The Black Notebook

Vacation A-Hoy

2007-09-12T20:16:42Z

Yes.
Once again, I'm in the magical place they call Conneticuit.
What is the truth, is that it's amagical place of crazytown. I was commenting the other day to Ryan that it's odd. In Iowa you will at least pass by cars now and again that are like 50 years old. not like classic rebuilts, but actual cars that people use in every day life. HEre, it's like BMW showroom from hell....

Anyways, let's see things accomplished thus far on vacation:
1)I completed Virtual Villagers II. It's harder than it sounds.
2) I finished Watching Season 1 of Bones. Which if you have not watched it and you love forensic shows.. lord help you. Watch it.
The books the TV show is based upon are not bad either. I enjoy listening to them in audio format.
3) Got Fire Emblem 2 for Gameboy Advanced and am kicking ass and taking names in Easy Mode.
4) I am a squeeeeek away from finishing Kingdom Hearts II
5) Went all over hartford to find some starbucks coffee cups for Tom with no luck.
Yes. We get the damn things in Iowa, but apparently Hartford, CT which populace is bigger than DesMoines and Ames combined is not big enough to stock their own city's coffee cup. Go figure that one out?
6) I have had many different varieties of food... and I think my stomache is going to be on permante vacation.
Don't get me wrong, it's been good.. but my poor stomache isn't used to that kind of grief any more. I am just not as young as I used to be.
7) Visited a rather large mall owned by the mob. or at least was.. and did you know that one of the malls in Des Moines was actually owned by a family with Mob ties? Yes.... go figure that one.
8) Did all my downtimes for the games.... well except for Post Apocolypse... cause honestly, I don't know what to do anyways.
9) Been debating what I want to do next year.
10) Finished up some writing for Fk that I have been meaning to do and started 2 other writing projects and one proposal for an event.
11) Been pricing Laptops wherever I go. I love the mac lap tops but I think I am going to have to go on the cheap side. I really don't need that expensive of a toy to just haul around. I'd cry if I broke it.
12) Finished the Bartimaeus Trilogy.. which actually had a VERY good ending. I was shocked. I still am shocked. I did not think the author would DO THAT!
13) Watched all availible episodes of Peepshow. And before you go all crazy, it's a British Television show about two guys who live in an apartment and their lives. It also gives you tracks now and again of what they are thinking as a situation is going on. It's rathe rfun. Modern day odd couple.

And well. that's about it other than spend an obscene amount of time with Ryan. Which is good. Though he's getting cranky about my leaving. for once... I'm just peachy keen. At least at the moment. Why waste three perfectly good days with bitterness.
Anyways... tata for now.

Harry Potter

2007-07-24T18:09:38Z

All right. I have finished the new Harry Potter book.
If you don't want it spoiled for you, tune out right now. I am going to lay down my thoughts.

First of all, I was right. She could not bring herself to kill Harry. In fact, she went out of her way to not scar him any more than a bit of emotional damage. He did not have to sacrifice jack and or shit to get rid of Voldemort. He just had to accept the fact that death was inevitable. *snores as she falls asleep*

Now did anyone else count the ways she basically said in some weird obfuscated way that.... yes, Voldemort was dead but the danger wasn't over? Oh yes... the world was safe for at least 19 years so we could have a new generation deal with the problems. Plus there was so many odds and ends of Voldemort still out there in the world for any sort of villian to pick up where he left off. Final dealing with him my ass.

And three.......
Don't give us 19 years later unless you are going to tie up every odd and end... don't name children you never intend to write anything about AND don't give us more questions about what happend to this that and whomever. Either give us the list, or leave us looking at everyone after the last battle saying, "All right. ... lived lived died.. lived... " and give us the moral...

And above all.. two words that should grace the end of any set of novels in which the author is done with....

THE END.

Now.... for those of you who are staring at me, scratching your head. My other problems with the book include her style of giving us descriptions of people, talking about them for two pages and then giving us their name. My memory and caring about the books does not extend to reconizing people from a brief cursory description. Go figure I am not a rabid fan.

I will give her credit though. I am very glad that we did in fact recieve an explaination about Snape. I like the fact that he has the issues of being a decent person versus wanting to be powerful and have people fear him. I really do like the fact that entire reason why he wasn't super evil was that he loved and wanted to protect someone he had loved for a very long time... and the super evil villian wouldn't give it to him. No matter how the villian rationalized the relationship. I really do like the way he was constructed. The true reason why he gives a flying snot about Harry.

Overall... let's see...
The books are entertaining. However, you can sum them up as... Everything is Magic. They are very focused on giving children a magical world in which anything their minds can think of can exist. It is very classic children's fantasy. And I mean like 9-12 year old range of fantasy. There is no complicated plot lines. It's all very much rooted into the positive energies that if you are good and noble, you will win out. But... as an adult sci-fi/fantasy reader, there really isn't anything in the books we haven't seen before. The magic system is very basic, and a nightmare in trying to show the downsides of it. There is no downside. Everything is Magic in a very Disney sort of way.

