How to Emerge from Darkness (A.K.A. Laziness)

Yeah. Hi. It's been a long time. How have you been? I've been good. I've also been convinced to start using this blog again... as long as people are reading it.

So I figured I would actually need something to talk about. Instead of my normal, semi-obnoxious, unimportant ramblings. And because I've decided to actually talk about, ya know, stuff, I actually, ya know, need some topics to talk about. (And people to talk too, but that's currently irrelevent.)

Then I said to myself, "Why hurt my brain thinking of things to talk about, when i can get other people to do it for me?" That's where you (yeah, you, Mom) come in. I'm looking for general topics. Books, video games, television shows. Internet news. Hell, I'll even review short-films on youtube if y'all want. Writing advice?

(But it kinda defeats the purpose of posting if no one is there to read the posts... oh well. I do what I want.)
So if you'd just leave a little comment below (and maybe I'll set up a poll on the side), I'd appreciate it so much.

*Insert Outro here*

I just had to share.

So I have a friend -- let's call her Callie -- who is a writer. That alone isn't particularly rare, strange, or otherwise odd.

Now, dearest Callie started a blog. It's called Literary Jellyfish and has the most adorable background.

Here's the funny, coincidental part. (Really, Fungus King, you'll get a kick out of this.) Wait... you didn't think I'd just tell you, did you? No, no. Go to her blog. It'll take only a minute. Just read her first post and the about thing on the side. You'll see what I'm getting at. Plus, she's blogging about writing, which is off the hook all by itself.

That said.... I have nothing else to say. I shall leave you with a gif or two.

Valete, amicos.

Pleasedon'tkillme

Eheh. I went AWOL. I could give you a bunch of excuses or I could tell you the truth.... so I'll give you the excuses that are actually the truth. Sanctuary season four was coming to a close, so I had to devote a good hour every day fangirling over that. The season finale was the thirtieth of December and I nearly cried. (Go to Facebook and Twitter and beg for season five. In reward I'll give you pictures of cookies.) I've been playing SKYRIM and I have to say that it is wonderful. Not as glitchy as I thought it would be (unless I'm really lucky.... I'm not really lucky, for the record).

There was Christmas, of course, that required my attention wrapping gifts, making cookies, decorating the tree, trying to get to every box and bag before my family so I could see who got what. I got SKYRIM as an early gift in November, eight books (one was a first edition signed by Rick Riordan from before he wrote Percy Jackson), the Kindle, two t-shirts (I'm happy to post pictures of those, though one was my way of expressing my full conversion to the Dork Side; I love ThinkGeek), and other assorted stuff. All in all good haul this year, and I was happy to be with family. Anyone want to talk about their holiday memories/presents?

And I spent all last night eating sushi and caviar and reading until midnight while listening to Domino by Jessie J. I spent all today watching television (Captain America and Iron Man, anyone?) and playing video games.

So I've basically been doing everything except what I should be doing. Editing and blogging.

Please don't kill me. 

Who wants to share their going-ons and whatnot?

Do you believe in destiny?

And no, that's not just some cheesy pitch for one of my upcoming novels, my dears. No, that's going to be today's thinking cap question. But I'll get to that later.

First I'd like to address SKYRIM. My first impression of it was "oh, my gods above, this is beautiful" ......and then the game crashed. One minute I'm looking at this blond Nord dude on a prison cart, the next I'm starring at my brother's LEGO wallpaper. The appropriate reaction was the one I had: "whuh.... dafuq?!?" So I got my dad and he fixed it with magic and now it lags. That right there is the worst four letter word in the world. Not hate, not any curse word you can think of. Lags. Shudder. But it's not too bad and the game runs fine now. I'm making slow progress, but to be honest, I'm not keen on rushing into anything. Overall, SKYRIM is a win for me.

Next I'll address everyone's answers on the magic topic from the post before last. Spirit, I agree. I don't think anyone will ever understand magic. Fungus.... first, the picture is from the Disney charter bus. That's my head, my dad in the blue shirt, and my mom in the back waving (her hand is in front of my sister's face, ha). Second, I think it's interesting you see it as simple energy.

I have differing opinions on most things. I think magic is an energy. I think it's stored in things around us. A sunrise, a smile, a moment in time. In music and thought and emotion. I think magic is only "good" or "evil" in the way you use or see that magic. And what I strongly believe is that humans do have magic. We don't always see it. But we can feel it in a good book, in a song, and in a story. Can you guess what it is? I think magic is in imagination.

