superior to Stevie Nicks, as far as I'm concerned. In "Old Habits Die Hard," for example, the multiple layers of meaning in the line "and the Souls of my feet far in hell" outdistance in complexity & reverberative impact anything Stevie Nicks ever wrote. And you're only in your late teens.

Some of these excerpts remind me of Sandra Macpherson. Have you read her poetry? I audited a creative writing course she taught at U.C. Davis many years ago.

Wow, two absolutely huge compliments-- I am totally flattered. I thrive off of specific feedback ("Souls" line comment), so thank you-- it keeps me aware of what does and doesn't work for most readers and therefore, I can write my future pieces accordingly.

I'm sad to admit that I have only read Macpherson's "Poppies", which I adore. I'll need to really look into her. And she teaches at either U of Chicago or Davis currently, although I'm not sure which one. Both are potential college choices for me.

[Ghost_Tracker]

I'm surprised I haven't mentioned my love of writing on this thread, especially since it is such a defining part of who I am. Plus, I consider Stevie Nicks my catalyst, the writer who showed me the written word's capacity to not only emotionally sway a reader but also to change him or her. I have very poor confidence in my abilities as a writer, seeing myself as incompetent in some form throughout every piece I write. .

We're most-def going to have to disabuse you of THAT notion real fast;
especially since you're the only one on the planet who thinks that! :nod:

However, having said that:

1.) A writer is NEVER as good as she or he is one day going to get.
(I know the whole malarky about "peak creativity" in the 20s and
30s and "certain realities" and all that - - but it's the attitude that
counts - that you're always growing and learning and becoming
better.)

2.) i.m.o. you can NEVER read enough Poul Anderson. Science Fiction fans
read Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Heinlein and thought,
"My God. I'll NEVER be that good!"
Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Heinlein read Poul Anderson
and thought, "My GOD! I'll NEVER be that good! :shocked: "
They were quite correct to say that, and were never more right in their lives.
The "Three Greats" of science fiction just simply "didn't have it" compared to him.

3.) They once asked a great writer - sorry I forgot who - what his or her influences
were. The answer was, ".....EVERYTHING!"



From Samantha Power, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature:

"NEVER use the big word when the small word will do."

I'll add to that - don't use the big OR the small word.
Use the CORRECT word.
An instructor in a Genetics class once said to me when I got a 'C' on a test,
"It's the PRECISION of THOUGHT, Tim!"
Believe it or not, I think the same thing is true of truly good writing, in a way.
It's a balance between the emotional and the cognitive, and it's VERY hard
to really find it. But it's a very healthy "exercise"; and the rewards are
enormous.

P.S. - Puzzles can be fun and helpful too. For example, "list all the ways you can think of that black and white are similar."

P.S. II - I'm not saying you lack them, but you have GOT to get yourself some basic skills - the tools of writing:
Grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation - when to use a semi-colon or a comma, for example -
where to place a colon when you are using quotes (it goes on the OUTSIDE - like this ---> ":
the foundations of writing. Learn ALL of this that you possibly can and know it like the back
of your hand.
You can write all the beautiful stuff in the world that you want
but an editor is NOT going to clean up your writing for you. That's BASIC in the "big leagues"
and they just simply don't have time. It also is a big turn-off and makes them doubt their
first impression of the quality of what they've just skimmed over.

Stephen King said it best: "If you're going to break the rules, you have to KNOW them first!"

[LikeAWillow]

From Samantha Power, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature:

"NEVER use the big word when the small word will do."

I'll add to that - don't use the big OR the small word.
Use the CORRECT word.
An instructor in a Genetics class once said to me when I got a 'C' on a test,
"It's the PRECISION of THOUGHT, Tim!"
Believe it or not, I think the same thing is true of truly good writing, in a way.
It's a balance between the emotional and the cognitive, and it's VERY hard
to really find it. But it's a very healthy "exercise"; and the rewards are
enormous.



"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and a lightening bug" - Mark Twain

[daniellaaarisen]

Yup, word selection is everything. It takes even more consideration than I would have ever expected, especially when a writer reaches the point when the language itself is as crucial as the context.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Yup, word selection is everything. It takes even more consideration than I would have ever expected, especially when a writer reaches the point when the language itself is as crucial as the context.


