Something Musically Cool

Gotta love WoW

The Wheel has Turned

And the fantasy world is a little poorer this week. James Rigney, Jr. - pen name Robert Jordan - passed on from this world to the next on Sunday. I've read quite a few tributes, posts, blogs and remembrances. They all point out to me that this world has lost not just a good writer but a good man.

"And there are never any words except 'The light shine on you, and the Creator shelter you. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home.'"
-Loial, The Great Hunt pg. 178

An Extraordinary Author

In the whirlwind of packing and family stress and drama, I had totally forgotten that I had won a contest on Paperback Writer's blog. The package came today. It had a neat tote bag that Mom thought was extremely cute (and so did I) various and sundry little surprises, more books that you can shake a stick at (Wabi Sabi for Writers, Tied to the Tracks, The Spooky Art, Soul Song, and several others) and these.






They were signed.

I did a little dance around the living room and squealed like a teenage girl at a boy band concert. My husband thinks I'm weird now.

What I don't think I could ever express to the author is how much this thrills me. I've never owned a book signed just for me. She troubled herself sending this to me (USPS instead of UPS because of the moving issue) and she didn't have to. I've never thought that I could win anything like this. I didn't think I was worth the trouble. Granted, this was sheer luck of the draw - but still...

I needed to hear/receive something positive. And I did.

And for the first time in more months than I want to think about, I want to write.

That is inspiration.

Thanks, PBW.

200

200 posts.

I didn't think I'd make it this far. I started out thinking that this blogging trip was just a fad I was going through. Guess not.

I surfed today and found all kinds of interesting things: Zube Girl had her a baby girl : ) , Dooce is going crazy with the contractors in her house, Rad Fanny is getting married and Jay at Kill the Goat is having her some rough life moments right now. I don't know these girls in real life and I wouldn't since they are spread over half the globe but if I could? Oh yes I would. The Nets bring the most interesting people to my attention and even if I'm not spreading the love and commenting like a fool, (which would require a NAME or something - I'm such a chicken sh*t) I'm interested in their stories, the real and the poetical.

You gals rock. I wish I could write about my life as half as well as you all do.

Stupid Trains

As I'm up two hours before my alarm is supposed to go off, I thought I'd take the time to stop by and say hello. I'm not sure what the engineers don't get about leaving running trains with noisy ass air compressors running RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE but I'm sure breakfast at Dennys doesn't take 2 hours and counting. I'd mind less if they (all 6 of them) were on the far side of the three tracks in front of my house or there were some train cars between me and them.

I think what really bothers me is the fact that they aren't hooked to anything. There's just 6 engines sitting down here running. Instead of parked behind the dairy plant a block away. Or better yet, downtown at the offices for these bastards. Since the tracks run right by there.

P.S. - That's the view from my living room with the door open. Spectacular isn't it?

#49

All kinds of interesting and uninteresting but time consuming things have been going on lately, so pardon my absence.

The Secret Life of Houdini - by Kalush and Sloman

Houdini as spy. His life, his love, and what may have been his real job. Fascinating. More info and footnotes at : www.conjuringarts.org .

Actually I just picked up the book to begin with because I thought it was a bio of Houdini and I think he's cool.

The Trip to Hell was Wonderful

Well, I was sick for two weeks. It was completely boring. I worked, I went home, I slept, I worked. That puts us up to nearly last week. And then? The hot water heater sprung a leak. So there was emergency house cleaning because I'd been a slob for two weeks so the repairmen could actually get through the house. *Sigh* I need a vacation from my time off.

My sister got accepted to GRADUATE SCHOOL. And she called and left a VERY long and EXCITED message on my phone. If I could translate what she said into print, there would be lots of CAPS. Way to go!

My Stepmother spent the weekend at my mom's with her two boys (long convoluted story) while hoping the police could catch up with my dad to serve him with a restraining order. The boys had fun and were not excited about going back but it's all up to the paperwork. We've (mom and I) done what we can, but being able to go to the appointments and all the red tape is what's left.

Hmmm, oh and my hubby wished me Happy Valentines Day with flowers and a balloon. Twice in a one month time span. Freaky, but I'm not complaining.

