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As many of you can see, I've been a pretty terrible blogger lately! What can I say...Life.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

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!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

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!

I am a Wedding Winning Fool!!!

As some of you may know, I have been attending bridal expos, shows, stores, and fittings like crazy with my best friend Morgan because she is getting married next summer and I am her maid of honor. So far we have signed up for over a hundred gift certificate drawings and a few different honeymoon giveaways. We've bought the bridesmaids dresses and the bridal gown. Her and her fiance have booked the reception place and got the license for hosting their ceremony in the park.

Now, we are onto caters, DJs, and table settings. Whew!

But, in the process of all of this, we have been hearing back from some of the drawings. A few have simply used our information to advertise more, but I have also won a $200 gift certificate for a facial and $200 off a DJ service. Isn't that exciting??? I've never won so much in my life! lol. Plus, it's even better that it helps Morgan!
Looking for more wedding fun soon! I'll keep you guys updated periodically.

Anyone else been a bridesmaid or maid or honor? I could use some tips lol. I have been a bridesmaid once before for my cousin, but I was only 16 or so and really not involved in much, but tying some bows and touching up hair dos. (Nevertheless, it is still one of my favorite memories.)

Friday, November 11, 2011

NaNoWriMo (Day 11 of 30) "Strangers in the Dark" (45,986 words left)

It's 11/11/11, everyone! Make a wish and knock on wood!

I will be working at the Chamber today (all day), but I'm working on a pretty important project with a very tight deadline so this work has actually been contracted out to me which is awesome!!! Nothing I like better than contracted work at the moment. A realy job would be better, but for now, this is fabulous! Then, I am having dinner with my parents and my aunt that is up from down state. I can't wait to see her.

With all this going on, I am happy to get this portion of my NaNoWriMo off early to you all!

Strangers in the Dark (Chapter Two continued)

It was dark, immediately reminding me of this new world I was living in, one without light, one of war, and consequently, without a mom. The pain in the back of my head was not enough to make me forget about the pain in my heart, and the tears were not enough to wash away the cinders on my hands and face. I was in agony, missing my entire family. But now had to be about my own survival if I was ever going to see Jensen or Dad ever again. I lifted myself from the bed I had been carefully placed in, a pillow had been placed under my head, my shoes removed and socks replaced, the blankets tucked neatly under my chin. Whoever my captors were, they were kind or simply diligent.
The room must have belonged to a young girl at one place. Every shade of purple and pink had been utilized, flowers and butterflies haunted every blanket and picture, and costume jewelry littered the vanity and dresser. Who was this young girl, and where was she. Perhaps she escaped, like my friend Sari, or was captured like Jensen, or lost like myself.
There were two doors in this room—two potential exits. I assumed one must lead to a bathroom, while the other would lead to a hallway, living room, or staircase? Looking out the window, which was unfortunately nailed shut, I surmised that I was on the main floor, and not too far from the barricade. All I had to do was get out of this room and I could be right back where I was earlier today—yesterday? I didn’t know how long I had been out.
Putting all my weight on the fully carpeted floor, I crossed my fingers that not a single noise would escape this room. The last thing I needed was for my captors to be onto me before I even knew where the front door was. Or, maybe, that’s exactly what I wanted to happen. I managed to stand without a sound and made my way over the vanity set, picked up the chair and smashed it into the single, nailed window, shattering the glass. Hearing footsteps running toward the door directly behind me, I dropped the chair and dived behind the dresser, hidden from view.
A glow began to grow from underneath the door, an opaque monster, lighting the way for its master in the hallway. The door creaked open, a man entered the room, followed closing by a woman that clung to his shirt.
The man surveyed the room. “She’s gone, out the window.”
“What?” the woman gasped. “But what if she was still hurt, Kale, you hit her so hard.” She almost sounded concerned.
“I thought she was one of them, Nora. I thought she was going to hurt you.”
“Well, she didn’t have a red arm band. She’s our responsibility. We hurt her and put her in more danger. We need to find her, now.” Nora turned to walk back out of the room, as determined as I have ever seen a young woman before.
“Wait,” Kale yelled after her.
“What is it? She’s going to get too far and then we won’t be able to help her. She probably doesn’t have any food or water, barely even a coat or a…”
Kale interrupted her, “She’s still here.”
I stiffened.
“There are no footprints in the snow. She did this to throw us off, in case...”
“In case we were evil people.”
They began to glance around the room, neither of them looking like they knew what to do next. There was really only one thing to do.
“I don’t think you’re evil,” I whispered. (620 words)

Well, tomorrow is another day to write, read, work, eat, love, and live! (In no particular order.)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Storyteller Challenge #3: Autumn Phrase Prompt

I got home today and this is what was going on in my back yard! Unbelievable! I am so not ready for snow. Of course, none of it is really staying on the ground, but I know this is only the beginning!!!

It all worked out though because Shah over at Wordsinsync posted her new Storyteller Challenge Prompt this week and it's "Give Autumn a Chance." So, I combined inspiration from her phrase and this photo that I took of the snow falling in my backyard and came up with this poem. The rhyming is a little cheesy, but I think it's funny. Enjoy!


