I damaged my wrist a couple days ago (don't ask how, really!) We can't afford X-rays, but I broke my wrist in 4th grade, I remember what it was like, and this isn't as bad. I've got a brace on it that prevents my wrist and thumb from moving. As for the bones, they're not too bad or I'd be in enormous pain, and honestly my wrist feels great so long as I don't use it. Maybe sprained, maybe broken, who knows. If it's still really sore after my birthday, we might suck it up and get x-rays after all. I REALLLLY do not want to be in a cast during the summer again.
Typing like this hurts after five minutes or so, which means my novel writing is on hiatus. That's fine, I just finished Shadowstrider Book 7 a couple weeks ago. I don't think I blogged about that, so belated YAY for me! Anyway, with the book done, I can go through and start revisions. So my wrist gets some rest.
Otherwise, I'm fine. Matt's taking me out tomorrow for my birthday. And he has a special present for me. I get to find out tomorrow.
Best of wishes to everyone! Summer is halfway over. Ahhhhh!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
8-8-08
Just posting about the numerological significance of today. 8-8-08.
One of my favorite weird numerological coincidences was an old neighbor's sister whose lucky number was 8. She had a lovely baby girl on 8-8-88 at 8:28 who weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces. Now that's cool!
Oh, and yay for the Olympics!
I know there's all sorts of brouhaha about it being in China and political issues and human rights protests, but you know what, the Olympics were meant to transcend politics. It didn't matter if you were from democratic-loving Athens or one of those toss-the-baby-over-the-cliff oligarchical Spartans (insert obligatory "THIS IS SPARTA" just to get it out of my system), athletes came to the Olympics to compete for individual glory. In fact, during the Greek Olympics, there was a truce held throughout Greece (and yes, Sparta did once break that truce, so they were forbidden from attending... don't ask how I remember these weird historical facts).
Anyway, the Olympics were MEANT as a time of peace, a promotion of camaraderie, a celebration of the human form and physical strength.
True, it's had its political moments. The Nazi's hosting the Berlin games as an "oh look at us we're the good guys" maneuver, then demanding that the USA not have two Jewish athletes, only to receive an in-your-face from African-American Jesse Owens ("take that you racist Nazi scumbag"). And those two guys with their Black Power salute back in the 60s. And let's not forget the 1996 bombing or the Black September terrorists. (shudder)
For some people, politics are just too hard to put behind them. For some, winning a metal isn't just about a personal achievement, it's a national victory. No matter how we optimists would love the Olympics to be "pure" and a competition for Humans, not insert-nationality-here, I also try to be a realist (difficult and not as fun, I know). Considering the condition of this world, I'm surprised political problems have been so few. If you bring that many nations together, you're gonna have issues. Many people are just too shallow, mundane, uneducated (and all sorts of insults I can toss out knowing they will all bounce off their rubbery, hollow heads) to accept that we are one race: Human!
It's gonna take the Vulcans coming to teach us that bit of logic, I guess :P
But you have no idea how many times I've heard people compare the Beijing Olympics to the Nazis. I mean, come on, this is Godwin's Law in flamboyant action here! My favorite is the claim that the Olympic torch is made from Nazi gold, because "Levono" (Chinese name for powerhouse company IBM) had something to do with the gas chambers. What that "something" is, no one will say. I mean, why don't you blame 14 million deaths on the company that made the frickin' locking mechanism, and then claim the Olympics are Nazi because the port-a-pots all use the same frickin' locks.
Really, it's that crazy. I for one am going to watch those US gymnastics girls with the same amazed wonder as if they were in Egypt, Spain, Lithuania, Kuwait, or Easter Island.
Yeah, okay, that's enough for my lousy rant. I'm so bored. Can't wait for my birthday!
Happy 8-8-8.
One of my favorite weird numerological coincidences was an old neighbor's sister whose lucky number was 8. She had a lovely baby girl on 8-8-88 at 8:28 who weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces. Now that's cool!
Oh, and yay for the Olympics!