A quote before the questions and before I go. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Corinthians 13:13, I think (not totally sure, since I haven't actually read the Bible).

Now. Questions. Get thinking, you lot. Do you believe in destiny? Is everything predetermined in the strands of time? Does it matter if you fight or give up? Is everything exactly the same if whether you were handed your "end point" or earned it? Do you end up in the same place no matter what you do? Or can the future be changed enough that destiny is null and void? And, given the choice of foresight or retrospection, which would you choose? (Seer or Spirit Walker ;))

M'kay. Later.

A quick note...

This'll be fast; in my next post I'll answer comments and whatever stuff I need to do.

But for this post, I will do nothing except say....

SKYRIM IS OUT. OH, YES. I got my big box collector's edition the moment 11.11.11 started in Texas. The reason why this post is delayed is because I've been a) reading my collector's edition guide, b) itching to install Skyrim, c) looking at comcept art, or d) trying to keep my brother away from the mentioned three things, as well as my draon model that came with my game and books.

It's installing as we speak... and I just got up to check if it's done, which it nearly is, so peace out.

FOR SKYRIM. (I'll talk about it in depth later. Waaaaay later ;D)

Heh.

My apologies. I sorta got caught up in everything. Life, writing, school. Ya know how it goes.

So.... I went to Disney world on the 21st of October and came back on the 30th (late at night...) and I would just like to share that it was freaking amazing. Which leads us to the think-topic of the day.

What is your opinion on magic? Is it unholy, impure? Or is it purity in essence? Are there other worlds, other dimensions, out there that are the subject of our human myths and legends and stories? Did we humans as a race have magic at some point? Do we still have magic? While we're at it, what is magic? Where is it stored? Does it have a different name? Is it sentient?

On a totally different topic, I need some help. Not sure you lot can lend that help or not... but if you are/know anyone who is Hindu, then please speak up. I've been researching the Hindu religion and mythology/stories and it took me literally three hours yesterday to find sufficient works on the first incarnation of Vishnu. And if anyone can explain Dharma to me in English I'll give you a cookie and award you a gold star on my blog. You ask why I need to learn this? Tough school essay, perhaps? Am I converting? Actually, no. I'm torturing myself trying to find an internet source other than Wikipedia for fun. Seriously, though, I need it for Retro-Specter. Plus I like knowing things other people don't. Thus the need to find someone with first-hand knowledge of all things... well, Hindu.

I'm so specific, ain't I?

Right-o. I gotta go. Peace out.

Mediator

Because it's so much fun trying to stop an argument.

Someday I'm just going to give up and become part of the problem instead.

Yes, boys and girls, my advice for this post is to avoid arguments. Because you can't win. EVER.

Cue the crickets.... and new topic. How's everyone? How's school? All that fun stuff. I've been busy (not) editing Retro-Specter. I'm actually almost a third of the way through. This weekend I get to stay with my grandparents, which'll be fun. They've apparently read part of Retro-Specter--at least, my grandmother has--so I'll have more input to edit.

Today I want to ask everyone's opinion on a certain topic. It's been on my mind for a while, mostly because I've been redesigning some of the themes in my book. Anyways, here's my question/statement to get you guys thinking.

Who are we to determine who lives and who dies? We are merely human, not a god. Preserving life is within our power as is ending life. But just because the power to end life is available, does it mean we should take it? Or is it the other way around? The world is full of death and if we are able to do something, we should? If someone hurts someone else, return fire is only karma? Is karma just an excuse? Is there a line where something goes from karma to vengence?

I want to hear your thoughts.

No chlorine.

I withdrew from swimming. I won't be on the team until at least Christmas, likely longer.

My tip of the day has to do with dealing with family. On a weekday, usually everyone is at school, or at work, or you just don't have to deal with any of them until the evening. That is not the case on weekends at my house. Saturdays and Sundays, it is very rare that we go anywhere or do anything. Hey, I have a kinda big family, and all my siblings are younger than me, so travelling is a hassle.

What do you do when your annoying sibling refuses to clean up after him/herself?

If you're smart, you shut up, kick the whatever it is under the bed or couch, and go along with your business. Or if you're stubborn (like me) you tell them repeatedly every five minutes to pick it up until they do.

