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Movies and games Posted 7/4/2008 7:04:24 AM FIrstly, A happy independence day to all my fellow Americans :) Huzzah! What a weekend for me thus far :D Hubby and I finally got a chance to sit down and watch "SpiderWick Chronicles" - EXCELLENT! I am really surprised it turned out so well (since I normally don't go for "kid" movies) but it really was an enjoyable movie. The humor was good, the storyline strong and even the action was suspenseful. A kind of touching movie that surprised me with the abilities of its young actor and actress (who in my humble opinion did better than the adults, with the possible exception of Mr. Nolte). The ideas and cinamatography was superb, delighting with its fantastical creations. Not having readd the books, I can't comment on the relation of the movie to them but I can say that the movie (if the viewer is willing to suspend his/her belief and totally immerse themselves in the world created before them) is truly a masterpiece in its own right. Really enjoyable for people of all ages I think. :) I've also taken to teaching hubby Magic:The Gathering (a D&D type trading card game for those of you who may not know). Why? It's a lot of fun for us to enjoy when it's too cold or wet to go outside and do anything. A mistake? Possibly. He's caught on rather quick to it and I may find myself REALLY challenged. That's alright, I like a challenge *evil insane maniacle laughter* "All is fun in love and war" can be taken to its most literal sense I guess - LOL I haven't abandoned my writing however. In fact I've been playing around with a recent noodle (story idea not fully fleshed-out yet) that is turning out rather well. I'm really pleased with the concept and the characters have been a lot of fun to write so far. I hope it keeps up. This is yet another work that I would like to see come to fruition. It takes place several millenia before my "Wyvern" series and deals primarily with a race known as the Ancients, the ancestors of the Unnamed Nation or Coyote People. Volatility, war, unpredictability of the predictable and hidden thoughts/ideas are the concepts it's dealing with so if nothing else it should be interesting! - LOL Okay, enough jibber-jabbing....I'm off to write again! (0) Comments

What's up for me Posted 6/26/2008 2:23:17 AM So once again work has totally screwed up our scheduals and life is not only up in the air but upsidedown as well. Ain't life grand? Acutally, for as much as it may sound like I'm complaining, really I'm not. Things could be a lot worse and at least hubby and I have been having some great times of late. The weather's been really awesome so we've beenn spending a lot of time going for walks and sitting outside under our trees talking. Really great times :) We've also gotten a few movies to watch (for the rainy nights that are inevitable to come). We got the "Spiderwick Chronicles"! *does elcectic happy dance* I may sound like a geek but I can't help it. This movie looks so awesome! I really look forward to seeing it :D On the writing front, things are going rather well as well :) I finally made the decision to take the plunge and get a laptop so with a little luck I should be getting even MORE writing done when the inspiration strikes because I'll technically be able to write anywhere anytime....technically. I say technically because Heaven knows if I commit to something, SOMETHING will happen to make it go caploo-E SO! Rather than jynx myself where a nearly thousand dollar piece of equipment....I'll simply say I will TRY to get more writing done :) (2) Comments

A week and a half! Posted 6/19/2008 6:26:44 AM Been busy...super! Been working on my writing quite a bit! Completed a chapter on "Wyvern" and two chapters on the "shadow book" which gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment...however, I'm pooped! - LOL - It's amazing how the creative process works, isn't it? A true labor of love....you work so hard on it, and get so exhausted in the end - LOL I plan to work on some more today....if my energy holds up after work. The first night back to work after nights off is always a pain in the arse. Now! Onto the topic of movies! There are so many I want to see this year! That never happens! - LOL - Adding to "Dark Knight" and "Ironman" are "Kung Fu Panda", "Wall-E", and "Spiderwick Chronicles". This should be interesting - LOL - I really do look forward to seeing these movies. They look so good! (2) Comments

Stolen Child ~ Loreena McKennit Posted 6/11/2008 7:59:13 AM Where dips the rocky highland Of Sleuth Wood in the lake There lies a leafy island Where flapping herons wake The drowsy water-rats There we've hid our faery vats Full of berries And of reddest stolen cherries CHORUS Come away, O human child To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand For the world's more full of weeping Than you can understand. Where the wave of moonlight glosses The dim grey sands with light By far off furthest Rosses We foot it all the night Weaving olden dances Mingling hands and mingling glances Till the moon has taken flight To and fro we leap And chase the frothy bubbles Whilst the world is full of troubles And is anxious in its sleep. CHORUS Where the wandering water gushes From the hills above Glen-Car In pools among the rushes That scarce could bathe a star We seek for slumbering trout And whispering in their ears Give them unquiet dreams Leaning softly out From ferns that drop their tears Over the young streams CHORUS Away with us he's going The solemn-eyed He'll hear no more the lowing Of the calves on the warm hillside Or the kettle on the hob Sing peace into his breast Or see the brown mice bob Round and round the oatmeal chest. CHORUS For he comes, the human child To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand For the world's more full of weeping Than you can understand. (0) Comments

Words! Words! Words!: on writing Posted 6/3/2008 8:01:46 AM Although I am anxious to get back to writing "Wyvern", my "Shadow Book" and "Dhampir's Legacy" and have yet to do so of late, I am VERY pleased to announce that I have finished yet another short-story whch gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I hope to send it out to try and get it published as soon as I can afford stamps again, but in the meantime I've got many other things that I can work on and hopefully succeed in completing :) So i have been keeping creatively busy despite the ups and down of life, work and the nasty lethergy that comes with summertime. (4) Comments

A sad holidaty weekend. Posted 5/27/2008 8:30:34 AM This has been a terrible work week which I'm glad to say is almost over. Thurs., my firstnight back to work, I had to have one of my two oldest cats put to sleep. He was having a hard time breathing all night and by the time we got him to the vet he was turning blue around his nose and mouth. The vet checked him out and said it was one of three things - FIV, feline leukemia or cancer. In all cases the prospect was not good given his age and the amount of liquid in his lungs. It was a hard thing to do, but having Dusty put to sleep was for the best...he was suffering something awful. The vet, and the entire staff at the Caseville Animal Clinic, were EXTREMELY kind and considerate. They took wonderful care of Dusty so that he would feel no pain. Hubby and I were there with him right to the end, petting him and talking to him. We couldn't hold him because it caused him pain but we were there with him nontheless...like I said, petting and talking to him. He's now buried in the backyard with Tigger and Fluffy (two other cats who have passed from our family). On the upside Dusty's sister, Sparkey, is doing well. We were worried she might start moping, but she seemed to be adapting well. I think that's in part to the other four felines we have in the house. She's more focused on them. Still, it's been hard on all of us. It's just generally been one hell of a week! I'll be glad when I get home tomorrow. I still have to work my other job Thurs. morning, but over my two nights off, hubby and I are celebrating our Memoral Day with my mom. It's something that I'm really looking forward to. (2) Comments

Getting back to normal... Posted 5/19/2008 7:25:25 AM ...is exactly what I'm trying to do - LOL I'm most happy to report that hubby is doing extremely well. He'll still be off work for another three weeks, but he's fine with that as he'll finally have time to go fishing :D As for myself, well...it took me four days to get back to my third shift way of life but I finally did it! I'm also finally getting back into my writing which, for me, is a sure sign that I'm doing okay. I'm working on "Wyvern", my vampire tale, my shadow book, and a new tale that I have absolutely no clue where it's going :) That plus, I'm getting back into my gaming playing "Legends of Aranna" (the expansion pack to the original "Dungeon Siege) and hubby got me into "Diablo II". Hubby and I finally got a chance to watch "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" which turned out to be AWESOME! In my humble opinion of course. I really enjoyed it; it was a good, back to basics adventure tale with lots of action. Very enjoyable and VERY fun to watch :D The next movie I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing is a tie..."Dark Knight" and "Iron Man". Both look SUPER! :D (1) Comments

Life threw us a curve... Posted 5/10/2008 8:32:30 AM ...and we ducked! Last Wed. I had to take my hubby to the hospital for shortness of breath. Comes to find out his heart rate was 150 a minute! Near lethal level! The local hospital tried for six hours to get it to slow down and couldn't and he had to be transferred to Covenant, a heart hospital over an hour away! I commuted down there every day and after a lot of tests and a epicardiogram (sp?) - a test where they go into an artery in the groin and through it up into the arteries around the heart with a cathiter - they said he had a heart arythmia (sp?). In order to fix it, they had to give him a procedure called an oblation (sp?) which is basically the same thing as the epi except they go into a vein in the groin with wires up into the heart and use lasers to burn away the bad parts. For the record, hubby said that procedure was EXTREMELY painful! They don't put you out for it, but give you meds to put you like you're on cloud nine and he said he could feel it each time they burned him. He was in there for three hours and they said they couldn't get it all in that time (without possibly triggering a heart attack) so now he's on four medicines (one for blood pressure, one to thin his blood and two to regulate his heart rate). If the meds work, then he won't have to go in for another oblation procedure; if they don't he might have to go back in. But at least he's home now :) Needless to say, I've been off work for a week...but hubby's going to be off at least until the 19th. I'm sorry about rambling on, I just needed to get it all out. I'm lucky I had my mom living nearby; she helped me with driving down to Saginaw (where Conevnant is) everyday. I'm just so relieved and happy that my hubby's home! The poor guy looks like he's got the mange tho - LOL - they had to shave him in patches for the EKG and other tests and his stomach's all bruised cause they had to give him blood thinning shots in the belly the entire time he was at the hospital. But again, at least he's home now and doing MUCH better :) (3) Comments

The Seeker Posted 4/29/2008 7:35:20 AM Well! Finally got to watch "The Seeker" with hubby :D Good movie, in my humble opinion. If a bit simplistic, I liked the portrayal of the "Dark" or Evil. More truth than other movies I've seen, it brought to light how evil preys on the weaknesses of humans; manipulation being the key. Without giving too much away, it showed a great deal of how evil offers us what we want most while threatening those we most love. When we overcome those temptations and threats, we find the strength to defeat the evils in our lives. Evil's only strength lays in feeding on our weaknesses....to coin a phrase or other. For a simple movie, "The Seeker" had some pretty deep meanings to it although it seemed to end much too soon. :) That being said, I should note that I've never read the book but I think everyone should give the movie a try at the very least....you might come away with something you didn't expect to. (0) Comments

