Picture time!

I'm really bored, so I thought I'd post some semi-new stuff I got for AF. Be warned, its quite stupid.

See, I love photography and looking at pictures others have taken. You must also know that I absolutely ADORE cheesy phrases (although those aren't featured here) and lyrics to songs. So, what happened is that I thought one day, "hey, I think I'll go online and find pictures of people that I can use to represent some of my characters. And, while I'm at it, I'll find cheesy songs that represent them too. Genius!" So the product is this: (the songs I found have been accumulated into the playlist above and are songs for either Katana or Nouveau as a whole)

The pictures here of my characters are not exact by any means, but you get the basic idea. For instance, Katana's hair is usually tied back, Aidan does not have curly hair (but if you like it, that can change), and Azzo looks a couple years older than this. Anywho, on with the pictures:

Katana:







Aidan:










Azzo:





Random other pictures that go along with AF:









So, did you like them? No, you probably thought it was a waste of a blog, but oh well. I wasted the time I needed. However, I actually do like this stuff, so if you like any of these pictures or have comments or even hate mail, please send it to me! Although, I'd rather not get the hate mail...

PS: these lovely photos are courtesy of DeviantArt.com

*laughs*

Gosh, I love high school. Usually I'm just annoyed by everyone, but this year I spend most of my day just laughing. For example, let me tell you about my day.

The history teacher I had last year is also the same one that I have for AP US History. She's so cool and our class has so much fun together (of course, it's also nice being in a class with only 8 other students in it ;D). Anywho, today was more funny than the usual. We were studying the early English colonies in the Americas (Roanoke, Newfoundland, Jamestown...) and in doing such, discussed some of the theorized reasons of what happened to Roanoke. And, I didn't know this, some people apparently actually believe that Roanoke and Atlantis are the same place. XD I got a kick out of that.

But even better yet: apparently there is a very large (like, gargantuan) difference between Walt Disney's version of Pocahontas and what actually happened. Now, most of this I already new, but I just found out the best details of the story today.

The Walt Disney Pocahontas:

The very handsome, very blonde-haired, blue-eyed John Smith comes to the Americas and meets the beautiful young woman Pocahontas. In the period of a few minutes, the two learn how to communicate in a complete language. In the period of a few days, the two fall into a love so deep that Pocahontas is determined that if John Smith is to die, so shall she. Then, in the movie's sequel, Pocahontas meets John Rolfe and journeys forth to England with him on a whim. The two slightly more slowly fall in love and on their way back to the New World, they share a kiss while venturing on towards the sunset. Aww.

Reality:

John Smith was the only person in the Jamestown colony who cared enough about not dying of starvation (because everyone else was too concerned with finding gold). Pocahontas was 12 years old and bald (because Indian children had their heads shaved). They never fell in love. Years later, when Pocahontas is between the ages of 18 and 20, a war is going on between the English settlers and the Indians. The only thing that stalls this dispute is the marriage between Pocahontas and John Rolfe, although, there is belief that there was love in the relationship. The couple then spent a few years in England, but on the return trip, Pocahontas dies of illness. When the dispute between the settlers and Indians starts up again, John Rolfe can't help because he's too immersed in his tobacco industry.

Reality sucks.

Then, later on in Chemistry, we had a small quiz over different tools and such around the lab. One of the things on the quiz was a crucible (a crucible is a tiny bowl used for super-heating things). My teacher asked us if we new what the similarity between the crucible the object and The Crucible the book. No one knew. She then asked what The Crucible was about. Someone told her it was about the Salem witch trials. She then asked, knowing that, what we thought a crucible was for and someone muttered behind me, "Killing witches?" I burst out laughing, drawing much attention to myself.

*laughs* I don't know whether I've finally snapped, or if I'm just reasonably having fun.

Um...well...

Well, I don't have anything prepared to write and I certainly haven't written anything particularly interesting recently, so I'm just going to spout out all sorts of nonsense. How cool is that?

The most interesting thing I've done with AF is come up with some new quotes and random scenes (which I have yet to write out completely). Would you like to hear some of the quotes? Yes, of course you would. But I swear, if you steal them without my permission, I will rip out your spine and beat you with it. No joke.


