Yvie's here, to lanch you into a weekend of delicious ape-friend fun!
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| Did you say "delicious"? |
Off we go!!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday Weird
Today, it's another (weird, natch) unsolved mystery. Not a murder this time, but something kind of crazy.
We're talking about the Toynbee Tiles.
The Toynbee Tiles are cryptic message left in different cities, about the size of license plates, all embedded in asphalt. The tiles are all found with some sort of message on them. They all reference 2001: A Space Odyssey and suggest something regarding resurrecting the dead on Jupiter.
Which, yeah, I mean, that crap is weird all right. But let's make it weirder. The tiles have been showing up for 30 YEARS. Since the 1980s, peeps.
Toynbee, a famous historian OR a short story by Ray Bradbury (called the Toynbee Convector), is also referenced in the tiles. And so, maybe you're thinking one crazy guy with a Toynbee and 2001: A Space Odyssey obsession has been going around, putting these tiles into asphalt.
Except, it can't be.
The tiles are found in dozens of cities, AND even in South America. There are over 60 in Philadelphia alone.
There was one suspect, named James Morasco, who showed in interest in 2001: A Space Oddysey and Toynbee, but his wife said he didn't show any interest in Jupiter. Also, James would've been 70 when laying the tiles. Oh yeah, and he died in 2003 and the tiles haven't stopped.
It's likely that there was an original tiler and now there are some copycats, but no one has ever come forward or been caught.
So there you have it. Some cryptic message, embedded int eh asphalt. Who is doing it? And why? We may never know.
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We're talking about the Toynbee Tiles.
The Toynbee Tiles are cryptic message left in different cities, about the size of license plates, all embedded in asphalt. The tiles are all found with some sort of message on them. They all reference 2001: A Space Odyssey and suggest something regarding resurrecting the dead on Jupiter.
Which, yeah, I mean, that crap is weird all right. But let's make it weirder. The tiles have been showing up for 30 YEARS. Since the 1980s, peeps.
Toynbee, a famous historian OR a short story by Ray Bradbury (called the Toynbee Convector), is also referenced in the tiles. And so, maybe you're thinking one crazy guy with a Toynbee and 2001: A Space Odyssey obsession has been going around, putting these tiles into asphalt.
Except, it can't be.
The tiles are found in dozens of cities, AND even in South America. There are over 60 in Philadelphia alone.
There was one suspect, named James Morasco, who showed in interest in 2001: A Space Oddysey and Toynbee, but his wife said he didn't show any interest in Jupiter. Also, James would've been 70 when laying the tiles. Oh yeah, and he died in 2003 and the tiles haven't stopped.
It's likely that there was an original tiler and now there are some copycats, but no one has ever come forward or been caught.
So there you have it. Some cryptic message, embedded int eh asphalt. Who is doing it? And why? We may never know.
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Monday, March 26, 2012
In Which I've Been Tagged
I've been tagged by TL Conway and Christine Rains for the Lucky 7 Meme
Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next seven lines as they’re written–no cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers
5. Let them know
Here we go!
Middle of a conversation, but what can you do?
I was also tagged by Claire Hennessy and Ninja Girl Reads with fun questions. (I'm 99% sure I was also tagged by Vic Caswell for this, but I can't find her post. So Vic, if you're reading this and I'm just blind or something, point me to your post and I'll rectify)
Since they each had 11 questions, I'll just combine them into one 12 question list (to make it even).
Ninja's questions:
6. What was your first blog post about?
I don't know if it's possible to have a favorite song lyric of all time, but right now I'm really into Rise Against and am digging these lyrics from Re-Education Through Labor:
But we sow seeds to see us through
Our days are precious and so few
We all reap what we are due
Again, how can I pick my most favorite?
*looks through quote book for fav book quotes*
All right, I'll say I'm a pretty big fan of the ending of Green Mile by Stephen King:
Time takes it all, whether you want it to or not. Time takes it all, time bears it away, and in the end there is only darkness. Sometimes we find others in that darkness, and sometimes we lose them there again.
1. What is your earliest childhood memory?Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next seven lines as they’re written–no cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers
5. Let them know
Here we go!
"I know you must be angry,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Unbelievable. “Angry? Sorry? Those words have no meaning for me, Sweetheart. I’m way beyond angry, and your apology is dogshit. It’s easy to say sorry when you’re sitting there without a collar wrapped around your throat, without pain coursing through your body."