What a week! Posted 4/6/2008 7:25:09 AM Man! I've been writing like crazy and then...BAM! I thought I hit a wall! Fortunately things have come around and I'm back in the swing of things again. So my "Wyvern..." Series is back in full swing :) I've also been doodling around with a few other story ideas. In short, on the writing front anyway, I've been busy busy busy, despite being sick. I swear I should never go into a doctor's office for any reason, especially when I'm well because I will end up sick as a dog within hours of leaving. It's a proven fact. Sure enough, I take my mom to get a check up and by the time I took her home I was down with the flu. Right in the middle of my work week too! But I guess that's a good thing because I'm starting to feel a LOT better...and just in time for my nights off :D Outside of writing, I've also been watching cartoon collections (the original Tom and Jerry and some Looney Tunes). Can never get enough of that, ya know? I picked up "The Seeker" on payday but haven't felt up to following the plot of a movie so I'm saving it for my nights off :) I hope it's as good as I think it is. It looks pretty cool anyway. So, I'm really looking forward to breaking out the popcorn and movie and spending a comfy night at home with hubby :) (1) Comments

Praise be to Bridgit! :) Posted 3/25/2008 6:50:14 AM Wow! The Goddess of creatvity is surely smiling on me. I've been SUPER busy working on my "Wyvern..." book! The ideas and the oomph to write has been really with me lately. I is VERY happy about this. I hope it never ends! :D AND! I finally finished Jannifer Fallon's "Treason Keep" and have started "Harishini", the third book in the "Demon Child Trilogy"! Fantastic! Absolutely flippin' great books! Jennifer Fallon is such a superb author, I recommend her to everyone I meet! - LOL Easter turned out really nice...great food and company. So all is good :D I hope everyone had just as wonderful a week as I did :) (0) Comments

What a month! Posted 2/25/2008 10:56:31 AM So much for getting writing done over my vacay! The very first day of itmy computer got a virus and irrevicably crashed! :( It was a nightmare! Then I had to wait for my tax refund to come in inorder for me to buy a new tower (which it finally did and here I am :D ) and at the sametime my TV died! This was the month for electrical failure for me, I swear! Needless to say I didn't get any writing done and have nothing new to share on that front! :( However on the bright side, I had a TOTALLY awesome birthday! :D A really wonderful time :) I got a lot of movies, some new ear pins, a really beautiful ring with my birthstone in it and a TV! Hubby took me out to eat at Pizza Hut (my most favorite place to eat! ) and then yesterday, we had a wonderful meal of steak and shrimp home cooked by my mom! It really did turn out to be one of the best birthdays I've ever had :) Even my job has been going better. No longer am I the Toy stocker....now I'm the Pets Dept. Girl! - LOL - Yep! I now stock the pets dept. at work! Am I nuts? Have I lost my mind? A lot of people think so, but I've never been happier! Sure, the work is heavier but I'm in my own little corner of the store, I'm left alone all night, no one bothers me and best of all because pets is a consumable dept. I can't be sent to any other depts.! I am a happy camper! :) (1) Comments

Cold writing Posted 2/10/2008 7:53:14 AM Well, in dealing with the extreme cold up here (GADS! How I love Michigan! :D ) I find myself getting more and more into my writing....haven't completed anything as yet, but at least I been busy writing :) I've started a new book (so that's now three that I'm in the middle of writing) with vampires. I'm rather enjoying it :D Of course I've also been working on "Wyvern" and the "Shadow Book" which is giving me a real sense of accomplishmet. I've also gotten back into my reading. Yes, I'm still in the middle of Jennifer Fallon's "Treson Keep" and it is getting DANG good! - LOL - Truly enjoyable as always. I have vacation coming up this week and have some major plans in the way of down time. Of course I plan on getting more writing done (without being half awake from work) but I would really like to get some game time in too. I'm still playing Dungeon Siege Lengends of Aranna and would really like to find out what happen next! - LOL - I also have plans to get some movi watching done. Hubby recently got me Batman Begins and I am DIEING to see it! I can hardly wait! (Yes, I'm a Christian Bale fan - LOL). Last but certainly not least I will finally have Daytona Sunday off! *does happy dance around the room* I'll actually be awake enough to watch the Daytona 500! Which is a great way to end my vacation, in my humble opinion - LOL (0) Comments

just listening to the song in my head Posted 1/27/2008 6:58:56 AM I’m a lone wolf in a cage Lost my partner to a lie Like a bird with broken wings, yeah It’s impossible to fly I tried to live for two But only trust in one Is there nothing that we can do? Are we truly done? Every day we do or die As we’re sailin’ across the sky Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Settin’ fire to the ice Is the dream that keeps us alive Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Could this be the end of our mythic story? I don’t know what to say I don’t know where to turn All I know is if I stay Ooh this ice it sure can burn A man who’s scared of truth Can only trust in lies A boy who’s scared to dream Can never touch the sky, oh yeah Every day we do or die As we’re sailin’ across the sky Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Settin’ fire to the ice Is the dream that keeps us alive Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Today is the first chapter Of our mythic story We’ll never part On these blades of glory And we’ll cross our hearts On these blades of glory What do you say Tonight we celebrate By going out our way, yeah O-oo-oh, let’s go all the way, yeah It’s our calling Every day we do or die As we’re sailin’ across the sky Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Settin’ fire to the ice Is the dream that keeps us alive Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Blades of glory We’ll go all night ‘Til we finish the story Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory The dream is alive And we’ll never be sorry Now we’re comin’ home On these blades of glory Sorry to go singing Bo Bice but that song's been stuck in my head all night. Maybe I should watch the movie - LOL (0) Comments