"I'll sleep when I can sleep with both eyes closed." -Katana

"My life is a worst-case scenario. Plan on it." -Katana

"You're running on empty, Katana. You and the rest of Nouveau. You can't keep going like this forever." -Maximillien

"I'm not asking you to trust everyone Yoko, I'm just asking you to trust me." -Azzo

"What are you going to do?" (Ze) "We're going to give them hell." (Katana)


Yeah, they're not superb, but they'll do for now. I'm still frustrated with the character of Aidan. I keep calling him a main character and a good chunk of the story is told by him, but I don't "know him". I don't have a personality or a motive or anything for him! It's driving me crazy!! (Azzo, on the other hand, is starting to make me blush. I love him so much! *huggles Azzo*)

Speaking of awesome characters that make me blush. Let me rant about Fang and the rest of the totally wicked awesome series Maximum Ride by James Patterson. Yeesh. If you thought I was bad about the Twilight series, wait 'till I get going on Maximum Ride. A guy in my English class introduced me to it earlier this year (before the whole Twilight thing) and I swear it was love at first sight. Okay, maybe not that serious. But I do love the characters SO much and I have since the beginning. Especially Max (Maximum Ride, the girl after whom the book is titled) and Fang (the "tall, dark, and handsome" "strong and silent" type guy who has me gushing).

Now, just to be perfectly clear. Fang is not like Edward Cullen in any way shape or form. Actually, there isn't even much of a hint of a relationship between him and Max until the second book. And that's all their relationship really is. A hint. Stuff happens. But nothing serious. So M, don't be put off simply because I said that Fang has me gushing.

Back to the rest of the series. Did I met ion that absolutely adore this story? Of course, later in the series it becomes apparent that the villain that Max and the rest of the flock have to save the world from is global warming (ugh, gag me), but its still good enough to read. There were parts of the fourth book that had me laughing out loud (because of the global warming rants), but I swear, even with that, I still am totally in love with the story. Okay, not so much the story as the characters. The characters are so real and cool that they write the story themselves and cover up all the laughable global warming crap...and that's saying something!

Well, I think I've gone on talking long enough. So I'll leave you with this: THE MAXIMUM RIDE MOVIE WILL BE COMING OUT IN 2009/2010!!!!!!! WOOT!!

Oh, wait. Does anyone out there know how many times a person can burn so bad that they blister before they get melanoma? (hows that for random? ha!)

My computer's back!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. My computer got so messed up that it took Edward (the wonderful computer friend of my mom's at the library) two weeks to sort out. Ugh. It was so full of cookies that it could have opened up its own store....and it didn't even bother giving me any...TT_TT I love cookies...(lol)

Anywho, my computer's back and I really wish I had something better to post than my everyday life. Unfortunately, I don't. I haven't had any spare time to write anything new, although I have been thinking quite a bit (dangerous, I know). I was thinking more specifically about my AF series and the layout and titles. Even when I came up with the layout of the five books, I wasn't too thrilled with it. The first five books seemed dull and boring to me. I wasn't even excited about writing them, where I'm absolutely ecstatic to start writing the final two books. So, in thinking, I've almost decided that I'm going to combine the first book (Cage Rattlers) and the second book (Masquerade) into one complete novel and call the new complete novel one of the two original titles or something new that's completely awesome (which I have yet to think of). Then, I'd either add on to the third book (Catching Death) or give it parts of the former Masquerade. What do you think, M?

I've also thought about changing the titles of the last two books. The forth book is presently called Retribution, but the title sounds odd to me. Besides, the only retribution that occurs in the novel, is the apparent retribution that the Council has on Nouveau, and really, who wants that? I'm 99% sure now that I'm going to change the title to Running on Empty (if you want more info, talk to me).

