onyxkiwi
((2004-08-21 - 12:53 p.m.))
onyxkiwi 
Appearance
I like it a lot! It's bright and colorful, but remains simple, clean, and elegant. Truthfully, I can't even tell what the items in your image are, but not knowing doesn't detract from its appeal. Sponges or candy? I don't know, and I don't care! Kudos to pink-design for the template, and to you for picking it! You now fall into the category of Diarists Whose Layouts I Don't Despise With A Burning Passion, and that is a remarkably small group.
All of your links work and with the exception of a few small capitalization issues, your entries are error-free. I was prepared to make exceptions for you because you are young, and am ecstatic that I don't have to. Congratulations, you've set the standard for all future reviews!
Content
Your letter to your father was touching. It's really sad that you even had to write it, but I understand why you did and commend you for your maturity and insight. You can't change other people, but most of us do have an inner child that wishes it could. I was also interested in your entry about God, but would like for you to know that while Bush is part of the "religious right," he isn't Catholic. Our only Catholic president was JFK -- though John Kerry could very well become our second! I do, for the most part, agree with your analysis that lust and fun are things that make life beautiful, not sins for which we must repent.
This entry was such a departure from your characteristic insight and intelligence that I hated it even more coming from you than I would have from someone else. This, also, was silly. Friendship drama is normal, but "going goth" is completely lame, boring, and otherwise retarded.
This was really beautiful. Also, this. Your great entries make the stupid ones seem even more ridiculous than they would have been, ordinarily.
Impressions
Yes, in response to your question, being fourteen is a cliche. Adults mutter things like, "wow, you are behaving like a fourteen year old girl!" and then shake their heads, because we were all fourteen at one time or another. So don't worry about it. Cliche is okay. It's normal, it's practically a rite of passage. You seem to be on the right path -- thinking, feeling, writing -- and you are well on your way to becoming a wonderful adult.
Suggestions
I was going to suggest that you stop ranting about friends, but it is your diary and the friendship drama is a major part of your identity right now. I don't like it, but it's part of the growing process. It was, however, the difference between 3.5 and 4 stars. I fully suspect, though, that your diary is going to do nothing but improve over time.
reviewed by retailharlot
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