Monday, May 04, 2009
Well, since I'm gonna be playing in the band, I picked off where I dropped piano so many years ago, trying to relearn it. All those years ago, my mum paid to send me to lessons, and nobody ever taught me what the hell chords were, how they worked, what those italian words on the score meant and basically how to read anything other than basic notes -.- I spent a day today reading through my old books and I've learnt so much more. Finally! Things are starting to make sense. And the worst is, when I finally express an interest in playing the piano, the damn thing is getting old and the most used keys don't work properly anymore! :hissyfit:
And now I have to go, start my work. I need my weekends free to practice for the Games, so I'll have to finish all my work, study for the exams and practice on the piano during the weekdays. Gotta run now!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Got this off Jo Lynn
Prom night fantasy? You might prefer a more casual celebration.
Prom's OK, and if that's what people are into, you're perfectly happy to let them have their fun. But it's also fine if schmancy, expensive celebrations aren't really your thing. When prom night rolls around, you might rather have...
A friend stop by to pick you up. Hey, didn't you hear about the party out at the beach tonight? It's sort of an anti-prom, but more just for people who didn't feel like shelling out the bucks for tickets and a limo and unnecessary, only-gonna-wear-it-once formalwear.
You have a feeling this beach party thing is going to be MUCH more fun than the school-sanctioned event, so you call all your non-prom-going friends and let them know where to meet up. It may be last minute, but it is a GORGEOUS spring night, and you refuse to let it go to waste.
Your "prom night" won't involve an actual prom, but it will involve hugs, friendship, music, nature, deep conversations with people you love (and maybe even a person you might love-love, now that you're finally getting to know each other better). There will be shooting stars overhead and fresh air all around you and maybe snuggling up in borrowed hoodies and under blankets and appreciating the wonder inherent in every moment of being alive on this planet.
How will your prom night end? That part of the fantasy's up to you (some stuff's just too special to describe in words), but no doubt -- for the rest of your life, whenever anyone asks about prom, you will say, "Oh, I didn't go to the school one." and you will remember this low key, low budget night and wonder how something so amazing could've been so simple.Ironic since I've been to two balls. Bloody expensive -.- And not that great. Give me a night under the stars, just not on the beach. The forest would be wonderful. Or the open field down at Dwellingup bunkhouses, with a circle of brothers and sisters in Christ all gathered round. Everybody knows each other, everybody's joining in, even the usually shy ones. The mood's there, the atmosphere's there, and I swear there was a falling star which I missed. No pictures of that most beautiful moment ever, since everyone was part of that cosy (if large) circle. Shame, that's one thing I'd really like in the digital photo frame in my room. I'd trade meaningful worship songs for that blasting racket any day. Although we were getting pretty loud then :P Still, beautiful...
Yes! I can go for the State Youth Games, even though I'll have my exams less than a day later :P Collin can't go, dammit, cause someone's on mini vacation *pout* Matt, Chris and Marcus are coming. Whoot! Just waiting for Jack, although I suppose he won't come, since the forms were meant to be handed in last tuesday -.- Nobody told the youths about the Games, even though we had several Year 11 and 12s. Bohdi, Grant and Noah are too young, and the girls... Well, I don't know any of them who's coming.
Catalyst is gaining speed. It's finally starting to be more youth-involved. We've got one band, and we're going to start another if we can get Chris to lead. At the moment we're more than just a band, we're the committee coming up with ideas keeping Catalyst running. Shame all this has to happen in my last year. I can always go back next year as a youth leader, but it won't really be a youth run by youths, since I'll have graduated from Catalyst. First meeting (for me) this Friday, I'll have to run down immediately after school. We need a name. At the moment, all I've got is "Incognito". It isn't about us, it's about Catalyst. Yeah! It's gonna be so cool on sunday. Everyone goes in, the band will be playing, there'll be strobe lights. And I gotta design a logo so we can have it up on the slides when everyone comes in.
Why in the world am I committing to so many things in my TEE year -.- Catalyst, cadets, State Youth Games and various other camps. Too much for the final and most important year of high school? Well, at least it'll be fun.