It seems to have been a very busy two weeks and hopefully the next trip I take I'll remember to get the pictures for the slideshow.

'Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house
The only thing stirring was the computer mouse.

The stockings were scattered hither and there
And I was desperately hoping no one would be here.

The cat was all snuggled up in his bed
With visions of kibbles going 'round in his head.

And Hubby in his boxers and I in my shirt
Were gaming away and feeling quite pert.

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter
I jumped from my chair to see what was a matter.

Away to the door I ran like the Flash
Yanked open the sucker and gave my foot a good bash.

The moon reflected off the tarp like Canadian snow
Which gave off a good glare to see what was below.

When, what to my disbelieving eyes should appear
But one lazy old tom gorging on leftover beer.

I wandered back in the house with aplomb
And I muttered about tossing some f-bombs.

I shreiked in fright scaring hubby a bit
Realizing that I'd forgotten St. Nick.

You see, he was coming and the house was a mess
It seemed that my life was destined for stress.

I scoured and cleaned, washing dishes like mad
Hoping hubby would jump up and help just a tad.

He was gaming away, lost in the WarCraft
And I told my mom this and she totally laughed,"

You know the young man is oblivious to
Any cleaning or house chores that you need to do."

I continued my mission, making everything neat
And definitely taking time for a treat.

Finally the house was well scoured and cleaned
And I passed out on the couch, listening to the clicking.

The next morning the stockings were stuffed clear up full
And the tree was finally found under the packages and yanked out with a good pull.

We picked up the papers, hauling out the trash with shear might
and at the bottom of the pile a note was located that made everything all right.

"Merry Christmas to all and To All A GOOD NIGHT."

Christmas Season is Hell in Retail

Druid 44% Combativeness, 60% Sneakiness, 82% Intellect, 58% Spirituality

Sneaky, cunning, and spiritual: You are a Druid! Druids work with nature to cast their spells and favor balance over extremes. They're shapeshifters, capable of taking the forms of natural creatures. While they don't always deal well with people, they do have animal companions to come to their aid. You are probably intelligent, spiritual, and more than a little deceptive. Fortunately, your lack of violent tendencies means you are also likely to be level-headed.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on Combativeness You scored higher than 99% on Sneakiness You scored higher than 99% on Intellect You scored higher than 99% on Spirituality

Link: The RPG Class Test written by MFlowers on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

50 Sci Fi novels

50 Significant SF/F Novels
This is a list of the 50 most significant science fiction/fantasy novels, 1953-2002, according to the Science Fiction Book Club. Bold the ones you've read, strike-out the ones you hated, italicize those you started but never finished and put an asterisk beside the ones you loved.


* 1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

*2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov

*3. Dune, Frank Herbert

4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein

5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin

6. Neuromancer, William Gibson

7. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke

8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

*9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley

10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe

12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller, Jr.

*13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov

14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras

15. Cities in Flight, James Blish

*16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett

17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison

18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison

19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester

20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany

*21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey

22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card

23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R.
Donaldson

24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman

25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl

*26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling

*27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson

*29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice

30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin

31. Little, Big, John Crowley

32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny

33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick

34. Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement

35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon

36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith

37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute

38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke

39. Ringworld, Larry Niven

40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys

41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien

42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut

43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson

44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner

45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester

46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein

47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock

48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks

49. Timescape, Gregory Benford

50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

You scored as Batman, the Dark Knight. As the Dark Knight of Gotham, Batman is a vigilante who deals out his own brand of justice to the criminals and corrupt of the city. He follows his own code and is often misunderstood. He has few friends or allies, but finds comfort in his cause.