I know there's all sorts of brouhaha about it being in China and political issues and human rights protests, but you know what, the Olympics were meant to transcend politics. It didn't matter if you were from democratic-loving Athens or one of those toss-the-baby-over-the-cliff oligarchical Spartans (insert obligatory "THIS IS SPARTA" just to get it out of my system), athletes came to the Olympics to compete for individual glory. In fact, during the Greek Olympics, there was a truce held throughout Greece (and yes, Sparta did once break that truce, so they were forbidden from attending... don't ask how I remember these weird historical facts).
Anyway, the Olympics were MEANT as a time of peace, a promotion of camaraderie, a celebration of the human form and physical strength.
True, it's had its political moments. The Nazi's hosting the Berlin games as an "oh look at us we're the good guys" maneuver, then demanding that the USA not have two Jewish athletes, only to receive an in-your-face from African-American Jesse Owens ("take that you racist Nazi scumbag"). And those two guys with their Black Power salute back in the 60s. And let's not forget the 1996 bombing or the Black September terrorists. (shudder)
For some people, politics are just too hard to put behind them. For some, winning a metal isn't just about a personal achievement, it's a national victory. No matter how we optimists would love the Olympics to be "pure" and a competition for Humans, not insert-nationality-here, I also try to be a realist (difficult and not as fun, I know). Considering the condition of this world, I'm surprised political problems have been so few. If you bring that many nations together, you're gonna have issues. Many people are just too shallow, mundane, uneducated (and all sorts of insults I can toss out knowing they will all bounce off their rubbery, hollow heads) to accept that we are one race: Human!
It's gonna take the Vulcans coming to teach us that bit of logic, I guess :P
But you have no idea how many times I've heard people compare the Beijing Olympics to the Nazis. I mean, come on, this is Godwin's Law in flamboyant action here! My favorite is the claim that the Olympic torch is made from Nazi gold, because "Levono" (Chinese name for powerhouse company IBM) had something to do with the gas chambers. What that "something" is, no one will say. I mean, why don't you blame 14 million deaths on the company that made the frickin' locking mechanism, and then claim the Olympics are Nazi because the port-a-pots all use the same frickin' locks.
Really, it's that crazy. I for one am going to watch those US gymnastics girls with the same amazed wonder as if they were in Egypt, Spain, Lithuania, Kuwait, or Easter Island.
Yeah, okay, that's enough for my lousy rant. I'm so bored. Can't wait for my birthday!
Happy 8-8-8.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Capone
This is my new kitty, Capone.
Capone is a very rare male calico. Only 1 in 3000 calicoes are male, and it is due to a genetic anomaly known as Klinefelter's syndrome.
For a cat to be a calico, it takes two X genes, one carrying an orange characteristic and one carrying the non-orange characteristic (usually black). Since a cat needs the XX combination of genes to be calico, it means 99.99 percent of the calicoes out there are female, giving rise to the myth of "there's no such thing as a male calico," something my vet told us on our first visit. Boy, was she nonplussed when she realized Capone really was male. She said, in her 10 years as a vet, she had never actually seen a male calico!!!
These rare XXY male calico cats rarely live past the age of two, are usually sterile, and are prone to numerous genetic disorders. We got very lucky on this boy. He's 5 years old, which means no early death, he doesn't seem to have any cognitive disabilities, our confounded vet had to shave him to see his underdeveloped manhood, but it's there... barely.
The only problem he's having is some stomach ailments as we try to find food he can digest, and he is FAT. The last owner took him to the vet, worried about diabetes. He's on a special diet now, but the weight just isn't going off. It might be another genetic thing, we don't know.
He gets along great with Stetson and seems to be calming him down, or at least distracting him. He's got a wonderful playful side to him and really tears after his dangly play stick thing.
He's been declawed (poor kitty, don't ever do that to cats, people!) but he quickly realized he has the weight over Stetson. When they play together, he does this sumo wrestling pounce and floors Stetson right down. It's hilarious to see this pudgy cat do a smackdown on Stetson, who is longer and more muscular (not fat, but big) but not anywhere near Capone's whopping 24 pounds!!!
