Went to the firing range to let out some aggressions today. Before you think I'm a gun lover or that I go hunting (which I despise) for lil animals, I'm not. I'm just one of those crazy ass girls who thinks that learning how to fire a gun is important because hey, you never know when you need to fire one. I guess I akin it to something like learning how to drive a stick. It's not really necessary but it's good to know.

Or maybe it's because I live in Los Angeles, where you live life kinda like Lara Croft dealing with a whole lotta life threatening obstacles.

I used a Glock 17 (9mm) today and purchased 50 bullets to use. I think I did pretty well considering the target was 100+ feet away from me. I shudder everytime the gun goes off because I can never mentally prepare myself for the loud bang. Plus the recoil action is a bit intense especially with the shell casings flying all over the place. I think I should try to use another type of Glock next time or perhaps a revolver with a "gentler" disposition because when I'm through with the 50 rounds, I'm usually perspiring like mad and my heart is pounding.

I have recurring nightmares. As with all my other dreams, they are always very vivid and in full color. Nothing lacks in detail either. Sometimes that's good, other times it's bad, especially when they are nightmares. There are 3 recurring nightmares that I have all the time and one of them deals with a gun. I'm always being chased in some scenario by unknown stalkers and in the end I'm backed into a corner with no place to run and a gun in my face ready to fire. The majority of the dream is the chase or shall I say, being hunted down. All I can say is that it's an adrenaline pumping and disturbing dream that lends itself to a very unrestful sleep. The details of it changes all the time but in the end, it always comes down to being chased and it ends with the gun. I can't quite put my finger on what started it or how the dream came about but it just happened one day and I've always had this dream since.

The dream seems all too real to me. I cannot get into the magniscope of how much it bothers me when I wake up and realize that things like that plague my mind in my sleep. Perhaps I'm preparing myself for something that I'm fearing subconsciously. But whatever it is, at least I can try to confront these fears by knowing how to fire one and be in control of it.

:::

On a much lighter note, I went to see The Lion King tonight at the Pantages theater. It was, unbelievable. I was so surprised at the talent, the costumes, the background and the way they told the story on stage. It was simply incredible. I haven't been to a play in a long time -- a Broadway play mind you and I think the last one was Les Miserables many many years ago. So I splurged and got some orchestra seats that were very decent. I've heard so many good things about it that I felt that I should at least go see it and take advantage of the fact that it's playing in my city.

Anyway, to my surprise, when I went to pick up my tickets at Will Call, they told me they upgraded my seats to VIP seating and I got seats in the 11th row from the stage. Also, they placed all our seats together (originally, some of us were seated in different areas). That really made my day. Especially in a time when things don't seem to be going too smoothly for me, it was a really nice thing to happen.

All I can say is that if you haven't seen it, you should go watch it. I would definitely suggest orchestra seating because the view from there is out of this world and to view the colors of the costumes, backdrops and the actors expressions up close is really worth it. Take advantage of it while it's in the LA area because it will be gone before you know it.

And if you think all this Disney Lion King stuff is too "kiddie-ish" for you, I can tell you that I thought the same way too (because I never watched the movie) and damn, was I wrong! It's great entertainment for the money. Definitely something you'll remember forever. Plus, the trip out to Hollywood and being in the city isn't bad either. A good reason to get out and about.

I'm out.