NaNoWriMo (Day 15 of 30) "Strangers in the Dark" (44,621 words left)

Today was a good day.  I got two checks today--one for my jewelry that I have been selling on consignment and one for a project I did for the Chamber a few weeks ago! I got two calls about interviews for possible full time jobs!!! I got an email about a temp job for 3 months next year if nothing else pans out! I finished my paperwork for working at Express for Black Friday! I bought the final Harry Potter movie! AND I was able to write for NaNoWriMo! All in all, good times.

Strangers in the Dark

(Chapter Two Continued)

      It wasn’t the night that had me ready to jump out of my own skin, but the day. It was the longest day I have ever had to bare in my eighteen years of life. I wanted it to be over so badly. I wanted the sun to go down and release me from this lit prison. My fingers throbbed as I continued to tap them against the arm of the chair I had been sitting in for the last six hours.

“Can’t sit still for one minute, can you?” I looked over at Kale. I didn’t know how long he had been standing there, looking over me as I allowed all my nervous energy to consume me.

“You’re teasing me, right?” I knew what it was like to have a sibling. All they did was mock you in the most loving way possible.

“Yes. I know this is not the most appropriate time to lighten the mood, but it looked like you needed it.”

I laughed a bit. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Will it help to go over your plan with me? I’ve been told I am an excellent strategist.”

“Only when we are playing Monopoly, Kale,” Nora teased.

“I am the king of hotels.”

“I appreciate all of your help, but I don’t think there is anything else you could do. I know I’m not prepared for this. I don’t think anyone would be.”

Kale and Nora seemed to agree, but there was a strange look on both of their faces. They looked at one another, and in a moment, I could tell an entire conversation had occurred between them. My mom and dad used to have the same kinds of conversations. It just showed how much they knew about each other, how close they were. Kale and Nora had the same vibe. “We may have one thing that could prepare you a bit more,” Kale finally announced. “But it also may be a bit scary for you. However, we feel it may be entirely necessary for your safety, especially after what happened last night.”

     “Okay, what is it?” I asked, more curious than nervous.

Kale once again retreated from the room, this time to return with a small black case about the size of a lunch box, except there wasn’t a thermos and sandwich in this lunch box. “This is a semi-automatic handgun. I’ve owned a gun almost all my life and I’ve taught Nora how to shoot properly and effectively in the last year or so. I guess you’ll just have to get the quick lesson.”

“Whoa, hold on a minute! Who said anything about me shooting a gun? I’ve never…”

“I figured, but you’re going to have to learn if you’re planning on going up against even one Recruiter. Last night, almost every single one of those people had a gun or some lethal weapon on them. As much as they want to recruit new people, they really aren’t very concerned about sparing lives.” Kale was becoming heated, but he took a breath and looked me straight in the eye. “Just because you own a gun, does not mean you will ever have to use it. And even if you do have to use it, does not mean you have to kill the person you are using it on. Self-defense is the only reason to ever use it—when it comes down to your life or the life of someone you love.”

I paused, thinking about how unreal my life suddenly seemed. At the time, I was more likely to believe I was having a nightmare, or was stuck in a video game or teen novel. But the truth was that it was all real, and Kale was right. I was going up against people who didn’t care one lick about my life. “Teach me.” (639 words)

NaNoWriMo (Day 14 of 30) A Busted Day (??? words left)

Today was a productive day. I just didn't get to work on what I would have liked to have worked on. I did finally get the chance to turn my blog into an app (directions in the previous post or at the bottom of my blog, along with my QR Code), I completed yet another application for the screening process for a job I am trying to get, and I ALMOST finished all the contact entries I needed to add to the Chamber's website. I would have had all of them if for the last hour an wrror message didn't go up every three entries or so, forcing me to redo the entire entry. Eventually, the error message flashed every time so I'm waiting until the morning to complete the project. Anyway, with all that going on, plus the millions of times I was interrupted by my phone or a family member, I was unable to write ANYTHING today. I'm just not giving myself very many days off to work on it. I know I won't make my word count, but I do hope to keep writing every day, if possible. Never fear, I should have more tomorrow, although it could be late. Tomorrow is another HUGE day!

