I see WordPress has a new way of publishing posts.
I don’t like it one bit, and I, for one, am glad they keep this old version available for us. Hopefully it’s permanent.
In any case, here’s just a basic update on everything going on in casa de Marshman and Albert, I guess, since I live with James now:
I’m now assistant manager at the bookstore where I work. This literally only means I went from knowing what I was doing every single day (magazine and magazine-related work) to doing whatever Lexi (the boss) doesn’t feel like doing at any given time. I am a glorified minion. That being said, having worked there for four and a half years, I’m pretty excited about any kind of say in how the store runs.
I’m living with James that’s not news
We’re going to get a cat that is news
Abomination, the sequel to my magnum opus, Changeling, is nearly finished and currently clocking in just under 250 000 words.
I read Written In My Own Heart’s Blood, the eighth Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon, and wept and laughed and can’t wait another five years for the next book.
Also, the tv show makes me fangirl super hard.
I binge-played Dragon Age: Origins and married Alistair that… may or may not be news
Also, Halloween is coming and I’ve got a very exciting costume planned that plays off my Doctor Who addiction. Stay tuned.
And in the meantime, between my infrequent relevant posts, continue to enjoy the flash fiction I’m posting on a sometimes weekly basis. By the way, those come from random prompts at the writing group I go to. I go to a writing group now. Writing groups are cool.
But let me list excuses why I’ve been neglecting you forgive me:
James was back in town
I had one health crisis—
—followed by another
On my two days off this week, I played probably 24 hours total of Dragon Age: Origins
and got no writing done whatsoever
Star Trek TNG
Preparing for Halloween
Work
I sometimes have a social life
I played a lot of Dragon Age
So I’m going to try blogging on a regular basis again, and pick my lazy ass off the floor. I’m also going to try to push past this strange laziness of putting off Abominatino, and I’m going to go hard editing Purity, because I still intend to release her around Halloween, and that’s coming up soon. September and October are going to be busy months, so I’m going to be sporadic, but less so.
And not as in Pennywise, the clown from Stephen King’s IT. I’ve been tagged by the most illustrious On Windy Days in a game of blog tag. Heck yes, blog tag.
The Rules
1. I must post the rules.
2. I must answer the questions the tagger listed for me.
3. I must create (or reuse) 11 questions for those I tag.
4. I must tag 11 people.
5. I must let them know they’ve been tagged.
1. What is your favorite quote, who is it from, and why?
My favourite quote… actually, there are several. 1) By Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds in Dragon Age: Origins and II: “… it is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly.” I love this not just because I’m a huge nerd and need a life, but because it’s entirely true. A teacher of mine once said that for every low you have in life, you must have an equal high. In the same quote is “Without an end, there can be no peace,” which I also like. I’m deep and thoughtful like that. 2) By Kreia/Darth Traya, the mentor/member of the Sith Triumvirate in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: “To be united by hatred is a fragile alliance at best.” This, this is just awesome. And also true. Video games are deep. 3) By Dagoth Ur, a mortal god and villain of the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind: “Who knows what we may be capable of, when we no longer fear death?”
Basically, I’m really nerdy.
2. Which song can bring you to tears or reminds you of your childhood?
Family Portrait, by Pink. Yeah, yeah, pretty typical, but I related to it as a child when my family life got tough, and it still makes me cry.
3. What is one thing that keeps you going day in and day out?
Probably my writing. It’s what my life revolves around. It’s definitely what I live for.
4. Why did you start blogging?
I started this blog as a better place to document my thoughts and show my writing to the world. I used to frequent deviantART, but due to a lack of interest on the site for writing, I thought it was a good idea to move on.
5. Is there one thing that you regret not doing in the past? If so, would you be willing to share what that was on here?
I can’t really think of anything. There’s plenty I can think of that I regret doing, but not necessarily not doing.
6. What is one thing that you saw that restored your faith in the human race?
I lose faith in the human race with every passing day, especially with what I see going on in the US, what with the war on women, drugs, gays, anyone-who-isn’t-an-extremist-republican. So it’s tough to say. Maybe this:
This is pretty cute. Go Australian firefighters.