"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and a lightening bug" - Mark Twain



Isaac Asimov once made a list of the three writers who he felt "use the RIGHT word, EVERY time" - Mark Twain was one of them. (The other two were Charles Dickens and P.G. Wodehouse.

For whatever it's worth, I've read - okay - SKIMMED over - three books about writing by successful writers - Dean Koontz, Isaac Asimov and Stephen King -
ALL THREE pointed directly to Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" and said it's
an "absolute must read" for aspiring writers. :nod:

P.S. - Isaac Asimov once told a funny story about how he was at a writer's camp once, and there was a famous writer there who had been holed up in his room all day. He came down and they asked him what he had accomplished, and he said, "I ADDED a COMMA!"
He had lunch and went back up, and then late in the day came back down and they asked him again, and his answer that time was
"I REMOVED the COMMA!" :lol:

[GypsySorcerer]

I'm hoping to be a creative writing major in college. My top choice is currently Kenyon College in Gambier, OH but I might list all of my top schools in a future post.

I think that's where the handsome chap in my signature studied. ;)


I could sense that I was being analyzed to every intricate detail of my makeup, for eyes like that discover scrolls of scripture, witness the crumbling of our modern Egyptian Alexandrias and always feast upon the simplest mechanisms of a beating heart.

That's my favorite.

You're very talented -- I can hardly believe you're only seventeen.

[daniellaaarisen]

That's my favorite.

You're very talented -- I can hardly believe you're only seventeen.

Thank you so much! I am really grateful for the positive comments on here.

[Cornflake Girl]

You're very talented -- I can hardly believe you're only seventeen.

Exactly what I was thinking. You've got a real gift, Dani! I love 'Old Habits Die Hard', what inspired you to write it?

[daniellaaarisen]

Exactly what I was thinking. You've got a real gift, Dani! I love 'Old Habits Die Hard', what inspired you to write it?

Thank you so much-- you all are too nice to me! :)

My best friend for the past 2+ years is a phenomenal person, but he has some really big emotional issues that I have always put on the back burner because we had a connection unlike anything I've ever experienced (platonically). After a series of bad events (running away from my house in the middle of the night, getting busted for coke, among others), I was totally there to testify for police interviews and support him as much as I could without being overbearing. Part of his rebellion (if that's the right word) was to push almost everyone away. He did the same with me, which was surprising... and even more surprisingly, he did it in possibly the cruelest way possible.

So really, I guess "Old Habits" is about six months of watching addiction, self-induced oppression, borderline bipolar disorder and extreme self-destructive tendencies-- watching patiently, quietly, hopefully-- all from his right hand side.

[Cornflake Girl]

Thank you so much-- you all are too nice to me! :)

My best friend for the past 2+ years is a phenomenal person, but he has some really big emotional issues that I have always put on the back burner because we had a connection unlike anything I've ever experienced (platonically). After a series of bad events (running away from my house in the middle of the night, getting busted for coke, among others), I was totally there to testify for police interviews and support him as much as I could without being overbearing. Part of his rebellion (if that's the right word) was to push almost everyone away. He did the same with me, which was surprising... and even more surprisingly, he did it in possibly the cruelest way possible.

So really, I guess "Old Habits" is about six months of watching addiction, self-induced oppression, borderline bipolar disorder and extreme self-destructive tendencies-- watching patiently, quietly, hopefully-- all from his right hand side.

You captured that brilliantly. I asked because I felt like I could really relate to it, and it's a little creepy because what you described is almost exactly what I went through with a friend (and almost more than that) a few years ago. Thank you for sharing it.

Do you plan to make a career out of writing in the future? I'm really sorry if you've already said that, I might even have read it, I have a memory like the fish from Finding Nemo. :p I really hope you do, it would be shame not to!!

[daniellaaarisen]

You captured that brilliantly. I asked because I felt like I could really relate to it, and it's a little creepy because what you described is almost exactly what I went through with a friend (and almost more than that) a few years ago. Thank you for sharing it.

Do you plan to make a career out of writing in the future? I'm really sorry if you've already said that, I might even have read it, I have a memory like the fish from Finding Nemo. :p I really hope you do, it would be shame not to!!

It was incredibly difficult to watch. Its been months and I still can't handle being in the same room with him-- I literally broke out in stress-induced hives in the middle of a class we share the other day.