Comic found here: http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/archives/2009/Aug/

IT WORKED!!! My blog has it's own app!

Here's the deal! You can create an app for your blog to be used on either iphone or droid, and the best part, it's free!
First off, come and get my app! The first thing you have to do is go to your app store and down load the Bloapp (it's also free.) Or, you can visit either of these links and download it onto your computer to later sync with your phone...
1) iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/my/app/bloapp/id436962200?mt=8
2) Android app: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.infindo.bloapp.activities
After you have downloaded the app onto your phone either search for my blog Who's Your Editor?, or scan my QR code to the right here ---->

Now, you have my blog app on your phone!!!
Secondly, how do you get your own app for your blog???
Just visit this website...http://www.bloapp.com/index..., click sign up now, follow the easy directions, and I will be more than happy to get your app as well!
Looking forward to seeing all your blogs in app form!!!

HEY! There's an APP for that! ("That" being MY BLOG!)

Yes, that's right! I am currently trying to build an app for my blog!

I was playing with my phone the other day, after an entire afternoon/night of trying to update itunes and my phone (thank you very much MAC! You're an absolute joy to work with...NOT!!!) But, it did update and I remembered why I love my phone. Then, I thought, I need an app for my blog. I got more serious about the idea and began to wonder if it was actually possible and FREE to do.
So far, so good! I have found a couple of websites that say it is possible. So, I am going to try a few different ways of doing it and hopefully I will have something up and running soon. Maybe even TODAY!!! Then, I can share my blog app with all you iphone/droid/??? users in a whole new way. Plus, I will tell you how to do it yourself so you can try it too!

I hope it works! Cross your fingers for me!

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" Movie Review

I finally got a chance to see it! I wasn't surprised when I saw that there was another Pirates of the Caribbean, especially after the way the last one ended, and the fact that there was a stinger at the end of the movie (not always a definite indication of a sequel, but a pretty good one.)

As a short summary and with few to no spoilers, this movie follows Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Black Beard (Ian McShane), Anjelica (Penelope Cruz), and the Spanish Prince discover the existence of the fountain of youth. There's more pirates, but also zombies and mermaids!!!
I enjoyed the fourth installment, perhaps even more than the third, that just got too weird for me. I LOVED the mermaids, so pretty, but so deadly. I didn't care much for the zombies, there didn't seem to be a reason for them to be zombies and not just regular men. I actually enjoyed whatever tensions was going on between Jack and Angelica, and I thought the little romance between the young man and mermaid was cute, but unfinished, frankly ignored at the end. The effects were fantastic. The music was spectacular as always, Mr. Zimmer. And the costumes and makeup were inspired. A good addition to the series.

Plus, don't forget to stay tuned after the credits because, you guessed it! There is another stinger!
I also thought I would add a link to the website Media Stinger. If you are one of those people who loves to see the stinger, but never knows what movies even have one, then this is the site for you. I bookmarked the website in my phone and every time I go to the theater to see a movie, I open the website to check whether or not I need to stay through the credits or not.

NaNoWriMo (Day 13 of 30) "Strangers in the Dark" (46,606 words left)

It's raining, a lot. A great day to hang with friends and watch movies. We watched the new Pirates of the Caribbean and now we are on I Am Number 4. Here and there, I have picked up my computer to write a bit. Here's what I got.

Strangers in the Dark

(Chapter Two Continued)

“I have to go find them, Nora. You have to let me go.”

“You’ll wait until dark,” Kale announced as he entered the room with a small black back pack. “Here.” He handed it to me. “There is enough food and water to last you a week if you are careful enough with it.”

“You don’t have to do this. I had a bag, back at the barricade. I can return and get it. Or, I can return to my house and try and find something.”

“I’m sure the Recruiters have confiscated everything that was left behind at the barricade. Apparently, they have a lot of mouths to feed.”

