Aléatoire

Hook, Line & Sinker Blogfest!

2012-02-13T17:38:00.003-05:00

Hey all! Long time no post, huh? Haha, anyway, here is my post for Justin's "Hook, Line & Sinker" Blogfest today! =D

<3 Tara

Oh! --- The sound of it. The record checking in the corner and the grain of the music as the orchestra played. A perfect sound; just glorious. The floor skips out from beneath my feet as I twirl around, my partner, a broom in reality, my love in thought, guides me along to the step of the beat. Sinatra’s voice is a dim, lovely whisper in my ear as I drift away.

We’re together again. His smile is sweet, endearing, as he holds me close. Nothing else matters, the war is in the past, and he is home with me. The music guides us, we let it take us. He spins me out and is there to catch me when I return. Laughter surrounds us, fusing with the music; there is not a care in the world anymore. Things are just the way they should have stayed. It is like he never left. As if the war never happened. He did not stop loving me; he is no different from my memory. The merriment in his eyes, the secret in his smile---it is all the same.

We skip, my skirt catching around our legs and we laugh as we sway to catch ourselves. He leans in and pecks a quick kiss on my cheek. The heat rushes to my cheeks and he brushes my hair out of my face before he guides me to the music once more. Yes, it is perfect.

The horns trill on the last note and he twirls me out once more. I stumble on his feet and only just manage to catch myself. I look down, embarrassed, but the straws need no apology. I look up, breath caught in my chest. His face is gone again, the dream is over.

The band, it’s done, the only thing left is the clicking of the point against the center of the vinyl. I lean the broom against the wall and cross the floor to fix it. I flip the record over and reset it for the next side. A knock, heavy on the door, interrupts me. I move into the hall and check the curtain. A tall man stands on the porch. I pull the door open. His dark suit is clean-brushed and he tugs at his cuffs before handing me an envelope. The address on it frightens me. It is not from him, it is from the capitol. Tears collect on my lashes and I look up at the man. He is disgruntled, avoiding my gaze as he clears his throat.

“Madam, it is my deepest regret to inform you that---“

I hear him no more. The letter in my hands is too much. It is heavy, pulling me down, though I remain upright in the doorway. Frozen. Frozen with fear. Fear to acknowledge it. I shake my head, the tears slipping down my cheeks.

Sinatra’s voice is soft again, the record starting up, swirling through the window to the world outside, where I am trapped with a stranger and an iron letter in my hands. A hand touches my arm and I jump. The man before me is finished speaking. He offers me his kerchief and I take it absently. The tears in my eyes don’t bother me. I loved him, after all. He tips his hat, and draws away. The heat of his fingers is gone and I am nothing but a cold shell in the warm sunshine and all I can wonder is what to do next.

Filler

2011-09-20T14:40:00.004-04:00

So, I'm sitting in the hallway waiting for class to start in a few hours and I thought that I would do a post. Yay for some free time.

Five classes is really a lot of work, more than I thought, but I'm really enjoying the fact that I can be busy. I don't like to just sit around, often, and do nothing. I like to be doing something.

Anyway, I've been making some awesome progress on my book and I think that I can finally be done this revision by at least next month and that is so exciting. I honestly wasn't expecting it to take me all summer and some more time than that, but I think that the revisions that I have made are the best by far, so far. =) That makes me really happy when I think about it. Really what bums me out about it is that it's taken me this long to write this. Of course, I should expect this by now, after having it be my main project for almost 6 years now, I think.

Well, I am off to do some more writing until classes and stuff starts. Later!

-Tara

The Start of a New School Year. =)

2011-09-06T21:39:00.007-04:00

Hello all!

So, I realize that I haven't done this in a while. Tonight I found this really cool website. My friend had posted about it on Facebook (ah, yes, Facebook =P). It's called SkinnyTies.com and they sell nothing but (that's right) Skinny Ties!

Despite the fact that I am a girl does not mean this isn't cool to me. I enjoy wearing the occasional skinny time with a nice blouse and possible v-sweater vest thrown over top for extra flair.

If you, also, enjoy skinny ties, I suggest that you check this out, too.

Today, anyway, I had my first class of the semester, and our professor let us out a whole half hour early. That was nice, but I was kind of bummed about that, too. Oh well. I have the class again on Thursday.

Well, for now, ta-ta!

-Tara

(P.S. Disclaimer: I don't own the Ouran pictures that I post. They strictly belong to the creator of the manga, Bisco Hatori. =D )

100th

2011-09-02T22:08:00.003-04:00

Hello!

First off, this is my 100th post. How exciting. =D

Okay, now on to business. I've only just remembered that I said that I would post today. Lately, I have been watching the BBC television series "Merlin". Actually, that is mostly all that I did today. I've just finished the second season tonight and just found out that the DVDs aren't available for streaming through Netflix. -sigh- Oh well. Eventually, I will get to watch the rest of the seasons.

So, that's it for now. The series is great. I love it. I think it's a great twist on an old, favorite Arthurian legend of mine. =)

I'll post again soon. Onward with great writing and inspiration, my friends! =D

-Tara

Last Day of August, 2011

2011-08-31T23:44:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone.

So, despite some area flooding due to Hurricane Irene, all is well. =D

I am moving forward with my book and have started a new WiP for a small writing group that I have joined. It's exciting, I think. I'm not quite sure where this new WiP will go, but I'll find out eventually, right? Haha!

Well, anyway, I'm going to get going now. I will post again Friday! =D

-Tara

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T14:29:00.004-04:00

I am okay. The hurricane brought a lot of water and my backyard is flooded. We lost power last night around 8:30p and regained it around 11a this morning. Winds are slow but strong when they gust. I wonder if any of our tall pine trees will fall. In case of another power outage due to wind, or possible more rain, Dad is making beef jerky with our slightly new de-humidifier. Yum.

Well, I just wanted to give you all an update. I am fine. Also, Justin from "In My Write Mind" is fine, too. He visited me on Friday night, which I really liked. =)

Everyone, please take care!

-Tara

Rain!

2011-08-15T21:10:00.003-04:00

So, it's been raining since yesterday, I think. I say I think because I wasn't home yesterday. I was in MD. My family drove down there to pick me up and bring me back home. The car ride took hours. The rain was pouring down and visibility was "eh" for quite some time. Here at home, roads are flooded, collapsing and bridges are washing away. Yeah.

Oh yeah. Where I am, it's been declared a "State of Emergency". And it's still raining....until the weekend, apparently.

-Tara

"The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

2011-08-09T11:51:00.003-04:00

So, about three weeks ago, roughly, I was at the Book Mobile. The Book Mobile is a great way to get books during the summer. It's a library on wheels and frequents three places around my house so I can easily find them and acquire books to read. Plus, if they don't have a book that I am looking for, I can ask them to find it and they will hold it for me until they return on their next 2 week cycle.

Anyway, the last time I was in the bus they drive around in, I came across the Lloyd Alexander books in his Prydain series. Who knows what that series is? Come on, they made a Disney movie out of it. Well, if you don't know, that's okay. It's the Black Cauldron. And, as I was looking at the book titled, "The Black Cauldron", I realized that I've never read the series, only seen the movie version of it. So, I decided to take out all five books and read it. However, they didn't have a couple of the books, including the first one, which is "The Book of Three". But that's okay, because last week when they came back, they had the books on hold for me and my Mom picked them up while I was working.

So now I am reading the first book in the Prydain series and it is pretty good. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good new read. Of course, I'm only four chapters in, I believe. The main character is, of course, Taran. I always liked him. Hm....I wonder why. Well, later! =D

-Tara

Authors

2011-08-08T20:53:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone,

So, I just wanted to share a short list of some of my favorite authors with all of you. They aren't in any particular order, like "most favorite" to "okay", they're just listed as is.

-Frank L. Baum
-Gail Carson Levine
-Ridley Pearson
-Dave Barry
-Cornelia Funke
-J.K. Rowling
-J.R.R. Tolkien
-Brian Jacques
-Rick Riordan
-Christopher Paolini
-Lemoney Snicket
-E.D. Baker
-Angie Sage

Best Friend's Guest Post

2011-08-04T18:46:00.003-04:00

Hello one and all!

I'm going to talk about something I haven't in a while---my book. Progress has been going well. If you remember, I had mentioned that I was starting a revision of my first book. Halfway through said revision, after typing chapter outlines, I realized that I didn't like those outlines, so I restarted my revision, and went into the second one. Now, I really do like how the story is moving. It's going much quicker, I like the character development, and I'm fleshing out where I think it was missing some information.

Now, I'm going to randomly pass my netbook over to my best friend, Teresa, so that she can type herself up a nice guest entry---not that she knows anything about that. Haha! Here we go.....

-Tara

This Space Reserved For Teresa:

um.. hi haha this is my first time doing this, so hello to anyone who reads this! My name is Teresa and I'm BEST friends with tara. we've been friends for a while now and we are more like sisters then friends haha.. shes awesome. I live near Tara and work at the nearby Mall.. Not the greatest job in the world but it'll do! Right now im eating Chicken Parm that her Papa made so obviously it's amazing since he's the best cook i know. So I guess this is it, so goodbye world. =) btw I love Mark <3

2011-08-03T18:28:00.000-04:00

So, I've missed another chance yet again to return the book I've been reading back to the Book Mobile. I was really trying to finish it before the Book Mobile left around 2:30p today, but I was babysitting and the kids were kind of distracting. But that's fine. They are adorable children and I don't mind spending time with them. =) I'll just keep the book for another two weeks. It will be fine, as long as I return it eventually.

Good news, I've finally caught up with typing everything I've written! I'll post more later. I'm about to run out of my Wi-Fi since I'm in the car.

Netbook =D

2011-08-02T21:38:00.004-04:00

I'm so pleased. I bought myself a netbook last night from Best Buy. It's very cute. The color was listed as "Raspberry". It's a pink plaid, very interesting. At first, I was a bit "eh" on the color, but it's grown on me. Very cute.

Anyway, this means that I can start posting more often again because I don't have to share the desktop computer anymore. Yay! Very happy about that one. I'm going to try and set myself to a schedule. I'm going to mostly try and post Mondays-Thursdays, unless my upcoming school schedule should alter that, I will switch to Wednesdays-Saturdays, or something like that. I will figure it out.

So, being the Disney dork that I am, I am super excited for the premier of "Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension", which airs this Fridays!

And, last Friday, I returned home in time to watch the premier of "Thundercats". I was so excited that they are re-booting it. The storyline has changed a bit, but the animation is way better and the characters seem to be getting more development than what I remember. They are also much younger than the original 1980s show. All in all, I look forward to the new story arc with interest. =)

-Tara

More Excuses..... =P

2011-07-30T20:03:00.003-04:00

First off, I want to thank Kelly for the sketch she drew me a while back.

Second, I want to let Dawn know that I will be posting the sketch that I am doing for her, sometime this week. Sorry for the delay.

Lastly, this was just an update. How sad. T-T Work is keeping me very busy, but, I have been invited to join a Writing Group, by Kelly, once school starts back up, so, I am looking forward to that. I hope that everyone's summer has gone well so far and that everyone has gotten a chance to get a good amount of writing in. =]

-Tara

Author: Jane Yolen

2011-07-17T19:48:00.005-04:00

It's really incredible to be able to work at a bookstore, because when you aren't busy, you can look up more books to read. Today, I decided to research the author of a book that I am currently reading, "Sword of the Rightful King", by Mrs. Jane Yolen. The book is very interesting so far, following the tale of Arthur and Merlin, but with a twist. It's just, I haven't gotten to the twist yet, but the back of the book says that there will be one. I will just keep reading it.

Anyway, I'm digressing. I found a few new books by her that I was interested in, and, in fact, one of those books is coming out next month, titled: "Sister Light, Sister Dark". That seemed very good and once our store has it, I will look into it. =D

-Tara =)

Insert Random Title Here =P

2011-07-13T18:56:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone. I'm sorry about not posting much after my blogfest. I have been babysitting most of the weeks and and we've been doing some work aroune the house. Plus, my laptop is still "broken", so I have to share our family computer with my brothers and parents. So, it's a challenge. =P

Ok, enough with the excuses. I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm still here. I will try posting more again this weekend.

Anyway, I am excited for tomorrow night because Part 2 of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is coming out, and I have already bought my ticket for the premiere midnight showing. When I bought my ticket, the lady who sold it to me told me to show up early because they had already sold 650 tickets, and that was on Monday! Well, anyway, I think that it will be good and that I will yhave fun at my friend's Harry Potter-themed party before we go to the movie. Being blonde, she suggested that I dress up as Luna, so, maybe I will. =P

Well, I will post again sometime soon. If I can. =)

-Tara

The Winners!!!

2011-06-26T18:37:00.004-04:00

I'm so sorry that I took forever to do this! My schedule just got really busy! XD

So, only four of those that signed up actually did the contest, XD. I didn't think that it would be fair if three of you got something and the fourth person didn't, so, I included the fourth person in my drawing that I did through Text Mechanic. Here is the winner order:

1. Tessa @ Tessa's Blurb

2. Rohki @ No Cucumber Sandwiches

3. Charlie @ Life Happens

4. Dawn @ It's in the Book

Now, since I didn't originally have a choice for fourth place, I came up with the idea that Dawn could have a choice of the following two options:

-A review of the first chapter in one of your WiPs.

-OR-

- 1-2 character sketches of characters in your WiP.

Dawn, please let me know, when you can, which of those two options you would like. =D

Congratulations to all! =D

-Tara!

Entry for the Blogfest! =D

2011-06-18T22:38:00.007-04:00

Alright, so, here goes my awesome post for today, completely typed up just now:

She glanced at him. His hair was brushed back, his glasses resting on the tip of his nose. He had pulled out a photo album and they had spent the past two hours reminiscing. Cassidy sipped at her tea and set the cool mug down on the coffee table. She folded her hands in her lap and smiled.

"That was fun, but it's getting late. I have work in the morning." She stood up, as did he. "Thank you for inviting me over, Blake."

He chuckled. "You don't have to say your good-byes here, Cassie. Let me walk you to the door, at least."