Give Autumn a Chance

Come on snow, give autumn a chance
It’s not your time to dance
They’re still leaves on the trees
And Thanksgiving feasts
And all you do is make me sneeze.

One day the afternoon is sunny
The next, my nose is running
I thought this was Fall
Not a winter squall
Now, all I want to do is bawl

Autumn is my favorite time of year
There’s pretty colors and pre-holiday cheer
But the snow is falling too soon
So, I’m singing a different tune
One about shivering before and after noon

Although the snow can be very pretty
And it may inspire a spontaneous ditty
It still makes driving really crappy
And mostly everyone is unhappy
Because the dim is kind of shabby

Yes, I like to make snow angels
And I don’t mind if my cheeks tingle
But can’t we all give autumn a chance?
Let’s take this one final stance
And not let the snow ruin our prance

Because autumn is my favorite season
Although there really is not reason

NaNoWriMo (Day 10 of 30) "Strangers in the Dark" (46,606 words left)

I'm working today at the Chamber and then I have the rest of the day off. I'm thinking a little bit of shopping could be in order. What are you guys planning on doing? Oh, and here's the rest of Chapter One of Strangers in the Dark!

Strangers in the Dark
(The end of Chapter One)

“Oh, no,” I breathed.
“What?” my mom ask, desperately trying to see through the fence.
“Grenades. We’ve got to go.” I pulled on her desperately.
“No, we can’t leave your father and Jensen. Where are they, Talis? Did you see them?”
“The Recruiters have already pulled the pins, Mom. We need to leave…”
The explosion built a wall of heat that forced me away from her, pushing me onto my back and singeing the threads of my jeans and sweater. And as the other grenades went off, it began to snow.
With ears ringing, face flushed, legs weak, I rolled over onto my stomach and crawled over to my mom. The explosion had appeared right behind her. Like a fox sneaking up on a poor rabbit, no one saw it until it was too late. My hand reached hers, and despite the warmth of the burning fires around us, her hand was cold. But she couldn’t be…I cradled her head in both my arms and tried to rock her awake. Her limbs were heavy and her clothes badly burned, but still I thought she was merely knocked out. She wasn’t breathing and I couldn’t find a pulse.
Finally, I succumbed to the tears. They choked me, cutting off my breathing and my voice. I couldn’t call to my Dad, but I saw him running toward us with Jensen. There were men in black following him, though. One hit him over the head with the butt of his gun and then shot a police man that had snuck up behind him. Another grabbed Jensen and started carrying him away like a rag doll. I couldn’t hear him, but I could tell he was yelling my name, ripping his vocal cords just to get me to help him. I cried a little harder as I looked back down at Mom.
“I love you, but I have to go now.” I brushed her hair away from her forehead and gave her one final kiss, like I used to do when I was a little girl. “Good bye.”
It was hard getting up off the ground. Ever muscle seemed to be fighting me and the world looked like a blur of black and blue, but my hearing was coming back and Jensen’s voice sounded through all the fog. In moments, I was in a full out sprint towards him, skimming around the pot holes and fires in the road, jumping over the poor souls that were now lost just like my mom. Dad was still on the ground, just a few feet away, but I knew he wasn’t dead. All I had to do was get to Jensen and then we could come back for our dad.
I was almost to my brother. I paused a moment to pull a metal baton off a fallen officer; it would be something to defend myself against the man that had a hold of Jensen. I made a quick turn to face his captor, but ended up running down a young woman instead. Then, everything went black.

Chapter Two: The Awakening

I awoke in an unfamiliar room. (520 words)

That's all you get of Chapter Two today, but I sure am happy to have started it!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

"The Three Musketeers" Movie Review

So, I never realized what bad reviews the new Three Musketeers movie was getting until just recently. Granted, I have been called a bit of a movie slut, because I am usually able to find something I like in each movie, not always though, but I loved this movie. The casting was fabulous, the costumes were mezmerizing, and I think it played true to the fun, corky, swashbuckling themes we are used to seeing in all the Three Musketeer movies, just with a twist. I mean, did ANYONE ever see the 1948 Three Musketeers movie starring Gene Kelly!!! OMG! Talk about corny! So why does this movie get so many thumbs down?

I won't go into much of a summary because we all know the story. What this movie has done different, besides the bigger effects and a fun play on modern language mixed and mingled with the era, they've also made a more kick butt Milady, a younger D'Artangnan, given the Duke of Buckingham a larger part, and added some DaVinci-esque inventions. All together exciting!

 I'm giving it my good review, but many are not, especially the critics. In fact, many critics are treating their reviews as more of a joke than the movie with their cocky little digs. For example, "This one is overblown, over-dressed, and grandiosely dopey, packed with gargantuan sets and ludicrous action scenes and shot in unusually dark and dingy 3-D" or "Every time you think it can't get any stupider, it gets right up in your face, calls you "bro," and gets stupider" or "This is a once-in-a-lifetime fiasco, an epic fail like none we have seen this year, a bad idea by a very bad director and a career-crippling credit for all concerned." Come on people, let's stop being funny.

Well? What did you think? Have you seen it? Thumbs up or thumbs down, and why? Do you want to see it?