7. Rain or Sun?
I’m 50/50. I live in a place of perpetual sun, so when it rains it’s a nice refreshing change. But I do like me a good, crazy rainstorm, the kind that soaks you in a minute.
8. What movie had the most impact on you? (A movie that just really made you challenge your view on anything)
Well, I’ve already sat here and thought about it for several minutes. Financially, the Dark Knight Rises, because I’ve seen it four times now (and can quote it directly in many places). But to actually answer the question, probably V For Vendetta. V is a bit of a hero of mine, because the point he makes is relevant to our changing times. A democracy is nothing without its people. And don’t worry, I’m not a communist/anarchist.
9. List five words that describe your character.
Goofy, nerdy, smiley, thoughtful, bookish (THIS IS HARD.)
10. What is your greatest fear?
Dying. I’d say water, because that scares the living shit out of me, but dying, definitely. I used to lie awake at night because I’d fret about it and work myself into a tizzy.
11. What do you ultimately want to accomplish in the days to come?
I’m going to finish Purity, edit the bejesus out of it, and publish it as an ebook for all to enjoy! Maybe not in the days to come, but that’s my current goal.
I have been given my third blogging award, by the most gracious onwindydays. The rules are as follows:
Thank the one who nominated you by linking back
Nominate five blogs
Let your nominees know by leaving a comment on their sites
Copy and paste the award image on your site.
So! Thank you muchly! This is nice. I quite enjoy getting awards. I’m getting accomplishments by vomiting all over the internet.
Also, I don’t really understand this award. Does it mean I have to give it to people I find pretty? That’s rather low, don’t you think? Since I don’t really follow very many blogs, I’ll just give it to those I do and find interesting. That can be beautiful, can it not?
I saw the Avengers on Friday night. My reaction: HOLY GOD. See this movie. Joss Whedon needs to make every movie ever. It was alternately funny and action-packed, and there isn’t a single dull moment. If you value entertainment at all, you’ll treat yourself to a viewing of this film. It was brilliant. And everyone in it is just so dashing!
Part 3:
Yesterday was the first day of my bartending class. We chatted, we read about a few drinks, we practiced pouring shots of water into highball glasses, and my homework is to learn how to make a black Russian and a caesar. My homework > your homework. I’m excited for this to pan out. It’s only a month long, but it won’t be difficult so long as I pay attention, being that most of it is common sense, and there’s the potential to get a job afterward, when I’m placed for my practicum. Tits for tips, as I always say.
But the thing about me and school is that I get hella bored and end up doodling. Therefore, school does wonders for my artistic career. It’s usually left eyes (don’t ask, I don’t know why), but I started sketching a face, then decided to draw a man rather than woman, did some hair, face, beard, and out of proportion sketchy body with mitten hands. Not good, but it was during the fifteen minute coffee break. Oddly enough, it ended up looking a lot like Alistair from Dragon Age.
I struggle with hands unless I spend several hours on them. Can you tell?
Now I want to replay Dragon Age. Hmm…
Part 4:
Twitter is a most useful tool. Why is this? It lets you stalk communicate with your favourite celebrities, or, in my case, semi-celebrities. When I was still a twitter n00b, I posted a Dragon Age quote by Morrigan’s mother, whose name escapes me at the moment. The Witch of the Wilds… um. Right. It’ll come back at a totally inopportune time. Anyhow, one of the gentlemen who works at Bioware, who was a senior producer of Dragon Age, replied to said tweet with other quotes! Later, I poised a question to my idol, Diana Gabaldon, about the date of her next book release, and she replied! I was stoked. I adore her.
But more recently, and most importantly, I had a dream where I was best friends with Krysta Cameron, vocalist for my favourite band, iwrestledabearonce. We were hanging out eating burgers. I tweeted about it, and she replied!
I melted.
She said I was basically telling the future, because she’s going to open a restaurant and have iwabo burgers. So it’s been foretold by my premonitions, and Krysta Cameron and I will be the best of friends. It’ll be a good day.