We found him on Craig's List. The last owner had to get rid of him due to a boyfriend with allergies, and being declawed, he can't be tossed outside. Poor guy, I say toss the boyfriend outside!!!
Anyway, she said his name was Chubbs (totally appropriate) but that before that, when she got him, his name had been Capone. She thought that was a terrible name for a cat. Matt and I looked at each other and nodded. Yep, that's the perfect name for our little pudge ball.
Plus, "Stetson and Capone" just sound good together.
One interesting thing to note: black cats are considered unlucky, and calico cats are considered lucky. So they balance each other, a sort of yin-yang thing. Of course, I think all cats are wonderful, no matter the color of their fur, and all cat owners are doubly lucky to take in such quixotic and lovable pets!
Capone is a very rare male calico. Only 1 in 3000 calicoes are male, and it is due to a genetic anomaly known as Klinefelter's syndrome.
For a cat to be a calico, it takes two X genes, one carrying an orange characteristic and one carrying the non-orange characteristic (usually black). Since a cat needs the XX combination of genes to be calico, it means 99.99 percent of the calicoes out there are female, giving rise to the myth of "there's no such thing as a male calico," something my vet told us on our first visit. Boy, was she nonplussed when she realized Capone really was male. She said, in her 10 years as a vet, she had never actually seen a male calico!!!
These rare XXY male calico cats rarely live past the age of two, are usually sterile, and are prone to numerous genetic disorders. We got very lucky on this boy. He's 5 years old, which means no early death, he doesn't seem to have any cognitive disabilities, our confounded vet had to shave him to see his underdeveloped manhood, but it's there... barely.
The only problem he's having is some stomach ailments as we try to find food he can digest, and he is FAT. The last owner took him to the vet, worried about diabetes. He's on a special diet now, but the weight just isn't going off. It might be another genetic thing, we don't know.
He gets along great with Stetson and seems to be calming him down, or at least distracting him. He's got a wonderful playful side to him and really tears after his dangly play stick thing.
He's been declawed (poor kitty, don't ever do that to cats, people!) but he quickly realized he has the weight over Stetson. When they play together, he does this sumo wrestling pounce and floors Stetson right down. It's hilarious to see this pudgy cat do a smackdown on Stetson, who is longer and more muscular (not fat, but big) but not anywhere near Capone's whopping 24 pounds!!!
We found him on Craig's List. The last owner had to get rid of him due to a boyfriend with allergies, and being declawed, he can't be tossed outside. Poor guy, I say toss the boyfriend outside!!!
Anyway, she said his name was Chubbs (totally appropriate) but that before that, when she got him, his name had been Capone. She thought that was a terrible name for a cat. Matt and I looked at each other and nodded. Yep, that's the perfect name for our little pudge ball.
Plus, "Stetson and Capone" just sound good together.
One interesting thing to note: black cats are considered unlucky, and calico cats are considered lucky. So they balance each other, a sort of yin-yang thing. Of course, I think all cats are wonderful, no matter the color of their fur, and all cat owners are doubly lucky to take in such quixotic and lovable pets!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
After a Hiatus, My Mind is an Icy Pop
After a few months away from blogging, MySpace, emails, and the internet in general but for research (with no regrets or withdrawals, I might add), I've checked back in, mostly to see if anyone has messaged me and to hack away at my email account.
Update: we have a new cat, Capone, a MALE calico (very rare XXY chromosome). Our vet had actually never seen a male calico before and told us they almost never live past 2 years. Capone is a whopping 5 years, which means he managed not to get any of the weird genetic disorders male calicoes are prone to. His only problem is his weight. His last owner just fed him whenever the dish was empty, so he's 24 pounds now. The vet says we've got to get him down to 12-15 pounds. So the poor guy is on a special wet food diet and hates us for taking away his regular food. He and Stetson get along as well as two boys are expected to, which means one minute they're rolling around fighting, the next minute they're curled together licking each other.