Words! Words! Words!: Temple of Ravens Posted 1/14/2008 6:16:36 AM Trayla had crept through the shadows, dragging herself high up into one of the many massive trees in the courtyard of the temple and from the safety of her perch watched the monks going about their morning chores far below. There was a sound of someone pounding on the front gate, and she leaned over to see who it was when one of the clerics opened it, her long white hair falling across her black skinned face. The moment the latch was lifted, a burly human dressed in full armor stormed into the courtyard. "We're hunting a Drow that's been seen in this area. She attacked a farm woman last night." Attacked Trayla snorted as she crouched lower in the shadows among the branches. A Drow half-breed, she was always careful to stay out of sight, knowing the absolute hatred the surface races justifiably held for her father's race. The fact that her mother had been Coyote hardly mattered, she looked Drow and that was enough to put most off. That was what had gotten her into this mess in the first place. Unable to find any decent food for the past fortnight, Trayla had taken to begging. Hiding her long white hair and black skin under her heavy hooded cloak. If the wind had never picked up the wrong way, the farm woman never would have known. But that was not how things were to go. The woman freaked, screaming to her husband and sons that they were being attacked by Drow and Trayla had fled, dodging flying arrows and trying desperately to outrun hunting dogs. She had nearly made it to the safety of the forest when an arrow caught her in the side. Bleeding and tired she had made her way to the this temple, thinking herself safe and now the humans had tracked her here. Undoubtedly, their damnable dogs had followed the scent of her blood. The man was saying, "We're going to have to search your lands." A tall cleric stepped forward. Dressed in a long white long-sleeved tunic over black leather pants and leather boots, he looked to be in his thirties and of the race of men. He had dark brown hair around his head, a small brown goatee and mustache and on top of his head two tattoos of long thin lines of green that came down over his eyes. He spoke in a calm voice. "I'm sorry but that will not be possible. This is a holy place, Captain, and should not be subjected to your intrusions." "Didn't you hear what I said? You could have a Drow hiding in your forests!" For a moment, the cleric looked down and Trayla saw a splotch of her blood on the stony ground where she had climbed up into the tree. Frightened, she froze where she was. "That is doubtful. The Drow would avoid a place as pure as this. If you insist on finding this Drow attacker, perhaps you should try the roads where victims would be easier for her to find. Good day, Captain." Confused, Trayla craned her neck to watch as the cleric ushered the man he called captain and his men from the courtyard, latching the gate behind him. The monks went back to their pious work. She could not understand why the cleric had said nothing about the blood stain, but she was too tired and in too much pain to really care. Allowing herself to relax in the crook of the massive tree limb, she awaited the comfort and safety of darkness gingerly holding a rag to the open wound on her side. The sun moved across the sky and was soon setting, casting the world in the misty purple hues of dusk. Trayla watched as the monks and clerics went about their evening chores. When she was sure that they had retired for the night, she carefully and with great difficulty crept down from her high perch. A shallow stream wound its way past a small clearing within the temple walls, and while the clearing was brightly lit with torches, the banks of the stream were in blessed shadow. Just as Trayla started to sneak across the clearing, though, her sharp hearing picked up on the sound of a door opening and she ducked back into the shadows, not daring to try and climb back up into the trees. Trayla carefully slipped further into the darkness as a man came close to where she stood, and entered the clearing. In the light of the torches, she recognized him as the cleric who had turned the captain away. He did not seem to see her as he knelt in the center of the barren space, closing his eyes to the torch light. Tilting her head slightly, she strained to see his face and what he was doing. He seemed to be meditating, or praying. "Hello." Trayla jumped at the sound of his voice and slinked further back into the comforting darkness of the trees, ready to run although the pain in her side would undoubtedly slow her. The cleric had not moved a muscle and his eyes were still closed, but she took no chances. "You needn't fear me, all are welcome here." His voice was calm and soothing, but Trayla had met others like him before and when they saw her black skin and white hair, they hunted her until they could chase no more. But in spite of her better judgment she lingered, watching him carefully. "You have been hiding on our grounds here since the captain and his entourage chased you here this morning, why do you hide in the darkness?" In surprise, Trayla took a hesitant step forward, her voice thick with the lilting Coyote accent. "You saw my blood, why didn't you turn me in?" "If you had intended harm, you would have done some already. What is your name?" "Trayla." "'Trayla', a beautiful name but not of Coyote origin and unless I very much miss my guess you have a Coyote accent." "My mother was Coyote and I was raised among the Northern Packs." "Ah, I see. Then I am guessing your father was the Drow?" Trayla remained silent, watching the cleric intently with vivid blue eyes. "My apologies, I didn't mean to pry." Slowly, the cleric stood facing the direction Trayla's voice had come from, and put his hands out wide to show he held no weapon. "Truly, you have no need to fear me or any of the brotherhood. Won't you please show yourself. I have nothing against speaking to the trees, except when I'm not addressing them." Hesitantly, Trayla stepped from behind one of the massive trees, leaning heavily to the side, and waited. To his credit, the priest did not react in fear, although his eyes widened in surprise. He did not even back away when he spied the twin swords strapped to her back but smiled with a slight bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Trayla. My name is Dorian." It was then that he noticed the thick dampness on her side and the blood stained rag she held there. "You're injured." Dorian took a step forward and Trayla made a hasty retreat backwards. "Please, Trayla, allow me to help you. We clerics of the Temple of Ravens are very good healers." "Temple...of...Ravens." Trayla repeated the words slowly, remembering the two massive statues of stone she had slipped past when she had snuck into the temple. They had been graven images of birds that towered hundreds of feet over her head. She remembered the fear they had invoked in her, and shrank back. "Why is there a temple to them?" "The Temple of Ravens is a holy place for the dead. Ravens carry the souls of the dead into the afterlife." "A beautiful thought." Trayla closed her eyes to the sudden spinning in her head. She had lost a lot of blood and infection was beginning to set in. "One you will soon be experiencing if you don't allow me to help you." "I don't need help...I just need - " Trayla started for the stream but she fell forward to her knees, blackness swirling before her eyes. Dorian was by her side in an instant; rushing forward to catch her. When Trayla awoke, she was naked to the waist with her side tightly bandaged; a thin sheet covering her bare chest. Slowly, she looked around to find that she was in a small cell simply furnished with the bed she lay in, a wardrobe, a rickety wooden chair and a small table on which sat various items of healing - bandages, salves and the like. Thin beams of brilliant sunlight streamed through the cracks in the shutters on the only window. On the wall just above her head hung a small scroll depicting the face of a man with a long beard and one eye, two ravens sat before him. "Woden." "Yes, He is the God we serve here." Trayla clutched the sheet to her chest in surprise to find Dorian standing in the doorway holding a small tray. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you but I thought you might be hungry." The cleric motioned with the tray. "Yes, I am...a little." Dorian entered the room, letting the door swing shut behind him and set the tray beside her on the bed. His eyes avoiding her upper body. "Um...could I please have my shirt back." "It was almost rags and soaked with blood." The cleric went to the wardrobe and pulled out a white shirt which he handed to Trayla. "It may be a little big, but we have no sisters in this temple." Trayla did not care. She was glad to be dressed again, even if the shirt did slip off her shoulder. Dorian, she noted wryly, quickly turned his back and started for the door as she carefully pulled the shirt on over her wounded side. Accustomed to being alone, she was determined to let him go, planning to sneak away after she ate. But a part of her did not want to and before she could stop herself the words came tumbling from her lips, "Please. Don't go." Dorian stopped in the doorway, a curious look on his face and Trayla suddenly felt very self-conscious. "It's so rare that anyone is willing to talk to me." Shutting the door, Dorian sat down in the chair beside the bed, his arms resting comfortably on his knees, and waited. Being so close to him, the Drow half-breed could see his eyes were a dark blue-green and was surprised that she felt a heat in her cheeks when he looked at her. Avoiding his gaze, she looked up at the shuttered window. "Thank you." "As I recall, Coyotes are harmed by exposure to daylight, and the Drow aren't too fond of it either. Your body's fighting off infection as it is, I didn't want to make things worse. Besides, you needed your rest and the sunlight would have only woken you." "No...I mean thank you. I probably wouldn't have survived if you hadn't helped me." "You're welcome." "You've taken a great risk. Not just by trusting a Drow, but by turning that captain away. He didn't seem very happy about it." "Woden judges each of us on the right action of our minds and hearts. You've done no wrong here, it would have been wrong to turn you away in your time of need." Trayla hazarded a glance at the cleric. "I didn't attack the farm woman." "I didn't think you did." "How could you know?" Dorian motioned to the untouched tray of food. "You might want to eat it while it's still hot. It tastes better that way." His smile put Trayla at ease and she picked up the bowl of stew. The warmth felt good in her black hands and the smell was enticing but it was not until the warm broth touched her lips that she realized how hungry she was. She had to fight to keep from engorging herself. "You didn't answer my question." "It was a gut feeling and one should always go with one's gut instinct." Dorian winked playfully and Trayla hesitantly smiled, falling into a thoughtful revere. "It is strange, I have never heard of a temple dedicated to ravens." "The Ravens Hugin, Thought, and Munin, Memory are Woden's constant faithful companions to Woden who report back to Him all that is happening in the nine worlds. They represent deep magic, the mystery of the unknown, death and transformation, creation, healing, wisdom, protection, and prophecy. Ravens are sacred not just to those of us who serve the temple, but to many who follow other Gods." "What is it your Order does here? Besides heal wayward travelers of less than savory descent." Dorian laughed softly. "We live - we eat, gather food, worship our Gods and tend to those less fortunate than ourselves. It is against the ways of our Order to strive for more than is possible to attain, to fight over gold or land and kill each other in senseless battle." "But you can fight." Trayla eyed the cleric's build, the muscles of his arms showing the tempering of martial training even under the thick sleeves of his tunic. "Even the peaceful must be ready for battle, if only to maintain the peace they hold dear. I do not like to fight and avoid it whenever possible, but I will fight if I'm forced to." "I've never known peace." "I thought the Code of the Coyote People was much the same, only fighting in defense of themselves or others." "It is, but there's always someone attacking and so there is never peace." Trayla's tone was matter of fact, having long ago accepted this aspect of life particularly as a Drow half breed. For a long moment, she nibbled on a piece of bread shyly looking up at the cleric through a shock of her long white hair, staring at the tattoos that adorned his skin. She noticed there were more than those atop his head; bands of green knotwork ran down either side of his neck until they disappeared beneath his shirt. Catching her stare, Dorian grinned. "What?" "What are they?" She gestured to his head, and the cleric slid a hand over his scalp. "They're a symbol of my Faith in Woden and in the Endless Cycle - Birth, Death, Rebirth." "I've never seen tattoos before." "I thought I heard voices in here." Trayla jumped at the sound of the new voice and looked up to see a regal looking man with white hair dressed in a white frock and carrying a tall staff topped with a white stone. "Trayla, this is Corin, head of our Order." Corin smiled, though it hardly put Trayla at ease. There was a strong Divine Magick about him that she found intimidating. "I'm glad to see you awake, you had us worried for awhile, particularly Dorian." He smiled at the younger cleric who suddenly stood, excusing himself from the room. "I'd like to thank you...." "Corin, just Corin." "Corin, for you people's help and the risk your Order has accepted in taking me in. I won't be a bother and I shall be on my way as soon as I'm able." The wizened cleric put a hand up. "Please, please. I did not mean to give the impression that we were in a hurry for you to leave." "Nevertheless, I - " Corin sat down where Dorian had been sitting, a pleasant expression on his face. "Where will you go?" "I hadn't really given it much thought. Anywhere, I suppose." "If you have nowhere to go, you're welcome to stay here. You would receive room and board in exchange for for helping with the grounds and gardens." Trayla felt her clear blue eyes widen in surprise and her mouth fall open in shock. "I-I couldn't. I'm endangering the members of your Order just by being here. Why would you risk giving me sanctuary? I am no friend to you and you have no reason to trust me." "But we are friends to all." Corin smiled and stood. "Think on it as you rest and heal." For seven days and seven nights, Trayla thought on the offer made by Corin. Every day she would walk as far as she could before exhaustion overtook her and would watch with great curiosity the daily chores of the monks and clerics. At first she was careful to keep her distance, but soon grew comfortable in their quiet kindness and acceptance even daring to venture into the temple to listen to their chants and prayers. Having grown up among the relatively solitary Coyote People, such an observance was fascinating to her. Every evening, when he had finished his chores and prayers, Dorian would come to Trayla's room to speak with her. With rapt attention, she would listen as he recounted tales of Woden and his ravens and in return she shared