She glanced over at it. It seemed so far away. She hesitated, looking down at the photos again and then back to him. "Okay."

They reached the door in four, easy strides. Blake opened the door and cast a look outside. It was raining. He grabbed his umbrella, leaning in the corner by the door. He held it outside and opened it.

"How about to your car instead?" He grinned and stepped outside, holding up the umbrella and held out his hand to her.

She stepped out, without his help. "Thanks."

Thunder cracked overhead as she reached in her purse for her keys. She sighed and unlocked her door. Blake bumped his shoulder against hers.

"So," he said. He coughed to clear his throat. "I was thinking."

"That was never good."

A pathetic smile slipped across his lips. "That hurt. I've changed."

"I'm sure you have." She pointed to his house. "I mean, just look at what you bought. It's so simple. You've learned to cut back on your spending to be an efficient adult."

"Cass, I was wondering if we could do this again," Blake said. "I've missed you, you know? It's been a long time."

"Yeah," her voice drifted off. She avoided his eyes. "It was nice, but I couldn't meet with you again."

"Cass, honest, I've changed." Blake shut her door. "Please?"

She stared at her car and then looked at him, a look of irritation crossing her pleasant features. "No."

"Cass, I don't understand. Why are you so mad at me? What did I do?"

"Nothing."

"Well, I must have. Ever since graduation, you never spoke to me. Now you're back here and you agreed to see me tonight. I thought that you might give me another chance. I was hoping that you would explain to me what it is that I did."

Cassidy studied him. Blake had never been one to be so persistent. His eyes were filled with a concerned light and his hair was sliding into his face from the rain. He seemed so, truly...confused. She sighed.

"You didn't do anything."

"I must have!" he insisted.

"Listen to me, Blake. I'm telling you straight to your face. You didn't do anything. Nothing. Okay? Now, please, I have to go."

"You can't go," Blake complained.

"Why not?"

"Because! I don't know what you mean." He grabbed her hand. She looked away. "Cass, please."

"No."

"No what?"

"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to listen to your excuses." She pushed him away and felt the cool rain fall over her. She clutched her keys tight in her hand. "I don't care anymore."

Blake stared at her. The umbrella lay, forgotten, on the ground between them. "Cass, I-"

"You what?"

"Whatever it is that I did, I'm sorry."

"I forgave you some time ago, Blake."

"Then why are you still mad?"

"It's difficult." She opened her car door and glanced at him. "You broke my heart, Blake."

"How?" He tried to open her door, but she had locked it. He peered into her window, her face blurred by the rain. "Cass! How?" He knocked on her window and the engine revved to life. He pulled at her handle. "Cass, open your door, please! Cass!" His grip tightened on the handle to her door as she began to back into the road. "Cass, I won't let go. I've waited a long time for you to show back up in my life. I won't let you go so easy this time." Her car stopped at the edge of his driveway and the lights and engine died. He watched her slump down against her wheel and hit her hands against the dashboard. She opened her door and glared at him, her tears mixing with the rain.

"I left because you didn't do anything, okay?" she shouted angrily. "You said you loved me, Blake. You said that we would be together forever and you didn't do anything about it. That night, at graduation, after we were done everything, do you remember what happened?"

"I drove you home, Cass. I drove you home and I did what I always had. I kissed you and told you that I loved you."

"Exactly. It was rubbish."

"Rubbish? It was not. I was sincere, as always."

"What happened the next day, Blake?"

"Your family moved and you stopped talking to me." Blake leaned over her.

"Right. We moved. I left. And after you told me we could stay together."

"What was I supposed to do, Cass? I mean, I didn't want you to leave, but what was I supposed to do?"

"You didn't ask me to stay."

Anger lit his eyes. "If you wanted to stay, then you should have, Cassidy!"

She sobbed into her hands and shook her head. "But, you didn't ask me to stay, Blake. I had no reason to stay. We weren't engaged, or anything, so, I had to go."

"Oh." He knelt down and cupped his hand under her chin, lifting her head to look into her eyes. "That's what you meant when you said that I did nothing, isn't it?" He took her silence as her answer. Blake stood up. "You're leaving at the end of the week, aren't you?"

"Unless you stop me," she said, a faint smile hinting at the corners of her mouth. "My flight is at seven in the morning. You'll have to get up early to catch me, Blake."

He sighed, a grin spreading across his mouth. He held his hand out to her. "I'll have to think about it. Your car died, didn't it? Come back inside with me, Cass."

"I have work in the morning, I have to go, Blake."

"Nope. I can't let you out of my sight until after your flight has left."

Her face fell and her racing heart slowed with the depression that started to filter in. "Ah."

"Cass, I have to be honest with you. There is no way that I will be able to get up that early in the morning to catch you before your flight, but, I've missed you too much and I want you to stay with me. So, as a precautionary measure, you'll just have to stay here so I can't lose you again." He laughed lightly. "I mean, if you think that you can handle living with a slob like me."

"You're an idiot, Blake."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek before he opened the door to his house. "So it seems."

-----

So, the song that I used was:

"Another Heart Calls" by The All-American Rejects" (For a video without people acting to the song, click here.). Personally, I'm not quite sure that my post corresponds with the song very well, and I'm not sure that I like my entry either. I think it's weird. XD

-Tara

Totally Slacking!

2011-06-16T14:37:00.009-04:00

Well, I did a horrid job of writing another post after I was done work the other day (two days ago? EDIT: It was really 4 days ago! O-o). Meh. My apologies, if you were looking forward to something.

Tomorrow, I will be posting my sketch of a new cover for the book of my selection for a blogfest that I signed up for about a week ago, I think. And, then, on Saturday, I will be posting my post for my own blogfest, which I have yet to write yet. I will most likely sit here and listen to music and type something random for my post. Yes, most likely. =P

Other than that, there is nothing really special going on today, post-wise. For me, anyway. I have work in about 2 hours, or so. I have to go in for three hours and mull about the bookshelves. I wonder if I should look forward to that. Eh. Maybe I will get some good story plotting done. Maybe. Or, I could talk to people. =P

Last night, I had a treat to go to the Pop Shop, simply because I was in that area. It was featured on an episode of "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" (if that was the title of the show) on Food Network! My meal was very delicious. Make sure to check out their link.

Also, if you are a fan of the game: "The Legend of Zelda" and a fan of Mr. Robbin Williams, as am I, then I think that you would really like to see the commercial that he did and then check out the video he made, to explain the commercial. =P All in all, as a true fan, I am super excited just for the game, and, if I manage to get my hands on the 3DS (not that there is anything wrong with my GBA, or my Micro), then, by all means, I will look into obtaining the game for it as well. =D

"Heigh-Ho! It's Off To Work I Go!" =P

2011-06-12T11:33:00.003-04:00

So, I just wanted to say hi before I go into work today. I plan on posting another entry when I get back around 6:30p.

You know, working at a bookstore is great. You can get a lot of thinking done because, aside from the cool jazzy/movie soundtrack/random music they play, it's not often that loud. =D

-Tara

P.S. Please sign up for my blogfest. It starts in just 6 days. Tell your friends about it, too. I'd like to see at least 10 people signed up. =P

"It's the Muse-ic Writing" Blogfest!

2011-06-08T20:44:00.012-04:00

Hey Everyone!

So, I've figured out how to celebrate my blogiversary. What better way than to host my very own (and first official) blogfest! Here's what's going to go down:

The Rules:

-Pick your favorite track of music (only one) and listen to it as you write a scene.

-The scene can be about anything, as long as it corresponds with the music.

-How will we know that it corresponds? Well, you must tell us what song you were listening to when you wrote your scene.

-Other than that, just have fun with it. =)

The Prizes:

As I am not entirely rich, I will not have any money prizes like cash or gift cards and what not. Sorry. However, the prizes will go as follows:

1st Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first 4 chapters to your own WiP of your choice.

2nd Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first 2 chapters to your own WiP of your choice.

3rd Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first chapter to your own WiP of your choice.

Oops! XD

2011-06-07T23:23:00.006-04:00

So, I've only just realized that I missed my first year blogiversary by almost 3 weeks! I hardly realized that it has been an entire year since I started my blog and I'm not quite sure that I would have realized if I hadn't gone to check Rosie's blog "East for Green Eyes" and had seen her post about her blogiversary. Now, while I did miss the official one year mark (May 18th) of my blog, there is no reason not to celebrate it. Tomorrow, I will announce my plans for it, so, please check back. =D

-Tara

Stereo-typed

2011-06-07T13:43:00.006-04:00

Heroes. Heroines. Sidekicks. Villains. Masterminds. Characters, in general, are important. So, let's focus on them.

Heroes:

Most often or not, the hero of a story almost always has one or more of the following characteristics: Strong, Clever, Reliable, Loyal, Quick, Witty, Charming, Skilled, a Fighter, Love-able, Romantic, Haunted (by a dark past), Hopeful (for a better future), Magical, Courageous, etc.

The hero is the focus of the story and, mostly, the POV. He knows what he wants and will seek it out, whether it is the noble cause of rescuing a damsel in distress, or saving the world. He is determined to see his fate through to the end and protect those that he loves. Of course, he could be the tormented hero, constantly second-guessing and always judging himself. He always puts himself down and demeans himself to the point where he is anguished and lacking in motivation to continue. Usually, this type of hero will have a sidekick or a lovely heroine to keep him in check.

Heroines:

Characteristics of Heroines are usually: Strong-willed, Meek, Crafty, Clever, Wise, Slow-to-anger, Understanding, Caring, Kind, Cute, Beautiful, Intelligent, Tortured, Distressed, Magical, Hopeful, Prepared, etc.

The heroine is the focus of her own story and her own POV. She is dauntless and stubborn when it comes to her task and tries not to stray on her journey. She may be willing to help out fellow maidens (probably more than she would like to help men, especially if she is the tortured-type, ie., she was oppressed by a loved one, or harmed, etc.). Depending on the story, her love interest can always include a hero, a sidekick, and on occassion, the villain.

Sidekicks:

Characters who will keep the heroes and/or heroines motivated and focused on their cause. They will show their strength only when the hero/heroine needs them most and otherwise will be shadowed by the M.C. until their purpose is called upon again. They are great movers, tending to the plot and making sure that it is seen through to completion, despite the efforts of the villain.

Characteristics will include: Noble, Loyal, Dependable, Smart, Cunning, Silver-tongued, Quick-witted, Ready, Comical, etc.

Villains/Masterminds:

Usually, these two characters will go hand in hand, if not the same character. They are the darkness that plagues the heroes and the heroines and often find pleasure in the suffering of others. Villains/Masterminds are written to be hated and end up loved just as much as the other characters. Of course, that depends exactly how the author wrote them into the story, because there are some villains that can't be liked.

Often sterotypicalized, just as the other three listed above, the Villain/Mastermind can often be found with the following characteristics: Sly, Brilliant, Dark, Tortured, Deviant, Apathetic, Cruel, Miserable, Foul, Detestable, Harsh, etc.

The Interrupted Blogfest!

2011-06-03T13:34:00.007-04:00

Hello all! I wanted to promote the blogfest of someone that I have very recently just started to follow. It will take place on June 26th, and it will be hosted by Sasha from Sasha's Secrets, so make sure to check it out if you are interested. =D

-Tara

Travel in Writing

2011-06-02T22:05:00.004-04:00

Traveling long distances always gives one a good look a perspective, I think. Especially when it comes to writing.

Normally, when I sit down to write or type, and I say that the characters leave one town to get to another city, it doesn't seem to take them no longer than an hour, but it isn't always like that. Major cities are often far apart. Today I drove into a city in PA and then all the way down to NJ. It took a ridiculous amount of time, the ride, I mean. The drive was only about an hour or so, traffic wasn't horrible, but the actual car ride, felt like it took longer.

Traveling can be a strain, and while one might not always want to focus on that strain at the exact moment it is taking place in their story, it is a good idea to take into thought that the characters will be exhausted from their travels. They can't go from one place to another in an hour and then be whooping butt or saving damsels in distress. I mean, maybe they can. Maybe they had "Red Bull", or "5Hour Energy" drinks, or something, but most often, wouldn't they be just a tad tired? Wouldn't they like to take a short rest. If not a short rest, if they are instantly attacked upon arrival, are they still up to par? Or, is their "A-game" digressing a bit? It's just something to keep in mind, hm?

In Memory of my Aunt

2011-05-28T11:07:00.004-04:00

I would like to write something for my aunt, who passed away on Thursday.

My Aunt (and she was also my godmother) was a good woman who always seemed to have a smile on her face and a laugh on her lips whenever it was that I saw her. In my eyes she was a great person and a good mom to her kids and I'll miss seeing her around. She was fun and nice and I never felt uncomfortable around her and I'm really going to miss her. I still love her, and I know the suffering that she went through has ended. May she rest in peace.

<3 Tara

Returning....XD

2011-05-23T14:33:00.003-04:00

Whew, what a long break.

I have been keeping myself busy with re-writing the opening to my first book. While it is going nicely, I have reached some rough patches, but I have steadily been working through it. I am currently up to Chapter 10 (written) and am working on typing up Chapter 8 now. I decided to procrastinate just a tad to come back and say hello and that I am still here. I kind of missed my blog.

This summer, my goal is to complete the re-writes and edits and send my final rough draft to my trusted friend/writing companion, Justin (despite the fact that he left me for Disney) for a final review and possibly comments. Once I hear back from him, I will start sending out queries again. I would like to have this all accomplished by August at least, possibly by the start of September.

Considering that I have a good friend coming over from Scotland to do an internship here though, I might procrastinate some, but I will still try. I think that it is a good goal to set. It gives me a majority of the summer to work on it between both of my jobs and all of the other stuff that I have planned, or would like to do.

Anyway, it's good to be publishing posts again. So, keep a look out for more to come this week. =D

-Tara

A Helpful Book

2011-04-17T16:02:00.003-04:00

I have recently come across this really cool book by the name of "The Writer's Little Helper". It has some really great points to writing and I will make sure to post about them soon. Some of the tips include a Ten Scene idea, instead of outlining (and I didn't realize it at first, but, I already do that when I write. XD), and has some nifty tips about keeping track of characters and such. =) It is a great investment.