Matt's folks will be up here for the 4th. That should be fun. We're getting ready for a concert on the night of the 4th. We're playing for the city's big fireworks show. Ooh, and I've got a solo. I'm the youngest trombonist and still the "new kid" in the group, but the guy who would usually play the part is going away for the 4th, so I get it, yippee!!! It's to "Good Ol' USA" which anyone from the Santa Ana Winds will remember. Thanks to the Winds, I know the solo quite well, thus I managed to shock those gray-beards... omg, a 20-something GIRL can play dixieland? LOL!!! They really are shocked I can play it, it's hilarious. I'm not telling them I played the part for 6 frickin' years.
I FINALLY got my trombone fixed from the crunch it received thanks to PDX. They got the bell straightened out and a tweak to the slide, and I went for the full sonic cleaning since the thing probably hasn't had a professional cleaning in 50 years. It's so lovely!!! Now I want to get all the little scratches and the lacquer problem taken care of. Next stim-bate check!
That's about all that's been happening. Wow, I live a boring life. Well, most of my time is eaten up writing, and I now do that solely on my laptop, and this old thing doesn't like looking up websites. It's an antique Powerbook G3, great for just using OpenOffice (I didn't like NeoOffice and don't even ASK why I would use something as asinine as M$Word because I will have to smack some sense into you) but if I try to get it to look up graphically intense websites or anything on YouTube, it just doesn't cut it. So I've learned there is more to life than wasting it on stupid video shorts and hours siphoned off my life updating MySpace. Text blogs like this are okay so far.
I'm in a "simplification" mood, making my life less stressful, less complicated, less time consuming... so I can spend more time writing. I'm done with Book One of my dragon story and flipped back to "Shadowstrider." I want to finish Book 7 before the end of the summer so I can get started on Book 8 and have that done by next year. Then a rewrite of Book 9 and, oh yeah baby, on to Book Ten AT LAST! When I'm done, a re-re-readthru of all ten books, and it's off to the publisher. I refuse to publish until I know for a fact I can finish all ten of these books before I die.
Do you hear someone whispering the words "obsession?" Maybe it's just the tangerine orangutans sucking on my icy pops again.
Update: we have a new cat, Capone, a MALE calico (very rare XXY chromosome). Our vet had actually never seen a male calico before and told us they almost never live past 2 years. Capone is a whopping 5 years, which means he managed not to get any of the weird genetic disorders male calicoes are prone to. His only problem is his weight. His last owner just fed him whenever the dish was empty, so he's 24 pounds now. The vet says we've got to get him down to 12-15 pounds. So the poor guy is on a special wet food diet and hates us for taking away his regular food. He and Stetson get along as well as two boys are expected to, which means one minute they're rolling around fighting, the next minute they're curled together licking each other.
Matt's folks will be up here for the 4th. That should be fun. We're getting ready for a concert on the night of the 4th. We're playing for the city's big fireworks show. Ooh, and I've got a solo. I'm the youngest trombonist and still the "new kid" in the group, but the guy who would usually play the part is going away for the 4th, so I get it, yippee!!! It's to "Good Ol' USA" which anyone from the Santa Ana Winds will remember. Thanks to the Winds, I know the solo quite well, thus I managed to shock those gray-beards... omg, a 20-something GIRL can play dixieland? LOL!!! They really are shocked I can play it, it's hilarious. I'm not telling them I played the part for 6 frickin' years.
I FINALLY got my trombone fixed from the crunch it received thanks to PDX. They got the bell straightened out and a tweak to the slide, and I went for the full sonic cleaning since the thing probably hasn't had a professional cleaning in 50 years. It's so lovely!!! Now I want to get all the little scratches and the lacquer problem taken care of. Next stim-bate check!