Captain Jack Sparrow		83%
Batman, the Dark Knight		83%
Maximus		71%
William Wallace		58%
The Terminator		58%
James Bond, Agent 007		54%
Indiana Jones		50%
Lara Croft		50%
El Zorro		46%
Neo, the "One"		42%
The Amazing Spider-Man		42%

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

Oh look, a quiz

Proteus 33% Extroversion, 46% Intuition, 72% Emotiveness, 23% Perceptiveness

Changing your shape to suit your situation, you are most like Proteus. More than anything else, you need to be wanted. You have a very strong work ethic, and are very adaptable, but are often unappreciated. You develop very strong personal loyalties, and will often maintain these personal relationships at a great expense to yourself. Convention and conformity are very important to you, and you find deviations from either to be very inappropriate. You tend not to burden those around you with your own problems. Famous people like you: Mother Theresa, Jimmy Carter

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on Extroversion You scored higher than 99% on Intuition You scored higher than 99% on Emotiveness You scored higher than 99% on Perceptiveness

Link: The Greek Mythology Personality Test written by Aleph_Nine on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

I Have Enjoyed the Day

I have celebrated my birthday this week. I have spent time at the county fair. I will have worked (by the end of the week) my butt off. So far, life is good.

Oh, and there is nothing more entertaining when you've got the time to stare than to watch old metal heads try to rock out. *Giggle*

What D&D Character Are You?

I Am A: Chaotic Good GnomeBard Ranger


Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.


Race:
Gnomes are also short, like dwarves, but much skinnier. They have no beards, and are very inclined towards technology, although they have been known to dabble in magic, too. They tend to be fun-loving and fond of jokes and humor. Some gnomes live underground, and some live in cities and villages. They are very tolerant of other races, and are generally well-liked, though occasionally considered frivolous.


Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.


Secondary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.


Deity:
Finder Wyvernspur is the Chaotic Neutral god of the cycle of life and the transformation of art, although he leans heavily towards Good. He is also known as the Nameless Bard. Followers of Finder believe that everything must change in order to grow and thrive. Their preferred weapon is the bastard sword.


Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy ofNeppyMan (e-mail)


Detailed Results:

Alignment:
Lawful Good ----- XXXX (4)
Neutral Good ---- XXXXXX (6)
Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXX (7)
Lawful Neutral -- XX (2)
True Neutral ---- XX (2)
Chaotic Neutral - (-1)
Lawful Evil ----- (-1)
Neutral Evil ---- (-1)
Chaotic Evil ---- XX (2)

Race:
Human ---- (-2)
Half-Elf - XXXX (4)
Elf ------ XXXXX (5)
Halfling - (-4)
Dwarf ---- (0)
Half-Orc - (-2)
Gnome ---- XXXXXX (6)

Class:
Fighter - (-3)
Ranger -- XXXXXX (6)
Paladin - (-3)
Cleric -- (-2)
Mage ---- (-1)
Druid --- XX (2)
Thief --- (-2)
Bard ---- XXXXXXX (7)
Monk ---- (-2)

Heat Wave

I've noticed that there isn't a gradual build up into summer around here. It's a week of humidity at 75 degrees and then POW! it's a hundred or higher from then on.

In protest we put up the pool.

I received my first sunburn of the summer.

And it was very nice.

Trains

You're the Ghost Train!

You often feel that you're the subject of songs, legends, and
even myths. But are you really feeling something real or is this just an
overactive imagination? Is something really calling to you in the great
beyond or do you just really like Halloween? Only you can answer this
question, howling through the darkness as you have been known to do. Maybe
you've spent too much time in philosophy classes, but you're not even really
sure that you exist. This is only part of the reason that you tend to scare
other people.


Take the Trains and Railroads Quiz
at RMI Miniature Railroads.

Viva le France

You're France!

Most people think you're snobby, but it's really just that
you're better than everyone else. At least you're more loyal to the real
language, the fine arts, and the fine wines than anyone else. You aren't
worth beans in a fight, unless you're really short, but you're so good at other
things that it usually doesn't matter. Some of your finest works were
intended to be short-term projects.


Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid

College?

You're the University of Chicago!

A bit stuffy and pretentious, you definitely think you're
superior to most of those around you. At the same time, you live in a terrible
part of town and have even gone through a rather large Goth phase. Instead of
trying to resolve these conflicts in a social setting, you prefer to hole up on
your own and study the roots of the issues. Your basement is rather unsafe, and
in your backyard you have a little gravestone marked "Fun".


Take the University Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.