I would have to give the books a B- to a C+ rating. I believe they are great for kids, but for an adult, I think there's a bit too much catering to the child mind for them to be really a work that I would stick up in the shelves next to Tolkien and Jordan and other authors who actually do a ton more effort and work into their universes. (And I don't even like tolkien or jordan that much... and I will still give them higher ratings. Their universes are vibrant and have many nooks and crannies that cannot just be explained because magic is so. Oh yes, put Goodkind in the list of awesome. Talk about a series in which magic has consequences.)

In wrap up..
Harry Potter... good for quick easy reasing.
Good for your kids.
Put it on a higher pedastal than some of classic fantasy books and yer a moron.

nstormbringer @ 2007-07-01T13:27:00

2007-07-01T18:27:25Z

This past weekend, I went back to Independence to attend a family affair.
Which meant, naturally, on Sunday I end up going to church with my parents. Now, my parents and I are mormon for those who are unaware. And there is a big thing about the mormon faith in "choosing the right" and "being a good example".

And thus, the problem on this bright and sunny sunday morning...
I am seated in the pew between my parenets and a family with a mom and four kids comes sitting in front of us. The poor mom has her hands full cause all the kids are under eight. The kids are squirming and eventually crayons and paper are broken out to entertain them. The youngest boy, was about four, tops. And he is handed a green crayon. Thoughtfully, the boy placed the crayon in his mouth as he debated what to draw. And then, as if a lightbulb turned on above his head... he looked at the crayon.

And then proceeded to take a HUGE bite out of the crayon end.
Just when you thought it couldn't get more hillarious, the kid spit the crayon bit out. It was huge! And then looked at the end of the crayon again. As if the crayon had changed in his grip, and he wanted to make sure he hadn't been tricked, he took another huge bite out of this crayon! And then looked surpised that it still tasted like.. well wax!

Here I am... and the kids are watching me at a certain level. Cause I am an adult but yet, not quite as old as their parents. I am soo desperately trying not to laugh in the middle of church. I sit up straight, and start to cough. Cause really, I'm choking on my own laughter.

My mother has decided at this point, my alleriges must be awful. When I explain to her later on what was going on.... I am probably lucky I am not living in her house. I think I would have been grounded. Tee hee.

Of course this is compounded with the fact that my father and I almost got in trouble in sunday school for talking instead of paying attention. Tee hee.turned on above his head... he looked at the crayon.

Laugh. It is definatly better than Crying.

2007-06-07T04:46:13Z

Hi Alisha! *waves* If you haven't caught my cousin Alisha's rants, raves and conversations about her normal day in training to be a Combat Medic.. go look. I am sorry, the fact that she's been up for hours when I roll out of bed just cracks me up. Concidering my day has been so long and I have't had a lot to smile about lately... that was just so much fun to read. I am so glad she has found her niche. Go Combat Medics!

In other related news from my lame ass life:
The character I have played in the Victorian Live Action Role Playing game I was in has been killed! *gasp shock* I can't put too many details in here as of yet, but I think I'm more than a little okay with it. It was such a great tragic ending. And rather anticlimatic when you get down to it. I'll post up some details as soon as I am allowed to. Pretty cool though. I have another great concept ready to go.. just gotta type out the details. (Ventrue! Ventrue! Ventrue!)

I have another rant about gaming, but it will have to wait for another time.

Book related News:
Michael Connelly is a FANTASTIC READ.
STop what you are doing right now. Go buy either the new book, "The Overlook" or go get one called, "The Closers." (If you go to Waldenbooks or Borders, you will find one on the bestseller list for 30% off or the other for like $7.99 or less on the bargain table.) Whatever you do, get a Harry Bosch novel. They are great.

The basics is that each book is a case that Harry is working on. The books are set in L.A. in current running time. Bosch is sort of written like a 1920's detective as he works down on the crimes. He's gritty, he's abrupt.. and I wuve him to pieces!

The Closers is about Harry and his partner Kis working on a "cold case" that got a hit of new information. They are working on a murder of a mixed race 17 year old, and the case has all sort of far reaching complications... this is including my new favorite term, "High Jingo" (It means that a case has all sorts of political mumbo jumbo in it that prevents justice being served.. so to speak.) I honestly guessed what was "wrong" about the crime scene photos away near the begining of the book... BUT.. the way the story interlaced together.. god I love them.

The Overlook is about a murder that takes place on Mullholland Drive. It is a mob style execution, but it turns out the murder has other complications in our post 9/11 world. Throw in a red herring or two, and it's a great mystery. A bit shorter than the Closers an some of the other Bosch novels, but it was actually written for a magazine so give the man a break. It's worth reading.

300

2007-03-14T19:09:40Z

Yes. It is a big conspiracy against Iran. The movie's release schedual had NOTHING, I tell you NOTHING to do with this being the best time of year to release such trash to the american populace so it can ride on the end of the boring ass Academy Award Winning movies. Not only that, but it can ride as the only intersting movie until the Summer block buster releases. And then there is the idea that almost every school in america is on spring break or vacation of some sort between the time it was released and like.. mid April. Nah.. it's a big conspiracy. Not to mention that your average American has no idea who the hell the Greeks were, let alone the Persians. Yep. Conspiracy. And naturally, we kept the Greek side of the equasion very very PC because we like them. Yep....