But on a happier note-- yes, I hope to sculpt my love of writing into a career. I would love to become a widely published writer and hopefully teach creative writing or English lit students as well. I love it more than anything in the world so I'm hoping I have the drive and skill within the next few years to make it happen. :)

[Ghost_Tracker]

But on a happier note-- yes, I hope to sculpt my love of writing into a career. I would love to become a widely published writer and hopefully teach creative writing or English lit students as well. I love it more than anything in the world so I'm hoping I have the drive and skill within the next few years to make it happen. :)


A little 4 a.m. Mariah Carey for you: ;)


"Not more than three short years ago
I was abandoned and alone
Without a penny to my name
So very young and so afraid
No proper shoes upon my feet
Sometimes I couldn't even eat
I often cried myself to sleep
But still I had to keep on going
Never knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith
I struggled and I prayed
And now I've found my way

If you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You're gonna make it happen
Make it happen
And if you get down on your
knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He's gonna make it happen
Make it happen

I know life can be so tough
And you feel like giving up
But you must be strong
Baby just hold on
You'll never find the answers
if you throw your life away
I used to feel the way you do
Still I have to keep on going
Never knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith
I struggled and I prayed
And now I've finally found my way

I once was lost
But now I'm found
I got my feet on solid ground
Thank you Lord
If you believe within your soul
Just hold on tight
And don't let go
You can make it
Make it happen"

[daniellaaarisen]

Nothing like a little Mariah for inspiration! :)

[fleetwoodtrick]

Dani, I though you might find this interesting. I don't know if you've heard of the Andalusian stud Santiago before, but he's pretty big in the Midwest. I had seen him at the Midwest Horse Fair (which is totally awesome if you haven't been there before!) and I saw him again at the Illinois Horse Fair, which I drove 3 hours to see! I walked through all the barns and watched a couple of shows and thought it was nothing special, until the Andalusians walked out! I was too busy taking pictures to listen, but I did hear Santiago's name mentioned several times, because his sons and daughters were performing in front of me! :lol: While I was walking through one of those barns filled with tack and brushes to buy, I stumbled across a 'secret' barn. And the first horse I saw walking into it was none other than Santiago! (Here's some pictures of him:)

http://www.selwoodpark.com/stallions/santiago.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh166/kaysevilplans/kaysevilplans%20horses/3e3636d7.jpg

I was absolutely amazed by his size. He was like an effing draft horse. His super long mane was in one long braid, and he looked stunning! He was also very hungry. And kept kicking his stall door. Typical stally! When someone came to feed him, and saw me oogling, they let me halfway into his stall while he was eating so that I could pet him. It was totally surreal. But I'm pretty sure that if I was in his stall before he had that food, he would have eaten me. :shocked:

So sorry if that was boring, but I was totally amazed to find him there, at this tiny little 'horse fest'. He was in barn with like 5 stallions, each with large, very separted, stalls. And there were like 3 people in there, LOL. I'm really not even sure if I was supposed to be there!

[daniellaaarisen]

I just realized that I never posted my published pieces in here. I'm posting two out of three because the other one was published when I was like, 13 and it probably only got in because of the age factor.




My Soul Resides in a Haunted House

It’s so effortlessly poetic,
The disillusioned city lights
Screaming something vital at me.
I guess I let the sirens seem cynical
While I laid, half dressed, against my
Creaking bedroom wall, closed my eyes
And just listened.

I could smell the cobwebs burning,
First along the ceiling,
Soon to my nightstand.
I had creaked my door open.
Your heart pounded butane
Through flimsy veins,
Admiring Arachne’s work
In every corner of my mind,
Every crack in the windowsill.
And then, in all your glory,
You ignited.

I suppose it really is just that easy
To watch years of ignorance disintegrate.
With every pale strand
Charred black from end to end,
I yearned to hear the bumps in the night
And creaking and cobwebs and chaos
To give my soul a tangible reason
to feel haunted.

Now, I sit in dead silence,
Blowing voids in the smoke,
Ringlets in the fog.
Me, in the silence,
With ghosts that don’t know where the door is.





The Day I Saw Star Clusters

Once,
I skimmed both ends of the world
With brazen fingertips
And somehow reveled in knowing that
I could never grip both sides,
Nor get the chance to
Flip the earth in midair and call
Heads or tails.