And I wonder why my siblings think I'm mean. See? I can be reasonable. (That would be my daily life tip. If you don't have siblings, this applies to intelligent animals. Except cats. Everyone knows that cats only allow us to live in the same place as them because we provide entertainment.)

Quote of the day: "All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." --Henry Ellis

And last, some Retro-Specter news. I finished editing chapter nine, so as soon as chapter ten is looked over, both will go up.

Here's the deal.

Actually there is no deal. I guess that's just one of those phrases. Anyways, here's what's going on that's keeping me from posting often. First would be that I'm editing. I spend my free time editing, or trying not to pull my hair out. And editing is kind of stressful. Second, I have school. Sure, my school doesn't take as much time, and it's set to a specific time, but school is still school. And it is also stressful. Third, I have life. In less than a month I am going to Disney in Flordia for ten days. There's me, but that's a whole story in of itself. Fourth, I have swimming two hours every day, plus an hour for travel, and thirty minutes to get ready for bed. So that's three and a half hours.

Speaking of swimming, you'll hear more about that later this week.

I'm going to attempt to be sharing my writing tips in a blog post every day or on a separate page of the blog. Along with that, I'm going to try to pass on a quote or "life tip" every post.

But that's later.
Now I leave.

"Don't mess with the wizard when he's wizarding."

That's a quote from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Fantastic books, and I urge any fan of fantasy and mystery to go check it out. (I will warn you that is has some... questionable content, not limited to gore and cussing....) The first book is Storm Front, if anyone actually wants to read it.

I pulled my hipflexer muscle, I think, or sprained it really bad. So I won't be attending practice until Monday... maybe. I'm sitting here with a heating pad on it, typing this post and my edits with one hand, photo editing with the other hand, and trying to show my brother home to beat this part of Oblivion. So productive. So sue me.

Speaking of Oblivion... Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim comes out November 11, 2011 (if you didn't catch it, that's 11.11.11). Totally excited, I've had it on preorder for over a month. Dragons and double wielding. I'm such a nerd.

Anyways. Bye.

I redid my blog :D

I like this one better now. I'd love to redesign it a special way, but I'm too much of a fail with technology.
Short post just to say you're NOT in the wrong place.

Covers, covers

How I love them ♫

I'll be posting a short story to inkpop soon, probably in a week. I have two lovely covers! I want you to choose one!

Made by YuffieProductions

Made by ForeverisNow

Yeah, I know I said no short stories or genfic, or really anything since Retro-Specter is being edited. But I have to write this anyways for school, so I'm going to post it as well. It means a lot to me.

A sad good-bye or see-ya-later to Swapnav Deka, who has left COPS for the time being, and may be going to LAC. COPS is expensive ._. and it's completely outrageous. I may be going individual, but I haven't decided. 2000 bucks a year is just dumb.

Thank you for the help!

I got my cover! All I need is a short pitch!

Made by Chenny Boom

It's wonderful 8D

And I'll be posting a new project to inkpop. A short story, believe it or not. Here's my improvised cover:

Yeah. So..... Have a nice labor day! :D *poof*

Even more help, please?

Hana: You need to get on inkpop >_> Fungus: *facepalm* Forget it. I'm crapping the photos after I get votes. The covers won't actually be that size or shape.

Picture five. I would be using the left-hand side of the picture, cutting out the spaceship.

Picture six (one of my personal favorites). Yes, it's pixelated. Deal with it.

The kick-off party at Jack Carter was fun! Two hours of chlorine made me a happy girl.
I have nothing better to say. *poof*

I need more help.

So picture one won last time. To Hana: thank you :D and where the heck have you been?!?! To Fungus: Thanks for helping, and how is it funny that someone would trip off a cliff? And who said she fell on purpose?

Anyways....

Picture three

Picture four

Pick your favorite. Please and thank you.

School's started. I have to do an entire semester of math again because the program changed. Already got two units done, though, so that's my small way of saying "suck on that, algebra". I got bumped up to ninth grade... only to find out it's the EXACT same reading as eigth grade. So I only look forward to A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickenson, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and Romeo and Juliet (if you don't know the author, I'd like to know where you've been hiding for the past five centuries).

History is fun because the books aren't written by the state >:D so they're a) TRUE b) SEMI-OPINIONATED (and it doesn't hide the fact that the bad guys were really bad guys) and c) FUN.