Dayre laughed, and Izzy looked embarrassed.
"What’s so funny?”
“The pain you’re experiencing,” she said. “It’s from the collar.”
Middle of a conversation, but what can you do?
I was also tagged by Claire Hennessy and Ninja Girl Reads with fun questions. (I'm 99% sure I was also tagged by Vic Caswell for this, but I can't find her post. So Vic, if you're reading this and I'm just blind or something, point me to your post and I'll rectify)
Since they each had 11 questions, I'll just combine them into one 12 question list (to make it even).
The Rules
- You must post the rules.
- Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
- Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.
- Let them know you’ve tagged them!
Ninja's questions:
1. What's your favorite color?
Green, typically. But I'm also a very big fan of orange
3. Cat or Dog?
Dog, obviously. Though I really love cats too and wish I could have one (or three)
5. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I think I've mentioned this before, but the power from the Out of This World TV show, where she can stop time. So awesome
6. What was your first blog post about?
You can see it here, but it was kinda lame. Just thanking some peeps and junk. My third blog post was much more fun
7. Favorite song lyrics?
I don't know if it's possible to have a favorite song lyric of all time, but right now I'm really into Rise Against and am digging these lyrics from Re-Education Through Labor:
But we sow seeds to see us through
Our days are precious and so few
We all reap what we are due
8. Favorite line from a book/poem and why?
Again, how can I pick my most favorite?
*looks through quote book for fav book quotes*
All right, I'll say I'm a pretty big fan of the ending of Green Mile by Stephen King:
Time takes it all, whether you want it to or not. Time takes it all, time bears it away, and in the end there is only darkness. Sometimes we find others in that darkness, and sometimes we lose them there again.
Claire's Questions
I remember getting my diaper changed by my cousin. I'm pretty sure that my family was just visiting MN at the time (we lived in Nebraska for a few years while my dad was still in the air force) so that would've put me younger than age 3 or 4.
2. Tell us about a funny/embarrassing incident that happened to you?
Once, on the way home from an orchestra trip in high school, we stopped off at a DQ for cool treats. My group of friends was taking too long (natch) and we could see our teacher coming to yell at us. Me and a friend decided to run for it and take the back exit and sneak back on the bus. We ran to the door, not realizing it was locked, and I smacked head first into the glass. It was quite funny.
4. What is the name of your current WIP (and, briefly, what is it about)?
Break Free.
When seventeen-year-old Kiel Reaux is enslaved and purchased by a traitorous Priestess, he’s forced to escort her through a jungle of nightmarish wild magic to escape a charge of theft and an accompanying death sentence.
Eh, that's rough, but you get the idea.
5. Who is your funniest book character?
Kiel, the MC for Break Free. He's sarcastic and full of himself.
7. Would you rather have your book win the Booker Prize but not sell many copies, or top the
NY Times best-sellers list and make you millions?
I'm not gonna lie. I'll take the money.
10. What is the last music CD/download you bought?
Endgame by Rise Against
All right, so I'm supposed to tag people for both of these and make up 11 new questions for the last one. I'm gonna kind of cheat and say that anyone who wants to play along can. Consider yourself officially tagged.
Here are my 11 questions:
1. Unicorns or Pegasus. And why?
2. What's your favorite apocalypse?
3. Weirdest thing that's ever happened to you?
4. If you could live in one fictional world, which one and why?
5. Favorite day of the week?
6. Ice cream or brownies?
7. Cake or pie?
8. Fruit or veggies? (can you tell I'm hungry?)
9. Favorite season?
10. TV show that you wish was still on the air?
11. Something about yourself you'd like to change?
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Friday, March 23, 2012
Friday Fun
Yay! It's the weekend again! And Yvie's back, to start you off with some fun before you get all naked and run around climbing trees.
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| how do you get up there? |
Or whatever you humans do for fun on the weekend.
Onto the fun!
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wednesday Weird
It's that time again! Time to talk about something crazy and weird.
Today, it's the Naga Fireballs.
Every year, around the full moon in October (then end of the rainy season), the Mekong River belches up egg to basketball sized balls of red lights. Serious.
Starting below the surface, thousands of glowing red lights rise out of the bottom of the river and float a few hundred feet into the sky before they vanish.