-Tara

Good, Hard Work.

2011-04-09T20:30:00.005-04:00

Sometimes, good hard work is all you need to clear your mind. I always find it helpful to do some yard work (like I did today), or do some chores around the house when you are frustrated over something, trying to make a decision over something, or stuck with writer's block. I don't know why, but usually, that helps to make things click, if you know what I mean. =)

Anyway, class and work keep me very busy, but I am determined to keep blogging. =) Very soon, I will get back into the drift of things on here and I hope to be speaking with you all again on a more daily basis. Until then, I will continue to post the snippets that I can, as often as I can. =)

-Tara

P.S. For any of you who love Legend of Zelda as much as I do, here is an interesting little video of an improve for Sariah's Song. =)

Decision Making.....

2011-04-05T22:13:00.004-04:00

Sometimes you have to make a really tough decision, and though it may not be easy to come to a conclusion, there is usually one. We may not like the end result, but that is where the phrase: "When one door closes, another one opens", and other such great quotes from history. So, when faced with a decision, and you really have to sit there and ponder your choices, it is a good way to start by outlining your pros and cons. Just a helpful tip, as I try to figure out some decisions myself. =)

-Tara

Boardwalk

2011-04-03T20:47:00.002-04:00

Today was eventful. Despite the fact that it is about 40 something degrees Fahrenheit outside, my best friend and I decided to go to the beach to record a quick video for our friend from Scotland, who will be interning at the boardwalk down by us this summer. We are both super excited for him to arrive and hope that he will enjoy his stay and time visiting us in the States. =)

-Tara

Scrabble

2011-04-01T12:04:00.002-04:00

Since it's a rainy day today (doesn't it seem to be raining in most of my posts lately? Hm....XD), I'd like to suggest that a game that could be good to play today is Scrabble. Practically everyone knows how to play it.

But, okay, say that your family is really big into electronics, then you could perhaps play a multi-player game on your game system, or maybe you all have a movie that you could watch tonight?

Or, maybe it's nice outside where you live and you'd like to do something outside? If you'd like any suggestions, just comment below. =)

-Tara

Musician's Friend Site

2011-03-23T14:37:00.005-04:00

Since I have a brother who is a Music Major, I often hear him raving about this site, along with many other music-related sites. However, we will just focus on this one for today's exciting topic of "Web-find Wednesdays", woo! XD

The site is called "Musician's Friend" and it specializes in musical equipment. They have things listed by brand or by product or by instrument, and even have stuff for clearance. Anyway, if you are into music and play an instrument, maybe this website is something that you should check out. =)

-Tara

Game Night!

2011-03-18T19:01:00.006-04:00

Sometimes it is hard to get everyone in the family together in one room of the house, at least once a night, to do something together. If this is the case and you really want some family time, try to designate one hour for one day at least once a week. During this hour, all electronics (television, video games, radio, etc.) turn them off and sit at a table. Pick a favorite board game, grab a deck of cards, and for at least that one hour, play a game together and enjoy one another's company. Soon, maybe you can make it a daily thing. =)

Game Suggestion for Today: Apples to Apples. An interesting card game where players take red cards in their hands and try to gain green cards (taking red "apples" and trading them for green "apples").

Have fun and feel free to share your favorite games and family activities. =)

-Tara

Just a Splash of Color.....

2011-03-17T21:56:00.004-04:00

Sometimes when you walk around your home, maybe you are feeling like you need to make a change, but where? It doesn't necessarily always have to be a big change, but even something small can make you feel more inspired.

Not too long ago, I decided to clean our living room and during the process I decided to change the curtains. Before we had these lace-like white curtains and in their place I hung two different colors. I hung sheer, yellow curtains over the windows that face the east and the sunrise, and I hung sheer, blue curtains over the windows that face the west and the sunset. Now, when I wake up in the morning and look out my bedroom door, I see a burst of warm yellow that brightens my morning and helps my day progress smoothly and with cheer, and when I sit on the couch and look out the windows towards the setting sun, the living room is cast in a cool, restful blue, bringing in the evening and helping us all to calm down and relax for the night.

So, not everything has to be a big change, start with something small, and soon you could find courage to take bigger steps. Have fun and find some inspiration this week! Please share any ideas or DIY's that you like or have done to boost yourself up. =)

-Tara

Possible Inspiration.....

2011-03-14T20:59:00.003-04:00

Quote: "Write about winter in the summer. Describe Norway as Ibsen did, from a desk in Italy; describe Dublin as James Joyce did, from a desk in Paris. Willa Cather wrote her prairie novels in New York City; Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn in Hartford, Connecticut. Recently, scholars learned that Walt Whitman rarely left his room." -Annie Dillard

It's My Birthday! =D

2011-03-07T16:57:00.004-05:00

Today is my birthday, woo-hoo! My mom took off from work and my one brother skipped all of his classes today and they took me out to lunch at a small restaurant in a city not too far away. It was very nice of them to do that and I enjoyed it very much. Many of my friends and my family have wished my "Happy Birthday" today and I am very thankful for that. I love them all! =D

Have a wonderful day everyone!

-Tara

Le sixième de Mars en l'année 2011.....=)

2011-03-06T14:23:00.006-05:00

Today I am going to a surprise party for a friend of mine that I have known for quite some time. She is an awesome girl who is full of happiness and always has a good laugh ready to share. She is smart and caring and a wonderful friend and I am glad to have known her and to have met her when I did. She was one of my very first friends when I changed schools and I am glad to still know her now. So, despite the rain outside, my brother and I will be attending her party and I really hope that she likes it. Her boyfriend planned it and I hope that she is generally surprised. I bought her present. It's a gift card for Barnes and Noble. She loves to read, just like me, so I am sure that she will appreciate it.

Have a wonderful day everyone! And, I am still working on revisions for my first book. I have stopped all work on Book Three until I am sure that Book One's edits are complete, just in case I have to re-write anything else, I won't have too much else to change elsewhere. Ha! Let's just see how that goes. =P

-Tara

What's Going On.....

2011-02-23T17:37:00.006-05:00

Changes are in way, woo-hoo! Just minor things, of course, but it is kind of nice to see some changes taking place, regardless.

Edits are still underway for my book, too. Last night, while talking to Justin, I realized just how much editing I will have to do since I re-wrote the beginning of my book. So, today I spent some time writing brief paragraphs describing the next six chapters of my book so that it will be easier to write. I suppose that you could call these paragraphs outlines. At this point (if he reads this post) Justin is probably smirking to himself because I said that I used outlines.

Anyway, that is it for now.

-Tara

Back For More! =P

2011-02-21T17:06:00.002-05:00

After not being around on here for a while, it feels good to be back. As I may have mentioned, I am finally back home from my endeavors in Florida. It was quite a good time, however, I have left a good friend behind: In My Write Mind. Yes, yes, he still dwindles there and probably will for some time. Me? Well, I may eventually go back sometime, but for now I am busy here. Some changes to my blog will be coming around soon, so please be looking for the changes. I hope that you will all like them.

As this is just an update, I don't really have too much to say at the moment. I do, however, find that some people today are lazy and sometimes rude. A man in the parking lot today decided to roll down his window and drop out a piece of trash to the ground instead of just opening his door and walking the mere three feet that would have taken him to the trash can. Another man, while still driving, made a face, which was just lovely. I don't know. It was very interesting, in the least, I suppose.

Anyway, the changes will be coming this week, so just keep a look out for them. I will post again soon!

-Tara

Writing #5

2011-01-18T14:46:00.003-05:00

It is on a drab and dreary day, such as today, where one is inspired to stay indoors and actually work on the book that they have been focusing so hard on writing. Of course, distractions are also inevitable and, so, the vicious cycle goes. You sit down, ready to write, determined to write and, yet, something hinders you each and every time. A game has caught your fancy, or perhaps you really should start organizing your inbox (you've put it off for so long now), you get hungry, the dog wants your attention, or maybe you're giving yourself a time limit for that favorite television show that comes on in just an hour.

So, what do you do when everything seems to get in the way of when you want to write? Well, sometimes you just can't escape it. Sometimes, it could be your own way of telling yourself, hey, maybe I just need a break from writing and, let's face it, you deserve a break. While it is good to shell out those 1,000+ or so words a day (whatever goal you have set for yourself each day), it is also equally as good to take a break every now and then from the daily routine.

When it comes to writing, I think that imagination plays a key part, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Imagination, the capability to visualize many possibilities and such, is something that can be tested. There is the strain of every day life that can bring along a road block that we are all familiar with: "Writer's Block".

So, the next time you are determined to hunker down on that rainy day, seriously ready to commit yourself to a day of hard-core writing, if your mind starts to wander away from your work to other things, maybe it is (just a little) okay to take a break, just for one day. Besides, who's to say that the spark of genius won't strike while doing another task? Perhaps the Muses will humor you and take away the Writer's Block that taunts you so meticulously and you will finally be able to overcome how to write that scene or dialog after you have cleared your mind by taking time away from your story, because, don't worry, it is okay to do that every once and a while. ;)

-Tara

The New Year (The Post Is Late! XD)

2011-01-09T22:34:00.008-05:00

Ah, my goodness! I am pretty much really late for this blogfest! I have a ton of excuses for it, but is there really a point to mentioning them? Let's just skip to the part where I post the picture for the "Eye Candy" blogfest, shall we?

Now, this is a picture that I took of some "Scrabble" tiles that my friend had mixed together to form the shape of a dino. I suppose that's what you could call it. =P Well, whatever the reason, browsing through my photos, this is what I found and I decided that this would be what I posted. There's no real big story behind it. He was over and we were having a grand old time playing "Scrabble". I miss this kid and can't to see him again, but, for now, this picture will just have to do. =)

Anyway, I have made a bit of progress for the edits in my third book. I have basically been restructuring and reorganizing the beginning chapters to make and create a better flow of events. Personally, I think that it is going well, but I also know that I still have a lot of work to put into this one, so, I will keep trudging on. I know that someday this will be done, and, when it is, I will feel a great sense of accomplishment. =)

On another note, how is everyone's New Year going? Have any of you made any New Year Resolutions that you are willing to share?

By the by, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!!! o(^o^)o

Lacking....XD

2010-12-29T20:26:00.004-05:00

Currently I have company over, so, this post will be done quickly. We are playing "Go Fish" and I am also partaking in the game on Facebook, "Frontierville", please don't laugh. XD However, I am also typing my book. I am re-writing Chapter Three in my third book. In fact, I had to stop writing Book Three in order to re-write a good portion of the beginning because of some things that I have changed around. You see, I had changed some of the ending, well, actually, I had decided that I had to change the beginning, because the way that I am writing the ending, the beginning was conflicting and I didn't feel like re-writing the ending, so the beginning it was. Well, if that isn't confusing enough....haha!

Anyway, I am also preparing to go back home. My DCP is almost done and I am thankful for that. I have missed my family greatly and I cannot wait to go back home and play in the snow. I want to build an igloo. =D

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Last Day of Class!

2010-12-09T00:02:00.005-05:00

La-Di-Dah-Di-Dah!!!! How de do everyone? Today was the last day of my class and I was kind of excited but that, however, it was a wonderful class and I think that I will miss it, especially my teacher. She was very cool, and that just made the class better. She taught me these two, awesome words: "Gravitas" and "Sprezzatura"! Please, check out both words, they are helpful and, of course, smart and fun to say. =)
For my last day of class, I gave a Final Presentation on myself as an Artist. I believe that my classmates enjoyed the slideshow of my work that I put together. Well, the classmates who watched it anyway, haha!

So, I want to hear all about NaNoWriMo! Please share with me in the comments of this post on how you did and if you all achieved your goals! Which, of course, I hope that you all did! =) I, on the other hand, did not participate. I didn't really have the time and I didn't feel like adding the extra stress to my life. However, I may partake of this amusing event next November. More on that later.

Now, I believe that I did mention, before NaNoWriMo, that I would be hosting my own blogfest! If you're still all interested, I would love to tell you all about it. In fact, I think that I will, and, in my next post later this week, I will set up the information (once I figure out Mr. Linky) and set up my banner, too. =)

Other than that, I hope that you are all enjoying your week and counting down the days to Christmas, as am I, or to the holiday of your preference! =D Happy Holidays to you all!

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Thanksgiving Day!

2010-11-25T14:05:00.003-05:00

I just want to say "Happy Thanksgiving!" to everyone and to wish you all a happy holiday. Enjoy the turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce and take the time to relax and enjoy youselves with your family and friends. =)

-Tara! o(^o^)o

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"Home, Sweet Home"

2010-11-18T10:50:00.008-05:00

Home is a pleasurable place and there is always a sense of security when one is there. After being away for three months (and 9 days, so says the counter on the sidebar there...), yesterday felt like a dream. I was home, but I didn't believe it, I mean, I did, but it sort of felt like a dream. Like it was too good to be true (especially after the guy at the airport who was checking my luggage kept telling me, "You're going to miss your flight. You're going to miss your flight. You're going to miss your flight. You're going to miss your flight." That was not something I appreciated, especially since I was already nervous (sort of) about flying alone. XD Anyway, back to my point....home is something that I truly miss when I am in Florida. I feel sort of alone when I'm down there, since I am very big into family and being with my family. Don't get me wrong---all of the friends that I have made in Florida are wonderful and I love to hang out with all of them!---but, I miss my home when I am there. I suppose it's a transition to work with. Anyway, my Pepere (I believe I have mentioned this before in previous posts) loaned me a book to read while I am in Florida, and it is a book of inspiring quotes and poems by famous people of the past, like Seneca, and of a more modern time, like Thoreau and such. In this book ("A Light From Many Lamps") there is this poem, which I enjoyed reading very much:

Home, Sweet Home

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home;
A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain;
Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again!
The birds singing gayly, that come at my call --
Give me them -- and the peace of mind, dearer than all!
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

I gaze on the moon as I tread the drear wild,
And feel that my mother now thinks of her child,
As she looks on that moon from our own cottage door
Thro' the woodbine, whose fragrance shall cheer me no more.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

How sweet 'tis to sit 'neath a fond father's smile,
And the caress of a mother to soothe and beguile!
Let others delight mid new pleasures to roam,
But give me, oh, give me, the pleasures of home.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

To thee I'll return, overburdened with care;
The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there;
No more from that cottage again will I roam;
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
Home, home, sweet, sweet, home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

John Howard Payne

"Extra Ordinary"

2010-11-13T00:44:00.006-05:00

So, a few weeks ago, my brother Chris sent me a comic picture on my phone and said that this was me. After he sent me this, I went back and started the comic from the beginning.