That's about all that's been happening. Wow, I live a boring life. Well, most of my time is eaten up writing, and I now do that solely on my laptop, and this old thing doesn't like looking up websites. It's an antique Powerbook G3, great for just using OpenOffice (I didn't like NeoOffice and don't even ASK why I would use something as asinine as M$Word because I will have to smack some sense into you) but if I try to get it to look up graphically intense websites or anything on YouTube, it just doesn't cut it. So I've learned there is more to life than wasting it on stupid video shorts and hours siphoned off my life updating MySpace. Text blogs like this are okay so far.
I'm in a "simplification" mood, making my life less stressful, less complicated, less time consuming... so I can spend more time writing. I'm done with Book One of my dragon story and flipped back to "Shadowstrider." I want to finish Book 7 before the end of the summer so I can get started on Book 8 and have that done by next year. Then a rewrite of Book 9 and, oh yeah baby, on to Book Ten AT LAST! When I'm done, a re-re-readthru of all ten books, and it's off to the publisher. I refuse to publish until I know for a fact I can finish all ten of these books before I die.
Do you hear someone whispering the words "obsession?" Maybe it's just the tangerine orangutans sucking on my icy pops again.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Survey Galore
Your IQ Is 135 |
 Your Logical Intelligence is Exceptional Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Genius |
You Are a Total Brainiac |
 You’re amazingly brilliant. Some would even say genius. You’re curious, thoughtful, analytical, and confident. You take on difficult subjects because you want to... not because you have to. No field of knowledge is too complicated or intimidating for you. You’ve got the brains to do anything you want. It’s possible you end up doing everything you want. |
Your Vocabulary Score: A |
 Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person. |
Your Love is Based on Commitment |
 You believe that love is something that develops and grows. You don’t believe in love at first site, and you never mistake lust for love. For you, love is about mutual devotion, respect, and understanding. You don’t feel comfortable in a relationship, unless you’re both in it for the long run. Why your love can last: You don’t take commitment lightly - or leave relationships easily Why your love can fail: You’re so committed, you often can’t see the most obvious problems in your relationship |
Your Love Quote |
 True love stories never have endings. |
Your Love Song Is |
 Yellow by Coldplay "Look at the stars, Look how they shine for you, And everything you do, Yeah they were all yellow" You’re so in love, it’s like a drug. |
You Should Be a Teacher |
 You are patient, optimistic, and good at explaining things. You work well with all types of people, and you are a good role model. Success and positive outcomes are extremely important to you. You are both a good leader and instructor. People look up to and depend on you. You do best when you: - Can see the results of your work - Are able to teach someone a new skill You would also be a good nurse or non fiction writer. |
You Should Be a Poet |
 You have a way with words... and a talent for drawing the pure emotions out of experiences. Your poetry has the potential to make people laugh and cry at the same time. You just need to write it! |
You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer |
 Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you’re from. And while you may have some problems being "normal," you’ll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it’s epic films, important novels, or vivid comics... Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world! |
Arty Kid |
 Whether you were a drama freak or an emo poet, you definitely were expressive and unique. You’re probably a little less weird these days - but even more talented! |
You Should Learn French |
 C’est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs. You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up... |
You Are Guinness |
 You know beer well, and you’ll only drink the best beers in the world. Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them. When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don’t know well. But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around. |
You Are Chardonnay |
 Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you’re so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat |
You Belong in the Silent Generation |
 You fit in best with people born between 1925 and 1942. You are a person of high values and character. Family, your country, loyalty, and hard work all important to you. You are willing to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult. |
You Belong in 1964 |
 You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too. |
You Have Not Been Ruined by American Culture |
 You’re nothing like the typical American. In fact, you may not be American at all. You have a broad view of the world, and you’re very well informed. And while you certainly have been influenced by American culture (who hasn’t?), it’s not your primary influence. You take a more global philosophy with your politics, taste, and life. And you’re always expanding and revising what you believe. |
You Are 70% "Average American" |
 You are average because you’ve known your best friend for at least ten years. You are not average since you would pay to go in space. |