As of midnight,
9 days to Leeuwin, 25 days to State Youth Games, 29 days to Exams, 68 days to Ski Trip
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Turns out Jo Lynn does read my blog after all, so thought I'd post this, give her something else to read besides listening to people "talk about themselves". Which is kinda what I'm doing anyway, but oh well. It's about other stuff, not just me :P
I ought to be doing my homework now. Holidays are almost over and I'm still not even halfway through that huge pile! Musicals and such have been taking up most of my time now 
You know, searching for musicals to watch, movies, soundtracks, music books, original novels etc. A list of musicals I absolutely must watch! For the moment...
Les Miserables Wicked Sweeney Todd
I'm sure I'll find more to add to that list While I'm at it, I might as well throw in a list of live theatre performances I've watched too. I watched my first one last year, and Phantom this year, which has inspired me to hunt down every awesome musical I can find. The hobby of an ex-drama student 
Caucasian Chalk Circle Phantom of the Opera Frankenstein
I got the tickets to Les Miserables in the mail today! 
Yes! Another ticket to add to my collection. Row M. Seats 4 and 5. It's the best I could get. All the other seats were either near but in a corner, or in the center but all the way back.
Found an Australian production of Wicked, which looks just as awesome as Phantom, but it's playing in Melbourne, not in Perth 
Until June. Shame, if only they went into July, I would have gone to watch it while on my Ski Trip. There's a one night performance of Sweeney Todd, but only in Victoria
Books! I've ordered Phantom of the Opera already, after an accident where I got a Level 5 one with only 83 pages. I wanted the original novel!! This time I did all the searching for Dymocks, and gave them the ISBN of the exact book I wanted. Never let them search for a book for you. It's never what you want e.e' Gotta grab hold of A String of Pearls, Les Miserables, Wicked, Son of a Witch (a sequel to Wicked, I believe), and finally get down to reading the classic Wizard of Oz. Oh, did I just say read? I meant add to my book collection And in addition to that, the music books too of course.
After 3 days of learning flips on a trampoline at camp, it hurts to even sneeze No regrets! It was the best camp ever! Not in terms of the activities, but the fellowship. Still, the activities were pretty awesome. That beeping Morse code confused me I caught SOS, and missed everything else. I still haven't nailed a proper backflip yet, but I will. In a quiet pool. Just gotta find it first :/
Camp was so much fun that I'm signing up to go for the State Youth Games this year. I didn't last year, which was a shame, cause we won for the third year in a row. Doubled the next best score! 656 points! Never mind that it's on the weekend just before my exams. I'm still going! Just need to get my mum's permission first... It's a pain being under 18 sometimes 
She doesn't know I have exams then, so shh...
I went to Penguin Island yesterday. I really want a new camera for my photography I borrowed my mum's camera, and it annoyed me so much because I couldn't adjust the aperture or shutter speed. Anyway, I got to be alone with the penguins for about 10 mins, and one came right up to me, so I managed to get some clear shots. That was when people came in and started crowding around me, with annoying little kids banging up and down when it clearly says "Be Quiet". Oh wow! The penguin got scared away. Who would have guessed? I could kick myself for missing some of the best shots. One was rather blurry, because I didn't use flash. Another, I snapped a second just before the penguin dived into the water. That would have been an awesome shot. The one I did manage to get would have been fine had I had the sense to get the water into the shot too, not just the penguin preparing to dive. I might load the photos up, if I finish my work and get a chance to sort through my photos.
I will post on Phantom another time. It's long overdue, and I want to rant. Might be able to get video clips up.
To do before the holidays end on Tuesday:
Calculus Assignment Applicable Book 5 Applicable Assignment 5 Lit Tutorial Poems: Gwen Harwood Physics Assignment Another Physics Assignment Biology Study Guide Lit notes Revision for all subjects
19 days to Leeuwin
YOUR BOY SIDE:
[x] you love hoodies
[x] you love jeans
[x] dogs are better than cats
[x] it's hilarious when people get hurt and fall.
[x] you've played with/against boys on a team
[x] shopping is torture
[ ] sad movies suck
[x] you own a XBOX
[x] you played with Hot Wheels as a little kid
[ ]at some point in life you wanted to be a firefighter
[x] you owned a DS, PS2 or Sega
[ ] you used to be obsessed with Power Rangers
[ ] you watch sports on TV
[ ] gory movies are cool
[x] you used to go to your dad for advice
[x] you have at least 1 trophy of a sport
[ ] You used to play Yu-Gi-Oh
[ ] baggy sweat pants are nice to wear
[ ] it's kind of weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people
[x] green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favourite colours
[x] you love to go crazy and not care what other people think
[x] sports are fun
[x] you sometimes talk with food in your mouth
[x] you sleep at night with your socks on (sometimes)
[x] you have fished at least once
TOTAL = 17 (Well, isn't that a surprise?)