You know what I don't get about people who see movies. Why do you take things so damn seriously? They are ment for entertainment, not for anything serious. Grain of salt, people.. grain of salt.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1598886,00.html?cnn=yes

nstormbringer @ 2007-01-21T14:44:00

2007-01-21T20:52:50Z

In the bottom of my black despair.....

Sometimes you just want to scream at the world. Raise you hand up to the sun and say "FUCKING DIE!". I wonder would would happen if I did that and the sun actually exploded. Rationally, it would have had to do that millions of years ago, you know, explode. But still, wouldn't that just warp your sense of purpose and sense of how the universe worked for a moment?

You know. That just cheered me up. :) Thanks for tuning in.

Funny. Concidering My Day

2007-01-03T05:23:28Z

Smurf Name

Your Smurf Name is

Paranoid Smurf

Get Your Smurf Name at Quizopolis.com

Grrrr

2006-12-30T05:38:22Z

Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting a bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian” --Dennis Wholey

It is something to take note of.

Las Vegas Outline II

2006-12-28T00:09:30Z

Name: Guliana
Nickname: Santa Ana, Ana
Sect: Anarch/Independent
Clan: Brujah
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Outline History
-The Legacy of Guliana
Guiliana insert last name here, was born on July 17th 1837 in what is now Los Angelous County, California. Her mother bleh was a matron of one of the houses of entertainment that was provided for the rancheros of the area to come and blow off steam by land holder, Guilana's father. Her parents were never married, nor did her mother acknowledge the parentage until before her death in 1859 from consumption among other diseases. Guiliana was kept mostly out of her mother's buisness until February 2, 1848 which two signatures upon paper changed the history of California, and the course of her life.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, was the formalized surrender of Mexican forces in California and the end result of this document was the transfer of more than 525,000 miles of land from Mexico to the United States. This land included the ranch that her father owned, and drove her mother from having a comfortable life and provisions for her, to actually having to force her own children to work the house and entertainments. Only this time, the patrons were not the rancheros. Oh no, the white soliders from the east who had been fighting with the Mexican army up until this point. Some were very kind men, however a good majority of the men liked to abuse the citizens, especially the youthful ones they found in their beds. Guiliana was forced into the "entertainment" buisness by the time she was 11 years old, and had her first of three children before she was 15 with several miscarriages.

That was her lot in life. The beautiful, youthful face, that if she did not work for the family, it was possible that they would starve. She learned early on to cherish what God gave you, and he would provide. She went to mass every Sunday, both services, making certain to pray and attone for all the sinning she did to allow her family the change to survive.

-embraced
In the winter of 1862, A man came through the small community Guilana lived in. He seemed to be a priest.... yadda yadda..

-pack splinter into three
As the pack name here, was growing too large, the idea of splintering it into three separate packs grew. Territory was all well and good, but some of the members were restless and itching for a fight. The younger ones wanted to see the world, and not so much fight over and over again. They wanted to make a name that was outside the pack's honor and goals. A competition was created to fight for the spot of Templar to the Ductus, and the other two losers would be given a few members to create cousin packs to the main body. Ana was fine with coming in second, however it never sat well with Diago that he was beaten by not only BLeh but by Ana. Their comfortable rivary had it's first spark of jealousy and rage. Yet, they still remained upon friendly terms, helping one another for the first few trials of being leaders of their packs until they could officially take the title, Ductus. Diago was merely biding his time.

-micellanous adventures/earning stripes

-twin cities fun
Diago had followed his latest obsession, a gangrel by the name of Coy Dog to the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ana, finding this hysterical, went along with to see what else there was to have in the backwater pond. The midwest climate never really appealed to her, but for entertainment, why not? Besides, it was close enough to some of the eastern cities like Chicago that a rumor or two could come floating in her direction that the sect might be able to use. Going undercover as an Anarch, Ana set up shop, using her nickname "Santa Ana" once again to sort of cement the idea of being a glorified revolutionary/anarchist to the younger generation of Camarilla citizens. It worked. Very well. There wasn't much in the city that she did not know about, mostly from just listening to them shoot off their mouth. The very heated battle between the three "princes" of the Twin Cities was the perfect battle to start undermining the Camarilla held territory bit by bit, and manipulating the younger generation to do all the dirty work. To cut the long story short, the chaos that made the Ventrue prince fall, and the Brujah prince destroyed to ash by the Toreador Prince, well worth the upfront price of admission.