legends of the Coyote People. Much against her will, regardless of the arguments of her reasoning, she found herself letting her guard down. She enjoyed the cleric's company and learning about his Order. Within the walls of the temple's grounds, she felt safe and accepted. Here she was happy. Which made her decision that much harder to make and she was grateful Dorian did not pry. On the seventh evening when he came to see her, Dorian did not find Trayla in her room but out in a small clearing in the garden. Surrounded by ancient dogwoods and willows, she wielded her thin twin swords with grace and poise. The fine blades glittered in the fading sunlight as the moved around her body in fluid harmony. She was well aware of the cleric's presence, but did not allow it to break her concentration on her practice of Joung Jouwa - the sacred ritual of her mother's people which attuned a warrior to the soul of its weapons of choice. It was a method which honed the deadly skills of its practitioners and at which she had become very adept. With eyes closed, she could sense each weapon's energy, an extension of her very essence. All were in balance: mind, body, spirit, weapon. Mesmerized by the smooth, slow, yet undeniably powerful, movements, Dorian lingered until she was done. "You must be healed to be able to hold such mastery in your practice." His soft voice sounded happy, but with an unmistakable undertone of sadness that could not be missed. Trayla glanced over her shoulder, her long white hair falling gently across her face hid half of her soft smile. With a wince, she sheathed her weapons and carefully made her way over to sit on the stone steps leading into the garden. Gazing up at the countless stars that filled the velvety night, she sighed deeply and nodded. "Yes, the wound is healed and I can move freely once more." Dorian sat down beside her, following her gaze. "They're beautiful." "Yes...they are." Slowly Trayla looked down toward the lightless horizon, though to her heat sensing eyes it was hardly devoid of light. "There is a saying among the Coyote People, that when two people are a part and look up to the night sky, they gaze upon the same stars and are never truly parted." "Then you have made your decision." "I had a dream....that everyone here paid for my presence. A portent, I believe, of what is to come if I remain. For the first time since I left my home pack, I have felt....like I belong. I care for everyone here and I cannot let...." Suddenly Trayla felt at a loss. It was too late, her heart was not hers anymore and unable to tell she stood. "I plan on leaving in the morning. I should go tell Corin." Avoiding Dorian's questioning stare, Trayla ran back into the building. The next morning, Trayla was up and dressed before dawn in the hopes of any long, sad goodbyes. Yet when she quietly crept out into the main courtyard, she found all the monks and clerics gathered, waiting for her. Slowly, she looked around at all those gathered, trying very hard to remember the faces of those who had touched her life. It was not long before her eyes fell on Corin and Dorian standing near the gate, a large brown horse saddled and waiting beside them. Shaking her head, Trayla approached confused but smiling. "What is all this?" Corin came forward, clasping her hands warmly in his. "You didn't think we would let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?" "I'm sorry I'm leaving but - " "I understand. We all do. Everyone must make their choices for their own path in this world, Trayla, and we respect yours." Corin motioned to the horse. "To help you on your journey. We don't have much but there's some food and supplies in the saddle bags it should be enough to get you through any hard times you may encounter." "I - I don't know what to say." Trayla turned to the gathered monks and clerics. "You all have been so kind to help me when my need was so dire. I could never thank you enough, how could I ever repay you?" "Do one thing for us when you leave these gates." Corin smiled slightly as he stepped back amongst the others. "Help someone else when their need is dire." "I will." Dorian smiled sadly as he handed her the reins. "I will miss our talks." "So will I." Trayla's voice was almost a whisper as she climbed up onto the horse's back, her eyes locking on her friend's dark blue green orbs. Yes, Dorian was her friend, though much more than that in her heart. "You saved my life and introduced me to a whole new outlook on what remains of mine. I could never show my gratitude enough." The cleric reached his hand up and slipped a small medallion on a long tether into her hand - two ravens carved on one side, two wolves on the other. "That you may always remember. May Woden protect you, my friend." Slipping the necklace over her head, Trayla smiled. "I could never forget." The large gate silently swung open and the Drow half-breed raced the horse out of the courtyard. One night after having been on the road for several days, a terrible and violent storm broke unleashing icy rain, powerful winds and terrifying lightning upon the land. Though Trayla had been avoiding roads and towns as much as possible, in the terrible tempest she sought shelter in a cliff side cave that overlooked a road leading to a small town in the distance. Sharing the small space with her horse, she had just set down to starting a fire when a scream cut through the storm's fury. Running to the cave mouth, Trayla allowed her vision to slip from the spectrum of visible light to that of the infrared and stared hard into the darkness. Squinting through the driving rain, she could see a small wagon under attack by bandits. Her first instinct was to ignore them. They were humans attacking humans and she really had no urge to expose herself for their sake, but Corin's words came back to her. She had made a promise - she would keep it. Drawing her twin swords, the Drow half-breed carefully made her way down to the wagon, her black skin allowing her to easily blend in with the night. As she neared the wagon she could see five men tearing into the cargo. A man lie face down in the mud, judging his quickly cooling form, dead. A woman huddled in the corner of the wagon cradling a small child in her arms. For a long while, Trayla patiently bided her time, but when one of the men approached the frightened woman un-fastening his belt, she had had enough. There were many ways she could go about this, she knew, but decided on the one that had the best chance of producing the least carnage. Lowering her swords until their tips gently touched the ground, she stood straight, her long white hair drenched from the rain clinging to her face neck and shoulders. In the night, devoid of light except from the lightning, her heat sensing eyes glowed a bright red. "One more step toward her, and you'll lose what little you have in those pants." All five men turned toward the voice with the glowing red eyes, daring to approach with weapons drawn. A streak of lightning tore across the sky, revealing her black skin and white hair and two of the men dropped their weapons and ran. Their three companions, however, stubbornly remained. The burliest of the three, the one she had addressed, sneered. "The cowards. We out number you, devil. You're caught and what a fine coin you'll bring." His two companions slowly surrounded Trayla, but she kept her eyes on the obvious leader. "Are you that much of a fool? You could walk away, right now with the loot you've already stolen. Why lose your life trying to take more?" The two men that had flanked her suddenly charged, their weapons at the ready. Taking a step forward, Trayla spun with the attack bringing her swords up to deflect their weapons while guiding the man on the left to strike his companion on the right. Without stopping she lashed out with one blade to catch one of the men in the lower back. He howled in pain and crumpled to the ground mortally wounded. The leader meanwhile suddenly whipped into action, running forward shouting a battle cry. Continuing with her spin, Trayla shoved the second man into the leader and took advantage of the distraction to jump back. At first she was confused as she watched the two men momentarily freeze until she realized what had happened. When she had shoved the man into the leader, Trayla had inadvertently shoved him into a waiting blade. Hardly stopped by grief, the leader yanked his sword from his companion's chest and rushed toward her. Spinning her swords easily in her hands, Trayla locked the hilts together in a "V" and snapped upward to meet her opponent's descending sword. Forcing it upward, the Drow half-breed lost no time in whipping her blades down and around each of them piercing a lung. With a gasp of surprise and horror, the leader dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, hands clutching his mortal wounds before he collapsed to his side, dead. The world seemed to stop and Trayla stood with swords lowered. The rain continued to pour down upon her bowed head, washing the brilliant red from her white locks and black skin. She was Drow, but she was also Coyote and she hated killing. A sharp crack of thunder tore her from her thoughts and in its resulting flash of lightning, she looked up to see the frightened woman and child staring at her in wide-eyed fright. It was the farm woman whose panic at the sight of her had nearly cost her her life. Trayla's calm voice belied her own surprise and fear. "Are you alright?" The woman only continued to stare. "I said are you alright?" Nodding in wide-eyed fright, she stood clutching her small child. "What devilry have you saved us for?" Trayla resisted the urge to roll her eyes in annoyance and whistled for her mount. Hoisting herself onto its back with ease, she turned it around to head away from the town in the distance. "Why?" It was not the question that stopped Trayla, but the emotion behind it - the same confusion that had been in her own voice when Dorian and his Order had saved her life. Looking back over her shoulder she answered simply, "It was the right thing to do." Again the Drow half-breed started to urge her mount forward when the woman's voice, catching from cold, or fear, cut through the raging wind and rain. "How can I ever repay you for saving my life and that of my child?" "Help someone else." "I will...the Order of Ravens." Trayla paused and looked back to see the woman hesitantly approaching. "My brother, is Captain of the King's Guard and as of yesterday's dawn he has been given authorization to destroy the Temple of Ravens in search of the Drow he knows they were giving sanctuary to. The King will not tolerate a Drow dwelling within his lands." Through the torrent of rain, tears poured from her eyes. "I'm sorry." Spinning her mount around, Trayla trotted up to her and reached down a hand, "Then help me save them." The woman shrank back a look of confusion on her face. "Your brother will not listen to me, but he may listen to you." Slowly the woman reached out and took the black skinned hand of the Drow half-breed. Trayla had seen war, she had seen the detestation and sorrow it wrought wherever it occurred, but nothing could have prepared her for the scene that welcomed her. Most of the beautiful forest that had once surrounded the Temple of Ravens was charred or still burning. Soldiers marched forward cutting a swath of murder and destruction through the forest, temple grounds, and the clerics and monks who stood to defend the sacred place. Passing between the two massive stone ravens that guarded the entrance, scorched black by forest in flames around them, the Drow half-breed saw the unmistakable stains of blood, a brilliant red against the black. Frantically, Trayla searched through the smoke and flames for the leader of the massacre. "Captain!" The noise of battle seemed to die down at the sound of her voice and an anxious silence reigned, broken only by the hissing roar of the fires in the rain and the moans of the dying. Slowly the man turned; the moment his eyes fell of the black skinned warrior pure hatred twisted his face into a grimace. Not giving him a chance to call to his men, Trayla turned her mount around so that he could see his sister and gently handed her down to the ground. "Brother, stop! Stop this madness!" Holding tight to her child, the woman ran to the captain. "We were wrong! We were wrong to judge her!" "How can you say that? She's Drow, and these men committed treason by giving her solace!" Much to Trayla's surprise the woman did not back down. "They saved her life and she saved ours!" The captain paused, the tension easing around him as his ambiguity grew. "Highwaymen attacked us, John was killed and we would have been killed too, or worse had the Drow not come along. Look around you, Brother, all this death for one who has done no wrong!" Trayla watched as the captain's shoulders slumped and he gently wrapped his sister in a tight embrace. The storm passed. The fires died. The sun filtered through the smoke, casting a hazy light upon the blood stained battlefield. Trayla walked among the gutted remains of the once humble buildings of the temple, the blackened skeletons of once lush trees and the bodies of men, so many she had known and many more she had not. Following the scraping sound of a shovel at work led her to the temple cemetery where the surviving members of the Order of Ravens silently buried their fellow clerics and monks along with the soldiers of the Captain's army. The Drow half-breed kept a respectful distance as she watched the care and observance taken with each burial. Dorian, she noted with relief, was among the survivors, his head bowed as he dug a new grave. Soot and blood stained his once white tunic, grief weighed heavily upon his once calm countenance. When all had been buried and many prayers had been said, the other clerics and monks moved on to other tasks, but Dorian remained. Leaning on the handle of his shovel, he knelt before the last grave and lowered his head in wordless communion. After much time had passed, the cleric raised his head to stare at the freshly turned earth. "You still hide in the shadows." "The shadows have always been my home, Dorian," Trayla answered quietly letting her graze drift over the countless grave mounds. "So many", she whispered then suddenly looked at him. "Corin?" "He is among the dead." "So many." "Too many for the sake of prejudice and irrational fear." "'Irrational fear'? Dorian, that isn't fair. The reputation of the Drow is well-earned and I can't blame others for the way they act when they see the color of my skin and hair." "That doesn't make it right. The unfair judgment of you brought about all this." "Do you regret your actions of that day?" Dorian fell silent for a moment before answering with so strong a conviction that Trayla was taken aback. "No, never once." Trayla struggled to regain her poise. "What will become of the Temple of Ravens now?" Sighing deeply, the cleric stood and faced her. Blood and soot smeared his face, his dark blue-green eyes looked weary from the long battle of the night and the sorrow found at its end. "We will rebuild and continue with our service." Dorian reached out a hand to her. "Will you stay this time?" "I will stay." Hanging back a moment, Trayla slowly slipped her slim black hand into his, smiling when she felt his fingers gently close around hers. Dorian, though exhausted from the fighting and sadness, managed the faintest of smiles in return. pb (0) Comments