YOUR GIRL SIDE
[ ] you like to shop
[ ] you wear eyeliner
[ ] you wear the colour pink
[x] you go to your mum for advice
[ ] you consider cheerleading a sport
[ ] you hate wearing all black
[ ] you like going to the mall
[ ] you like getting manicures and/or pedicures
[ ] you like wearing jewellery
[ ]you cried watching The Notebook
[ ] skirts are a big parts of your wardrobe
[ ] shopping is one of your favourite hobbies
[x] you don't like the movie Star Wars (Wouldn't know. Never bothered to watch it)
[ ] you are/were in gymnastics
[ ] it takes you around one hour to shower and get dressed
[x] You smile a lot more than you should
[ ] you have more than 10 pairs of shoes
[ ]you care about what you look like majority of the time
[ ] you like wearing dresses
[ ] you like wearing body spray
[ ] you like high heel shoes
[x] you used to play with dolls as a kid (do kidnap, torture and decapitation scenes count? )
[ ] you like putting makeup on others
[ ] you like being the star of almost everything
TOTAL = 4 (Hah! I more than squared that in my boyish side!)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
It's been so long. I'm not really bothered updating anymore. I'm mostly doing this for myself. It's somewhere to get things off, and it's nice being able to read back on what happened. Life experiences are what make you grow after all.
What am I doing? So many things have changed. I'm not who I once was. Where's meaning gone? There used to be something to do, something to achieve. But now... I'm just doing things each day to pass the time. Getting through each day. And to what end? I'm 16. There're many more days I'm going to have to live through. This is not how I want it. Work's a distraction, and I only do it because I have to. What happened to those dreams? They don't seem so appealing anymore, with the mood I'm in. Most of my time is spent staring blankly into space. The rest of the time is spent trying to occupy myself. To distract my thoughts. What's happened?
I came back from "Choose Your Own Adventure" Camp yesterday. The moment I stepped into the house, I just felt depressed. I've been to a lot of camps, and I've always hated coming home. But this was worse. Most of my depression probably stems from loneliness. Things happening in my life that I just want to forget. But that would be irresponsible. And I'm not like that. Or I don't want to think of myself like that. I need friends. Not just people to hang around with, I have those. I really need real friends. Someone who's always there, for me to talk to. Someone who knows the real me. What am I doing? I want friends, but someone's trying to get close to me, and I'm just pushing him away. What happened? What do I fear? It used to be so great. Someone to talk to, to spend time with. Someone to lift my spirits when I'm down. And I've just gone and completely destroyed him by rejecting him. I don't want to think about it, but everything is a painful reminder. I don't want to ever face him again, but I know I have to. And I couldn't bear the thought of the pain I'm causing him. It'd be so much easier to walk away, to drop all ties. I could live with that. But what kind of person would that make me? The moment things are going hard, am I going to just turn away? I will work this out, but nothing's ever going to be the same again. And this memory is going to haunt me.
I can only describe camp as beautiful. The best days of my life. It wasn't what we did on camp that made it so great. I've been on so many camps, and I've done much cooler stuff. It was the atmosphere. All the caring and encouragements. The patience, the selflessness. The love. Last year's camp wasn't as good as this year's, but for some reason, I was still happy. God is Love. I understand that now. There was no sorrow, no shame. No fear of opening up. I always thought that singing praises to God was a rather boring way to spend eternity. Now, I just wish it could have lasted forever. Under the heavens at night, all of us just holding each other, worshiping Him who has given us so much. It was just so beautiful, and that falling light in the sky...
God is Love. He was there with us, in us. I know he was. I could feel Him. His presence was just so strong there, among his children, away from the evils of this world. Why have I never built on my relationship with Him before? He's the reason it was so peaceful and happy.I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
...