-the damn dog
Diago's obession was reaching new heights when Ana made it onto the scene in the cities. When she ran into the gangrel, she still wasn't certain what Diago's problem was. What was it about this ONE vampire that had Diago's shorts all in knots? When Diago started to run out of his own plans, as per usual, he asked Ana to help him teach the gangrel a lesson. So Ana decided to teach ALL of the little camarilla flunkies a lessson about why if a leadership cares more about being a leader than about it's people, what sort of lies can be told. The elaborate lie about being an elder, an anarch leader was developed. The Sabbat was suddenly "stalking" Ana cause she held something that they wanted. And then, when she had the Gangrel in her fingertips, she made the ultimate trick of the eye. Having her own pack tie her down to a cross, much like his last girlfriend, Ana made it look like it was her life or his owed to the pack. A cup, prepared before Coydog arrived contained the blood of the entire pack, including Ana. And when he accepted the fact he was to join or she would die, she let the game go. "It isn't about what your eyes can see. Your eyes can lie to you, just as much as your heart can." He may or may not be still a bit peeved about her tricking him.. but viniculm is a wonderful thing and he could not get his revenge upon any of them. And when he could.. it was already too late.

-"i'll be right back."
When Crowley fully took the Twin Cities throne as it were, the Sabbat was already in place to oppose her directly. They had enough information to start a pulling and tearing wear upon her assets and interests, and on top of that, the younger generation was still feeding them information because the Elders had forgotten that even foot soliders talk. A year into the process, Ana recieved a summons to the state of her birth, California, to meet with one of the elders in particular about an issue raised about her impartiality to some of the young vampires in the twin cities. An informant had stated and given proof that she was selling information to the Camarilla just as much as she was providing it to the Sabbat. She did not tell Coydog before she left much, other than she was going to answer a summons, and she'd be back in a few days with cigarettes. She never came back.

-betrayal
Nevada is a state that is mostly, desert. In fact, completely desert. Along with the desert, in some of the areas there are many nooks and crannies as the desert tried to make something resembling mountains and then just gave up trying. It was inside the territory of Nevada that Santa Ana's own pack turned on her. Her two gangrel travelling companions procceeded to systamatically beat and stab her, trying to force her body to sleep. She fought back, naturally, but they had planned around her. They had known and fought with her for years, and so in the end, she was down and out. They secluded her in a shaft of sorts in a mountain, leaving her there. By the note they left behind in her jacket pocket, they were leaving her there for her own good, for her boys had found out that she was being summoned not by an elder, but another who had orders to kill her on sight. By who, they did not know, but they weren't going to let her find out. They went ahead to the meeting. She has no ideas to their whereabouts.

Ana spent ten years in a hole, listening to various things move around her in her dreams. She woke up two years before game time, tossing and turning and being greeted by a body missing bits and pieces out of it from the various animals in the desert. Needless to say, she REALLY doesn't like critters in her house.

-the deal
-revenge is the best served cold
-the desert, the guitar and the whorehouse
-game play

Motivations Section
1) Who was Trying to Kill ME!
Whomever that shadowy figure that wanted her dead enough to pose as an elder figure, that is puzzling. Who could she have possibly angered enough to want her dead? Granted, Ana is well aware she makes enemies, but enemies enough to blantanly go for the kill? She has not resurfaced fully as full blown Sabbat, holding to her anarchy coverstory instead. It's possible that eventually, and she realzies this, 'that someone will hear she's in Nevada. Hopefully, by that time, she will have enough power to repell them without open need of a pack to back her. And to that end, what happend to her other packmates? The viniculum long since wore off, and she is... figety about it. Would they have come back for her eventually if they weren't dead? And if they weren't dead, WHY DIDN"T THEY?

Justification Section

nstormbringer @ 2006-12-23T00:54:00

2006-12-23T05:54:38Z

Happy Holidays.

Remember, give the very best to your loved ones. Which means, don't worry too much about what's under the tree, or under the wrap. Remember WHY you bought the presents in the first place. Hopefully it wasnt' out of obligation but out of a sense of family, of love, or some strange sense of devotion to that person.

Enjoy your new year!

Harry Potter 7

2006-12-21T22:30:49Z

Now I haven't seen the official scholastic solicitation as of yet!

BUT!

The release has been confirmed with a title! It will be next year!

[Year Seven : Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Reserve your book today at your local Waldenbooks or Borders, or hell, if you really want to, tell me and I will reserve it at my store. I can get you your books at midnight or at the next game day if you want one. (We'll figure it out.)

There will be Midnight Relase parties at Waldenbook stores and Borders locations, as well as probably some free goodies! (That is the rumors so far......) Book seven for fans is going to be a huge deal cause, this is it folks. There is no confirmation of anything past book seven and even the author has said that this is it. If you want the book, you are going to want to reserve it somewhere. It will be a guareenteed sell out at the midnight openings. (Seriously.) And most places will only honor their super cheap discount on that opening week of the book's release. (A little bookseller insider information, dahlings!)

Once again, reserve your copy ASAP. If you do it through Waldenbooks/Borders, your reservation is free. You do NOT have to pay for one page of that book until you pick it up. And your reservation would be guareenteed!

I will post more info on the book as soon as I get information!