Part 5:
Today at work, I arrived to find the power out. Half of downtown had been wiped out, and so my coworker and I sat around in the dark until the power came back on, about an hour or so after we were supposed to start working. But, after several hours of frustrating communication with Shaw and our business’ tech expert, we figured out that the internet connection wasn’t working due to the router being electrocuted by the power outage, so most of the day was spent apologizing to customers, saying that no, we can’t search for books, we have to do sales by hand, and we can only accept cash.
It was trying, to say the least.
It really shows us that we’re too dependent on technology. The internet doesn’t work at the bookstore, and we can literally do nothing. Our entire program is based on the internet. And our backup didn’t start working until a few hours before close.
Just awful. But at least it’s Sunday, so it was a short day and I will be shortly rewarded with my three hours of glorious television.
Part 6: [there was originally only going to be three or four parts. See what I do?]
I’m thinking of holding a monthly or bi-monthly contest. I’ll post something, likely a picture, and whoever guesses it correctly gets a short story of their choice written by me obviously. I’ll use the image currently on the right side of my page as an example. It’s a screenshot from Skyrim, clearly, but the reference itself? Not from Skyrim. It’s already been guessed (though I suppose I could still use it) but for the sake of this example, whoever guesses what the reference is would get a short story.
Sound like something you might be interested in? I’ve been mulling this over, and interaction is fun. Throw suggestions my way if you’ve got some.
I took a few days off from writing NaNo, because I had been further ahead. But now I’m behind. So we all know what happens when you procrastinate. The good news is, I’m writing more now as I’m watching Gran Torino and I Am Sam. Both very good movies. If you haven’t seen them, you probably should. Clint Eastwood and Sean Penn are both so excellent.
I’ve been playing Dragon Age II since I’ve been taking time off from NaNo. I restarted (again) to make a rogue. As always, Anders and Fenris are in my party, because well, I love them both despite Anders being easy as a button and Fenris keeping a lock on his pants, and because I was a rogue, I needed more protection. Enter: Aveline.
Then I started some DLC.
Mm, Sebastian Vael. Scottish accent. Says “murder” and “here” a lot, both of which are sooo sexy when said in Scots. Sadly, he’s a priest in the Chantry and keeps a tighter lock on his pants than Fenris, who is at least doable. Damnit, Sebastian!
I need more of a life.
Except that won’t happen, because my new Asus gaming laptop is going to arrive tomorrow, and Skyrim comes out on Friday, and holyshittheglorythatshallensueandomygodidontneedasociallifeatall.
“You heard Callin,” she said, brows raised and voice serious. “Go. I can handle this. It’s just cloths.”
“Are you sure?” But even as she spoke and began to remove her soiled apron, a sudden surge of nervousness passed over her. Was she really going to go through with this? Oh, how ridiculous.
But, Aurora had a fair point. Why pass up the opportunity? Even with a smashed nose from all the fights he had picked over the years, there was no doubt that Stride was a very handsome young man.
She took a deep breath and shut her eyes. All right. She would do it.
Something yanked on her braid, and she nearly lost her balance and stumbled back as Aurora tugged the tie off her hair and began combing out the kinks and knots with her fingers. “Pinch your cheeks,” she ordered, handing back the tie and brushing out the wrinkles in her simple cotton dress.
“Why?”
“Gives you a flush. Men like that.”
“Oh, by the One, give me strength,” Carol muttered, staring up at the ceiling. “You are so strange.”
Aurora grinned, showing a brilliant display of teeth. “I’m living vicariously through you,” she laughed, and pushed Carol toward the door. “Have fun, darling!” she called, loud enough for a servant down the hall to turn and stare.
Carol felt the heat and blood rise to her cheeks as one of her brilliant and embarrassing blushes made itself known. “I hope you choke on your tongue, sweetheart!” she shouted back over her shoulder.
Aurora laughed, and Carol trudged down the hall, wishing her blushes would just go away when she wanted them to.
JP Marshman 