My parents seem to believe that because I can string together some CSS and XHTML, and operate Photoshop in my sleep, that I am somewhat of a computer genius. And, to their credit, I’m not bad with computers. I understand mainly how they work. But, I am most certainly not a miracle worker.

For the last week and a bit, we’ve been having issues with out Internet. We haven’t been able to figure out what exactly is up with it– it could be the crazy storms we’ve been having, the nearby construction, or something to do with some little bit of our computer.

Calls to our ISP support guys (who are awesome) have told us that this is due to our IP up and going off into oblivion. But, they can’t tell us why.

Anyway, they were able to set it up so that it works, at the moment, with our computer downstairs, but not with the router. My mom decided that this would be the perfect time to update our Windows Live One Care antivirus program. And, so, here I sit, 3 hours later, still trying to figure out why it won’t run the updates. I suppose building up 6 months of updates is bound to do that, but really.

So, I’m not allowed to hook up the router again, until this is fixed. Which is kind of silly anyway. I mean, our subscription runs out in August, and my mom’s switching programs. Nobody uses this computer at all, except to email scans, and we all use laptops. But now we won’t be able to use our laptops because I’m not allowed to reconnect the router until the Live One Care updates!! It’s a vicious circle.

On top of that, this computer, while relatively new, and running XP, is super slow.

And there is something in this room (the basement) causing me to itch all over. It’s unbareable. I’m going to go for a run on the treadmill and call it a night. Seriously.

Here are a few of my favourite things:

1. Ice cream.
2. Cookies.
3. Chocolate.
4. Whiskers on kittens.

… Okay, maybe not the last bit, but the first 3 are certainly things that make me stop and say “Mmmm…” and then proceed to inhale them directly into my thighs. Fabulous.

Obviously, my love of those things makes this the perfect snack:

It is incredibly yummy ice cream, that is for sure. But at nearly 4$ a pop, it can get pricy! So, I went out in search of a suitable alternative. And I found it!

This is Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough with Brownie Chunks ice cream. It is almost double the size of the Ben and Jerry’s, and the same price! How fantastic! Now, I can get my fix without breaking the bank! Obviously, there are a few differences between the two. The Nestle chocolate flavour, for example, tastes more like NesQuik than actual chocolate ice cream, but for someone like me, who has a bit of a chocolate allergy, or someone who just enjoys chocolate without all the stuck-up-hoity-toity it’s actually preferable!

Take THAT expensive ice cream industry– I don’t need you!

Ten points if you can guess which movie I am watching!

I love having long conversations with people about the meaning of love, and what exactly is love? I have a pretty good idea of what it is, but of course, I’m 20. My experiences are limited in the grand scheme of things. So, I am constantly searching to find out what love means to other people.

The Wikipedia entry on love says:

As an abstract concept love usually refers to a strong, ineffable feeling towards another person. Even this limited conception of love, however, encompasses a wealth of different feelings, from the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love to the nonsexual. Love in its various forms acts as a major facilitator of interpersonal relationships and, owing to its central psychological importance, is one of the most common themes in the creative arts.

It goes on to explain the chemistry of love, that being the effects that create lust, which turns into sex. But, sex isn’t love, is it?

Upon checking Urban Dictionary, it seems that the definition of love changes for everyone. Some agree with the chemical theory, stating that love is “nature’s way of tricking people into reproducing.” Lovely.

Others are quite certain of love’s ability to overcome all obstacles. Love knows no distance. Love lifts us up where we belong! All you need is love!

Of course, you can never have an entry about love without mentioning the 13th chapter of Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is kind, love is free of jealousy, envy and pride…”

Maybe you’re wondering what my view of love is, thus far?

Well, it’s certainly a little bit chemical. It is undoubtedly artistic. But, it’s not always patient, and it’s not always kind. It can be frustrating, and as they say “you always hurt the ones you love.” You always want the best for them, and feel proud when they have accomplished something. There are different kinds of love, yes, ranging from friendship to romantic. But, I think all types of love have something in common. Love is needing and wanting someone to be around as much as possible. It is not being able to imagine your life without someone. When even on the edge of a separation, you still can’t imagine being without them. When standing on the barrier between security and the passengers-only area of the airport, it still doesn’t occur to you that this will be the last time you see this person for a long time, and 3 days later it hits you and you feel like crying at the bus stop.

Love is cuddling under the stars and in the course of an hour, going from laughing to crying and back to laughing again, silently dreading the moment you’ll need to return home.

I realize it is a tricky question, so, in a few words, what is something that means “love,” to you?