The fifth book's title (Ultimatum) actually NEEDS a change though. See, there really isn't an ultimatum in the book at all, so why call it Ultimatum? Yeah, I don't know either. Anywho, I've had more trouble coming up with an alternative title for the final book. Today though, I finally narrowed the search down to three: A Chance to Die, Giving Hell, and Hell to Pay. They're all pretty dark titles, but the final books is probably the darkest. M, I need your help SO much with this. If you have any thoughts what-so-ever, I want to hear them!!

Well, that's all the major news I have. Although, I did just get home from driving in the rain. Now, of course that's really not such a big thing, but it is to me. About this time last summer, I was in the first car accident of my life. We (my dad, brother and I) were driving along the interstate in the pouring rain on our way from SC to IN. In Kentucky, we hydroplaned and hit a rock wall three times. Needless to say, it was fairly traumatic. And now I'm driving. In the rain. Naturally, I've driven in the rain before, but it was only sprinkling. Another thing you should know is that down here in the south, when it rains, it rains hard. Extreme outbursts of rain so thick you can't see more than four feet in front of you are common. So when I was driving this afternoon, it was pouring cats and dogs. No joke, I was shaking like a leaf the whole time. I nearly peed my pants. *laughs* But I lived! Thank God for that!

Oh, did I mention that the roads are terrible around here, so puddles the size of Lake Michigan form right in the middle of the road where unsuspecting drivers just graze right over ready to hydroplane? Yeah.

Epilogue (for Ultimatum)

So here I am again. I've come full circle.

I listen to the rustling of the bright green leaves and feel the lively spring breeze play through my hair and nestle against my skin. Everything is so much more pleasant than the first time I was here. Then, everything seemed dead and threatening. Then, everything was hopeless. Now, even these trees have found reason to celebrate.

Has it really been five years since the first time?

I find the tree I'm looking for and stop under its wide canopy. It's grown since I was last here. That's not surprising, of course, but I am surprised to see that the scar hasn't healed it its time. I smile as I reach up and touch that scar. The sword on my back seems so much heavier as I do.

Having seen the place where my nickname originated, I take a deep breath and peer around to the other side of the tree to where my passion originated. The area between two roots still seems depressed with the weight of a body. Of course, there's nothing there, but the essence of that man remains here. Here with my vow. Waiting for the fulfillment of that vow.

I smile down at the invisible figure of a dying man.

"It's done," I say.

Then, I take out my sword - this beautiful katana given to me five years ago - and push it into the soft soil beneath the tree. Then, I leave.

Something on my mind

For now, I consider myself an aspiring Hollywood film director. It's a big dream in itself, I know, but it's a hard dream as well. A hard dream for me.

You see, I'm a Christian. Not one of those sappy elitists who tell you to do something and then themselves do something different. No, I'm a Christian. I've lived my life for God through the good and bad for four, almost five years now. I love God and I try everyday to make my time here useful to him.

When I started studying the Bible, my dad worked with me and told me why he believed and such. After he told me his reasons though, he told me that they didn't matter. He told me that I needed to find my own reasons for why I believe and what I live for. He told me to find a verse in the Bible and use it as the doctrine for my life. Now, don't get me wrong, the entire Bible is my doctrine. I don't just pick and choose the parts I like. Anyhow, Daddy said that I should find one verse or passage that really sums things up for me. What my life is based on. But, as easy as that sounds, I've had a hard time finding something. I really have! I mean, I know why I believe. Give me the time of day and I'll be ecstatic to tell you all about it. However, I never really knew what my belief meant for my life. Not entirely anyway. Not until now. Recently, after nearly five years of looking, I finally found my verse.

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
- 1 Corinthians 10:31

And this brings be back to Hollywood. As you know, California is not known to be the most friendly place. Well, no, they do seem to be the most accepting people. Oh, you're gay? Don't worry, we love homosexuality. You refuse to get treatment for the drug problem you know you have? That's great! You just flushed your life down the toilet because of your arrogant, lying, cheating ways? No problem! Actually, it seems that the one thing they can't accept or get along with is Christianity.

So, this isn't exactly the best place for a person like me to be and stay true to what they believe. And yet, I march on. Right now, I'm not even sure why. All I know is that I want to do what I love and I want to glorify God in the process.