He was probably right, so I thanked him and took the bag. “I should go now, though. The longer I wait, the farther away they get from me.”

“No, you’ll wait until dark. From what little I know about the Recruiters, they like the light, to show off their numbers. They have the appearance of being without fear, but I’m sure there are plenty of weak links. After all, they are mostly made up on anxious, kidnapped children. Where is your house?”

“Just a few blocks from here, I believe.”

“Good. You should be safe there then. The Recruiters are mostly based in the center of the city. Their numbers will be the most concentrated there. Rumors are that they are building a wall, claiming their territory, keeping the outsiders out. Who knows what else they are planning there. Your best bet is to get out of the city all together, as soon as you can. Nora and I are heading north. The farther away from here the better. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Thank you, but I can’t”

“I understand. Nora and I will stay with you until dark at least. Best get some shut eye. It’s going to be a long night for all of us.” (319 words)

I'm sure I'll write more which I will either post later today or tomorrow. See ya!

The Thunder Down Under!

Yes, this is what I did last night. I went to go see The Thunder Down Under. Just a bunch of very sexy Australian Men strutting their stuff. It was so much fun! I went with my best friends Morgan and Sarah, and my mom and Morgan's mom. It was at the casino so we went early, ate, had some drinks, and gambled. The concert started around 8 and went until 10 or so. The guys were in all sorts of ridiculous costumes, they danced, pulled women up on stage, and then stripped down to their pants or briefs and went dancing in the crowd. My mom and Morgan got kisses on their cheeks and Sarah was hugged and picked up. It was hilarious! At the end, they had a photo shoot and we all got in on it!

That's Morgan on the left, Sarah to the right, and me in the middle, surrounded by the six men of the show. They were all so nice. lol. The girls and I already decided that the next time they were here in Michigan again we would go. Just too much fun!

NaNoWriMo (Day 12 of 30) "Strangers in the Dark" (45,645 words left)

Another beautiful day off. Everything in my back yard froze over last night and the frost was twinkling in the moonlight. Then, when I woke up, it was sunny, the frost was gone, and I could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. So far, so good. I got a bit of writing done, but now I must get ready to go see The Thunder Down Under! For those of you who may not know what that is, it is basically the Australian Chip N Dales. My friend Morgan, that is getting married next year, bought them all for her mom for Christmas and as a little pre-very-early-bachelorette party. I've never been to anything like this, but I do hear that the most entertaining part is the crazy women you get to see freaking out over the dancers. Should be a blast!!!

Strangers in the Dark

(Chapter Two continued)

Both their eyes darted to the corner where my voice appeared. “But you do have to let me go.”

Nora walked over to me, and cautiously laid her hind on mine. “Of course. You are not our prisoner, and I am so sorry that we mistook you for a Recruiter, but will you please allow us to make sure you are not hurt. We also need to find you some rations.” Nora looked back over at Kale who nodded his head and left the room. “Come on then. Let’s go to the living room. This room is getting cold and there is more light in the main room. The sun is coming up.” She said the last bit with a smile. The sun was really the only hope any of us had that the world was not ending quite yet, that there was still some light left.

The water was cold, but Nora made sure to wash my hands, face, and hair.

“You don’t have to do this, you know. I understand that you didn’t mean to intentionally hurt me. That day, yesterday, was terrible,” I choked. “None of us deserved to be in the middle of it.”

“Yes, it was terrible, but that does not mean we are all on our own now, that we must step over others just to save ourselves. Humanity, empathy, love, they don’t simply go away.”

“Sounds like something my mom would…would have said.” I looked out the window, in the direction of the barricade. “She was a good woman, too good. She didn’t understand this new world, how it could be this bad, almost cruel. All she was ever concerned about was taking care of me and my little brother.” I had tried a brave face, but was unable to keep it up. I cried, not only because I missed Mom, but because I had no idea how I was going to be able to find Jensen and Dad. (326 words)

As always, more tomorrow!