You Are 64% Weirdo |
 You’re a pretty weird soul, and you often can’t help but notice how strange you are. You simply see things very differently. So you live your life in a very unusual way. Who cares if you don’t fit in? Just remember to embrace your inner weirdo... because there’s no hiding it. |
There’s a 84% Chance You’ve Been Abducted By Aliens |
 You’ve almost certainly been abducted by aliens. Either that, or you’re totally certifiably nuts. |
You Should Get A Butterfly Tattoo |
 Sweet and sassy For you, tattoos are a thing of beauty - not toughness |
Your Pirate Name Is... |
 |
Orange County |
 You’re rich, pretty, and living a charmed life. (Or you seriously wish you were.) From Disneyland to Laguna Beach, you’re all about living the California dream life. Just make sure to marry rich - so you don’t have to work for it! |
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino |
 One of a kind and forward looking, you’re the first to introduce a wacky new trend to your friends. And even if your ideas seem weird, they get adopted pretty quickly. |
Your 80s Theme Song Is: |
 |
You’re a Pack Rat in Training |
 You know those crazy old people with a ton of video tapes and cats? Well, you’re training to be one. Time to do some spring cleaning. Even if it isn’t spring! |
Your Social Anxiety Level: 88% |
 You have extreme social anxiety. Your social phobia is a serious problem for you, and you definitely need help. And while getting help may seem very scary, it’s your only choice... except for hermitude! |
The Part of You That No One Sees |
 You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere. You’re the type of person who goes along to get along. And you’re definitely afraid of rocking the boat. Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart. You’ll put up with a situation that you don’t like in fear of changing it. Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you. |
You Are A Fig Tree |
 You are very independent and strong minded. A hard worker when you want to be, you play hard too. You are honest and loyal. You hate contradiction or arguments. You love life, and you live for your friends, children, and animals. A great sense of humor, artistic talent, and intelligence are all gifts you possess. |
Your Power Bird is an Eagle |
 You are spiritual and able to soar to great heights. You are a true inspiration, and many people look to you for guidance. And you are quite demanding in relationships... but you’re worth it. People know that you will become even greater than you imagine. |
You Are a Mermaid |
 You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you’re flakier than you actually are. While your head is often in the clouds, you’ll always come back to earth to help someone in need. Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational. You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else. |
You Are Impressionism |
 You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature. |
You Are Best Described By... |
 Impression, Sunrise By Claude Monet |
Your Inner Muse is Euterpe |
 You are most like this muse of music. While you may or may not be musical... You love music and set life to your own personal soundtrack. And you are good at making anyone’s heart sing! |
You Are Psyche! |
 Eternally in search of purpose and insight. You’re curious and creative with a total sense of wonder. Totally empathetic, you pick up on other’s moods easily. Just be sure to pamper yourself as well! |
You Have Good Karma |
 In general, you like to do the right thing when it comes to others. Your caring personality really shines through. Sure, you have your moments of weakness - and occasionally act out. But, all in all, you’re karma is good... even with those few dark spots. |
You Were An Owl |
 You are stealthy and secretive - no one knows the true you. You are a seeker of freedom, and you are comfortable with your dark side. |
Your Aura is Violet |
 Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don’t always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach |
Your Power Element is Water |
 Your power colors: blue and aqua Your energy: deep Your season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion. You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul. A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem. You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream. |
You Are an Old Soul |
 You are an experienced soul who appreciates tradition. Mellow and wise, you like to be with others but also to be alone. Down to earth, you are sensible and impatient. A creature of habit, it takes you a while to warm up to new people. You hate injustice, and you’re very protective of family and friends A bit demanding, you expect proper behavior from others. Extremely independent you don’t mind living or being alone. But when you find love, you tend to want marriage right away. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul and Visionary Soul |
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Ultimate Emo
My husband and I were talking about ultimate emo sayings. He declared I won when we both burst out laughing at this:
"My life is a rose plucked from the grave of a loved one, sliced with a rusted knife, and scattered in the litter box of a diarrhetic cat."
Got a good emo phrase? Reply with your suggestions. Let’s laugh at their misery!
"My life is a rose plucked from the grave of a loved one, sliced with a rusted knife, and scattered in the litter box of a diarrhetic cat."