Science has been easy so far.

Yeah, my life in a nutshell. Oh, I'm on chapter seven of Retro-Specter, which was originally chapter 9.

I'm going to the beginning-of-the-season swim party at Jack Carter tomorrow, 7 pm to 9pm. Should be fun.... get to meet all the new coaches, none of whom will actually be coaching me. Lastly, round of applause for Swapnav, who I think coerced Ted into moving him up to Junior Silver (heheh~ I said nothing...).

Valete. *~poof~*

I need a little help.

I've been picture hunting for covers for the Retro-Specter sequel. Every day I'll post two pictures everyday until I have a winner. Consider the two for every day, and compare them to the most recent ones. Leave your vote in your comment.

Picture One

Picture Two

The theme is Egyptian/desert, if anyone thinks they have a better picture. I need to it "match" this in some way.

Please? Thanks.

The swim party was fun. I was the only girl there, but whatever, that's not anything new. Aras, Avery, Swapnav, Ali, and Alex were there :P but Ashley couldn't make it. I have a nice video that I'm too lazy to upload and a bunch of pictures of the five of them acting like morons. Which isn't anything new, either.

Anyways, vote. Now. >:D

I'm actually going to use this blog for what it was meant for!

PROMOTION. Well, that's not really why I made it... but that's what it's for.

THE BOOK OF THE DAY IS..... The Guardian Legend by YuffieProductions!

If the fate of the world lies in his hands, I'd best say goodbye to the human race.

Welcome to Altima, a world protected by yours truly. Guardian Kairi at your service. Well, there's Cleon, too, but that boy is a magical blunder. He was born first, so the Gods probably made him, realized their mistake, then created me as repentance. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

Unfortunately, there's no doubt that he's a Guardian like me. We are mentally connected; yes, I'm talking telepathy. But it goes farther than that, farther than either of us want it to go.

We're essentially the same person separated into two bodies. They say we're fated to become one, and there will be a miracle when it happens. I'd rather eat a vat of live spiders than become "one" with that Booger-Butt, whatever becoming "one" even means. But war is threatening the Balance, and of course, everyone turns to us. The Guardians. Their protectors. But I'm starting to find out that the world I see with my eyes is just an illusion. Slowly, I'm piecing together the horrifying truth:

Cleon isn't going to protect Altima.

He's the one destined to destroy it.

Isn't that exciting? Guys, I've read all that Yuffers has up, and it's brilliant. Plot = amazing. Writing = captivating. You will go here.  Now.

What are you waiting for?





"I died.

....But I got better."
If you know where the quote came from you get a pat on the head.

Sooo.... I've been kinda busy editing, reading... watching The Matrix... being bored. That's why I haven't posted recently *grin* I was doing my phoenix impression.

School starts in a week, yay. It'll give me even less time to edit, but at least it'll keep me from being bored, and I should be in 9th grade by October. Sweetness. Which means I'll be in 10 grade next year~ heh.

Not sure how I feel about swimming groups.... a lot of people are whining but I personally couldn't care less. The party is on Saturday at 1:45, if anyone is going.

Peace out. *poof*

Today is Thursday.

It is also motivational picture day >:D



That pretty much wraps up motivational picture day. I felt the need to post these, since they're freaking awesome.

I swam okay at the meet today, but I'm still starving, and rather bored. Got some editing done...

Yeah. Bye~



You Know What Happens When You Get Bored?

You write a pitch for a new story, make it from letter k to letter s in your music on your iTouch, and make character pictures for the mentioned new story.

Meet the Umbrati team, from Severed Ties.

Igni Marn, creature communicator, and her pet Eiothne. Yes, her pet's a dragon.

Hewitt, the inside man. Yes, that's Eragon.

Mona Starblade, kicked-out princess, secret keeper.

Saxton Merillon, brainiac of the group. Let's ignore that he looks like Nikolas from Maiden's Code, and that dude from Eragon.... Murtagh-something or other.

Nita Veritas, archer, tracker, grifter.

Andaes Headsplitter, ex-military.

YEAH. I got bored. VEEERY bored. Tah-dah.

Oh, swim team party status: since everyone keeps asking what day it's on instead of saying where they wanna go, Main Event is winning, but we really don't have very many votes overall XD