I'm pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
And His joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last through the night
His joy comes with the morningI used to hope he wouldn't come again in my lifetime. I admitted it would have been a nice thing, but I would have missed doing some things. My heart's been changed by his grace. It would be the best thing ever. There's no point wanting to prolong time spent on earth. It's not the most important thing. God is. We're just here to prepare for his return. Everything else is secondary. "And I don't care what the world throws at me now" How can I ever turn my back on Him, after having experienced his love?
Lord, you've always been there for me, even when I've been distracted. Thank you Lord. Forgive me for all the wrongs I've ever done You. Guide each step I take, every decision I make. Let everything I do be for your glory. May I never forget the love you've shown me, and through me may others experience your wonderful love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
I got friendly with some of the boys on camp. What's really sad is that I've never taken the time to get to know these great people. And the leaders, Desiree, Heather, Ning, all great people too. I've known all along where to find it, but I've been searching for water in a desert. This camp has really brought new meaning to my life, and I thank You for making it happen. Thanks for all the leaders, who have taken the time to organise this for us. May you pour your blessings on them, and I hope that one day, I'll be able to do the same for the other youths.
On a brighter note, camp was awesome. I do wish they had told us what the boundaries were though, and that all the treasure were painted yellow :/ We might have won then. Still, it was pretty funny when Wendy told Grant to open the treasure, and he misunderstood and opened the bag of chips inside the box. -.- That was our prize! And you just spilled everything on the ground and chucked it at them! I know they were coming after you with shaving cream, but still! :P We didn't get any of our prize, and I had to filch some from Volcano. Capture the flag = awesome. How you got yourself being hunted by Volcano's Emperor and 2 Luke Skywalkers, I have no idea. They might have overheard Sahara talking, but how did they manage to find you? Guess they weren't the Hunters at last year's camp for nothing. Some Cougar you are :P And while on that note, who's idea was it to put Ralph, Collin, Chris, Aaron and Sven on the same team last year? That competition was totally biased. Aaron and Sven might not be around this year, but Ralph, Collin and Chris alone still can run rings round the other 3 teams. Oh Suenne, how could you have sent our Emperor after Luke? Well, at least we captured two flags, and we didn't have to protect ours anymore since we were out of the game.
Climbing that fireman's pole on day 1 hurt on day 2. Trampolines made me hurt the rest of the camp. I still do. Ow *wince* Thanks to all you boys, especially Chris for putting up with me. I'm hopeless, I know :/ Well, sorry for not ever being on trampolines. Those few times don't count, I only bouced on them for a few minutes. I'll land that front flip one day, eventually, when I'm not in too much pain to jump high. And I'll get that backflip, once I get the courage to do it. Bouncing off my back might not count as a proper backflip, but at least I got over my head. I'll just have to find a quiet pool, deep enough for me to practise in, and without spectators. And I'll have to stop thinking I'll hit my head and drown. But yes, synchronised back and front flips are awesome. One day, hopefully, I'll learn those 360 backflips, forward backflips, and backward frontflips. Without hurting myself of course.
Wishing I'd stay a kid :/
State Youth Games' the weekend before Semester 1 exams. Same as last year. I should have gone last year. We beat everyone by so much! Double the next best score! 656 it was. I don't know if we can pull it off again. I sure hope so. I don't care if it's exams, I'm so going this year. I just hope mum will let me :/ Hope I'll see Collin on sunday, get him and Chris to go again this year. Maybe Marcus too, if he comes. Not sure he went last year, I don't think so. But it'd be great to have them there. And Matt too, yes. Awesome! Sven went last year too! But I haven't seen him for ages :S Year 12 had better not be keeping him away.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Before I continue... I SAW THE PARTIAL ECLIPSE! But the pinhole camera wasn't enough, nooo... I had to be smart and despite what I told others, went to look at the sun anyway. So I got an image of the partial eclipse burned into my retinas. Not good >.<
Anyway, we met up again on Wednesday. Wandered around the city, until we found the rock wall climbing place. I had to use a compass -.- We're meant to have someone who's 18 with us, but the guy let us through anyway :P He just said, "One of you is 18, right?" (hint hint), and gave us the forms to sign.
So, David was belaying me on one of the courses. "Keep the rope taunt," I told him. I don't know what he was doing, but he wasn't doing his job. Because I jumped, missed the handhold and fell at least a meter.
Climbed up a few walls with the camera attached to my harness. I kept forgetting it was there and crushed it against the wall. :S And it's not my camera >.<
Watched a movie after that. I drank so much coke I felt sick that night. Some from David, a bottle while rockwall climbing, and later a can during the movie. That was the most cramped cinema I have ever seen. Is there no such thing as leg room?
