As anyone who knows me well will tell you, I love vampires.  Vampire Diaries is still my favorite, but recently I've started watching TrueBlood.. and Honestly?  I'm kinda hooked!

One thing I really like is that a lot of the characters on TB are redheads, a rare dying breed in Hollywood it seems.  I think another reason I like watching TB is because of the southern accents, another rarity on TV.

My favorite character is Jessica:

Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll)

Jessica's a teenage girl who got turned against her will by vampire Bill Compton.  and as seen in this video, she had quite a reaction to her new life:

Queen Sophie Anne (Evan Rachel Wood)

I'm towards the end of Season 2, so Sophie Ann has just been introduced, but she seems like a pretty cool vampire queen.

Arlene Fowler (Carrie Preston)

Arlene is Sookie's friend and co-worker at Merlotte's Bar & Grill.

And we musn't forget Arlene's "teacup humans" as Eric calls them:

Keep reading for a few funny moments from the show that I like:

Anyone else out there watch TrueBlood?  Who's your favorite character?

 Jessi

I read this horrible news Friday night on the Great Smoky Mountains National Association's Facebook Page :

"News about possible park closure: If the Government implements a shutdown, nearly the entire Park would be closed beginning Saturday, April 9. All Great Smoky Mountains National Park facilities would be closed, including visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, concession operations, restrooms, and all roads, with the exception of the Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) would remain open to through traffic only. No stopping or parking along the road or at trailheads & overlooks is permitted, & all restroom facilities would be closed, including those at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, & Newfound Gap. The Clingmans Dome Road which is accessed off Newfound Gap Road would be closed."

^ This is the official news release by Heath Shuler, the Congress Representative for North Carolina's 11th District.

The park had already been prepared for the shutdown around 10pm April 8, and the shutdown was scheduled to happen at midnight Saturday April 9, 2011.  As of 11pm the government made the announcement that the shutdown had been post-poned until Thursday, April 14.  I see many people relieved about the extension, but let's not get ahead of ourselves thinking that it means the park is safe.  For all we know, on Thursday they could progress with the shutdown.

How can a park that brings in $718,000,000 a year from tourism not be making enough money to justify its existence to the government.  This shutdown will eliminate 3000 jobs; the only staff to be kept will be park rangers to uphold the new rules about the parkway only being available as a straight-away drive through.  Does anyone else see how ridiculous and unfair the new rules were?

• "The national park is looking to move people along Newfound Gap Road through the park as quickly and efficiently as possible so they are not allowing any parking or sightseeing in the park along the roadway.
• Be advised, though it may be easy for you to move traffic cones blocking parking areas, illegally parking off of the roadway or sneaking into hiking trails, doing so is ill advised and you can end up in serious trouble for disregarding traffic control devices or even worse, trespassing on Federal properly.
• National Park rangers will take all matters of illegal activity very seriously and given the circumstances, will not necessarily be in the best mood so don't test them or the judge when you are made to appear in federal court."

So we're not even allowed to stop our cars long enough to observe the natural majesty of the Smoky Mountains or even take a photograph as a memento without being fined or arrested.  Where are our rights?  Our freedom?  Doesn't that new set of rules infringe upon our rights under the First Amendment (right to peacably assemble on publically or federally owned land)?  I think it does.  Plus, let's look into the history of the park, shall we?  The park was established in 1934 and the original charter stated, "there would never be an admission charge and that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wouild aways be protected for the enjoyment of all the people for generations to come."

Does no one working in the government realize or care about what they would be doing to Sevier County's economy by shutting down the Great Smoky Mountains Park?  Tourism is the main source of income for east Tennessee's Sevier County, made up of the cities Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville.  I believe that if people feel they can't even truly visit and appreciate the park that they might not bother visiting at all, and that would be a heavy blow to the already floundering economy.

I'm putting an effort into trying to make things known about what's going on, and if they do shutdown the park I will start a petition.  America needs to wake up and see that our freedoms are slipping away.  Please share this with everone you know, and hopefully we can all help make a difference.  I even sent a thread of 16 tweets to Ian Somerhalder on Twitter hoping to gain his support on this subject, as well:

"I admire your commitment to the environment and trying to make the world a better place, so I'm hoping to get your support in saving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At midnight tonight they are being forced to shut down by the government. They have kept this swept under the rug until just one day before the shutdown is to be put into effect. The only part of the park that will remain open is the US HWY 441; however, all trails and overlooks will be closed and the public will not be allowed to even stop or park their car along the road. If you are caught moving a cone blocking entrance to one of those mentioned or even walking past them will be considered trespassing on federal property and you will be fined. You can read the official news release here: http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-smoky-mountains-national-park.html and I am working on a blog to get this development known and to show support for the people and start a petition for their rights to enjoy the natural beauty that is our earth. When you're not allowed to even snap a picture of natural scenery without being fined, where is our freedom? This park closure will leave 3000 people unemployed. It's not fair and doesn't make sense. I don't understand how a park that brings in $718,000,000 a year from tourism can't be making enough money to justify its existence to the government.  We can't allow the government to do this to us. As a fellow environmentalist I'm only one girl with 20 followers, but I'm pleading with you to help this information be available to all your followers and maybe this way we can make a difference."

&  "Regarding my past tweets about the Smoky Mtn Park, the last news received was that the shutdown's been postponed til April 14. Your support is still appreciated, and here's the link to my aforementioned blog: http://pink-luver-14.xanga.com/745248966/show-your-support-for-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/"  - JessiLynn0214  (my Twitter page) 

Links to my sources:

Great Smoky Mountains Association Facebook

Smoky Mountains Blogspot Page

KnoxNews Article - "Government Shutdown Would Put 3,000 Out of Work in East TN; Smokies Would Close"

History of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Katy Perry's video for "Firework" came out the other day.  I love it, I love the song, I love her meaning behind the song.

I just wish I could find the motivation to be my own firework.  I have the inspiration... I see the pretty thin girls, like I used to be... I can see myself not eating as much, actually doing the exercise, running, dancing, walking, crunches, whatever... I just never do it.. Instead, I reach for the snacks and sabotage myself.

I hate this body I've created, what I've done to myself.  I use to weigh 134...  On my tall frame, I was a stick....

I want that girl back  ^

Instead, this is me now:

I understand that the only one who can change this, is ME.  I just need a little help getting back to the skinny version...  Who wants to support me?

I have more reasons other than the aesthetics of being thin...  For one, health!  I feel so crappy and sluggish.  My dreams of a career in the fashion world are another reason to get healthier again...  plus I read that overweight people get paid less money. 

Oh, and this is my idea of perfection, just FYI:

*sighs*  That is all for now.