Sounds crazy, right? Here's a video
Today, it's the Naga Fireballs.
Every year, around the full moon in October (then end of the rainy season), the Mekong River belches up egg to basketball sized balls of red lights. Serious.
Starting below the surface, thousands of glowing red lights rise out of the bottom of the river and float a few hundred feet into the sky before they vanish.
Sounds crazy, right? Here's a video
As you can see from the video, there's a festival, celebrating the phenomenon; it's witnessed by thousands of people every year and you can googs for more videos.
Pretty much science doesn't know, and can't agree, as to what causes the lights. It's possible it's due to fermented animal waste and sediment in the river, which could make sense except that the Naga Fireballs happen around the same time every year, which kind of knocks that theory, ahem, out of the water.
So there you have it. Fireballs shoot from the river into the sky. And no one knows why.
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Monday, March 19, 2012
In Which I Share A Book Trailer
Elemental, Emily White’s taut YA sci-fi thriller debut (Spencer Hill Press, May 2012) confronts many of our greatest fears… darkness, loneliness and the power within each of us to become either the hero or villain in the plot line of our life. Ella, who has been held prisoner aboard a starship since she was a young child, must discover whether she will be the prophesied Destructor… or if she will, instead, be destroyed.
Check out this awesome trailer!!
Isn't that soundtrack amazing??!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday Fun
Hiya Ape-Friends! Yvie's back, to launch you into a weekend full of fun and parties!
This week it reached 70 degrees. In Minnesota. In March.
What the heck, weather? What is up with you?
Not that I'm complaining. I mean, I love me some warm sun and dry grass. Better than spending the months like George.
Onto the fun!
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| Woo Hoo! Wrestle party! |
This week it reached 70 degrees. In Minnesota. In March.
What the heck, weather? What is up with you?
Not that I'm complaining. I mean, I love me some warm sun and dry grass. Better than spending the months like George.
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| he wishes dogs could hibernate |
Onto the fun!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday Weird
Back to some crazy animal stuff today. Specifically dogs and their relationship with the Overtoun Bridge in Scotland.
What relationship you ask?
Oh, just the little fact that it causes dogs to kill themselves.
Seriously, it's a dog suicide bridge.
For decades dogs have been jumping off the bridge to their deaths. Records, since the early 60s, show dogs have been jumping off the bridge at the rate of one per month, for a total of around 600 dogs.
And it's not just accidental, either. There have been witnesses who have seen dogs jump off the bridge, survive the 50 foot fall, walk back up to the top of the bridge and jump off again.
I find this both horribly tragic (as a dog lover) but also ridiculously fascinating.
What could be driving these dogs to kill themselves using this particular bridge? There's been no scientific conclusion as to the cause.
UPDATE:
I found a short video related to the Overtoun Bridge dogs.
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| pretty, right? |
What relationship you ask?
Oh, just the little fact that it causes dogs to kill themselves.
Seriously, it's a dog suicide bridge.
For decades dogs have been jumping off the bridge to their deaths. Records, since the early 60s, show dogs have been jumping off the bridge at the rate of one per month, for a total of around 600 dogs.
And it's not just accidental, either. There have been witnesses who have seen dogs jump off the bridge, survive the 50 foot fall, walk back up to the top of the bridge and jump off again.
I find this both horribly tragic (as a dog lover) but also ridiculously fascinating.
What could be driving these dogs to kill themselves using this particular bridge? There's been no scientific conclusion as to the cause.
UPDATE:
I found a short video related to the Overtoun Bridge dogs.
I don't know how believable I find it. I typically have problems with a scientist doing one experiment of one possible explanation, getting favorable results, and crying "Case closed!"
I mean, the scent of mink might get a dog up onto the bridge, but I have a hard time believing the scent caused 600 dogs to jump to their death. Hell, George won't even stick a whisker or a toenail in an inch of water to try and snag a hotdog. We know, we've tried more than once.
Also, if this were the case, I'd think we'd see high dog death rates in other areas that have large mink populations as well. Just my two cents, though.
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Monday, March 12, 2012
In Which Break Free...er...Breaks Free...
So the other day I got second place on a blog contest, over at the awesome Lisa Amowitz and Heidi Ayarbe blogs. Second place won some awesome books, which, as stated, is awesome! Because seriously, I could always use more books. Right? Right.