The comic is called "Extra Ordinary" and it follows the tales and adventures of Li, Jordan and Shoelace. Li is the artist and she is pretty amazing. Her drawings are adorable and I love her four-panel idea. It's really very clever and she puts it together very nicely. Jordan is in a few of the comics, and he seems to be this mellow, yet interesting guy who's always around to be bothered by or to bother Li, and of course Shoelace is this adorably funny cat who can do all these tricks, including walk on ceilings. ;) But that's in a later comic. Their adventures and such are random, something that I like, and they always make me smile and on occasion laugh.

"Extra Ordinary" is updated every Wednesday (American-time), which is always a nice update, since it's right in the middle of the week, so if you're having a down week, or need a pick-me-up, or just want to finish the week off with a good smile or laugh, this is definitely a comic that will help with that!

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Updates!

2010-11-11T12:10:00.004-05:00

So, I just bought my luggage for my flight home, well, when I say that I bought my luggage, I already have the suitcase, I mean that I paid for it so that I can have it checked onto the plane. XD I'm really excited to be going home for about a week to visit. My family is going to celebrate Thanksgiving a few days early so that I can be there with them since I fly out on Thanksgiving Day. Yeah....I could only get so many days off from work, but the days I got off were enough, I think. Hm.... After I return back from my trip home, I believe that there will only be six more weeks left until my internship is over. I look forward to going home and getting a job back there. I have many plans for this Spring and Summer and can't wait to get them started.

On another note, I hope you are all doing well with NaNoWriMo. How are the updates going? Is everyone hitting their daily goals? I hope so. You can all do it, I'm rooting for you! Maybe I will try event next year....maybe.

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Oh! And I dropped my phone yesterday and the screen cracked. XD

Pomplamoose

2010-11-06T02:33:00.004-04:00

An interesting band that I stumbled across some time ago on the ever-famous YouTube, "Pomplamoose" always puts me in a good mood if I am feeling down. On top of that, they're good to listen to no matter what my mood. Personally, I think they're pretty cool. I am especially impressed by how well they put their videos together with their music. The covers they do are always good songs, some I am familiar with, others, I am not. I also like the because they have French themes to them. "Pomplamoose", if you did not know, is actually French for "Grapefruit". They also did a French song, which I enjoyed very much. This one, though, is one of my favorites that they did.

Now, how did I stumble across them? I think that my friend Tim introduced me to them. Tim is always sharing interesting things with me, which I always appreciate. So, anyway, while I know that a majority of you are participating in "NaNoWriMo" (and I wish you all the best of luck), I think that you would enjoy stopping, just for a bit, to listen to at least one of their songs. You could even listen to some of their songs while writing. I know that I tend to listen to music when I write. =)

-Tara! =D

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Blogfests, Questions and Contests!

2010-10-13T17:22:00.006-04:00

So...I hope that all of you who participated in Justin's "Hook, Line and Sinker" blogfest had a blast! Or at least read some great entries and gave good and helpful input. Now, all these talks of blogfests, I sort of want to start one, too. Haha, how silly of me, to make one, but I want to try it out. Making one, I mean. So, I'm deciding that if I have it, the blogfest will be set for this date:

January 15th, 2010.

That's a Saturday, just so that we are all clear. Now, I'm not posting anything but the date at the moment because I have (still) have to decide on a topic. XD And then design a banner for it, I suppose. Yeah, that would be helpful. I will also have to figure out Mister Linky...yeah. And...that's it for now. Well, for that topic anyway.

On to the next subject of discussion! Let's discuss some things.

1. Do you write better when you are around other people or are alone?

2. Will you write with others, or prefer a project that is solely yours?

3. Do you listen to music or does it have to be quiet when you write?

4. How often do you write a day? (Give a rough estimate).

5. How often do you write a week? (Give a rough estimate).

6. Do you set goals for how many words to write each day/week/month?

7. How do you handle these goals?

8. Do you set restrictions (like time limits) when it comes to writing?

9. What is something that you will stop writing for?

10. Finally, if you really have an urge to write but find that you can't, how do you keep the idea in mind? Do you snag the corner of a napkin and jot down a few words? Sketch a quick doodle? Make a note on your phone? Or just hope that you will remember it later?

My next post will have my answers to this list of ten questions.

Now, on top of the possibility of having and hosting blogfest, I also want to throw in a contest. That's right! I want to have a guest post in my blog. So, here are the rules:

1. To enter this contest you must comment on this topic here.

2. There is no prize except for the chance to be a guest writer here on my blog: "Aleatoire".

3. As my blog's name literally translates to "Random", the topic can be just that. If you want to write about fiction, some tips on cooking, whatever, just make sure that it's clean and appropriate.

4. I will make a post listing those who want to enter the contest by Monday, October 18th, 2010. The winner will be selected on Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 and the winning post will be put up on Friday, October 22nd.

More information about this contest will be posted within the next two days, so keep checking back. =)

-Tara

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50th! It's a Random Update! =D

2010-10-07T00:33:00.006-04:00

Isn't this so cool? 50 posts? Ah, so neat! =D

I would like to start a new "series" but I'm not quite sure what to make it about yet. Of course, I will still continue with my "Writing Series", too, so no worries there. I'm sure that if I think about it for a few more days/another week or so, I can come up with another good topic to start a "series" on. So, of course, keep checking in for updates.

Now, let's make some announcements. Justin's Hook, Line and Sinker Blogfest is coming up soon. It's scheduled to take place on October 11th, 2010. Please make sure to check it out. He's hoping for at least 15 people to sign up and, so far, he's only up to 12 people. So, check it out if you have the time to participate on October 11th, 2010.

Um...that's kind of the only announcements I have. Of course, I know I said announcements, with an "s", but it was only one. Haha! Yeah...

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P.S. "The Nanny" is a pretty cool show. =)

Writing #4

2010-10-03T23:39:00.004-04:00

So, let's talk about scenery. No, not in your book, while this is important depending on what type of story you are writing, but actual scenery. That's right, I'm talking about our actual surroundings. How they can affect your writing, or if they even do. Let's discuss it, shall we?

Today I decided to read some of my homework for my one class. However, I decided that I needed a change of scenery, so what did I do? I went outside and sat at the pool for about an hour and a half, give or take. But why? Well, I'm not quite sure, but I feel like I felt that I needed a change of scenery. So, now, how does this apply to writing?

In some of ways. Really, I feel that changing your scenery (aka where you write) can affect your inspiration, or, your creativity, maybe both? Who knows. I'm sure there are people who think about it. (Digressing...XD)

Readers, let me ask you a few questions:

1. How many of you sit in front of a desktop computer when you write?

2. How many of you sit in the same room with your laptop to write?

3. How many of you only write at certain places (ex. Living Room, Bedroom, Office, Study, etc.)?

How many of you answered yes, to at least one of those questions? Well, it's okay if you did. There is nothing wrong with that. Honestly!

I like to write in different places. Sure, I have my comfortable spots. Sitting on the couch while watching television is a favorite. =) However, (and Justin can vouch for me on this) I bring a notebook with me everywhere! Or, practically everywhere, even to water parks. Again, Justin can vouch for me on that one). =) I have carried around a notebook with me since high school, I guess. I didn't get a laptop until after I graduated from high school, so I would write in my notebook during school and when I got home I would type what I had written on our family desktop. However, even now, after having a laptop for almost two years, I still write in my notebook. I bring it and write when I'm in the car, when I'm walking around, when I'm waiting in line, etc., etc., etc.

Now, I have some more questions:

4. Do any of you do something like this?

5. Do you carry a notebook with you and write down notes or your story when you are away from your laptop or computer.

6. Do you do something different? Maybe a voice recorder?

7. Want to share your tips? =D

Well, that's it for this post in my "Writing" series. Hope it was interesting enough for you all. I am trying to pick up on my posting. Work is keeping me busy...

And...woo-hoo! First post for the month of October! =D

Current Mood:

Rusty Zipper

2010-09-30T23:46:00.005-04:00

Howdy everyone! I have been slacking in both my writing and in the posting of my blog. =( But, I have recently been trying to pick up on both. Yay!

So, today I have another nifty website that you can feel free to take a look at, if you like. It's called Rusty Zipper and it's a site that has old vintage clothes. Now, I know these styles aren't for everyone, but I am such a dork when it comes to these sort of things, like Big Band Swing music and some Oldies music, too. Oh, don't get me started. XD I'll talk about Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, so on and so on. Haha! Anyway, back to Rusty Zipper. It's a pretty cool site and feel free to check it out. It has clothes for both men and women and (if you're a hands on/craft person) they have patterns that you can sew yourself. =) They range from shirts to dress, to hats to gloves to other random accessories. =) So, if you're interested, check the site.

For now though, I'm going to wrap up this post. I will try to post again soon. =D

Current Mood:

Flowers!

2010-09-28T23:38:00.005-04:00

Okay, well, it was only one, but it was really nice. I walked into my room yesterday to find a single pink rose laying on my bed, waiting for me. It was from a florist, with a note that thanked me for picking up my room mate's flowers (which I did not). I was supposed to...but I ended up having to go to work and they didn't call me to say they were outside. XD But, still, even though I didn't pick them up, they gave me the flower anyway, which I thought was very nice of them. Personally, I love flowers and the idea of receiving them. =)

Anyway, I read Miss Molly Ford's newest post just now. Today she posted a link to a nifty little website and I found a few things that I would really consider buying (if I had the money to spend, XD). Anyway, here they are!

The first one is of these really cool wall decorations, which are chalkboards. You can peel them on and off the walls and it comes with chalk! It's so cool. XD

The second is a picture of these really cool paper clips! Who said that organizing papers can't be fun and colorful? =D

And, lastly, a notebook to organize your week. Seems interesting enough and I could use one that has room to write in each day. Yeah...

Also, there is this nifty spray/brush on that can turn surfaces into a chalkboard! =D

Ta-da!

So, yes, that is my brief update. Nothing book related today, or writing related really. Just a brief post to fill in the gap. September has been a slow post month, apparently, as I think this is only post number four for September. XD

Current Mood:

10 Things...

2010-09-17T13:11:00.006-04:00

Well, rather recently I have been awarded this little beauty:

So, here's what I have to do in order to really "earn it". I have to list 10 things I like (not love) and then pass it on to ten others. Let's begin.

I like...

1. ...climb trees on occasion.
2. ...play video games (preferably things like LoZ).
3. ...draw comics sometimes.
4. ...play tennis.
5. ...play some piano.
6. ...do crosswords and wordsearches when I'm feeling down-ish.
7. ...clean and do chores when I need to think or calm down.
8. ...do puzzles when I have space for them on the table.
9. ...play boardgames like Chess, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Reversi, etc.
10. ...paint, but only when I really feel like painting, otherwise I strictly (love) to draw or sketch instead. =D

And now on to who I say should do this next! Haha!

Justin @ In My Write Mind
Amanda @ All That Good Jazz
Kaelin @ Enchanted Inkdom
Misty @ Writer's Block ~ Oh wait! I mean blog...
February @ Pitch Slapped
Valerie @ As The Moon Climbs
Regan @ One Dream to the Next
Shelley @ Stories in the Ordinary
Tessa @ Tessa's Blurb
Roland @ Writing In The Crosshairs

Woo-hoo!!! Feel free to try it out and have fun with it. Of course, if you don't have the time, or just don't feel like doing it, I guess that that's okay too.

Now, I have not been posting much. I have been busy with work and soon I will be starting two classes, but I will keep posting as much as I can and when I can. =D

Current Mood:

(And are these really my "moods" well, no, but rather the picture I feel like posting at the time, haha!)

Writing #3

2010-09-11T11:45:00.009-04:00

Currently, I am sitting in my apartment and debating on eating half a bagel or a whole bagel. Really, though, I think I will go for the whole bagel. XD Okay, yeah, I just popped the bagel (halved) into the oven (since we don't have a toaster, haha!)

So, ooo, look at the title of the post, it's so pretty! Yes, that's right! We're on post #3 of my "Writing Series", haha! Okay, so what is the topic? Yes, you're all wondering. I've kept you suspenseful. ;)

And, BONUS! This post not only is about writing, but it also features a YouTube video (something I have not promoted as of late). But, before I post this video, let me discuss the topic a bit first.

Storytelling, yes, telling, not writing (it strays from the series title?) has been around for ages. If not verbal it was pictorial, but it is how we all can connect, no matter what language we speak. Before written record, stories were passed on by word of mouth, even after written language, it was still passed by word of mouth for some time (I guess, anyway) due to lack of education. Bards were great story tellers (or one would hope), and if they didn't tell stories they played music, but, again, straying from my topic. Rough story short, storytelling has been around for quite some time.

So, here's the video: "Miss Capucine: Once Upon A Time..."

This is just an example that anyone can tell a story, no matter how young or old, what language we speak, or whatever. I found this video to be very cute and I enjoyed listening to it (and reading the subtitles, as my French is not quite there yet), but this little girl is quite the storyteller and that is something great. Kids, I think, have great imaginations, and I personally love listening to their stories and such. It has always amused me. Stories that kids tell us now, show potential for later and proves that it's never too early to start (but keep in mind that you can also start no matter what age you are. Try to avoid giving yourself restrictions.) =D

(As for how I got this video, my friend, Tim, sent me the link one night ago and I told him I was going to make a post about it. =D)

So, what's your opinion on the video? Comments? Let me know! =D

Also (even though I most likely won't be participating), there is no reason as to not promote my best friend Justin's upcoming blogfest. Check it out! Sign up's will be starting about a week and a half from the start date, which is October 11th, 2010. Please make sure to check out his blog for updates! =D

His link: "In My Write Mind".