And yes, this is something I made during my free time... For the record, I'm not feeling suicidal. But I wasn't feeling too good when I planned it.
A Peek Into A Diary by *MNightSWolf on deviantART
You might need to download it for a full view to read that handwriting :) I tried writing larger than normal... I really did. That was the best I could manage.
WA Science and Engineering Summer School - 18 Jan to 23 Jan
Day 1
"'Non-violent ice-breaker', Jen said." And I'm sure there was a reason why they seperated the boys and girls dorms. Why was the ice-breaker dancing then? Great, the first time I dance, it's with a boy I have never met before. -.- Bloody hot that day. Played pool with the boys and won, then we moved on to table soccer. We're such a violent group >.< It's no wonder the table was falling apart. Bread for dinner. Couldn't chew, so I gave up and just ate the meat :P
Day 2
I could do with more sleep for one. The thing everyone asked when they came to our table was "How was your sleep?" so we had to keep telling the story. I was meant to wake at 7 when I was more used to 12, and wake my flat mates up. Even with my watch and phone alarm set, I was still so worried I wouldn't wake up I actually dreamt I heard the alarm and woke up -.- And Arusha dreamt that I woke up to tell her my dream. Had our first lecture on Shipwreak Conservation, snack, lab session, lunch, lab session, snack, lab session, dinner. Jeez, they feed us so much! Oh, and we had bread for lunch. By the second day, we had already formed our little groups. Amazing how us asians gravitated towards each other XD We played cards, or tried to. Most of the time we spent quarreling over the different variations of different games.
Day 3
Exact same thing for lunch. Morning lecture was on Genetic Modifications. I didn't really listen. Was too tired. 3 more lab sessions, then a trip to the Maritime Museum.
The worm farm at some Environmental Centre. They're all about sustainability. Solar panels, wind turbines (I forget the name), rainwater collection and recycled water. Even the walls of the buildings are recycled. Made from rubble. The reticulation system is designed in a way so not a single drop of water is lost. They rear their own ducks and chickens for food, and they grow their food and shade. It's amazing, how everything's planned out for sustainability and convinience.
This was a project by the engineering students. They built the place themselves, and they learn to use the computeres to control the valves and water and such.
Bubbles! Apparently, one scientist/mathematician (I forget which) devoted his life to studying bubbles. Dipping a ring into a bubble bath, you get a boring circle. But try dipping 3D objects in. The way the bubbles connects, it's so cool!
Went down to the lake to gather some samples so we could study the invertebrates through a microscope. And someone caught a dragonfly. I don't know how she did it. We let it go, don't worry. Didn't subject it to scrutiny under the microscope either.
And here's the us outside the Maritime Museum.
Day 4
Bread for breakfast and bread for lunch. I am so sick of bread! I had the exact same lunch for the whole week! My memory fails me here, and I forget what we did. I did go on a field trip, to the Department of Agriculture and Food, which was boring. Although we did get to go into the meeting room, with the big table in the middle and the comfy black chairs. And at night was the drama performance based on a scientific invention. Our group did the wheel, sharpened stick, and fire. Up till now, I still have no idea why everyone laughed after I delivered my lines -.- I might post a video if I feel like it...
Now, I tire of this, and I can't remember anything. So I guess I'll upoad pictures.
Cynotype photography. It's meant to be fishies on there.
Well, they did say get cosy :P Left to right, David, Elicia, Kristal, Ridge and me.