The grand prize was a blog banner design and a partial request from Lisa's sweeeet agent Victoria Marini. It was originally just going to be a 5 page crit from Victoria, but she was all, pshaaa, I'll read a partial. Because she's cool like that.
Anyway, Sandra, the chick who won the grand prize had some exciting news. Victoria was already reading her full MS, so that meant I got to have the partial request!
Super awesome great news for a Friday!
BUT! And it was a big but, Victoria had already seen my Glimpse of Another Shore during my first query rounds AND during a Secret Agent contest I participated in last year.
I sat down and thought about it really hard. Yes, I'm still revising Break Free, but also, I'm on the last legs of the revisions. And almost everything that needs to change is from the middle to the end. The first 50 pages only brought me to chapter four, I think, and those first couple chapters had been revised TONS, both by myself and critiqued by no less than 7 other people.
So after spending close to 8 hours on Friday giving those 50 pages a microscopic line edit, I made the decision to send Break Free out into the world.
I'm kind of freaking out a bit.
Here's the thing. I don't usually worry about my MSs once I'm querying them. Because if I've reached that point, I've also reached the point where I feel like I can't do anything more with them. I can feel confident in their query and their sample pages.
And though I'm confident about Break Free (I LOVE that MS) I'm also worried about it because I haven't reached the "there's nothing more I can do" stage. At least not with the stuff past those first 50-75 pages.
Sigh.
Anyway, really what it comes down to is I'm nervous for Break Free's baby steps into the big wide world, but also excited. Because this part of the writing business is always very exciting to me. I love querying and the accompanying roller coaster.
So, there you have it. That's a microcosm of what's been going on in my world.
How about you? What's been shaking?
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The grand prize was a blog banner design and a partial request from Lisa's sweeeet agent Victoria Marini. It was originally just going to be a 5 page crit from Victoria, but she was all, pshaaa, I'll read a partial. Because she's cool like that.
Anyway, Sandra, the chick who won the grand prize had some exciting news. Victoria was already reading her full MS, so that meant I got to have the partial request!
Super awesome great news for a Friday!
BUT! And it was a big but, Victoria had already seen my Glimpse of Another Shore during my first query rounds AND during a Secret Agent contest I participated in last year.
I sat down and thought about it really hard. Yes, I'm still revising Break Free, but also, I'm on the last legs of the revisions. And almost everything that needs to change is from the middle to the end. The first 50 pages only brought me to chapter four, I think, and those first couple chapters had been revised TONS, both by myself and critiqued by no less than 7 other people.
So after spending close to 8 hours on Friday giving those 50 pages a microscopic line edit, I made the decision to send Break Free out into the world.
I'm kind of freaking out a bit.
Here's the thing. I don't usually worry about my MSs once I'm querying them. Because if I've reached that point, I've also reached the point where I feel like I can't do anything more with them. I can feel confident in their query and their sample pages.
And though I'm confident about Break Free (I LOVE that MS) I'm also worried about it because I haven't reached the "there's nothing more I can do" stage. At least not with the stuff past those first 50-75 pages.
Sigh.
Anyway, really what it comes down to is I'm nervous for Break Free's baby steps into the big wide world, but also excited. Because this part of the writing business is always very exciting to me. I love querying and the accompanying roller coaster.
So, there you have it. That's a microcosm of what's been going on in my world.
How about you? What's been shaking?
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Friday, March 9, 2012
Friday Fun
Here it is again! The end of the week, just like we hoped.
Which means time for sleeping in and tummy rubs.
All right! Onto the fun!
Which means time for sleeping in and tummy rubs.
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| those tummy rubs better be epic... |
All right! Onto the fun!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Insecure Writer's Support Group
It's that time again!
I had a nice post all planned out, but then I ran out of time due to work stuff and other things. So then I had some nice motivational pictures to get you all happy and writing but then EFFING Blogger wouldn't let me upload them.
Seriously, Blogger is on my shitlist right now.
Sigh. I'll try again in a bit, on a different PC to see if that makes a difference. Because this is one sad looking post with no pics to spruce it up.
So I guess what this post is getting at is, please check back later for some writerly support.
OR, just remember that you can do it. And I believe in you.
I had a nice post all planned out, but then I ran out of time due to work stuff and other things. So then I had some nice motivational pictures to get you all happy and writing but then EFFING Blogger wouldn't let me upload them.