Happy New Year! Posted 1/5/2008 8:36:08 AM How was everyone's New Year's? I hope safe and happy :) Mine was alright for having to be at work the entire night - LOL I've been busy tho... Been trying to work on "Wyvern" to no avail. Been trying to work on the "Shadow" book, again to no avail. Been trying to work on my short story, again again to no avail. Thank Heaven I have vacation starting tomorrow! :D Gads I hope I get SOMETHING accomplished! There's so much I want to write, but after work I just can't concentrate. Too busy wanting to go to bed! I'm still reading "Treason Keep", and enjoying the heck out of it! I think I'm going to tackle playing "Dungeon Siege - Legends of Arrana" but I fear it may have trouble playing on my computer just like "Dungeon Siege". I really need to either get a new PC or get this thing overhulled in a MAJOR way! Too bad I'm broke - LOL HOWEVER! On the bright side, and I know I'm probably the only one who is exicted about this, "In the Name of the King - A Dungeon Siege Tale" is coming out next week! YAY! *bounces up and down and runs excitedly all over the place screaming like a loon* I have been looking forward to this movie ever since I played the first game! - LOL - If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a HUGE Dungeon Siege fan - LOL (1) Comments

T'was the night after Christmas... Posted 12/26/2007 2:59:58 AM LOL - And I am stuffed! - LOL Oh the food! Tha laughs! The gifts! The food, again! - LOL Christmas turned out to be a blast! Hubby and I celebrated his birthday (which is Christmas Eve) before midnight and had lots of fun, then we ad out Christmas together. I got a saucer chair with which I am totally in love! - LOL I swear it's the most comfortable thing I've ever sat in! - LOL I'm a geek, I know - LOL A wonderful cobra liquid incense burner, a dragon one too!, some books by one of my favorite authors Jennifer Fallon, an absolutely beautiful wolf bowie with engraved blade and carved handle, a black blanket, a kitten blanket and best of all! (well, next to my chair ;) ) the soundtrack of the PC game American mcGee's Alice! :D Hubby got a brand new digital camera from me, some CDs and books from me. Then we went to my mom's for Christms dinner and ate ourselves silly on steak, mashed potatoes, rolled dates, pumpkin pie....dang there was so much! - LOL - And had mom open her gifts. Since she's an artist we got her a whole bunch of art supplies (hopefully enough to last her until her birthday at least! - LOL) a new blanket, the third Pirates movie :D and a couple of really nice shirts :) It was all so nice! A really peaceful wonderful holiday! It really turned out totally awesome! I really hope everyone's was just as blessed, peaceful and happy and I hope everyone enjoys a very happy, safe and blssed New Year! :D (3) Comments