His Blog Badge:

Current Mood:

Just an Update...

2010-09-03T10:27:00.007-04:00

I have been finding it very hard (these past few days) to write much of my book. Well, not that it's hard, but more along the lines of I am trying to limit when I write. Don't ask. Haha! Um, anyway. I never did post the day of or after my last post. Sorry.

I'm listening to the Beatles right now and trying to decide what I want to do before work, if I do anything. I probably won't, I'm so lazy (and I don't really like going out alone. I'd rather go with someone, yeah...).

Urm...anyway (again, sheesh!), um, I will have to add my next post in my "Writing" Series soon. =] Oh yeah, if there is a topic in writing that anyone would like me to go over or discuss, let me know and I will come up with a post for it. Thanks! =D

Current Mood:

The reason for my picture today? My best friend Teresa is coming to visit me in 76 days!!! o(^o^)o See the countdown in the sidebar! =D

Oh, how pretty! =D

2010-08-23T10:45:00.004-04:00

Well, three days ago I was acknowledged with another award, yay! And - finally...! - I have the time to post about it...about anything really. XD

So, here's to RosieC over at East for Green Eyes for bestowing this to me. I thank you very much! Now I have two pretty awards. =) Yay! So, now it's time for me to hand it off to some people. Who's up? Let's see!

The rules for this award states that I need to pass it along:
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Now, I know it says 15, but how about I do 5 at a time? So, after today, I will award this award 2 more times (once a week)...can I do that? XD Anyway...my choices for this round are...!

1. Kaelin over at Enchanted Inkdom!
2. Valerie over at As the Moon Climbs!
3. Dawn Embers over at Dawn Embers!
4. Misty Waters over at Writer's Block ~ Oh wait! I mean blog...!
5. wanpicz over at picez's blog! (Just a head's up about wanpicz's blog. It is in Indonesian, but your internet should give you the option to translate it to English. It does for me. =D)

Woo-hoo! to all the winners this week, yay! =D And...I'll post again later today or tomorrow. So please check back. Thanks! =D

Current Mood:

Weatherfest

2010-08-14T19:41:00.007-04:00

So, I have decided to enter this fest, rather spur of the moment and last minute, of course, my style. Anyway, the following is something that I wrote for my Creative Writing class this past Spring 2010. Um...I wrote it in February during a blizzard-ish snowstorm. Comments would be nice. Critiques welcome as well, as this is my first blogfest. Thanks! =D

Plus I can be sort of skeptic about posting my work on-line. XD So...yeah. XD Anyway, ta-da.>

The Weather

The sky is white, but not a bright white. It is almost a very pale gray. It is late morning and there is a chaotic array of swirling white flakes dancing outside the windows. It is a heavy shower of white, that slips sideways and under, then over and back the other way. It is a waltz of these white flakes. The large and small specks alike mingle together in their peaceful dance through the sky before they slowly settle on the already white and frozen ground from a previous storm.

And...that's it. It's so small compared to everyone else's but this is just my first trial at this sort of thing. Thanks for reading my last-minute entry into the blogfest! =)

Awards

2010-08-14T18:24:00.006-04:00

Check it out everyone, I'm awarding my first...award! Haha. Well, recently I was awarded with the "Versatile Blogger" award by dear Amanda Sablan. I just want to thank her. That was very nice and it was also...nice (XD...redundant word usage) to know that I was being thought of. So, Amanda, thanks again. =D As for a cheesecake...would you take a drawing instead? =D

So, who will I award it to? Well, here are my four selections for passing the award on to:

1. February Grace @ Pitch Slapped
2. Valerie @ As the Moon Climbs
3. Regan @ One Dream to the Next
4. John Smith @ John Smith Books

And now for the rules I have made for the restriction of passing on the award:

-You were a follower of my blog.
-You did not have the award yet. (Let's be fair =)...)
-You all have interesting posts.

So, I guess that's it for now. I am seriously debating on jumping into that "Weatherfest" before today is over, but I don't think I will in the end. I want to write one of my 3 WiPs, haha!

Current Mood:

As my wrist hurts...XD

Writing #2

2010-08-13T12:55:00.004-04:00

I originally had an idea for this second post in my "Writing Series" but as I am currently running on five hours of sleep, I can't seem to recall it, so...I'll wing this post instead. Hope you all don't mind.

Anyway, the topic this time is Characters.

Characters are often essential in any piece of writing, whether they be human, a creature, or even an object of personification. They are what helps the story move along, the glue for your paper, the ink for your pen, the binding for the book, well, I guess you get the point. Anyway, what I am getting at is that characters are important, as is their development throughout any sort of writing.

Sometimes, developing a character can be easy, and other times it can be a downright pain in the butt. In times where the character just seems to flow from your pen, congratulations! We've all been there at some point, I'm sure...or, almost sure. And, I'm also (almost) sure that we've all experienced the times where we have practically had to sit there and wrestle our characters out of our pen and force them onto the page. It takes minutes, hours, possibly even days to drag their stubborn rears out, and, sometimes, when they finally are out, they want to be difficult. That's right, you had this great idea and now the character won't fit that idea anymore. Horrible, right? Well, maybe not so. It can give you a great opportunity to re-think the situation, the particular scene, maybe your character just wasn't meant to do that sort of scene, not yet at least. Maybe in time, after the character has been developed more. Something I have learned is that no matter how long you write, you will always go back and read it and want to possibly rewrite at least a part in your book to make it sound better. But, I digress. Back to characters.

There are many different styles to character creation. When I first started writing, I would make them a brief bio (because I'm a dork and role-play and read manga and when you're role-playing, you make a Character Bio, and when you're reading manga, sometimes the Character Bio's are thrown in between the chapters. XD). Anyway, (have you noticed yet that I like to use that word a lot in this post? =D)...I would try to make a bio, which would consist of:

Name: First & Last
Age: ?yrs
Height: ?' ?"
Weight: ?lbs
Hair Color: ?
Eye Color: ?
D/O/B: ? (I used this one once or twice.)
Style: ? (How I wanted my character to dress.)
Weapon: ? (As my main category of writing is fiction fantasy, there are usually swords and stuff. =D)
Brief Bio: ? (A bit about the character I was writing about.

But as I continued to grow as a writer I found that I personally do not need to construct a bio of my characters anymore. I picture them as I will and go from there. I am a very hands on person. I don't like to organize things sometimes, but when it comes to my story, I know where all the files and notes are. I just am "eh" on some of the "laying out" issues that comes with the development.

Another way to write about your character, to get them started, is to set them, let's say, modern day, in a restaurant or cafe around you. How would they react? That sort of thing. I mean, there are many ways to create characters and one can try many different ways until they find what is comfortable for them, but do not feel like you have to be limited to that one way, you can always breach out and try new things. I once had a teacher who said something along the lines of, "Choosing a career is great, but don't think you are limited to just one. I have worked many different jobs and have had much fun. When you limit yourself, you can only go so far." I can't recall her exact words, but it was something along those lines. =)

Question #2 of the "Writing Series": How do you make up your characters? How many do you often have in your stories? A few? A lot? Would you try a limited cast of characters? Or a larger cast?" Do tell! =D

Current Mood:

Magic Kingdom

2010-08-09T17:13:00.001-04:00

"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together. Dedicated this 25th day of October, 1971. Roy Oliver Disney”

Above is the quote that is inscribed on the Dedication Plaque for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. As Walt Disney passed away before construction even began on the Florida Project, it was his brother who had to see to the opening of the first park, renamed from Disney World to Walt Disney World in honor of Walt Disney. Since it's opening, Magic Kingdom has grown and last year, 2009, it received so many visitors that it became the most visited amusement park in the whole world.

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome. ...[It] is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. [It] is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." - Walt Disney

Enjoy! =]

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5

Writing #1

2010-08-09T00:09:00.003-04:00

So, why not start a blog series? Everyone is doing it! Well, I guess I could try.

My first topic will be how to go about planning your book. Of course, everyone has their own style on how to go about this task. Some have processes that are much more complicated and some are simple. Now, what is mine? What do I do when I want to write a book? Well, I guess I can tell you...

I sit down and I write. Yep, that's it. I don't start off with any real plan. I write a snippet down and go from there if I think it has potential. I don't outline or draw up a rough diagram of how I want things or plots to go, I just write what comes to mind.

Setbacks for my style of planning? I haven't come across any quite yet, except for the occasional writer's block, but that can be a bother to all writers out there, so it's not really something horrible.

Now, IF I do try to plan out something, the most I will do is something like this:

Chapter 1: Character 1, Character 2 and Character 4.
Chapter 2: Character 3.
Chapter 3: Character 1, Character 2 and Character 4/ Character 3/ Character 5.
Chapter 4: Character 3/ Character 5.
Chapter 5: Character 1, Character 2, Character 3, Character 4, and Character 5 meet.

Yep. I just write down the chapter number and the names of which characters will appear in that chapter based on appearance. That's the most I'll do, I think.

Now, I know that some of you will actually sit there and write/type out a brief summary of what you want to have happen in your chapters. I know for a fact that this is what Justin likes to do. I've tried to do it, but I find it difficult to stick to when I do it. I like the freedom I get from just writing what I want and when I want. If I need to rearrange my chapters later on to make it flow better or to add or subtract a chapter later, I don't mind.

Anyway, that's it for now. Check out the rest of the series later. If any of you have a topic you'd like me to discuss, just let me know in the comment's section.

Also, a question for you all: "Do you plan for your story? How do you go about it?"

-Tara

Current Mood:

"Lights, Motors, Action!"

2010-08-08T19:07:00.004-04:00

Do you like movies?!

Do you like cars?!

And do you like action?!

Well, if you do (and if you happen to be at Walt Disney World in Florida) then you should really consider heading over to Disney's Hollywood Studios to watch this Extreme Stunt Show. There's just one catch...it only has two showtimes a day: 1:20p and 4:30p. But, if you work your schedule out right you'll be able to catch this fast-paced show.

There are three rounds to this show. The first is an introduction of the directors and some cast before they start the chase scene known as the "Ballet Chase". This chase is more for show. They have cameras positioned all around the stage to catch different angles for filler later in the film.

The second portion is when they film the beginning of the show and it's the first time that you get to see the hero, who drives that red car. However, despite the fact that I just said that the hero drives the red car, in the second portion a.k.a. the opening for the film, the hero partakes in a motorcycle chase.

The third and final portion that is filmed only takes, about, 33 seconds. It's filled with last minute chases, jumps, fire and explosions!

Here's a preview of the ending. ;)

I hope that someday you guys can check out the show, if you haven't already. I saw it today and found it pretty interesting (despite the rain and strike of lightning that made us have to delay the show between the first and second takes. It was about a 15 minute wait time between the two, but it was still pretty cool besides that.) =]

Tea Time!

2010-08-03T11:10:00.004-04:00

"If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you." -Gladstone (1865) Victorian British Prime Minister

I have never really enjoyed coffee ― I find it too bitter. I could add sugar and cream, but still it just does not suit my tastes. Now, I know that I will (on occassion) drink a coffee beverage, like a frappe, but not often. Anyway, back to the main point of this post. Today, I just want to talk about tea and how I love it. =)

I find tea to be delicious. It's fragrant's and tastes are delightful. The quote above, I think, pretty much sums up how I feel about tea. I am particular to green tea, but like to try new ones. =)

Anyway, when I go to malls, I like to looks for a Teavana shop. Have you ever been to one? Amazing! Here, check it out: Teavana. They always have samples of teas that you can try and there are all sorts. They also have interesting tea sets to look at or buy. My goal is to someday own a nice tea set from Teavana. At the moment, I kind of like this one:

Anyway, at the top of the Teavana site, they list their different kinds of teas: "White, Green, Oolong, Black, Herbal, Rooibos, and Maté". Then, they also have tea blends (which are also tasty), tea gifts, locations, their story, and many other cool tabs that one could enjoy perusing.

Well, I'm off for now, I might do another post later tonight. Enjoy some tea! =)

Current Mood:

Blog Tag and ModCloth! =)

2010-08-02T17:17:00.005-04:00

So, the other day, Miss Amanda Sablan, tagged me in her blog post about a "Handwriting Meme" that she was tagged in by Cruising Altitude. Anyway, I meant to do this yesterday, but I was so busy that I didn't really have the time to get up onto my blog. =| Of course, now I do! =D Anyway, here is my handwriting!

If you can't read it, feel free to click on it for a larger picture. I tend to write small, but I had to write a little bigger then normal for this post so that you could see it. XD Um, now, how do I write? Well, when I have a writing utensil in my hand, I rest it between my thumb and pointer finger like you're supposed to (with my right hand) and then the very end of the writing instrument I rest against my ring finger. Not too many people I know do that, except for Amanda Sablan, who said in her post that that is how she writes, too! Besides her, I only know one other person who holds their writing utensil the same way as me and that is Aaron! =D

Um, so, I had to tag people, so this is who I targeted! Please make sure to do it! ;)
Justin Parente! Tessa Conte! Picez wanpic! Valerie! Mesmerix! Regan! and RosieC! I can't wait to see what you guys post...if you decide to do it. XD Also, I hope you all get a chance to check out each other's blogs. =)

((EDIT! Haha, I totally forgot to add this part earlier. Please thank RosieC for pointing out to me that she had no idea what to write for the numbers. XD

1. Your name/Blog's name
2. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
3. What are your favorite letters to write?
4. What are your least favorite letters to write?
5. Write: "The quick, brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
6. In CAPS, write: "BABOON, SPLENDOR, ONOMATOPOEIA, FLIP-FLOPS, HUZZAH!"
7. Your favorite song lyrics are?
8. Make sure you tag 7 people to join in on the fun. =)
9. Tickle your fancy and add a special quip for us to enjoy. =)

Thanks again, RosieC! ;) And, that's the end of the EDIT.))