Outline 1 : Las Vegas Character Concept

2006-12-20T00:17:14Z

Name: Guliana
Nickname: Santa Ana, Ana
Sect: Anarch/Independent
Clan: Brujah

Outline History
-born in California territory in bleh
-embraced
-pack splinter into three
-micellanous adventures/earning stripes
-twin cities fun
-the damn dog
-"i'll be right back."
-betrayal
-the deal
-revenge is the best served cold
-the desert, the guitar and the whorehouse
-game play

Motivations Section
Justification Section

Music Song Game

2006-12-14T19:39:19Z

Allright. Stolen from a few others, here's the rules:
Take the cd's that are in your car... make a list of lyrics.. have others guess what songs/cd's they come off of.

Heh. You people are screwed. Here's my list:

1) I seen a rainbow yesterday but too many storms have come and gone..
2) If I was beautiful like you..
3) It's getting late To give you up I took a sip From my devil's cup Slowly, it's taking over me
4) Tell me before I waltz out of your life, before turning the back on the past...
5) 3:30 in the morning, not a soul in sight
6) They say mother earth is breathing, with each wave that finds the shore
7) Now the only thing a gambler needs is a suitcase and a trunk.
8) Tell the wind not to blow.... cause you said so
9) I stuck around St. Petersburg When I saw it was a time for a change
10) Don't think that I'm not strong, I'm the one to take you on.
11) For I toss and turn; I can't sleep at night
12) But now I, bet to differ baby I don't take it the way you like to give it.
13) If charity means giving, I give it to you
14) I'm dying to be shown That you are not just any man
15) Are you sorry... are you kidding?
16) No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
17) Love is a bird, she needs to fly Let all the hurt inside of you die
18) But don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
19) The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason
20) I've died for you girl and all they can say is "He's not your kind"
21) And Jesus drives to Mexico To get her prescription filled
22) I've slayed by gallons every night
23) I was working in the lab late one night When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
24)"Oh don't talk of love" the shadows purr Murmuring me away from you
25)Shindeita / Asa ni / Tomorai no / Yuki ga furu
26) I never thought I'd change my opinion again
27)I will pray for you I will sell my soul for something pure and true
28)What if the lights go out And maybe and then the wind just starts to moan
29)Hunt you to the ground they will, Mannequins with kill appeal
30)I am flattered by your fascination with me / Like any hot blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave

Books! Books! Books!

2006-10-06T03:36:09Z

It has been so long since I did a decent break down of what I have been reading. Therefore, it is time!

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Rating A+
What if Alice in Wonderland was a real person from a real place called the Wonderlands? What if she came to our reality to escape Queen Redd? And what IF Lewis Carroll got his inspiration from her while she was hiding in our world? This may be a young adult book, but the Looking Glass Wars is a FANTASTIC BOOK for anyone who has even thought Alice in Wonderland was an interesting tale. This makes it that much better. Frank Beddor keeps you spellbound, and that comes from me who has never read the actual Alice's Adventures in Neverland. (Now I want to!) The book even comes with a real world timeline and a Wonderland timeline!

Doppelganger by Marie Brennan
Rating: A
To claim her birthright and the power of the witches, Miryo must find her Doppelganger and destroy it. A ritual that should have taken place when Miryo was five, and now, fifteen years later, one would think that coming face to face with a souless husk it would be easy to kill it. Mirage hated magic. Dispised it. So why was she working for a witch? Under contract to hunt down an assasin or die trying, Mirage will have to come to grips with her hatred of witches, or she will be consumed by one. Let the best uh..... M-- win!

By the way, OH MY GOD. This is this the first novel for this chick???? Good lord, good!

The Sunday Philosophy Club
a mystery by Alexander McCall Smith
Rating: C / B
I gave this book two ratings. Mostly because if you believe this book to be a mystery, it's a C mystery book. BUT if you believe like me, that it's just a fiction story about Isabelle Daulhouse, who just happens to be a nosy woman devoted to philosophy, then it's definatly a B to a B+ book! It is the first in a new series by the author, and definatly my cup of tea. The lead character likes to prattle and go off on tangents about different aspects of philosophy. There's your mystery. Seriously.
Actually,t here is a small mystery in the book, but it's really not the important part. The important part if the philosophy drivel and the fact that Isabelle is a recluse mid aged woman who has the most interesting personal and family life. I think I really identified with her, so I very much enjoyed this series. However, it's definatly not for everyone!

I personally would skip to the sequel, "Friends, Lovers and Chocolate"
if you wanted to try one out on this series. You do not need to read them in order.

Other books Read by Your's Truly:
The Foruth Bear by Jasper Fforde - Rating A (Love this series!)
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett
Firestorm by Rachel Caine (WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? OH MY GOD GOOD!)
Kitty Goes to Washingon - Entertaining! Ta da!

Bless the Shoppers of the World

2006-10-06T03:01:41Z

"The color on Titanium is neither paint nor pigment. When applying electricity or heat (we use electricity) to the Titanium releases the materials refractive abilities, and the result is a dazzling array of colors with a purity and vivacity much the same as luminescent colors of oil on water, a peacock's feather, or a rainbow."