Yet somebody whispered in my ear today
That there’s a Soviet flag on the moon
Where ours is supposed to be,
That cathedral bells will swing at noon
Because a timer told them to,
That the look on your face when you laugh
Hides a person more empty than those
You laugh with.

I could have seen star clusters in the daylight
While underneath my roof, under layers of linen and lace.
I could have rolled that globe between my fingers,
Personified life and death,
Made a heartbeat and a steady breath
Finally within grasp.

I firmly held the earth between my hands today,
And held less between my palms
Than I had in either of my pockets.
I’ll learn to let the earth fall free from my hands today,
And remember life chose me, after all.

[daniellaaarisen]

So remember that short story I've been working on for AGES? I finally finished it last night. It's still rough but that's why I need people's opinions...

So if anyone here feels like he or she would like to read it and then give me any and all feedback, you can private message me and I'll send it on over. I'm looking for help everywhere that I can get it-- its a complex piece so I want to make sure its universally understandable.

[FMlex]

So remember that short story I've been working on for AGES? I finally finished it last night. It's still rough but that's why I need people's opinions...

So if anyone here feels like he or she would like to read it and then give me any and all feedback, you can private message me and I'll send it on over. I'm looking for help everywhere that I can get it-- its a complex piece so I want to make sure its universally understandable.

Send one over my way, Dani.
I'm interested to read it! Your writing kinda sorta really fascinates me.

:)

[daniellaaarisen]

Send one over my way, Dani.
I'm interested to read it! Your writing kinda sorta really fascinates me.

:)

Why thank you! I can definitely email it to you-- that is probably easier. PM me an address and I'll get it to you.

[GypsySorcerer]

Hey Dani,

Did you ever post your story about meeting Mick? And have you decided on a college yet? :)

[daniellaaarisen]

Hey Dani,

Did you ever post your story about meeting Mick? And have you decided on a college yet? :)

Hah, I forgot about this thread!

I did not post my story about meeting Mick, but here it is:

I didn't know I was going to be able to see Fleetwood Mac in Oakland until the night before the show. A good family friend of ours is a very successful stock broker (they have 3 private jets...) and he called us up and said, "we just bought front row seats and all access packages to Fleetwood Mac tomorrow night. Wanna come? You don't have to pay anything and Dani can bring a friend." So of course I was FLIPPING OUT and I had no time to digest what was happening before we were parking at the Oracle.

We met Mick, like all other shows (I think?), while standing on the stage. He was so so kind to us, and we all got to take a picture with him. I was standing on one of his sides while my friend stood on the other, and before we took the picture, I told him, "I just want you to know that I'm only seventeen and yet my life has been totally changed by your band, all the way back to the Peter Green stuff." He looked at me and said in shock, "you're seventeen and you know Green? I guess you really are a fan! Thank you" and he hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. Awesome.

So we asked him a bunch of questions for a while and he LOVED my dad-- it was hilarious. My dad asked him more questions than anyone and Mick was totally eating it up. When I walked up to have him sign a picture for me, I also gave him a little note that one of my teachers wrote (she nearly died when I told her I was seeing Fleetwood Mac). When I first gave it to him, he looked up at me and asked, "is this for me?" I started laughing ("um.... yes, Mick, of course it's for you") and nodded. He asked if he could keep it and I felt TERRIBLE asking him to sign it and give it back to me.... It was so humble and precious of him.

He was hilarious, charming, and so so willing to talk to us about anything. My dad was being flat out blunt and Mick loved him for it.

And Cory loved me, too! She brought some of my writing back to give to Stevie and I started crying. Totally embarrassing, but apparently Stevie read it and saw the note I wrote on top of the stuff ("I'm Dave Young's old student!") and remembered who I was. Win.





In terms of college, I'm already accepted at Seattle University, University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University and Emerson College. They're all backups-- I hear from the other 15 schools in a few months! :o

[GypsySorcerer]

^^^ That is a great story, Dani. I know Mick has made some questionable decisions, and can be quite the money-grabber, but he's still just so charming. It's hard not to like him. I'm glad you had such a great experience meeting him.

And let us know when you decide on a college! Hope you get to attend the school of your dreams.