Got a good emo phrase? Reply with your suggestions. Let’s laugh at their misery!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Go ahead, ask me about dragons!
I've been working on Blue Fire Dragon for a while now. I have 22 chapters, which I think is very good progress, but now I'm getting into some heavy dragon lore sections.
What do they eat?
How do they breath fire?
What is their physiology?
Do they have spikes and horns?
How long do they live?
Are they telepathic?
Do dragons have two feet and a pair of wings/arms, or four feet and wings for a total of 6 appendages?
Do I want to go with Flight of Dragons where they eat limestone and Thor's Thimble lights the spark, or do I go with Reign of Fire and the dragon spits two chemicals that react together to make natural napalm?
Now, I could go the easy route and mimic past writers. While doing internet research, I have found that many people like the "Dragons of Pern" series. No, not "like;" they worship it! These people think they were dragonriders in another life. That shows a very talented writer, to have such a fanatic following. However, I'm decidedly avoiding reading any of those books until after I'm done with this novel. I'm restricting my reading to the classics and serious studies of dragon anatomy (if they really existed, they would have to be hollow boned, else they would never get off the ground, and the wingspan would be massive and involve huge wing muscles, leaving little physical room for the idea that they had four legs plus wings, and dragons themselves would be much smaller than the knights of yore claimed, frickin baggarts!)
I'm stretching out to a variety of cultures: Japanese, European, Russian, Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Babylonian. If they had a big lizard, I've read the legends. Wyverns, wyrms, drakes, ouroboros, amphipter, the lindworm, naga, cockatrice, basilisks, you name it!
After all this studying, I'm left with a dragon that I hope is unique, bit of a blend of numerous legends with my own twists. Kismet (my dragon) is a cute little guy right now, two swooped back horns on his head (for aerodynamics) with eye ridges (like eyebrows, but bone) and protective horns over his spit glands (two lumps on the corners of his mouth, as many dragons are described having). He has two legs and a pair of wings, a "wyvern" style apparently, but I was thinking a bit more like raptors with wings. For dang fierce chickens! I wanted to keep the physicality to a dinosaur style, and although my husband wants me to change it to four legs and wings, physically this works better. Something like a swan meets a bat and breeds with a lizard. Uh, yeah.
The fun part was coming up with a unique yet physically plausible way of flaming. Dragons in my story use a mix of gastrointestinal fumes (smelly burps) and the spit glands which ignite upon contact with oxygen and is intensified by the gas.
I'll scan in my concept drawing later. I'm no artist, but it helps me get an idea of what I want. Lots of playing around with the design.
What do they eat?
How do they breath fire?
What is their physiology?
Do they have spikes and horns?
How long do they live?
Are they telepathic?
Do dragons have two feet and a pair of wings/arms, or four feet and wings for a total of 6 appendages?
Do I want to go with Flight of Dragons where they eat limestone and Thor's Thimble lights the spark, or do I go with Reign of Fire and the dragon spits two chemicals that react together to make natural napalm?
Now, I could go the easy route and mimic past writers. While doing internet research, I have found that many people like the "Dragons of Pern" series. No, not "like;" they worship it! These people think they were dragonriders in another life. That shows a very talented writer, to have such a fanatic following. However, I'm decidedly avoiding reading any of those books until after I'm done with this novel. I'm restricting my reading to the classics and serious studies of dragon anatomy (if they really existed, they would have to be hollow boned, else they would never get off the ground, and the wingspan would be massive and involve huge wing muscles, leaving little physical room for the idea that they had four legs plus wings, and dragons themselves would be much smaller than the knights of yore claimed, frickin baggarts!)
I'm stretching out to a variety of cultures: Japanese, European, Russian, Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Babylonian. If they had a big lizard, I've read the legends. Wyverns, wyrms, drakes, ouroboros, amphipter, the lindworm, naga, cockatrice, basilisks, you name it!