Words! Words! Words!: A Yule Carol Posted 12/16/2007 9:46:22 AM Garith stood atop the highest tower of his massive castle and looked out at the burned and ravaged lands which he ruled unmercifully. An icy wind kicked up, whipping his long coat about his legs and tussling his dark brown hair but he did not notice. It was not being dressed entirely in lined black leather that kept him from feeling the cold, but the coldness of his heart. Dark shadows fell across his handsome clean-shaven face, but his piercing blue eyes, filled with furious hate, still shown clearly. Once again it was the dark of the year, the nights continued to grow and daylight to fade until Yule. It was the night before the Solstice and the world seemed to hold its breath in wonder as a bright full moon's light danced on the thick blanket of virgin snow that covered the landscape. Garith hated this time of year, long had it served as a bane to him and in all the lands he ruled he strictly forbade any celebration of the Holy Day. Any attempt to do so resulted in punishment most severe, for the practitioners and their village. But it was not always thus. There had been a time when he had practiced the pagan traditions of his forefathers. There had been a time when he believed in the ultimate and merciful love of the Divine. But no longer. Long ago Garith had loved a maiden named Eliana. A charming and graceful child of Nature, she had had no difficulty in capturing the human Sorcerer's wild heart and he courted her with pure intent. It seemed that not long after his wooing had won her love for him that the dark of the year came and with it a roving band of pagans of ill-will. Eliana had gone out to gather holly on Yule morning when she had crossed paths with the band and in her innocence and kind-heart she had offered them food. The pagans had taken the food and more, leaving her beaten upon a woodland path. Although in his love for her Garith had been able to grant Eliana the same eternal life and youth as he, the Sorcerer could not make her immortal and when he found her, all his magicks could not restore her to life. That day, as he had held her lifeless form in his arms, his heart turned cold. The Sorcerer fell into despair and sorrow, and turned from all who loved him, even his Gods, instead seeking out the darkness and shadows of his heart and worshiped it as his god. Garith lost himself to the cold, his warmth turning to ice and his kingdom with it. He became unfeeling to his people and condemned them, pagans all, to suffer for the crimes of those who had slain his love, the Lady Eliana. Remembering this loss, Garith started to turn away in disgust from the breath-taking sight before him when his eyes caught sight of a flickering light in the distance. "General!" "Yes my Lord?" "What is that?" Garith asked pointing at the flickering light far below, his blue eyes flared with an almost insane anger. "I-i-it looks like a bale fire, my Lord." "Douse it immediately. Destroy the home of those who sparked it, burn it to the ground, and capture the offender. Bring him to me." The General gave a curt bow and left the tower but Garith remained, glaring at the bale fire in the distance, his hands gripping the edge of the tower wall so tightly they bled for the gravel and sharp edges being ground into them. Unable to bear the sight any longer, the Sorcerer spun around and stormed off the balcony, down the long hall to his casting room slamming the heavy doors shut behind him. Struggling to control his temper, he faced the empty room, its walls and floor adorned with arcane symbols and dark runes. With a growl and a wave of his hand, fire seared the walls and along the floor following his every step to where he knelt at the room's center. Leaning forward with head bowed, he placed his hands flat on the cold stone and closed his eyes, chanting under his breath to the shadows and the darkness. "Come to me," he whispered. "Comfort me." The room became icy cold, a thick frost forming on the walls and floor, and even the flames cooled to nothingness. Flashes came into Garith's mind, images and sounds that only he could see and hear. Memories of why he hated Yule more than any other Sabbat of the year, and more so those who celebrated it. At the thought of Eliana, his heart ached. Hours passed before a servant knocked softly on the door, the sound tearing the Sorcerer from his meditations. Leaning back, sliding his hands gently across the floor, he opened his eyes and stared straight ahead, his breath visible as a thick smoke in the freezing room. "What is it?" "My Lord, General Arkon has returned with the offender." Garith smiled, a strange almost psychotic sight, and stood. Calm and completely in control, he slowly walked toward another door, "Have him bring the prisoner to the main hall."  The Great Hall of the Sorcerer's castle of ebony stone was cold and un-welcoming. A thick frost coated the walls and dangerous looking shards of ice hung from the high vaulted ceiling. There were no banners or adornments, no fires burned for warmth and no torches for light. The only illumination came from the cold moonlight seeping in the windows and reflecting off the frosty walls and floor. Here Garith sat alone awaiting his general. Resting his chin on his fist, he leaned forward upon his throne of velvet and onyx unmindful of the cold. The door at the end of the hall opened and a young woman hesitantly entered, being pushed along by prodding tip of the general's sword at her back. Her hands were tightly bound behind her and at the foot of the throne she fell to her knees. Surprised, Garith's eyes widened as he sat up straight and for a brief moment he did not know what to say. She was very pretty with long light brown hair and dark brown eyes that, despite her obvious fear, seemed to dance with an inner joy and light. Dressed in a plain dress of dark blue, undoubtedly the best a peasant could be expected to wear, it was not until he noticed the small sprig of holly fastened to the collar over her heart that Garith's eyes once again filled with their simmering hatred. "My Lord, this is the criminal who ignited the balefire. Garith slowly stood and walked down the steps of the raised dias that held his throne to the maid still kneeling on the floor. She did not look up, although her lord stood but a foot in front of her. Continuing to stare down at her, the Sorcerer dismissed his general and when they were alone, he finally spoke to the woman. "What is your name?" Shivering in the cold, the woman spoke in a soft voice, "Kian, my Lord." "Kian. Do you know the crime you committed in my lands?" "I have committed no crime, my Lord." "No crime?!" Garith he shouted as he grabbed Kian by the arm and hauled her to her feet. His cold gaze locked on hers. For a moment he paused, startled by the fact that she remained quietly determined and when he spoke again his voice was quieter and more controlled. "No crime." Letting her go, the Sorcerer tore the sprig of holly from her dress and threw it on the floor before walking away. His boot crushing the leaves and berries into the floor. "You ignited a bale fire, commenced the celebrating of Yule, even adorned yourself with a sprig of the sacred plant of the Sabbat. All crimes in my lands and such crimes warrant death." Kian returned her gaze to the floor, her voice soft and low, "Yule is a time for joy in the knowledge that the God shall be re-born of the Goddess. That the Sun's strength grows with each passing day and soon the warmth and blessings of Summer will return once more. There is no crime in celebrating the gifts of the Divine, my Lord." "Gifts?" Garith shouted. "Gifts? The Divine only takes, and allows Its followers to do the taking for Them. Pagans are criminals, and the practices of criminals will not be tolerated in my lands. General!" The heavy doors at the end of the hall swung open and the general entered, "Yes my Lord?" "Take this woman to the dungeon to await execution at dawn. Death by hanging." Kian looked up, fear plain in her eyes as a single tear trickled down her cheek. "I forgive you, my Lord." Garith's eyes locked on hers as she was led away and the heavy hall doors banged shut behind her and the general. He had never expected to hear such words. Taking a deep steadying breath, his eyes fell on the crushed sprig still laying on the floor. Walking over, he picked it up and looked at it in the moonlight. "Forgive me," Garith sniffed. Filled with anger beyond words, Garith clamped his fist tight around the crushed holly sprig in his hand. "I do not need your forgiveness, Kian." Throwing the sprig across the room, the Sorcerer collapsed to his knees confused and angry. Unable to understand how a woman he had just sentenced to death could forgive him. Deep in his heart he prayed to the darkness to comfort him.  Time passed, the moon moved lower to the horizon and clouds obliterated its light from the sky. The Great Hall of Garith's castle fell into total darkness and shadows creeped and crawled over the prone form of the Sorcerer laying on the cold stone floor where he had fallen into a deep and troubled sleep. Mist swirled in along the corridors and over the floor. Chilled, Garith opened his eyes to find the entire hall filled with a brilliant light and he sat up. With a wave of his hand he called for the darkness to return, but the spell failed to cast. Filled with anger, he scrambled to his feet and shouted, "Night come to me, darkness defend me!" "Do you fear what is in the light, Garith Forin?" The voice, soft and sweet, was unfamiliar to Garith and he squinted into the brightness trying to see the speaker. "I'm far from afraid of a disembodied voice. Who are you that dares to use my birth name?" "I have known you since before you were born, Garith Forin. I am one of few who has the right to call you by the name your parents gave you." The brightness faded to a dusky light and there stood a woman pale of complexion dressed in long flowing robes of white. She smiled faintly, "I am Bheith Falroid." Garith took a step back, "The Wandering Spirit. I don't believe it." The woman smiled softly, her large clear eyes tinged with sadness. "Just because you no longer believe in the Light, does not mean that the Light, and those who are of it, cease to exist. The Great Wheel turns, and all turn with it." "I care nothing for the Wheel, it's nothing but lies and deceit. What brings you from the realm of the Fae, Spirit?" "I have come to you this Yule Eve in answer to the prayers of your people. You were once just in your ruling of these lands but in your mourning and anger, you have gone mad in your thirst for vengeance. And your people have suffered for it, as has your soul." "My people are well cared for so long as they abide my laws." "So long as they give up their beliefs. You would have all pagans suffer for the crimes of a band of those with dark hearts so many years ago. Where is the justice in that?" "If you truly are Bheith Falroid then you are ageless and you know what those pagans did." Bheith's eyes filled with compassion and sympathy as she tilted her head, "Yes, I know. I know that those were black hearted pagans who committed the terrible act that cut the thread of life of you fair maid. I know how you fell into the cold embrace of Brón, of Sorrow. And I know how you have made your people, pagans all, suffer for their crimes ever since." Garith locked gazes with the Spirit. Her words had been true and a twinge of guilt sparked in his heart, but the Sorcerer would not let go of his anger, nor his hurt and his heart remained frozen.  Bheith Falroid reached out a slender hand to Garith, "There was a time, was there not, that you were true in your faith, as well as your love?" Garith glared at the Spirit, pulling away from her reach. "I do not ask for you to rekindle my faith. I am no longer a part of the Great Wheel." "But you are. So am I. So is the maid Eliana and the young woman you have sentenced to death. Do you think you are the only one who has lost a loved one at the hands of those professing religion? Look to your own dungeon, Garith Forin." Before the Sorcerer could react, the Spirit was at his side, a hand firmly clasped on his shoulder. There was a flash of light and he found himself standing outside a small hut in the middle of a raging blizzard. Bheith stood silently behind him. The bodies of a man and a woman cut to pieces lay motionless in bloodstained snow and men, well dressed for the weather, were tearing the hut apart and taking things from inside. Garith began to cast a spell but Bheith stopped him, "These are shadows of the past, Garith Forin. You cannot harm them nor they you." Garith glared at the Spirit, "Then why bring me here? Why show me the past?" "It is the past that governs your present, is it not?" Bheith turned and Garith followed her gaze to the site of a tiny silhouette huddled in the blowing snow. It was a child and the Sorcerer watched her coldly before finally walking over and kneeling down in front of her. Clad in rags, stringy brown hair clumped with blood and ice, teeth chattering, she lifted her tear-streaked face to him. "She can see me." "Of course. Children, Lord Garith, see beyond the restricted sight of adults." The little girl turned to look at the body nearest her, that of the woman, and whimpered, "Mama!" Rage filled Garith's heart when he saw the deep red stains on the skirt of the child's dirty dress between her legs. Standing, he started to go after the men but stopped when he felt a small hand tugging on his and looked down to find the child staring up at him with big brown eyes. When their eyes met, she tugged more insistently and the Sorcerer slowly knelt back down and she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. Garith froze. Unaccustomed to being around children in any form, he had certainly never been hugged by one and had no idea what to do. But his cold heart could not withstand the innocent warmth of the child's hug and he slowly wrapped his arms around her fragile little body.  Garith awoke with a start, sitting up he struggled to catch his breath. Wiping the cold sweat from his face, he rested an arm on his leg and turned to the silent figure standing in the far shadows of his bed chamber. "The rest of it was a dream, why couldn't you be?" Bheith Falroid smiled faintly, "A dream is what you think it was? Rest assured, Lord Garith, all that you saw occurred as you saw it." The Sorcerer swung himself around to sit on the edge of the bed, "I get it. A touching story to show me how one who suffered more than I retained her faith. But I'm sure she grew up to be a very different woman." "As I said, Lord Garith, all you have to do is look to your own dungeon." Bheith stepped to the side revealing a dungeon cell behind her, and Kian kneeling in the shaft of moonlight from the tiny barred window near the ceiling, arms out-stretched in prayer. "That child kept her faith, despite her horrendous tragedy and even now in facing death prays to the Divine for forgiveness...for you." Garith slowly stood and walked toward the scene before him, eyes locked on Kian. "She prays for me. Why does she bother? She doesn't know me; why should she care about my soul when she's the one about to die?" "She prays for you because she is about to die. Because she is part of the Great Wheel and she knows it, just as she knows you are a part of it as well. Heed my words, Lord Garith, turn your heart from the darkness you have so long served in your fruitless search for vengeance. It is not the path you are meant to be on." Bheith's voice began to fade and her form to disappear into the shadows leaving Garith alone in the cell with Kian. "How could you?" Though he had spoken quietly, Kian jumped up; smoothing her dress she curtsied with downcast eyes. "My Lord Garith, I didn't hear you come in." "I said, how could you?" "H-how could I what, my Lord?" "How could you keep your faith? After what the Divine allowed to happen to you? Those men who killed your parents, who stole your maiden virtue were pagans. They prayed to the same Divine as you and the Divine allowed them to do as they pleased. How can you continue to pray to Them? How can you still hold to your faith when it has brought you nothing but pain? Even now, you stand to face death because of it." Kian looked away. "Because when I had lost all else, my Lord, my faith was all I had left. If I had abandoned it because of the cruel deeds of other professing to be of the same faith, I truly would have lost everything." Suddenly she looked Garith directly in the eye, her voice stronger though no less quiet. "The Divine does not interfere in the affairs of mortals, my Lord. It is not by Their will that we maim and kill each other, but our own. So we must learn and grow and develop our own will in this world, choose our path and find our way to Their side at the end of our days. But They are never far, my Lord, for the Divine is always with us and within us. They guide us to right action, we need only to listen. They comfort us in our darkest hours, we need only turn to Them. Death is not an end, but a beginning." Garith never took his eyes from Kian's lovely face, even when she turned from him. He listened to her words reflected on all that she had said and all that the Wandering Spirit had told and shown him. Taking a step toward the peasant woman, he reached out a hand to gently caress her cheek and lift her face to him. For a long moment his cold blue eyes bore deeply into hers, her skin feeling so warm to his icy touch. "You really believe what you're saying." Kian, unable to avoid the Sorcerer's gaze, looked at him wide-eyed. "Yes my Lord, I do." The dungeon door creaked open and Garith's general approached the cell. "My Lord! I didn't know you were here. Dawn is breaking and I've come to escort the prisoner to the gallows." "You will not be escorting mistress Kian to her death." Keeping his eyes on hers, Garith slowly let his hand slide free from her cheek. "You will be escorting her to her home. Send word to all the reaches of my lands, the people are free to hold their celebrations without fear of retribution from me." Looking down and away, the Sorcerer gave a sharp wave of his hand and the cell door unlocked itself and swung open before the general could even remove his keys from his belt. From the corner of his eye Garith could see Kian staring at him but he did not look up. Reaching out his arm, he pointed "Go. You're free." When she hesitated, he spoke louder, "Go!" It was only after Kian ran from the cell that Garith looked up at his general, eyes flaring to find him still standing there. "What are you waiting for?" he growled. "I've given a command." Energy like lightning sparked around the Sorcerer's clenched fists as in his anger he prepared to cast a spell. Needing no more warning than that, the general quickly got over his shock, gave a quick bow and left the dungeon.  Alone Garith sat in his Great Hall, cold blue eyes unfocused as he found himself lost in memories. He hardly stirred from his revere as the joyous ringing of jingle bells woke the world to the new day and the new cycle of the Wheel of the Year. The peasants were celebrating the return of the Sun and of course their lord's acquiescence in their Yuletide observances. For so long those bells had been silent... But the Sorcerer took no note of such things as he sat surrounded by cold darkness, his mind lost to the memories of Eliana. Suddenly his vision snapped into focus as he saw her at the far end of the hall. She did not walk but seemed to glide toward him, her willowy figure draped in burial shroud. "Eliana?" Garith jumped to his feet and started to go to her but she stopped him with upheld hand. "My love, so long have you dwelled in mourning." Eliana's voice seemed faint and insubstantial, filled with sadness. "And so you have kept me with you - here on the Mortal Plane. My love, I beg you let me go that I may go on to the Summerlands, to my rest and my next life." "I can't let you go. I love you." "If you love me, then let me go. I will always be with you in your heart and memories, but you must release me and go on with living. There is so much left for you in this world, my love..." Eliana's voice became more distant as her form faded into the waxing sunlight shining through the massive windows of the Great Hall. "Do not surrender living, because I have died..." "My Lord?" Garith blinked his eyes and shook his head, realizing Kian had slipped into the hall. Fighting to regain his composure, he stared at her. She looked lovely in the morning light. Dressed in a long dress of a deep green, her hair cascading down her shoulders adorned with tiny sprigs of holly. "How did you get in here?" Kian stepped forward shyly. "M-my Lord, all your guards and soldiers are celebrating the Yuletide with friends and family. It was not difficult to slip past those who remained at their posts." "Why have you come?" "To thank you, my Lord...for sparing my life." Garith stared in shock, speechless. Gratitude was something he had not expected. "What did you say?" "Th-thank you, my Lord." Kian paused a moment before suddenly blurting out, "And to ask you....will you not come and join in the gaiety?" Garith fought to hide his surprise. "I don't share in the Yuletide, Kian, I have no reason. I'm not a part of it, nor is it a part of me." Kian looked up at him, an unreadable expression in her large brown eyes and the faintest of smiles on her lips. "But it is, my Lord. And you above all are welcome to festivities, though I cannot force you to believe it." Curtsying once more, Kian remained bowed while Garith, still in shock, silently watched her admiring her beauty, beauty he had not previously noticed. Finally he dismissed her with a wave of his hand and Kian left the Great Hall with only a glance over her shoulder as shut the door behind her. Long after Kian had left him, Garith sat in silence mulling over all that had happened to him. He thought on all Bheith Falroid had told and shown him and more than once his thoughts drifted to Kian who had suffered and lost so much, but had remained steadfast in her faith even in the face of execution. Covering his face with his hands, the Sorcerer started to breath deeply but stopped and looked at his hands. They were shaking, his whole body was shivering. He was freezing; he could feel the cold, cold he had not felt in many long years.  Shadows shifted and the wind changed. Tiny shards of ice rained down in a tight circle, faster and faster until it formed a solid sheet of ice before slowly thinning into nothingness, leaving Garith standing in its wake. For a long moment all was silent and still, then the bitter north wind blew down from the mountains, kicking the Sorcerer's long duster back from his body as he stood, arms down at his sides and head lowered. Blue eyes staring on the ground before him. Questioning himself as to why he had come, he slowly looked up at the grove filled with a warm light just ahead of him. It had been many years since he had seen last seen a Yuletide celebration much less attended and he kept to the shadows as he approached. From their safety, he stood in silence and watched the festivities. All about there were trees hung with coins, nuts, tassels of red ribbon and tiny bells. Boughs of yew, rowan and holly adorned the benches and tables filled with mutton, leg of lamb, goose, pork, and beef, Yule breads, porridge, apples, sweets and nuts and kegs of Yule ale. Along the edge of the grove dozens of torches burned brightly in the growing darkness and at the center the Yule log threw flames high into air. Around it gathered men, women and children from the many small villages, dancing, singing and making merry in every way. Without realizing it Garith smiled at the sight, bathed in the warmth not only of the fires but of the joy of those around him. Leaning against the trunk of a tree, arms folded comfortably across his chest, he watched and listened from the safety of the darkness, the walls of ice that had surrounded his heart for so long, beginning to crack and crumble. Distracted by the joyous view before him, Garith did not notice the shadow approaching at his side until he felt the faintest of kisses on his cheek. Jumping in surprise he turned to find Kian standing beside him, her own cheeks a bright crimson. "Forgive me, my Lord, b-but I would have been amiss." She looked up and Garith followed her gaze to the cluster of mistletoe on a branch over his head. With an elegant bow, Kian smiled softly, "Merry Yule, my Lord." The Sorcerer looked back at her, a genuine smile on his lips - the first in many long years, "And to you." Returning his gaze to the gathering before him, he continued to smile to himself as a strange sort of peace and comfort washed over him. Kian gently placed a hand on his arm, "Come, my Lord, join us in our celebrating." Garith hesitated a moment before stepping into the brilliant light of the gathering behind Kian; and everything stopped as all eyes stared at him in apprehension. Ignoring the stares, he walked over to a nearby keg of Yule ale and poured a mug which he held aloft to those gathered around him. "I owe you my apologies and regret my actions of Yules past. I ask the forgiveness of the Divine and of all gathered here." Silence reigned briefly before the entire grove erupted in cheers of, "Skål! Skål!" A minstrel began to play his flute and soon others joined and laughter, music and song filled the grove once more and Garith took part in the feasting and dancing, and even the tale telling and from that Yule onward was a changed man. His faith restored, he realized the truth of what it meant to have it and swore he would never let go again. pb (0) Comments