Before you start getting thoughts into your head, I swear I had nothing to do with this! Krystal was photo-happy, and she kept doing this. David and Elicia were dragging me back because I was on a coke rampage. They had to keep an eye on me the whole camp. I never did get my coke :( Which reminds me. I was sitting out a few games of Irish snap, and they tried to drag me off my chair. The chair ended up flipping and I almost went through the window. And later that night, got dragged to the middle of the floor for karoke :S My hair got stepped on. It hurts >.<
We finally spent camp playing Irish snap, since it was the only one everyone could agree on, because it was new to us all. It's a more complex version of snap, and we add rules every so often, such as skip 9s, snap on 7s, double handed snaps, turn around and snap on 6. We've got a new phrase: "Gotta do an 8", which means you gotta go to the toilet. This was the game I was sitting out of, because on 8s, they had to run to the next table, skull (drain quickly) a glass of water, run back and snap. Being used to only 2 glasses of water a day, I would kill myself if I tried that. Plus I choke really easily.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Status: Tired of this world. I want it all to endReading: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien / Crown of Stars - King's Dragon by Kate Elliot
If you're going to write Fantasy, how about you take this Fantasy Novelist's Exam? Hell, even if you're not, take it anyway. It's so funny, and so true. And if you're up for laughs, try one of these Crazy Libs. Basically, you just insert random words of your choice, and they'll replace some words of a text with them. If you want to read the Fantasy Novelist's Exam again, but this time with your own words, try this: http://www.rinkworks.com/crazylibs/c/r10.shtml
Now, if you'll excuse me...
Will you three shut up??!
Sorry, windchimes have been tinkling for the last hour. Why did I have to live in such a windy spot -.-
Moving on to more serious matters...
It's been a bad end to 2008, and an even worse beginning to 2009. It's halfway through January already, and things aren't getting any better. I feel like I'm perched on a lonely outcrop out in the middle of a trashing sea.
All those warning signs were there, but no one could see it. Why should they? It's normal, these things happen everyday. Then it moved on to someone doing something out of spite, and injuring her badly. Hospitalised, a mistake, not breathing, fits, heart stopping. The news just gets worse everyday. We made friends through her, but that just opened up the avenues of bad news. One died, one dying, one might never walk again. And when things begin to look up for him, more bad news from home. His girlfriend ran away from home, she's pregnant. The parents don't know, they're very religious. She finally comes home, everything's working out fine. But it was just the calm before the storm. Quarrels, breaking up, running away again. Fights, smashed glass. He slit his wrist and had to be rushed off to save him. Everyone blaming someone. The worst is when she blamed herself. More breakups. Friends turning on each other. Will this never end? They recover, there are scars of course. Some so deep they'll never heal. They're home now, and things are looking up again. Another lull before the storm. Another infection, back to the hospital. Panic, words said without any solid foundation, another wave of pain. Tears, pain, betrayal. Harsh words. Hate is so strong... Friendships broken, how long before she trusts again? Where's that close bond that was there only a week ago? Another friend, another land. Equally bad news. Disappointment, dreams shattered. Why do all of you blame yourself? You couldn't have known. You were defending a friend. You were worried for her, just trying to help. You loved her as a friend. She was your best friend, you were being cautious. No one's at fault, you tried. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six people and more. Will this blame game never end? It's not a game. Don't play it.
I'm standing on a lonely rock out to sea, and everything's crumbling around me. I'm tired already. I want to rest.
When will this storm end? When will night fade? When will the sun rise?
It will, I promise you. All of you. The sun will rise. Faded, but it will rise.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Status: Bad ending to 2008, bad beginning to 2009. The rest of the year better be good >.> I've got my TEEs
Reading: Attempting the Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkein
Wheew. I went for my first ever drive today. About several months late, but oh well. What can I say? I'm home. Unharmed. Sitting in front of the laptatp. So's my dad. The car's relatively unharmed, no crashes etc. That went well, I guess. I'll leave off with saying that I have a long way to go...
Yes!! Dad just bought tickets to Phantom of the Opera! That cost a $100+ each -.- They've been advertising it for ages, and I wanted to go. But it's far away, and my parents aren't willing to drive me there, even if they bought it. Turns out they were going anyway ^^ What a good thing I opened my mouth when I did. Mind, I don't get to say that often :P
Monday, January 12, 2009
Status: Finished short story for Voiceworks
Reading: A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin
I love love love love love hate this book. Absolutely the best, most depressing, most heart-wrenching, this-is-all-your-fault-you-stupid-girl fantasy ever. The 'stupid girl' part is just my own opinion. Ignore that. Although some parts make you so impatient. I want to know what's happening now dammit! So stop telling me about that girl and her stupid pretty prince. Anyway, that's Jon Snow and his direwolf Ghost. I don't know about the raven, haven't got to that part yet. How can you not love that boy?
Just a random artwork I found when he found Ghost. They really do have amazing artwork on this novel, done by famous fantasy artists no less. This one's not one of them, but the first picture is. It's the cover of a limited edition calendar, full of beautiful artwork. This one's from winterfell.altervista.org.