Am I afraid? I'm shaking in my boots. *laughs* And it sure didn't help when I was doing research on the filming industry. One book called Inside Hollywood had this to say about the people in the business: "Yet scoundrels abound: Lying is a common business practice, deception taken for granted, cheating often rewarded, greed a given." Then, just yesterday afternoon I was looking a bumper stickers on Facebook and found this sticker:


I will be attending the New York Film Academy in New York City. This is the world I'm going into.

Now, I could so easily back off and do something else. I could be a librarian, graphic designer, web page designer, mechanic, writer. All jobs that I have considered before. But, I promised myself that I wouldn't live the life everyone else lived. I want to do great things. Most importantly, though, I promised God that I would do his will, and I know his will for me is to overcome my fear and do my part in helping others come to know the God who is far better than some people allow him to be.

All in all, if comes to this: If I'm going to be a light to the world, I might as well go to a notoriously dark place. End of story.

I finished Ch. 1! How did that happen?

It's true! I actually finished writing the first chapter of AF: Cage Rattlers!! And I really don't know how it happened! I just sort of started working on pieces of it at the library just for the sake of writing and then POOF!! I finished up the chapter yesterday. I actually can't remember the last first chapter I wrote (and I have written many) that was actually good. I hope this isn't a bad omen for my story. Then again, I can't very well publish a story I haven't written.

Anywho, I now have something to post. It wasn't what I originally hoped to post, but that segment will come in its own time. In the mean time, I'll post part of my brand spankin' new chapter one!! Oh, and don't worry, M. You'll still be the first to read it (well, you're probably the only one who reads this blog anyway), I'll send you out a copy after I make revisions...'cause this is a very rough draft.

~Voila!! Chapter One: Captain (or at least a piece of it)~


Normally, the harbor was one of the few places in the city whose beauty remains intact. Its cerulean blue hue was so pure and perfect that it's easy to forget the city that lied just behind it. The ocean breeze would carry to the shore in just the perfect way, as sea breezes often do. The sun would sparkle and everything will be contented.

But not today. Today gray clouds loomed overhead with the threat of rain, the salty breeze was replaced with a late-winter chill, and the water, which usually satisfied every pleasure of the hand, only felt wet and cold. However, the weather only slightly depressed Aidan. He had seen worse things. Aidan ran his hand along the railing of the outlook, frightening the many seagulls that perched there. They squawked unhappily at him as they flew off in search for another rail.

As he curved around more shops, his destination came into view. It was just another outlook appearing just the same as every other one lining the cliff. Aidan supposed that was the point. All the same, Aidan continued on towards the designated outlook, but as a row of benches came into view, Aidan saw that someone was already sitting in the place where Aidan was supposed to meet his captain. The "someone" was a boy maybe a little younger than Aidan with shaggy silvery blonde hair. He was lying on his back with his hands behind his head across one of the benches staring up at the dark sky.

~Now here's another part for you!! (this is much later in the chapter)~


"As you can tell," Sebastien said breaking Aidan's train of thought, "we're part of Nine. Your new teammates."

"Part?" Aidan asked.

"Yeah, there are nine of us, including the captain, but now that you're here we're an even ten."

"Which is the limit to how high Sebastien can count," joked Oz. "So we'd better not get anyone else." Oz, Jed, and Sebastien erupted into laughter. Even Leon and Ace smiled.

"I might as well send you back to the country now if you're going to be chit-chatting rather than working," said a harsh female voice obviously directing her comments at Aidan. "And you," now referring to the others, "aren't you supposed to be doing something constructive?"

The others each went off to their previous positions.

Aidan turned around to see a tall, striking young woman who must have been a year, or perhaps even two years, younger than him. She stood just inside the door frame with her arms crossed, glaring at Aidan through icy hazel eyes. She wore a short dress with shorts underneath and bands covering her knees. Her long slivery blonde hair was held in two metallic shapes just behind and above her ears. The same types of metallic metal shapes were again used on her forearms as a sort of covering. Across her shoulder, she carried a brown leather sash, on which was a rectangular metal plate inscribed with .