As quoted off a website about a belly ring....

Doesn't that just give you the funniest picture of someone leaning over to their significant other with a piece of wire saying, "Wanna see the colors form?"

Interlude: The Dead Man's Bath

2006-08-17T01:08:16Z

Warm water swirled around her body as she settled back into the wooden tub. The room was separate from the main, thank the gods, and the dull thunder of voices speaking back and forth was heard from the other room. She did not truly care what they spoke of. It was none of her business. What was her business was the business of easing some of her soreness in her muscles and across her chest. Letting the bruises that started to bloom across her lower back and side get some rest, so that she could walk and breathe at the same time. The bar of soap in her left hand, that was for cleaning the cuts and abraisions that were here and there on her hands, her face, her neck as well as her legs. It seemed that she did not quite get through the last day's events completely unscathed.

It just reminded her to say no thank you the next someone mentioned a tour of a museum. Any museum.

She flinched as her body rested against the sloped edge of the tub. Leaning her neck back upon the rim to support herself, the hand that clenched the small cake of soap reached up to brush the black hair off from where it was sticking to her warm and damp neck. The long tail was so unraveled that she itched to reach up and unbraid the locks. The temptation to dunk her body into the tub, and rinse her hair out completely was very large. However, she knew better.

It was one thing to make sure you took a bath before presenting yourself to the Lord. It was quite another to be perfectly clean after a horid event, especially when you are relating bad news, and not have to take that bath there. It looked tacky, like the bad news was not in the Lord's best interest to know immeditately. Or... that you made it up completely.

The emerald eyes were closed beneath the dark lashes that framed them in. Her body sinking further into the water as she continued to hear the murmer of voices, but not truly listening to what they spoke of, or what they were doing. No, her mind drifted to pay attention to other things that surrounded her. The creak of the boards that made the floor were more important to her than the voices. The way the air stirred when someone opened the door. She was not unaware of her surroundings, quite the contrary. She just was paying attention to more things than a murmer.

Quote:

Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!
-Oscar Wilde

"Ralle...... Ralle.... Wake up! Ralle!"
She struggled to open her eyes, the green orbs dull, flat, tired. They burned with the lack of sleep she had been forced beneath. The lovely white of the eyes, she just knew they were rimmed with crimson lines, showing just how exhausted she was.

Wait.

Her hand moved up to rub at her eyes, to try to listen to the commands. They would not move. Sleep overrode her thoughts, and her eyes looked down to see the black manicles upon her hands. Attached the metal edges, a chain of medium sized links, which rose towards the ceiling. Her eyes followed the line that attached to her left hand. In her sleep, she knew her left hand was more important to her, but she could not remember why. The chain rose upwards into the ceiling, attaching itself to a soot covered metal ring and then looped through it. Onwards past the ring, the chain travelled, down once more to a hand.

Her emerald eyes looked up at the body holding the chain, trying to focus.

"Kallah? What.. what are you doing?"

Kallah shrugged and stared at her subject. Unlike Ralle, Kallah was still wearing all of her clothing. A dark pair of breeches, and a dark crimson tunic with a tight black long sleeved shirt beneath. Kallah's long dark blonde hair was twisted into a series of knots and braids, all bound in a tight row down her back. The chain in her hands, were not just in her hands, but rested in the black gauntlets she wore to protect her hands from the bite of the chain.

The dark blonde woman looked upon the dark haired one, and hen said, "I am here to teach you the next lesson, Ralle. They believe that you are ready to move on to something else."

"What? Where are Colin and Tybile?"

Kallah sighed softly, and moved enough to sit down in the stool across from Ralle. "They were not chosen for this way of life. They do not have the steel and patience that is required of them. Colin is too weak willed, and Tybile, well, she is rather sick currently."

"Oh. What are you here to teach me then?"

"Lesson number one... " Kallah stood to her feet, and with a fluid motion, yanked down hard upon the chain. Ralle's eyes flew open, as she felt her hips snap and pop against the metal bar that held her into the chair she was in. Her lips parted in surprise, wide away now. Kallah did not let up on the chain, and leaned more of her weight down upon it to cause the chains to bite up higher. Ralle let out a loud scream, unable to help herself!

Quote:

Mitch Leary: Do you know how easily I could kill you, Frank? Do you know how many times I watched you go in and out of that apartment? You are still alive because I have allowed you to live so you show me some GOD DAMN RESPECT! --From in the Line of Fire

Book Review

2006-08-16T04:20:03Z

Princess Izzy and the E Street Shuffle
by Beverly Bartlett

Rating: A+
Synopsis: Do not let the pink and white stripped cover that looks suspiciously like a chick lit novel fool you. This is a very witty and sharp look at the way people, especially in America, view celebrities. In this book's case, royal families and the icons they produce while trying to keep their legacy lasting. The plot unfolds much like a biography you would watch on tv. It starts at the begining, showing the highlights of the icon, Princess Isabella and her Prince, His Royal Highness Raphael of Bisbania. It is written as an insider's look into the relationship of the couple, and the reasons behind one of the most tragic events in Bisbania's history -- the death of Prince Raphael. (Though we are getting ahead of ourselves...)