Whew, anyway, today is one of those days where you've been so busy for the last couple of days and you just want to sit down and relax but people still want you to do stuff. Not that I mind though! I like hanging out with people, so I'll rest for an hour (or a couple of minutes) and then I'll be on my feet again. =)

On other news, I want to promote the site ModCloth today. It's this really interesting retro clothing sort of site. I really like going on here and browsing their selections and wishing I had more money...XD But it's really cool because they have all sorts of apparel, then they have stuff that's on sale (which is the stuff that I can afford, haha!) I mean, I don't want you to get discouraged, because this stuff isn't super expensive! I'm just saying I can't afford it because I'm trying to save my money. =) So, if you like to look at clothes, especially retro-ish clothes, this is definitely a site to check out. If you're interested in what kind of stuff they have and you're too lazy to click the link I have supplied, here are a few examples that I am a BIG fan of! =D

Oh, but please don't think that this site is only limited to clothes and shoes! That would be totally incorrect! They also have Accessories...Thye are fun to look at.

Also, they have some really nifty stuff for your apartment...Here are a few of my favorites of that sort of stuff. =)

Yeah, I am such a dork when it comes to retro stuff. I love that kind of thing, haha! Anyway, hope you all have a great day! =D

Oh yeah, one more thing...I changed my playlist so that it isn't automatic anymore. If you want to listen to the music, you can click play. I don't want to annoy anyone with my music. XD

Baby Showers, Queries, Stephen R. Lawhead and Packing? XD

2010-07-30T22:46:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow I have a Baby Shower to attend for a friend, so today I went shopping for a gift. A bit last minute, I know, but I think I did a good job. Being a Disney fanatic, I got her this:

It's such an adorable book to keep track of your child's firsts. Like when they lose their teeth, their immunizations, what reactions they may have gotten, their first birthday and a few more birthday's after that, holidays and so on. I thought it would be a good thing to get for my friend, since she'll be a new mother.

But shopping for this kind of stuff made me realize I can't wait to do this kind of stuff for myself. Eh, I'm young, I've got some time, but I do look forward to having my own kids some day, which just makes me feel happy, haha.

Anyway, I have sent out my 8th query letter. This time I queried Literary Agent Matthew Bialer. He is pretty cool and was an agent to an author who has written books that I enjoy.

Perhaps you've heard of the author. His name is Stephen R. Lawhead. Check out his site! =)

His newest book right now is "Tuck", which is the third book in the "King Raven" series. I read the "Dragon King" trilogy and found it amazing! So, if you like adventure, evil warlords, and a lost kid finding his place in the world, definitely check out the "Dragon King" trilogy. However, feel free to also check out his other books, as I'm sure they are just as good (and I will be looking forward to reading them as soon as I get the chance. =)

On a side note, I am practically packed and just about ready to go! =D

Current Mood:

Just dropping by....

2010-07-29T23:45:00.003-04:00

Tonight, I don't have much to write about. I finished a painting I was working on for someone and have been packing. It's been busy this week, with work and all the stuff I must do to prepare for the move, but it has not been bad. I leave Sunday, so wish me luck! Don't worry, I'll still post. =)

Anyway, I'm debating on making a page on my blog here to post the first chapter of the first book in my trilogy. Any thoughts on that? Let me know! =D

-Tara

Current Mood:

The Fantastic Life Blog Hop!

2010-07-28T00:31:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

So, I'm Tara. Hi! I am an Art Major and an Author. I write mainly fiction fantasies dealing in magic and the likes. I've been working on the same book series for the past (almost) 5 years now? With the first two books done in the trilogy, I have been working on getting some query letters out. =)

I work at an amazing place and love my job and the people that I have met and meet while I get to work there. It is an awesome experience. Really. It is. =)

I like to think of myself as an upbeat, positive, optimistic person who looks at the glass as half full, or even all the way full! XD I love people, so feel free to drop by and get to know me. =)

-Tara

Current Mood:

Fruit Carving

2010-07-27T16:12:00.002-04:00

Have you ever watched the Food Network, and come across the show "Food Network Challenge"? Well, I have. In fact, I watched the "Fantasy Fruit Sculptures" Episode last night and felt inspired to try my hand at carving fruit myself. Luckily, we had a watermelon lying around. However, since I caught the show at the end (when they were judging) I missed seeing how the chefs actually carved the magnificent designs into the watermelons, pineapples and other fruits, so I had to search for directions on-line. Of course, when you type in instructions for carving, almost everything that pops up is for pumpkins. XD

Anyway, I finally found an instructional video on YouTube by ChefChang. He joined YouTube on June 14, 2008 and since then has uploaded 73 videos simply on how to carve different sorts of fruits with all sorts of different designs! If you are someone who loves to try new things, I really suggest you take a try at fruit carving. Not only is it entertaining, but it is also tasty afterwards, haha! Plus, you can make your creation a pretty centerpiece at a celebration, like a graduation party, birthday party, wedding, or so on.

So, that all being said, I guess I should post the pictures of my first attempt at fruit carving. As I said, I chose to do a watermelon and I watched ChefChang's video on how to carve a Rose.

First, you carve off the green rind.

Second, you cut a circle out on the top. Don't go all the way through if you've hollowed out the edible part, or you'll have a hole.

Keep going....

It sort of looks like a Hurricane swirl here...XD

And, the final product...my rose! =D

So, yes. If you'd like to give it a try at fruit carving, I highly recommend checking out ChefChang's YouTube website. =)

Later! =D

Tara

Current Mood:

Agent Nathan Bransford and Molly Ford's "Smart, Pretty and Awkward"

2010-07-21T21:43:00.000-04:00

So, apparently (according to Justin, anyway) I don't use my blog enough? Odd, since I have more posts then he does and started before him. Beside all that though, you should still check out his blog, "In My Write Mind". Of course, he has more followers then me and doesn't promote me, but that's okay. XD

Anyway, today I queried Mr. Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown Ltd.. He is an avid blogger and his advice and tips are helpful. If you'd like to check him out, here is the link to his blog. Just so we're clear, the word "blog" is a link. Click it! Now! Seriously, Nathan Bransford is pretty cool.

And, since I'm kind of on the topic of blogs, this is one that I seriously LOVE! Molly Ford is this amazing girl who gives three tips a day (at least she tries for per day). Her tips? Well, they're on how to be "Smart, Pretty and (a bit less) Awkward". Back to that word being a link thing, yeah...click it!

I love Molly's posts, especially how she uses quotes for her titles. That is really very clever and something that I would like to try with a different blog, but I think I would pick just one topic instead of the range of quotes that she uses. They are so interesting. Plus, her tips and tricks are pretty helpful, too. This is definitely a blog to check out and it's even all right if you're a guy, too. This advice is for anyone who is interested on different points of view.

Molly is also on Twitter, if you would like to follow her, I'm sure she would not mind. (Ahem, click "Twitter")... In a recent messaging session that I had with her, I asked where she finds her fabulous quotes and she told me that,

"[I] usually just browse google for quotes on whatever topic i am interested in that day :)"

Yes, she even included a smiley face! This girl is really very cool and nice and someone who is easy to get along with, so please make sure that you check out her blog.

Also, please make sure to check out Nathan Bransford's site as well, since he his posts are also interesting and helpful.

Thanks so much!

Current Mood:

What to Pack

2010-07-20T23:09:00.002-04:00

So, as the arrival date for my awesome experience looms closer, there are things that I must consider. Of course, packing is one of them, but there are always other things to think about when one is going away. One should think about the people they are leaving, and how to plan to keep in touch with them. Family, of course, is a big deal to me, so Skype, phoning them, and perhaps even handwritten letters will be involved (just like last time). Another thing to consider is what to bring besides the necessary amount of clothes (and when I say necessary amount, I literally mean that. Don't pack your whole closet unless you're actually moving...permantly. Otherwise, you'll just waste space, time, and have more laundry to do.

Now, as for what else to bring, besides the necessities. I plan to bring a few of my favorite books because as Richard de Bury said in The Philobiblon:

"In books I meet the dead as if they were alive,

in books I see what is yet to come...

All things decay and pass with time...

all fame would fall victim to oblivion

if God had not given mortal men the book to aid them."

Or, as Charles Lamb said in the Last Essays of Elia, 1833:

"A book reads the better which is our own, and has been so long known to us, that we know the topography of its blots, and dog's ears, and can trace the dirt in it to having read it at tea with buttered muffins."

Let's just say I really like books. =D And that is why I will be packing a few of my favorites along.

Current Mood:

A Good Place

2010-07-10T21:33:00.000-04:00

There are things that I miss about Florida and as the count down draws to an end I can only continue to wait a bit more.

Suprisingly enough I miss the thunderstorms. Ironic, as I am not a big fan of them, but with today's rain (and its absence of thunder and/or lightning) I was only a tad bit disappointed. Even with the thunderstorms we get here at my home, they are not the same. I find that after living in Florida for some time, I miss the strength of the storms there. How, during a really bad storm, the sky can turn black and the lightning, you can actually see it streak and split across the sky. It's really something. Really. And it isn't so bad, to listen to the storm as it rumbles in or as it rumbles out. I prefer the sound of the rain pattering against the stone and windows, and the dull echoes of thunder in the distance, but when it's all up and around, well...I guess it depends. =)

Another thing I miss is the heat. I am not a fan of the cold, and I love the weather in Florida (even when it rains in the middle of the day). Sunshine and heat, that doesn't bother me. Even when there is humidity. As long as it isn't freezing or below freezing (like in the Winter) then I love it. Don't know why, just do.

I miss my friends down there, I miss getting to see them every day. I miss seeing one person in particular. I miss our strolls "around the world" every day we had off (practically). I miss the fireworks we would watch together (even though we had seen them every other night before). I miss the rides and the pushes and shoves I would get just to go on one I wasn't a fan of. I enjoyed trying new things and meeting new people. I miss the company we shared, haha.

BUT! ...Soon, very soon! I will see this person again, and a few other friends I have not seen in almost a year. I think that it will be a very good time, and I cannot wait.

Current Mood:

3 of 5...XD

2010-07-07T16:10:00.000-04:00

Ah, day 3 of a solid 5-day work week. Today felt like it went by pretty fast...I guess. Someone in the drive-thru told me I should stay away from kids as long as I could, they cramp your style. =( This makes me sad because I love kids so much. XD All I did was ask if she had any kids she would want to give a free plate to that I was handing out for my job. XD

Well, if anyone ever reads this thing, or has been paying attention to the progress bar on the left side of my blog page here, I've updated it and have gotten closer to that goal (though I'm pretty sure that it's going to exceed 100k, haha!

Hm...waiting for Friday (and not just because it's my last day of work at Fast Food before next week. (I do work on Sunday into Monday for my other job, but that one's fun so it's okay. =D ...) Anyway, Friday...=)

Current Mood:

Independence Day

2010-07-04T23:54:00.003-04:00

Well, hello! Today is the 4th of July! Now, who had a blast? =)

Today was a bit easy and laid back for me. My Pepere came over for lunch and then we went food shopping, haha. It was kind of a normal day until night fell and then we heard fireworks going off. We even got to catch some and it was really cool. =D Then we watched (well, we caught the end of it) the fireworks going off in Philly on our television.

Of course, I can't help but think back to this time last year when I was in Disney and watching the 4th of July fireworks at Epcot with Aaron and Triana! Those were some AMAZING fireworks!

Now, I should probably mention that I LOVE fireworks! But, especially, Disney's fireworks. I love how they co-ordinate them with music. But fireworks have always been fascinating. Every time I'm at Disney I try to go and see them every night that I can. No matter how many times I see the same show, it never gets boring because I just love them that much, is that silly? Haha, but I don't care one bit. It's just something that I love to do. Someday I'd like to be able to go and see some fireworks on a beach. I think that that would be pretty neat.

Current Mood:

And...back!

2010-06-30T14:30:00.001-04:00

Well, I have been quite busy this past week, with work and family. My new job has kept me busy and on my feet, dancing and such, which is (of course) a blast! =D Yesterday was a big turn out so it was pretty interesting to be around so many people. It was tons of fun and I really enjoyed it (even driving us back to our workplace, which took 2 and half hours aka the longest drive I have ever done before). I got home around 1am. XD

Anyway, lately I have been looking up some on-line classes which I can take (hopefully) while I'm on my DCP. I've selected 5, but 2 of them are Summer courses I'll do while I'm still home, and the other 3 (potentially) are for the Fall semester.

Lately, I have been wanting to challenge myself with harder classes. I've also been looking up internships and I think that I've found one that I like...but do I really want it. That's what I'm working on figuring out right now. There are 2 different internships I have come across. The one that I like and the one that is almost what I want to do. It's a toss up at the moment (hm...)

Other than that, I've been to the beach for the past 2 days in a row (Monday with my family and Justin) and yesterday for work. Well, that's kind of it. I have noticed that I sort of fell out of my groove of writing posts everyday, or at least every other day, so I am going to work on fixing that and try to go for more frequent posting again. =) ...(however, no one comments...) ... =(

Graduation!

2010-06-25T00:02:00.003-04:00

Tonight I got to go to Top's High School Graduation! I am so proud of my brother for this accomplishment (and for all of his/our friends who graduated with him) and now I can't wait to see what he can do in College. Personally, I love to still think of him as this adorable little kid who I can always pick on and tease, but now that we're older he can hit back with that karate that we do, so I have to be careful. =P However, despite the fact that we do get a bit older each year, just because we're getting old in age doesn't mean we're growing up, haha. We still love to do stupid, kid stuff that we used to do. Like...video games, twister, and the likes. I love both my brothers (Top and Phil) but I just really want to congratulate Top on his amazing high school career and (even though I'm your older sister and we pick on each other and get into arguments) I want to wish you the best of luck in college because I know that you are going to succeed so well in your chosen major. Sometimes I wonder that you and Phil will do better than me, but, I suppose we should do what makes us happy, don't you? Also, you know that you can always come to me for help and I love you. =D

I also enjoyed getting to sing in the Choir for your Graduation and I'm very happy that the band director was nice enough to ask me if I wanted to join. =D (I also got to wear a very pretty dress XD)

Tonight, I also had a very interesting conversation with both my best friends...yes...that's all I'm going to say on that matter, but I'm so glad that we can understand one another and that nothing idiotic happened ;)
Tori, Justin I love you both. Please stay my best friends forever! =D

Current Mood:

One Of The Best Jobs Ever! XD

2010-06-19T22:37:00.000-04:00

My. Job. Is. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! o(^o^)o

What could be better than spending the day hanging out with kids, dancing, playing games, having contests and just making sure that everyone is having fun and smiling?