WOOHOO! Posted 12/10/2007 1:43:00 AM This has been an AWESOME week! Surprising, no? - LOL I've been working on writing a LOT lately and I even got a chance to finised all the holiday decorating AND watch "At World's End"! Huzzah! - LOL I know I can't possibly be the only one who loved the PotC series. I loved all the movies and thought they were all great When hubby and I watched "At World's End" the other night we thought it was SUPER. Very much impressed! I loved that Barbossa was a major player (he's my favorite character from the Trilogy :) ) It was such a great movie, I can't get over it! - LOL But I liked the other two movies too! Davy Jones was scary and Jack is so funny in the movies....for a Disney movie the PotC Trilogy turned out REALLY fantastic! - LOL - Another thing I really liked about the movies is that women played some pretty awesome parts really believably, instead of being "damsels in distress". It's kinda funny, but for all the humor and fiction, the moves were really realistic and believable - SO COOL! My favorite parts/quotes would have to be...well, I'd have a hard time narrowing my favorite scene down to one from At World's End so I'll settle for two. When Marty fires the shotgun and gets blown backward by it into the hole in the floor and when Barbossa is marrying Will and Elizabeth while all three of them are fighting. "You may kiss....you may kiss....-JUST KISS!" Quote: "I have no sympathy for any of you feculent maggots and no more patience to pretend otherwise. Gentlemen, I wash my hand of this weirdness." (Jack) And of course - "Nobody move! I dropped my brain." (Jack)....that line had me in hysterics....maybe because I've been there once or twice myself - LOL Okay....I've run on enough I suppose (for now :D ) Still, I really enjoyed the movie and getting all the decorating done and getting writing done to boot! All in all, this week has been pretty darn great :D (1) Comments

SWEET! Posted 12/4/2007 10:38:38 AM Well, our Thanksgiving with my mom turned out AWESOME! Hubby made a FANTASTIC turkey and we all ate waaaaay too much and watched "Mr. Bean's Holiday". That movie was SO funny! - LOL I really enjoyed it and had a wonderful time...I'm so glad my depression let up before then. Now! It's on to Yule! Hubby and I have to work that day, but we plan on having a small ritual and a nice dinner anyway. I even had a chance to get some riting and graphics stuff done! :D I'm VERY happy about that. To top it all off, I got some Christmas shopping done and my mom and I plan on going to the city week after next to finish up. PLUS! I got "At World's End" today! *does celebratory dance all around* I LOVE the POTC movies and I have yet to see this one....I'm hoping to have a chance to see it over my nights off....I can hardly wait! My favrite character's back - Barbossa! *evil laughter* This movie looks SO good, I just can't wait to see it!:D (1) Comments

Tired Posted 11/27/2007 8:27:25 AM What a night at work! This is by far the worst I've had, my manic depression's just been really bad this week and last night it seems to have just hit the all time blow out. I broke down crying twice, couldn't get warm. I've felt like I've been in shock the past 24 hours. I hate feeling likes this. Granted I hate the way meds make me feel too, but this is sometimes just as bad if not worse. I wish I could feel better....maybe I'll watch some cartoons. believe it or not....it sometimes works and alwys helps. I just can't seem to climb out of this pit. I know I need to just let it run its course....but it's not that easy. I think I'm going to go to bed, too. That helps a lot sometimes, even more than cartoons. Odd, isn't it? But it can't be helped. I just hope I'm feeling better by tomorrow, since that's when we're having our Thanksgiving with my mom. I don't want to not be able to enjoy dinner! (1) Comments

*jaws theme plays in the background* Posted 11/19/2007 8:23:03 AM You know what that music means....it's coming....BLACK FRIDAY! *screams* I'm sure it's great for all of you people who take advantage of the great deals, but speaking as a retail stocker....it's a flippin' nightmare. Working third, we ALL have to work Thanksgiving night to set it up. I'm not looking forward to it one iota. But on the bright side, I AM looking forward to my Thanksgiving with my hubby, which we're having tomorrow night beause the real Thanksgiving is going to be screwed up. But that's okay, because the whole idea of the holiday is what you feel and not a date on the calendar, right? And next week we're going to have our Thanksgiving with my mom.....we're going to be eating a LOT of turkey! - LOL I'm glad I love it as much as I do! I'm also glad I'm doing the cooking for hubby and me and HE's doing the cooking for the family - LOL I also have a lot of creative stuff I want to get done. Some more editing, wriing, and graphics....but I doubt I'll be getting it done this week - just because I'm going to be so busy as it is. I look forward to the next week just because it's going to be reletively slowed down! - LOL Still, so far life's been good BTW - me for Halloween http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5177/aliweenuj7.jpg (2) Comments

A loooooong week! Posted 11/5/2007 8:05:46 AM Well, this has been a heck of a week. Firstly, I had a pretty good Halloween at work. Dressed up as a demented Alice and had loads of fun with the underaged customers - especially since I worked toys that night - LOL Gave out lots of taffy. Then hubby and I had a great time surprising my mom. We all watched "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" and ate tons of spaghetti. The down side was the next night one of out beloved feline famiy members passed away. It was a terrible surprise and totally unexpected. He was nine years old and we miss him a LOT! Fluffy was a real character and a total nutcase. Getting over his death is going to take while. I'd like to end my entry on a positive note though. Hubby and I finally got a chance to watch "Transformers" and it was AWESOME! I'm REALLY looking forward to the sequal. I got a SUPER kick out of it, even if I thought it could have used a lot more Decepticons and Autobots and a lot less humans. But that was always my complaint about the cartoon too - LOL Still I loved the humor and action in it. Frenzy was hysterical! I plan on trying to get more writing done. I've got several ideas floating around my beady little brain and I hope to cultivate them to fruition - LOL (2) Comments