The turning point for Princess Isabella's history comes from ONE news article by the local trash talker of the royal family, siting an event in a compliment to Her Royal Highness, that spurs Isabella to bring a college friend, Geoffery to Bisbania to be her advisor. How does an auto mechanic advise a princess? Easy. Relating everything to detailing and of course "The Boss", Bruce Springsteen.

And how does a heart heal when tragety takes away everything you know and love?

Review: I adored this book! The pink cover kinda makes you want to hide it away from people as you read it, but it's truly worth the scandal you can created by being known to read a chick lit book. It really feels like a biography that you would read on other royal celebrities from an "insider". There are twists and turns, and peaks and lows and one minute you hate Princess Isabella, the next you adore her and hate other characters in the novel, including the narrator.. but it's splendid. Truly splendid! There are so many events that are just so reminessent of events that play out in our world. Such as references to the royal wedding, and of photographs of Princess Isabella and Prince Raphael walking out of the church. Some of the comments just scream back to the comments people made about a real royal couple of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

If you are a royal watcher, closeted or not, get this book! Read it. Giggle. Hate, and then be all weepy at the end when it's last secret of the royal family is reveled. Ask your self this question: Does the world truly need princesses?

Save Me

2006-08-13T03:31:28Z

Today was full of oddities at work.

First, one of my co workers was re-alphabetising the biography section. In our store, it's done by the person the book is about, rather than the author. So when she was done, she came up to me and said, "All is right in the world. Frank Sinatra, Streissand and Stalin are all together."

*blink*

Secondly, someone tried to Save me at work.
Yes. Save.
As in, take Christ into your heart and LIVE, save me.

*blink*

There I was, standing in manga and some girl came up to me and was being super friendly. So I chatted with her a bit, answering her questions and trying to politely show her that I was working and did nto really want to get latched into a long conversation with her. Normally this tactic will work on people, but today, nothing. So onwards the conversation went... and come to find out she's part of a christian fellowship. During the summer, they read bible stories to children. And then she proceeds to tell me how she has had 98 children reclaim Christ into their lives.

At this point, I know what is coming. I see the headlights, but I can't really stop it..

"So, what do you believe in?"
I turned right around and did not say what I was thinking. What I though was asking her, How old the children were. Did it really count if they were six? And how did she feel about putting young children on the spot, and how most of them probably did it because they were pressured by her and her group to do so. It's summer bible stories for the Lord's sakes.

Nope. There I stood in my corporate shirt in my skirt, wearing my name tag and said, "I do not have an opinion. Ia m at work."

And a few minutes later, I excused myself.

This comes at the foot of a day where everytime I turned around some customer was trying to buy something that was $10 or less with a $100!

What the h---!

nstormbringer @ 2006-08-11T00:04:00

2006-08-11T00:08:39Z

I have no idea what I last said. I didn't even bother looking.
Today is a good day.

1) My project to get the back room more organized and more space to put books is UNDERWAY! While the manager is out, my goal is to have the back room all straightened out in preperation for inventory! Whee! Probably a good thing too, since we have some shelves that are on a cascade trip to the ground! Very excited.

2)My facial quirk has been silent for two days!
Yes, it's true. The strange tingling, falling asleep my face has been doing has stopped again. Yea! For those of you thinking I am having a stroke, nope. I was doing some looking around and it actually is probably related to my shingles. I will post more when I get it confirmed, BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT it's stopped so life is good.

3)I had a nice long talk with one of my best friends, James. (No, you don't know him.) It had been a long while since we were able to have a sit down sort of talk and whine and bemoan fest between the both of us and trying to inspire one another. It was good.

4)I am on a book reading binge! I have finished a few more books which I need to post up reviews for but there are SOOOOOOOOOOOO many books I want to read right now, my brain is going to explode!

It's been a good day.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack!

2006-08-09T04:17:10Z

Ah, Wizard World Chicago.
I had fun. Which is an improvement over the previous year, which did not go well. (If you want more details, I might tell you. Or I will make you suffer with not knowing.)

I have almost two full rolls of film to develop. I have a massive stack of Pirate's of Davey Jone's Curse from Wizkids. More comic books than I have purchased in a while... and more ideas than you can shake a stick at. Whee! I love crazy vacations.

I was *this close* to seeing the King Tut exhibit in Chicago while I was there. Unfortunately they were sold out on the day I wanted to go. *sniffles* BUUUUUT! King Tut is going to be at the Field Museum until January, soooooo I am thinking a road trip is in order. Even if it's just for a day to run tot he museum and back, completely worth it. When is the next time I am going to be able to see these artifacts, let alone toodle out to Egypt to see the sites there?

Exactly.

There is also a Titanic exhibition at the Science Center in Des Moines until the end of August that I am also dying to see. Unfortunately, I may have to miss it. *sniffles* but I am going to try my hardest to attend. I am feeling all museum-y lately. Plus I get some of my best ideas looking at historical stuff. (Or sitting in a car for fourty five minutes! Argh!)