I love kids, I really do, they're amazing and so cool. They have these great ideas and love to just have fun. I like listening to their stories and playing games with them. It's so much fun. XD

Anyway, today was just awesome and tons of fun and I can't wait for my next shift with this job. (This job is not a Fast Food job, yay!) =D

Hm...I woke up at 520AM-ish to get to work for 715AM, except I got there at 718AM. XD

So, it was a sort of long day for me. Haha, XD

Current Mood:

The SP and work...yup =)

2010-06-17T22:42:00.005-04:00

My SP is going...okay. Did a few character sketches and I have an idea of what I have it to be, but I think it could take another day before I can start stuff. When it's ready, I'll probably put it up on: "SmackJeeves Webcomic Hosting". It's a really cool site..."Angel Academy" is on there.

Worked today...Fast Food...ehh, it was okay today. Wasn't extremely busy, not too many people yelled at me in Drive-thru (oh, yes, you make one mistake: "I didn't order tea!"..."My finger slipped. I'm fixing it.") They don't see me until they pull up to the window and then they realize that I have to take the money and the orders, sheesh. That's a lot to do, especially during the lunch rush (12p-1p) and everyone's impatient. Ugh.

Actually, though, I had one person come up to me today and tell me that I was too nice to work there (in Fast Food) and I should work at the bank because they were hiring. XD I thought that that was nice of her. I could check it out...but I'm leaving in 55 days to go to Florida. Oh, yes...Florida. @.@ I should start getting ready for that.

And I work at Fast Food tomorrow too...Saturday is the fun job!!! =D I am so excited, I cannot wait! o(^o^)o

And...and...I think that's it. Talked to Tori last night, so glad I did...but her "Plan B"s always seems to include me having to kiss someone. XD

Current Mood:

So...Who Reads These Anyway? XD

2010-06-16T23:30:00.002-04:00

...XD

Today was interesting. I got called into Fast Food, I seriously did not want to go in! Now I won't have off until Sunday, blahhh. I was supposed to hang out with my one friend, I ended up hanging out with Justin instead. @.@

So...Disney! Am I really looking forward to this as much as everyone else? At this point, right now, I'm not quite sure...it's going to be so different this time. I say different, I mean EXTREMELY different. =( Teresa won't be there, Aaron will only be there for about 2 and half weeks, maybe. -sniff-

What do you do when you don't want to write or draw? -sigh- I need another creative outlet, or...-gasp!-...a "REAL" job outlook to focus on. Haha, yeah, no...art is mine! I guess it's just one of those days, hm?

I want to talk to TORIII!!!!

Current Mood:

Working?

2010-06-15T18:44:00.002-04:00

So...I keep trying to just sit down and write, but it's just not working very well. I feel like drawing instead, so I'm just going to work on a little side project instead. No, it isn't my co-author project with Justin...it's just a little comic. Hm...comic...I should probably work on the background of the new panel for Angel Academy. Speaking of Angel Academy, please check it out. I've been working as the background artist since the strip titled "Letting Her Know" , so, please check it out. =)

Anyway...I'm going to work on my project. I still need to get a hold of Andrew about tomorrow...blah.

Current Mood:

Pixar's UP! and Cut Throat

2010-06-15T00:21:00.001-04:00

Oh yes, tonight was eventful. I had work in the morning until this afternoon, but let's skip to the fun part. =D

Went to Kennedy's house after picking up Justin (who, apparently, has an issue with my driving...=|...Hm.) and we watched UP with Kelly and Farber (who I have not seen in quite some time). Of course, after the movie, some pizza, soda, and chatting with Kennedy's parents, the five of us migrated downstairs to play us some Cut Throat. Billiards fans, are you aware of this game? Well, anyway, if you don't know how to play, here are the rules and some info for you: How to Play Cut Throat =D ...Please, enjoy. I pretty much lost the two games we played. I was the first out in the first game, and the last one to get out in the second game. Justin won the second game...XD

Hm, I guess that was pretty much it, but it was a ton of fun! We made plans to go out on Wednesday! Well...Justin was going to go and visit Kennedy, but now (I think) Kelly and I will be tagging along, and maybe I can even get Teresa to come along. =D That would be fun! =)

Current Mood:

Twitter

2010-06-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

Did you know that I have a twitter? No? Oh, darn. You should follow me, I'll follow you too! =D Well, if you want me to. Anyway, here's the link: Tara's Twitter . Won't this be fun? I made it like a year ago when I was down in Disney, but I lost track of it. Now that I'm going back to Disney, I figured that I should pick up on it again (Haha, and Justin seems to be addicted to it, so...Idk). =)

I ordered new frames today for my glasses. The, uh, paint started to chip off of the frames I have now and it was bugging me so I went to the store and the guy who helped me said that it will probably take two weeks for the new frames to come in. That's not too bad.

A thunderstorm hit while Dad, Phil and I were in a tent held up by metal poles, so we ran out of there and back to the car. We ran to the food store, which was interesting. We didn't buy anything, just looked around while it rained outside, but when we left it was still raining anyway. XD

We had Church tonight because we didn't go yesterday afternoon or this morning. We didn't go yesterday because we went to the fair instead, and we couldn't go this morning because Top had work from like 8a-3p? Yep. We do make the attempt to go every weekend though, which I like. =)

Justin came over and we watched Wall-e. Well, first we went to a wonderful place, where he got coffee (a ridiculous amount, too, by the way) and I got a milkshake. Phil came with us and he got a "Cookies & Cream"-flavored milk and some Cowtails (Yum!). Dueled Phil tonight, it was great. I won again. =D Sorry, Phil!

Anyway, I tried to work on Book 3 today, but I feel that I didn't get as much done as I could have, but sometimes it's nice to take a break from writing. Yes, I know, how dare I say that? An author who is seeking representation by a Literary Agent! How could I even say that I wanted to take a break from writing? Well, sometimes I do like to take a break. I like to go out and hang out with my friends or just be with my family. I guess I'm just a people person. =D

Current Mood:

Toy Story Marathon

2010-06-13T00:25:00.001-04:00

Tonight I watched Toy Story and Toy Story 2 with Justin and my parents, since it was a double-feature on Disney Channel. Of course, Phil and Top where off at band practice at another friend's house. They missed both the movies, but we had fun. Justin and I went to get milkshakes between the movies.

Anyway, went to a fair today down by the shore and it was pretty cool. I love the smell of salt air, but I didn't really notice it this time. =( It was windy though and I liked that. Wind is awesome, haha. I got to see some people building a canoe, saw tiny little crabs in the sand and a horseshoe crab. I stood and listened to a guy talk about a turtle he had caught and learned how to tell a female turtle from a male turtle, and I learned the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, which was actually pretty interesting. I saw some family friends, one that lives by us and another family that we know through Dad's work. I haven't seen them in a while but we once went to Tennessee with them (I remember Tennessee, it was so pretty there. Maybe someday I'll get the chance to go back.) =D Anyway, by the time we left, we had stood in some BBQ smoke long enough that I still smell like the BBQ, haha! It's a nice smell though. The smell of burning wood. That's a nice smell, too. It's like camping. =) Kind of...XD

Just beat Phil in a duel...but maybe none of you know what I'm talking about with that, haha! Maybe Justin...haha.

And...I'm just being lazy and I don't want to upload the picture of my table right this minute, but maybe later today. =D

Current Mood:

IKEA

2010-06-12T00:07:00.001-04:00

Today I went on an adventure. It was simply amazing. I drove all the way to PA with my Mom, Dad and Top. Of course, I had to swing by somewhere to drop off some papers (that was the only reason we went up there), but then the adventure started.

Starbucks fueled us with energy (I got a Caramel Frappiccino...that is the only type of coffee drink that I will drink, by the way)and it was an amazing Starbucks. Two stories and the second floor was where you could sit and relax and it was so pretty inside. Really, I should have taken a picture of the place. It even had a deck outside over a stream where you could sit. -sigh- Someday, I think that I would like to drive up that way again and just sit there and type or write a good portion of my day away there, up in that cozy second floor cafe.

Anyway, and so the adventure started. Dad drove for the remainder of the trip and somehow we ended up at...IKEA!

This was our first time EVER going there, so of course it was AMAZING! I have never seen a store with a layout like this one. There was a path to follow and arrows telling you how to get somewhere, and once you started you had to go through the whole store to get to the end. It was truly enjoyable.

On top of that, I managed to purchase a brand new table! Eeeee!!! XD And it's such a pretty table for my room. (Top helped me to install today, in fact). It's really, though, a table for an artist. I will post a picture of it tomorrow. =) I love it. (However, with the table, I had to reorganize my room yet again so that everything would fit. Now, I have some very quaint spots to my room. Actually, to be honest, I have to say this is one of the very rare times that my room is actually clean and organized. However, I feel that I like this arrangement very much, so it may actually stay this way this time. =)

Back to that adventure. It had to end. Phil was home from school and texting us to find out where we were. Of course, Dad got some food items for us to sample (the toffee licorice strings are simply my favorite!...and salted black licorice is very...interesting. An acquired taste, I must say, but I'll keep eating it anyway.)

Our journey home included stopping at a second IKEA to get the other half of my desk (the first IKEA only had the legs, we had to go to the second to get the actual top for it), traffic on the highway, and a stop at Fast Food to get the paychecks...and mine was WRONG! >=( They cut my pay! I'm so mad. I talked to my manager about it and she has to call the office to get it fixed...so now...I'm waiting for a new check to arrive. Of course, I don't see why this happened in the first place and I think that I may speak to our main store manager about this later...

Anyway! We watched "Sherlock Holmes" tonight.

It was an...interesting movie. I'm not quite sure I'd watch the sequel, however...I loved the fight scenes! XD

Oh, yes, I sent out my Query to that Agent this morning but I was politely declined with a form rejection. However, when we got back home from our trip, I e-mailed another Agent who I thought seemed very interesting. I sent the e-mail Query around 6:30p and have yet to receive any e-mail back. I will see how tomorrow goes on that subject, if I get a response tomorrow or not. However...looking at the clock, I should rather say that I will see how that response on the subject goes later today. XD

Current Mood:

Query Tracker

2010-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I was introduced to www.querytracker.com by Justin, about...2 days ago? Anyway, I've been browsing it since and I found another agent that I want to Query, so I'm going to send out a Query in the morning. Not morning now, of course, because sending a Query at mid-night would just look horrible. I mean, come on people, just because it's a e-mail query doesn't mean you can just send it willy-nilly. If you are really dedicated and serious about finding representation, you should honor work hours (even if it is by email). It just seems much more professional. At least, that is my own opinion.

Anyway, the woman I want to Query later today is Tamar Ellman Rydzinski. Please, wish me luck everyone!

Quick Quip: I worked again today at Fast Food and was the voice over th box once again. =) People seemed so much more talkative today. Oh! And I met this really cute guy and he said he'd come back tomorrow but I told him that I don't work until Tuesday...I wonder if he'll come back. XD And, a regular who I like talking to said her work is over so I probably won't see her until next year...=( I told her I was going to Disney until January so she laughed (but a polite laugh). Maybe I'll see her again next year. =) And...cleaned my room today. It took like 3-4 hours but now it is so pretty. I even organized my desk and bookshelves...yay! Good night!

Current Mood:

*sigh* I wish I had someone to carry me around when I was tired. XD

"The Write Mind"

2010-06-09T22:57:00.005-04:00

Okay! So, my best friend Justin!---(Who now has a blog of his own so I can use his name on mine instead of calling him JW, haha!)---has started a blog of his own! I ask that you please follow him as well, since it seems he writes far more interesting posts then I do! At least, he seems to have a better idea of what he wants to do with his blog, rather than my random ramblings (no, wait...that's the whole point of this blog...in fact, it's the TITLE! =P)

Anyway, joking aside, please give him consideration. Just like me, he is struggling to get his foot into that little tiny door, with the doorknob face and mouth, that you have to shrink in order to enter it. You know, the one that leads to WONDERLAND!!!

Wait...what?

*cough, cough*

Er...I mean Representation and Publication! So, here's his link! http://jwparente.blogspot.com/ Please visit him, too! Please, please, please? =P

Hm, so I think that (even though he is my best friend) Justin has taken up enough of this blog entry today. (Oh, did I mention that he'll be doing that DCP with me later this year? 63 more days!!! XD)

Right, down to the point of this thing. Today, after work of course (which went fine. Once again I was the voice over the box in the Fast Food place...yeah.... Did I ever tell you guys how interesting the people who come through the drive-thru are? I love talking to them, but it didn't seem like too many people were in a talkative mood today...it was kind of raining. Maybe that affected it. Eh. Who knows. Anyway, I'm getting side-tracked, back to the main story. After work today!...I came home and tried to work on the chapter that I finished writing yesterday...today...uh. Today. I think. Hm, yeah, today. Anyway, but I couldn't focus on it. So, I started looking up new songs to add to my mixpod playlist that I have on here. For those of you who all ready follow me, perhaps you will now notice the music of "Peter Pan: Return to Neverland", "Finding Nemo" and a few others. Please enjoy my selections (though they're mostly Disney =P)

I accompanied my Mom with Top and Phil to Karate tonight. I miss participating, but I just can't afford to pay for my classes. XD So, I guess I'll just have to sit and watch until I can start paying for my lessons. My brothers are doing well. Tonight, one of the classes (they did 3 tonight, we were there from 540pm-ish until 8p-ish.) was Sparring! I really wanted to watch them face off against one another, but they weren't lined up together. XD

After our return home, I worked on my new (#10! XD) Query Letter! I found a new Agent who I would like to send it out to tomorrow, if I get the chance.

Friday I get my PAYCHECK! XD

Days until Toy Story 3? : 9! (I think...)