After all this studying, I'm left with a dragon that I hope is unique, bit of a blend of numerous legends with my own twists. Kismet (my dragon) is a cute little guy right now, two swooped back horns on his head (for aerodynamics) with eye ridges (like eyebrows, but bone) and protective horns over his spit glands (two lumps on the corners of his mouth, as many dragons are described having). He has two legs and a pair of wings, a "wyvern" style apparently, but I was thinking a bit more like raptors with wings. For dang fierce chickens! I wanted to keep the physicality to a dinosaur style, and although my husband wants me to change it to four legs and wings, physically this works better. Something like a swan meets a bat and breeds with a lizard. Uh, yeah.
The fun part was coming up with a unique yet physically plausible way of flaming. Dragons in my story use a mix of gastrointestinal fumes (smelly burps) and the spit glands which ignite upon contact with oxygen and is intensified by the gas.
I'll scan in my concept drawing later. I'm no artist, but it helps me get an idea of what I want. Lots of playing around with the design.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Dune Inspirations
I've drawn a total blank in writing Shadowstrider. I took a bit of a chance, thought I'd try my hand at a scene with a sort of James Bond feel to it. Actually, it's a bit more like "Splinter Cell" in the whole sneak in and don't get caught idea, not the suave libertine like Bond who comes in dressed to kill and introduces himself to every pretty girl in the room. Anyway, I decided to makes this the finale of Book Seven, got it set up real great, even wrote an outline, and I never use outlines. Then as I started up writing and... blank!!! Just blank. I haven't been able to write more than a couple paragraphs since the New Year.
I need some sort of escape from all the depressing crap going on in my family, so I've switched to a story I haven't worked on in years, a nice little dragon fantasy. I'm hoping it cheers me up and gets me through this block on my main project.
However, this story has heavy Middle Eastern influences. The setting is a desert planet, very Dune-esque. Most of the characters have Arabic, Jewish, or Persian names with a few African, Indian, Turkish, Albanian, Japanese, and even Swedish influences throughout. Things like food and fashion are all desert style, with abayas and salwar-kameez and dupattas and keffiyehs and eating baba ghanoush and drinking qawah. Very fun to write.
Now my husband is wondering why the hell I'm looking up all this Arabic information. He raises an eyebrow every time I start mentioning about Islam and various beliefs and traditions I find interesting and try incorporating into the story. He's worried that too much obvious Middle Eastern themes will hurt the book by drawing heating attacks, both from the Muslim community who may think I'm mocking them, and from Muslim haters who will think I'm a terrorist supporter or something. I'm left wondering why I can't give a nod to Frank Herbert without it becoming a political issue.
I may post an excerpt in a couple days. One thing about my story that goes against the "traditional" dragon lore yet follows the more modern assumptions about dragon physicality: my dragons are vegans! Wohoo!!!
I need some sort of escape from all the depressing crap going on in my family, so I've switched to a story I haven't worked on in years, a nice little dragon fantasy. I'm hoping it cheers me up and gets me through this block on my main project.
However, this story has heavy Middle Eastern influences. The setting is a desert planet, very Dune-esque. Most of the characters have Arabic, Jewish, or Persian names with a few African, Indian, Turkish, Albanian, Japanese, and even Swedish influences throughout. Things like food and fashion are all desert style, with abayas and salwar-kameez and dupattas and keffiyehs and eating baba ghanoush and drinking qawah. Very fun to write.
Now my husband is wondering why the hell I'm looking up all this Arabic information. He raises an eyebrow every time I start mentioning about Islam and various beliefs and traditions I find interesting and try incorporating into the story. He's worried that too much obvious Middle Eastern themes will hurt the book by drawing heating attacks, both from the Muslim community who may think I'm mocking them, and from Muslim haters who will think I'm a terrorist supporter or something. I'm left wondering why I can't give a nod to Frank Herbert without it becoming a political issue.
I may post an excerpt in a couple days. One thing about my story that goes against the "traditional" dragon lore yet follows the more modern assumptions about dragon physicality: my dragons are vegans! Wohoo!!!
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