Anyways, more later. Ta ta.

I did find out something funny. Apparnetly all 4 of my clear cards from the Pirates of Davy Jones's curse sell on ebay for like 60 dollars or so. Facinating no? I actually have a collection of something that is worth more than the paper it's printed on. Gasp shock!

Nohari Window

2006-08-03T02:20:10Z

It has only been up a few days, and already results!

66% of people agree that NStormbringer is cruel
66% of people agree that NStormbringer is chaotic

How did my adoring public know?
Yes folks, I am very cruel at times, and also very chaotic. It is a blessing and a curse.
Now everyone keep that in mind the next time you PISS ME OFF. Do not look shocked when I take your head off with a bat.
You know, one of those cute and fuzzy stuff bats.

Gothiness.

2006-08-03T02:16:41Z

Bet you practice Wicca or Paganism or possibly more liberal Christianity. You probably love Dead Can Dance, anything ethereal, and might be vegetarian. You probably also like to hug people.

What kind of goth are you?
Created by ptocheia

A Fist Full of Book Reviews

2006-08-03T02:11:56Z

Contrary to popular belief, I have been keeping up with reading. Here are a few more selections from the scatted reading habits of One Natty. Enjoy!

Bel Canto by Anne Pattchet
Rating: A
Plot Synopsis: A Japanese business man is the guest of honor in a unnamed implied South American country where his favorite Prima Donna opera singer will be in attendance. The home country is hosting this celebration in desperate hopes that the business man will open a factor to restart their struggling economy. Everyone who is anyone is invited to attend. From the President of the country to many officials from other countries all wanting to get on the business man's good side.

What goes wrong is that terrorists decided to crash the party. They are desperately hoping that the President of the Country is in attendance as it was reported he would be. Unfortunately for them, he is not, and they are now stuck with a hundred hostages and demands that the Country will never answer.

Review: Read this damn book! You could try to guess the ending, and you would be wrong. But not in a twisting increadibly, never could happen sort of way. The book travels the stories of the characters who are stuck together for over three months. From being afraid, to starting to hope and dream together as a family, regardless of who kidnapped who. It is really engaging, from the narrative, to the way the story switches, telling a mini story of all the characters as they shift and adapt in the story. Did I meantion I was just floored at the end of this book? Awesome.

The Dance Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
Rating: B
Synopsis: Anita Blake is back! And things are never easy for the Vampire Executioner ,and leader of just about every werecreature in the city of St. Louis and in this tale, the shit gets piled on once again. The start of it, Jean Claude, the vampire master of St. Louis has brought together the masters of other cities in America to see where his new found power has allies and enemies. All are asked to attend a special showing of Jean-Claude's new vampirice ballet.

The Mother of All is still messing with Anita.
Obsidian Butterfly tries to play.
And then there is that pesky pregnancy scare.....
Review: Well. It wasn't the worst Anita Blake book I have read. I actually think it's very reminiscent of a time when Hamilton allowed us to have some progress on her plot of a million stories. In true Hamilton fashion, she resolves the main problem of the book half way through, (no I am not going to spoil who's the daddy..tee hee), and then leaves the rest of the book to just pile more questions on top of old questions. There is some more character progression with Richard, though I do not know if it is for the best or worse. There are times when I think he is a very big distracting force in the book and just there to give Anita someone to hate and pin after. I do not know.
However, with the turn of this book, I am rather excited for the next edition. Which is the first time in maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany books. I have not been excited for another once since Obsidian Butterfly.. and that was like three books ago. So, Anita fans, do not fret.
I am still under the opinion that a story set in the same universe but a different city with another Executioner would be fuuuuuuuuuuun. Or hell, even another supernatural race... fun. A break from the up and down drama that is Anita's life.

I have also read a few sequels. I am not going to super review them, but here you go:
California Demon by Julie Kenner Rating: A+
Bring it On by Laura Anne Gilman Rating: A-

Books to Watch Out for in the Supernatural Vein:
(If you have read these, they all have sequels out now!)
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Urban Shaman by C. E. Murphy
(Fantasy) Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara
(Fantasy) The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook

nstormbringer @ 2006-08-01T11:42:00

2006-08-01T16:42:01Z

The next step is to ask several of your friends and colleagues to say which words they associate with you. You can do this by directing them to the following URL:-

http://kevan.org/nohari?name=NStormbringer

Since I know you boys and girls love clicking on things, here you go. click on this and pick my five or six negative flaws. A twist on the positive from a live journal of a friend. (I use the term friend loosely.)

Tommy Lee Jones

2006-08-01T16:04:34Z

I think your subconcious is trying to tell you something when you dream of a person you know and they are played in your dream by Tommy Lee Jones. Not only that, but that person, sneaks up behind you and you turn around and they are right there, looking pissed as all hell, holding a kitchen knife. A couple grunts of furious energy and they dissapear.

The dream state is odd.