Seriously, Blogger is on my shitlist right now.
Sigh. I'll try again in a bit, on a different PC to see if that makes a difference. Because this is one sad looking post with no pics to spruce it up.
So I guess what this post is getting at is, please check back later for some writerly support.
OR, just remember that you can do it. And I believe in you.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest
Today is the day!
The day of the Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest hosted by me, Vic Caswell and Emily White.
As a referesher, we want to see a list of 7 celebs who tantalized teenage you. There's still time to join so feel free to add your name to Mr. Linky below.
Onto my list!
Christian Bale in Newsies
Newsies is an awesome movie. And Christian Bale dances and sings in it. Do I even need to say more?
To this day I still love Christian Bale. I don't even care that he's an ass. That's how much I love him...
Keanu Reeves in Speed
Yeah. I mean, what's not to like about Speed? And Keanu Reeves in Speed? That's some good shit. His arms are really buff and you get to look at them for almost the whole movie. Win.
Heath Ledger in Roar
Did you guys watch Roar back when it was on TV? It kinda started Heath Ledger's career. It was a great show. Man. I really miss Heath Ledger
Julian Sands in A Room With A View
The kiss! The nudity! THE AMAZING KISS! Seriously, this movie is amazing. We liked it so much that we had a club devoted to Julian Sand - LOJS (lovers of Julian Sands). Our AP english teachers was a member. Seriously.
Spike in Buffy
Pushing aside the fact that in real life he was actually closer to my Mom's age than mine, Spike was awesome. Blonde? Check. Vampire? Check. Bit of a tortured past? Check. What's not to like about Spike? Man... I miss Buffy.
Robe Lowe in The Stand
I mean, what's not to like about the Nick Andross character in The Stand? Nothing except (spoiler having to do with something hidden in a closet at a turning point in the novel).
Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet
As shakespeare plays go, R+J is not one of my favs. Mostly because it's so overdone and you have to read it like a bajillion times. And also all the tragdey could've been easily avoided if people just calmed the eff down and thought things through for like 5 seconds. But I love this version. And I definitely love Leo in it, which came out when I was in highschool. MMM.
And that's it! The last two were hard for me to choose, and I had two other guys waiting in the wings that just didn't quite make it, but this is a pretty comprehensive list for me.
What about you? Who's on your list? Do you agree or disagree with any of my choices?
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The day of the Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest hosted by me, Vic Caswell and Emily White.
As a referesher, we want to see a list of 7 celebs who tantalized teenage you. There's still time to join so feel free to add your name to Mr. Linky below.
Onto my list!
Christian Bale in Newsies
Newsies is an awesome movie. And Christian Bale dances and sings in it. Do I even need to say more?
To this day I still love Christian Bale. I don't even care that he's an ass. That's how much I love him...
Keanu Reeves in Speed
Yeah. I mean, what's not to like about Speed? And Keanu Reeves in Speed? That's some good shit. His arms are really buff and you get to look at them for almost the whole movie. Win.
Heath Ledger in Roar
Did you guys watch Roar back when it was on TV? It kinda started Heath Ledger's career. It was a great show. Man. I really miss Heath Ledger
Julian Sands in A Room With A View
The kiss! The nudity! THE AMAZING KISS! Seriously, this movie is amazing. We liked it so much that we had a club devoted to Julian Sand - LOJS (lovers of Julian Sands). Our AP english teachers was a member. Seriously.
Spike in Buffy
Pushing aside the fact that in real life he was actually closer to my Mom's age than mine, Spike was awesome. Blonde? Check. Vampire? Check. Bit of a tortured past? Check. What's not to like about Spike? Man... I miss Buffy.
Robe Lowe in The Stand
I mean, what's not to like about the Nick Andross character in The Stand? Nothing except (spoiler having to do with something hidden in a closet at a turning point in the novel).
Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet
As shakespeare plays go, R+J is not one of my favs. Mostly because it's so overdone and you have to read it like a bajillion times. And also all the tragdey could've been easily avoided if people just calmed the eff down and thought things through for like 5 seconds. But I love this version. And I definitely love Leo in it, which came out when I was in highschool. MMM.
And that's it! The last two were hard for me to choose, and I had two other guys waiting in the wings that just didn't quite make it, but this is a pretty comprehensive list for me.
What about you? Who's on your list? Do you agree or disagree with any of my choices?
.
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