And if it isn't Jamie Lannister, the most despicable and charming character I have ever met. Him and his twin sister both. I wish they could narrate their own side of the story.
Anyway, the heart-wrenching bit. Martin's the only author I know who can make me absolutely love one character, absolutely hate another and have despicable and charming characters at the same time. There are other characters I like and dislike of course, but not as extreme. I can't remember the last time a character absolutely disgusted me, like Sansa does now. But I digress, that's not the heart-wrenching bit. I once read that an author has to be ruthless. Well, Martin sure is ruthless. The first three characters in the story die. The next narrator is crippled. Poor boy, he's only 7. My favourite character sent off to languish at the Wall. He even killed off one of his narrators: Lord Eddard Stark. I blame his daughter, which makes it even worse. It's not the good who die. It's the best who die, while the corrupted triumph. And Daenerys. How can so much tragedy befall someone in just a few pages? But this is only the beginning... People who've read it say that the narrators drop like flies. They either die, get badly injured, or are severely emotionally scarred. Not a single one escapes unscathed.
There are 7 books in the series, so I've heard. Only 4 have been published, the first in 1996. Once I save up enough money, I'm going to buy up the whole series, and probably any fantastic artwork that I find. I prefer waiting for the whole series to be published first though, before I buy it, so I can read it all together. There's nothing I hate more than a new book coming out with a different design to the rest in the series.
Anyway, I've talked long enough. If you've managed to struggle through this dreary post, good on you.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Status: Off to explore another landReading: The Encyclopedia of Fantasy: People of the Light by Edouard Brasey
I went down to Dymocks (the bookshop) today, as I do. I wasn't supposed to buy anymore books for a long time after I went on that post-christmas spree, but knowing me, I couldn't resist XD Hey, it was half price!
Anyway, presenting Volume I of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy: People of the Light
It's amazing! Celtic, Greek and Roman, Germanic and Nordic mythology. Only western folklore I'm afraid :( But still, it's great! And it has all these beautiful illustrations.
Perfect for those of you who have mythical creatures in your work. I wasn't going to have magical creatures in my novel, but now, I'm so tempted to squeeze them in ^^ I'm going to rely heavily on this book for my stories :P This book was translated and published in Australia in 2006, but I can't find the other volumes anywhere else, except the original ones in french. Volume II's about fantastic beasts, and I have a suspicion that Volume III is 'People of the Dark'. Something like that. For those of you who are interested, here's a list of creatures in this volume:
Amazons, Angels, Arragoussets, Banshees, Bergleutes, Boggarts, Brownies, Bugel-noz, Centaurs, Cluricaunes, Djinns, Doubles, Dryads, Duergars, Dwarves, Elves, Erdluitles, Fairies, Familiar genies, Fauns, Fir darrig, Germanic and Scandinavian gods, Ghouls, Gnomes, Goblins (earth & forest), Gremlins, Imps, Knockers, Kobolds, Korrigans, Laminaks, Leprechauns, Mari Morgan, Mermaids, Morgans and morganes, Naiads, Nibelung, Nisses, tomtes, Night waserwomen, Nixes and nixies, Nutons, Nymohs, Oceanids, nereids, Ondins and ondines, Pixes, Pucks, Pygmies, Red caps, Salamanders, Selkies, Servants, Sylphs and sylphides, Tritons, Water witches, White Ladies, Will-o'-the-wisps and Wivres.
I bet you there's a couple that you've never even heard before! I know I haven't. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to explore the Land of Fantasy.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
This is really such a chore, uploading my stuff to so many places. But yes, everything's been uploaded now, and organised. You'll find the links in the sidebar under Literature. Wow, I'm actually organised for once o.O
Well, if I don't write it down, I'll never get it done. So here's a to-do list, so I can see it and kick myself to do it.
I've got a feeling that I've more to add to this list, but I can't remember them right now... Oh! Remembered one. Gee, I sure do have a lot of things I started but never finished.
Clanners
Agwang
Dragonheart
Kiona Luko
MidnightSWolf
MP-Tales (Midnight & Prof)
Professor
ragre
Zeldafanjohn - Blog
Zeldafanjohn - dA
Friends
Alex
Amalya
Amanda
Eugene
Jo Lynn
-> Weapon of Words
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