Current Mood:

R4L

2010-06-06T13:43:00.001-04:00

Relay For Life was this past Friday into Saturday. R4L is an event that is a part of the American Cancer Society. It is a 19-hour event that takes place in the community, where community members and students and parents can participate in raising money for the fight against cancer. Our goal to raise was about $98, 000 and we'll find out if we reached that goal by tomorrow.

The reason why I relay is because I lost my Memere (grandmother) to cancer 2 years ago. I've done Relay for Life for 6 years now and I am going to continue to do it in her memory, because I still miss her very much. She was a very important person to me.

The event started around 4-430p on Friday and ended Saturday morning at 6am. The opening ceremony started at 6p where the Survivors who came to participate in the event took the first lap (the Survivor Lap) and then everyone else started to walk laps. You collect donations for each lap you walk, but I'm not sure how much. I can check on that and inform anyone later if they're curious.

There were other events inside of Relay that took place to raise money, such as the "Queen of the Relay" where one guy from each team (because we form teams of 10-12 kids or community members) must dress up as girls and walk around trying to get donations from other teams. It's a bunch of fun and the guys who participate, well, let's just say it's interesting to see their take on girls sometimes, haha! The guy from our team is like my adopted brother. We've known him since we transfered schools and he was in Top's class. JP is so cool and he's like a part of our family. Well, most of our friends are like a part of our family. XD Anyway, JP was our "Queen" this year and he decided that he wanted to parody Lady Gaga. His girlfriend did his make up and I did his face paint and I supplied him with one of my outfits and boots. Another of our friends let us borrow a wig they had. It was really funny.

We had a Luminary Lap where we turn off the lights so that the bags that line the walk path are the only things lit up with electrical lights. These bags (can be decorated) have the name of someone who is fighting cancer or who has lost their battle with cancer written on the front of the bag. They are made up when people donate money to have a luminary made. It's a sad lap that usually has someone cry (usually me and other people who have lost loved ones) and helps us to remember what we are Relay-ing for.

After the Luminary Lap (11-1130pm-ish), a bunch of me and my friends (both my brothers friends and friends that I had graduated with 2 years ago) played an intense game of Wink. For those of you who don't know what Wink is, check out this link: http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Wink The only difference is that when we all play, we call out the name of the person (instead of Winking at them) and the objective we use is you either have to kiss the Winker on the forehead or tap them on the head. All in all, it is an awesome game and I love playing it and you can tell because now I have a bunch of rugburns from the grass, cuts and scrapes and bruises and my arms are sore, XD Totally fun though and totally worth playing. We played until about 1a-2am-ish. Let's start a game sometime!

They played movies around 230a-3am-ish. The first movie they played was "The Blind Side" and since I never saw that I sat on the field to watch it. Afterwards they played "Sandlot" and I've seen that one so I returned to our campsite to just relax. I napped a bit for about half an hour I guess and when I woke up it was time to pack up the campsite and go home. We packed up our site and then me and my brothers went home to sleep and my parents stayed to help clean up.

JW showed up for the event but he didn't stay the entire time. Together we grilled hot dogs and burgers on a charcoal grill....that was an interesting experience for the both of us...XD We tossed a frisbee around until we stopped because apparently I suck...(-_-)

He left around the Luminary Lap. His knee was hurting...

And...that is R4L. =)

And now my manager wants me to go into work because we have 4 new people that she has to train all at once and because I'm a CT I have to go in and help...I don't want to go in but I agreed to go in from 8p-11p. Urgh! Why?! Blah, I, I, I...just ugh. This is the fast food job, by the way, just so we're all clear that it isn't the awesome job that I already work for or just got hired by. XD

Blah...

Current Mood:

A "Best Day Ever" kind of day

2010-06-02T22:14:00.001-04:00

You know those days, where you say, "Man! This is like the best day ever!"? Well, today was totally one of those days! I went for my interview at RD today and I got the job! I am so excited because this is such a great job opportunity! Ahh...just so excited, haha.

Mood after Interview:

-----

I got a box of clothes from my friend Keah today. She's so cute and awesome! Tons of fun to hang out with, too. She was at the Band Banquet tonight (which was hosted for all the members of the high school band), and since my brothers are in the band, and I'm an Alumni, of course we went, too. Top got 3 awards for being awesome! And Phil got his varsity letter since this year was his first (official) year in the band. All in all, tonight was pretty fun. =D

Oh! And Keah and I made plans to go to the beach soon. So excited for that, too!!! =D

Current Mood:

English Titles Now...Woo

2010-06-01T22:24:00.001-04:00

Stayed at work an extra hour today. It went...okay. The people who come through the drive-thru are so interesting to talk to. =)

According to a Facebook group, today was "Wear a Dress Day". I participated. It was cool. Went to the store with Dad to get some milk and a few other food stuffs we were running low on and then came home and set myself up in our Sun Room to work on my book and that's what I've been working on on and off for the past 3 hours or so.

All in all, it was a semi-productive day.

Oh! And I sent out my second Query Letter to that Literary Agent. So, now I just have to sit back and wait to see if she responds. XD I also signed up for my room mate notification so I can find out who my room mate will be when I get to the DCP.

Current Mood:

Dixième

2010-05-31T22:26:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day! Well, my brothers had to march (since they're in the marching band for school) in the parade. There was a service and Top played Taps. My Pepere was over and Dad did a BBQ. It was tons of fun. I re-scheduled my kayaking plans with my one friend: 1) because I have no idea how to kayak, and 2) we were having fun BBQ-ing. I did, however, go to Starbucks with JW. That was interesting, always is. Me and him, we go there a lot.

I'm still working on the synopsis for this book that I've been writing for 4 years, and I've gotten it trimmed down to 3.5 pages. All I need to do is shave off that last half a page to make it 3 and I can send it out to an agent for representation for publication! =D

Current Mood:

Neuviéme: The Missed Intro / Fun-ness! XD

2010-05-30T15:01:00.002-04:00

So, I never really stopped to really introduce myself in the first post. Yeah, I know that that is what you're normally supposed to do, but when you meet me, you realize that I'm not really normal. XD I like to do things out of habit and order. I'm a pretty random person and that's why the name of my blog is "Aléatoire", which is French for "Random". =)

I'm the oldest out of my siblings and have two younger brothers, Top and Phil (don't ask, because I won't be using their names on here, that goes with the names of any friends I might mention. Strictly using nicknames, but if you know me, I assume that you'll know who I speak of... =D) and besides my Mom and our pet dog, Lei, I'm the only girl and have been for quite some time. Only recently (8 years ago) did I get a little girl cousin. So...I can be a tomboy sometimes, but I'm still fun! XD

Hrm...I'm pretty sure that in my "About Me" I mentioned that I'm an Art Major. Yeah...get used to that idea, because at the current moment, I have no desire to change it. I love draw and sketch and write. Usually, that's all I do and my parents can vouch for that.

Anyway, the point to this blog is so that my friends and family can follow me when I finally go back to Disney! I am so excited to go back, I have missed it so much since my last College Program with them last Spring '09. I was a QSR and worked at CBR =) Ahh...abbreviations. =D This time I'll be doing Merch, and I have no idea where! I'm going down with...JW...I guess that's a good nickname, what do you think JW? Haha...if you even read this...XD Anyway, super excited!

----

Now, I'm too lazy to post this and then make a whole other post, so I'm just going to include it with this one. Yesterday started out a bit slow. I went to Church and then went to go do face painting at a birthday party. Afterwards I went out to dinner with Tessa and Ken! It was a blast! =D We went to Chili's, (I never really go there, so it was kind of different) and then we went to see Shrek 4 (JW joined us spur of the moment), which was much better than the 3rd one. It was a good way to end the series and had some good music. I will look into getting the soundtrack later, because that's what I do...get movie soundtracks and orchestral music =D

Mood for Last Night:

Current Mood:

Huitième

2010-05-28T15:39:00.002-04:00

Soooo....my interview got rescheduled for this upcoming Wednesday. XD The lady had to go to a last minute meeting, which was totally fine. Today I'm going to hang out with a friend I have not seen in some time, so I am excited...I also had a Caramel Frappé and the sugar is getting to me...gah! Being sugar-intolerant can be annoying sometimes...of course, I guess I could watch my sugar intake like I'm supposed to. XD

Anyway! My parents and youngest brother are going to see Iron Man 2, my other brother is still at the beach with his friends (since they decided to go there for their "After Prom Celebration" thing)and I'm going out with my friend.

And another friend wants to go to Starbucks, but I don't know...hehe, sorry! Hey! If you're reading this, I will get back to you on that!

Current Mood:

Septième

2010-05-26T16:20:00.001-04:00

Hello, everyone! Oh, I am so excited. My job interview is tomorrow! Ahhh! XD It's such a good opportunity and I hope that I can get the job. =)

Anyway, today I worked at that fast food place again...=X It's not that bad, haha! Hm, I was the voice in the box again taking orders, that was tons of fun. I love talking to people, so I guess that that is a good spot to put me. =)

Now I'm home and just relaxing. I'm waiting for my friend to get home so that I can chat with him on AIM about this book that we are writing together...he'll be on eventually, I'm sure. XD

Hm...so excited for tomorrow, but pretty "Eh" feeling right now though. XD

Current Mood (I can do it! XD):

Sixème

2010-05-26T15:55:00.001-04:00

Cinquième

2010-05-24T19:46:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I had work and then decided to try and see if I could not go on the internet for the night (I succeeded!). That's also why I didn't post last night.

Today I worked again. It was pretty busy. We had a bus and I had to take orders in the drive-thru. Anyway, I am so excited for Thursday because I have a job interview for an awesome-ly amazing summer job! Eeeeeee!!! XD Please, wish me luck! =)

Mood for the Day (So excited for Thursday! XD):

Quatrième

2010-05-21T23:21:00.002-04:00

You must forgive me...I am a bit out of it. I just realized that the last time I ate it was 11:30am today when I went on break...and it is now just about 12 hours later. Sure, I had a frappe to hold me over around 3:30pm? But that has worn off. So, I'm currently waiting for some water to boil so that I can make some macaroni and cheese (Sponebob shapes!) XD

Hm...I've been doing a lot of edits in my first book so that I can get it ready. Basically because I want to send out a Query Letter to a Literary Agent to find representation (to get published) but I need a word count, and I can't have a solid word count until I'm done with the revisions. My friend (the one who took me out for water ice) is helping me and she is still amazing! Apparently, though, I have to come up with a better title for the book. XD

Anyway...my mood/expression for the day (and because Ouran is just amazing!):

Troisième

2010-05-20T16:00:00.001-04:00

Today, Mom and I drove my Dad and brother to the airport. They are flying out of state so my brother can check out a college now that he's 18! =)

Oh! And I found out today from a friend that my other friend and I ended up on the front page of the local newspaper for participating at a local craft fair! Ah, I'm so excited! I cannot wait to get the paper tomorrow so that I can have a copy! =D

On other news, I am just about going through the revisions for my first book. Once I am done I can finally send out my new Query Letter to see about getting representation for publication! I will post on here how that turns out. XD

And, even though I really do not want to go back to the place that I work (fast food, yuck!), I am in desperate need of money, so tomorrow I picked up a shift from one of my friends/co-workers who offered me his hours...he is so cool and nice! =) This, of course, means that next Friday I will get a paycheck!!! =D

Now, for something that I drew on the window of the sliding door until Security at the complex told me to erase it off. =( -sniff-...but Stitch is so cute! <3>

I also want to include a strip from one of my favorite mangas. (I feel similarity with this strip sometimes regarding these things) Also...you have to read it right to left! XD.

Deuxième

2010-05-19T12:13:00.001-04:00

Today is my younger (middle) brother's birthday, so: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! o(^o^)o

Also, apparently I ruined my Mom's trip chance to go to Florida with my brother and Dad. =( I'll make it up to them later. =)

Getting water ice soon with an awesome friend! =D

Premier

2010-05-18T19:10:00.001-04:00

A rainy day, raining all day long, but it is not a bad one. Rain is so nice and I love listening to it. =)

Today, I got a call from my teacher. Someone wanted to buy one of my paintings that I had put up in the school art show. I told her no, but that I wouldn't mind doing another painting for them.

I need that painting for my portfolio. XD

Aléatoire

Hook, Line & Sinker Blogfest!

Filler

The Start of a New School Year. =)

100th

Last Day of August, 2011

Hurricane Irene

Rain!

"The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Authors

Best Friend's Guest Post

Netbook =D

More Excuses..... =P

Author: Jane Yolen

*Insert Random Title Here* =P

The Winners!!!

Entry for the Blogfest! =D

Totally Slacking!

"Heigh-Ho! It's Off To Work I Go!" =P

"It's the Muse-ic Writing" Blogfest!

Oops! XD

Stereo-typed

The Interrupted Blogfest!

Travel in Writing

In Memory of my Aunt

Returning....XD

A Helpful Book

Good, Hard Work.

Decision Making.....

Boardwalk

Scrabble

Musician's Friend Site

Game Night!

Just a Splash of Color.....

Possible Inspiration.....

It's My Birthday! =D

Le sixième de Mars en l'année 2011.....=)

What's Going On.....

Back For More! =P

Writing #5

The New Year (The Post Is Late! XD)

Lacking....XD

Last Day of Class!

Thanksgiving Day!

"Home, Sweet Home"

"Extra Ordinary"

Updates!

Pomplamoose

Blogfests, Questions and Contests!

50th! It's a Random Update! =D

Writing #4

Rusty Zipper

Flowers!

10 Things...

Writing #3

Just an Update...

Oh, how pretty! =D

Weatherfest

Awards

Writing #2

Magic Kingdom

Writing #1

"Lights, Motors, Action!"

Tea Time!

Blog Tag and ModCloth! =)

Baby Showers, Queries, Stephen R. Lawhead and Packing? XD

Just dropping by....

The Fantastic Life Blog Hop!

Fruit Carving

Agent Nathan Bransford and Molly Ford's "Smart, Pretty and Awkward"

What to Pack

A Good Place

3 of 5...XD

Independence Day

And...back!

Graduation!

One Of The Best Jobs Ever! XD

The SP and work...yup =)

So...Who Reads These Anyway? XD

Working?

Insert Random Title Here =P