Merry Samhain! Posted 10/30/2007 7:16:47 AM I just wanted to wish everyone a very safe and happy Samhain (Halloween). May it b blessed and bright and filled with delight! :D THE EVENING OF SAMHAIN Author Unknown 'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place were Pagans preparing the ritual space. The candles were set in the corners with care, in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there. We all had our robes on (as is habitual) and had just settled down and were starting our ritual when out on the porch there arose such a chorus that we went to the door, and waiting there for us were children in costumes of various kinds with visions of choc-o-late bright in their minds. In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot, but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT), And so, as they flocked from all over the street, they all got some chocolate or something else sweet. We didn't think twice of delaying our rite, Kids just don't have this much fun every night. For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick of giving a choice: a treat... or a trick! As is proper, the parents were there for the games, Watching the children and calling their names. "On Vader, On Leia, On Dexter and DeeDee, On Xena, on Buffy, Casper and Tweety! To the block of apartments on the neighboring road; You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!" The volume of children eventually dropped, and as it grew darker, it finally stopped. But as we prepared to return to our rite, One child more stepped out of the night. She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen. Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist. She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face. No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch, so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch. And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom; I only use that thing for cleaning my room. My magical powers aren't really that neat, but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat. We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones, A candle, a crystal, a few other stones, And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van). She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan) and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed," and started to leave, but she first turned and said "I'm sorry for further delaying your rite. Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night." (1) Comments

Words! Words! Words!: Been busy...sort of Posted 10/23/2007 9:41:06 AM Well, I've been busy with playing around with graphics.....REALLY busy - LOL Just in the mood to play with pictures I guess. I hope to get back to my writing soon.....I have a lot of ideas for my Shadow Book. The plot has finally clarified itself for me so I'm really excited about that and looking forward to getting back to working on it. I'd also like to get back to my Wyvern serie but...one thing at a time. One thing I REALLY need to do though is watch "Transformers"! I grew up addicted to those guys and can hardly wait to see the movie! Hubby surprised me with it Friday and I haven't had the time to watch it yet! It's driving me nuts! - LOL See? work always gets in the way of having fun! - LOL Still, it's something I'm looking forward to....REALLY looking forward to! I love Transformers and from the few trailers I got to see, this movie ROCKS! I can hardly wait until I'm awake enough AND have the time to see it! :D (1) Comments

I walk away Posted 10/19/2007 7:22:15 AM I walk away from my vacation with a distinct sense of accomplishment. I have finally finished the adult fairy tale I've been working on - "Aidwyn and the Goblin King". I feel so wonderfu about this work, it really turned out fantastic and I am truly satisfied with its outcome. I've also gotten some work done on my other stories/books and evn though I didn't get much graphics work done, I still am very pleased with what I HAVE accomplished this vacation. The next step with "Aidwyn and the Goblin King" is of course to attempt publishing.... *sigh* (2) Comments

Breast Cancer Awareness Posted 10/12/2007 7:47:46 AM THE FACTS: Each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition. Now you know the facts. Just wanted to remind all you ladies, and you guys to remind the ladies in your lives - Be aware and support the Cause! For more info and more ways to help: http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2 Girly glitter comments from www.GirlyTags.com (0) Comments

Back to the norm Posted 10/6/2007 8:59:32 AM Life seems to have gotten back to "normal"...for me at any rate. I plan on getting back to editing Book One of the "Wyvern" Series. I've finally figured out what's bothing me about it, but I'm not going to rush anything. Every time I do, I end up screwing things up! I think I'd have a heart attack if I screwed up all that hard work! *faints at the thought* I finally watched another movie! YAY! *does happy dance* Watched "Blades of Glory" the other day - it was HYSTERICAL! I loved it! VERY funny! And suprisingly a little touching too. Really great movie :) Even if it did gross me out a little :P But that's okay. What's life without little grossness, right? - LOL Have vacation coming up starting next week (10/12-10/19) and can hardly wait! Don't know what I'm going to do but I'm going to enjoy it! :D (0) Comments

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BUY!!!! Posted 9/27/2007 6:10:55 AM This was posted in my forum and I thought it disturbing enough to share. What are people thinking who do this? Are they nuts? Or just greedy? Who could be capable of something so disguisting? Anyway, here's the article; what do you think about it? {{Originally posted by Khaxzan on the Halls of Roramin}} THE truth about this life-like cuddly toy will shock animal lovers the length and breadth of the country. It was bought in Scotland and appears to be a cute kitten, curled up asleep safe and sound in its wicker bed. But this “kitten” is made from the fur of REAL dogs — farmed in horrendous circumstances in China and slaughtered for their pelts. Some are skinned before they are completely dead. The horrific discovery was made by Scots MEP Struan Stevenson (pictured left), who bought this particular toy from a souvenir shop in Shetland. It was labelled “Made in China”. Small print on the reverse of the label described it as an “animal by-product”. We found similar items in a number of shops in Glasgow. Souvenir shops Mr Stevenson says this and similar toys are in gift and souvenir shops around Britain and Europe. Ironically, they’re a firm favourite with pet lovers unaware of their true origins. Pelts are often mislabelled, says Mr Stevenson, so retailers will innocently stock them and customers have no idea what they’re really made of. Identical toys, bought in Holland, were tested for DNA by the Academic Medical Centre of Amsterdam. Results proved conclusively that they were made of dog hair. Mr Stevenson has been tirelessly campaigning for years to put an end to the European market for the remains of dogs and cats farmed in China. The USA has already banned the trade, following an 18-month undercover investigation conducted by the Humane Society International in Communist China. They documented the brutal lives and cruel deaths of more than two million dogs and cats in Asia each year — killed solely for their skins. Since then, Asian exporters have turned to Europe as a market for their products. As well as fur products, dog skins are also used as shoe leather or in some dog chew toys — which means domestic pets may be eating the skins of other dogs. Richard Swain, the Humane Society’s undercover investigator and a former Maryland police captain, said, “Make no mistake about it, this fur is being sold throughout Europe. In China I have seen warehouses the size of football fields piled to the ceiling with dog and cat fur waiting to be exported to the West.” Massive scale Struan Stevenson continued, “This is the evidence I have been waiting for. It confirms without a doubt that the appalling trade in cat and dog fur has penetrated the European market on a massive scale. “Since the USA banned all cat and dog products, Europe has become the new dumping ground. Italy has banned cat and dog imports and it is about time other EU member states followed suit. “I will be writing to Commissioner David Byrne demanding he apply an EU-wide ban on these products. I will be sending him the latest scientific evidence as well as a copy of The Sunday Post to convince him to act now.” http://www.buyhard.fsnet.co.uk/dogskintoy.jpg read more on the sickening crisis of cat & dog fur trade: http://www.buyhard.fsnet.co.uk/animalcruelty.htm#mccartney PLEASE PUT GIVE THIS INFORMATION TO AS MANY FORUMS AND COMMUNITIES AS YOU CAN! (3) Comments

Yes! I'm still alive! Posted 9/26/2007 10:37:52 AM Yes, folks....I'm still alive and kickin' though I know I've been conspiuously absent of late. So much going on....and still so much to do! With worries and whatnot I think I've actually blown a circuit or two. But I AM still around and, without going too much in depth on the negative, on the positive side I've been writing quite a lot. A little bit here, a little bit there but mostly on a story some of you may know as "The Goblin King". In fact I'm so near the end I can almost taste it, but I fear I've run aground again a bit so I'm going to take a break for awhile and then go back. Hopefully with a fresh perspective and some new ideas. I've even been playing around with graphics a little lately and have created a few things :) But for now...I think I'm going to try and catch up on my usual internet hangouts. Try anyway :P (1) Comments

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General Comments who_am_i Posted 6/11/2008 10:52:13 AM hugs cuz u r the best who_am_i Posted 6/5/2008 1:03:42 PM its good to say hi. (hugs) who_am_i Posted 5/29/2008 11:48:49 AM stopped in 2 say hi n give hugs ((hugs)) Deej Posted 5/18/2008 5:45:32 PM Hey - I found a WYSIWYG site builder and I'm up and running. Easy as pi. (3.14) who_am_i Posted 5/12/2008 1:19:29 PM sending warm thoughts and (((hugs))) hope ur hubby is better. happy mothers day. Janis Posted 5/10/2008 8:27:06 PM I am taking a race break! The day... I am not sure that the day is going to be good!Dang Kyle B! Deej Posted 5/10/2008 2:31:25 PM Long time, no see. I've been building and launching a web site - how crazy! uniepoo Posted 5/10/2008 9:09:40 AM Thanks for the beautiful comment. Hope all is well with you.. I've been absent for awhile, things should get better soon. Janis Posted 4/23/2008 6:13:25 PM I was going to join the hate Kyle club if he knocked out Pruett last week...especially after Montoya did it last year! This week should be good! aussierose53 Posted 4/21/2008 10:50:00 PM Janis Posted 4/16/2008 8:16:38 PM Are you a Nascar fan? aussierose53 Posted 4/4/2008 8:17:07 AM Your page is so beautiful :) who_am_i Posted 4/1/2008 6:47:02 AM haPPY appil fools!!! Janis Posted 3/31/2008 5:48:29 PM One thing you can never have too many of are friends! aussierose53 Posted 3/29/2008 7:27:01 PM Girly Comments & Graphics Arsham Posted 3/12/2008 5:44:01 AM hi thanx for message :) Mistletoe Posted 2/23/2008 1:37:12 PM Hey! Happy Birthday! :o) Deej Posted 2/11/2008 12:59:34 PM Thanks for the cute kitties. I haven't told you yet how much I love your new avatar, but I suspect you guessed as much without me telling you. :) who_am_i Posted 1/30/2008 9:29:23 PM what would give u that idea that i hate winter? who_am_i Posted 1/22/2008 9:18:34 AM have a great week Please login to post a comment.