tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20862206958862670822024-03-12T17:17:16.432-07:00Rhissanna's LibraryRhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-34487869224520764302015-01-11T02:29:00.001-08:002015-01-11T02:29:41.383-08:00 Gretina, and 'How's your book going, Rhis?'<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How is my book going? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an extract from 'The Skivvy's Tale', </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which has run to the apex of the first big story arc, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all excitement and drama and betrayal and sex, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then hit a brick cliche. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is a pity, as I was enjoying writing about Gretina </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and her new-found life as a scullery maid. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB5iH1vLz0w/VLJBogLzqzI/AAAAAAAAG6k/a_aaLuKwokI/s1600/market_wx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB5iH1vLz0w/VLJBogLzqzI/AAAAAAAAG6k/a_aaLuKwokI/s1600/market_wx.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a teaser from the opening chapter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me set the scene...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Takes a deep breath)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gretina has just walked many miles, through the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rain and mud, to arrive at the Three Coneys Inn,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">where she starts work as a scullery maid.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cook takes an immediate dislike to her</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(which is ok. The Cook doesn't seem to like anyone </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or anything. Not even cooking)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and to the muddy mess Gretina trails in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on her bare feet. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our heroine is ordered to get a mop and bucket </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the scullery, and clean the floor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Man's Shirt</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gretina grabbed a lantern from a wall hook and pushed open a stout door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Beyond was a tall, narrow room. High above her hung hams and sausages wrapped in muslin. Reaching up towards the distant ceiling were rows and rows of shelves. Preserves and pickles, salt and peppers all ranked with military precision. Some boxes had locks. Others were elaborately carved and clasped in brass. Garlic, in ropes. Cheeses, in jars of clear brine. Glossy, hot peppers and scrolls of cinnamon bark. The scent was overpowering, honey, sage, and bacon. Between sniffs, she wiped at her mouth, her hunger now a ravening wolf in her gut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qClZ-MFLBbo/VLJC5zpE0tI/AAAAAAAAG60/r4gKXCIC9nw/s1600/tumblr_llbjh7tGao1qbyk5qo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qClZ-MFLBbo/VLJC5zpE0tI/AAAAAAAAG60/r4gKXCIC9nw/s1600/tumblr_llbjh7tGao1qbyk5qo1_500.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Before her was a deep shelf of grey slate. There was a channel around it running with clean, cold water. The whole shelf appeared to be an altar to the art of the pastry cook. It was a pageant of Pies. Wonderful Pies! Stuffed with pork and ham, or oozing plum juice onto golden crust which gleamed with sugar crystals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Her hand moved of its own accord, towards a hand-raised pie that flaunted its deep filling at her. Veal and ham, crisp pastry, and a boiled egg like a friendly eye, studded in each slice, tempting her cruelly. She could near taste it…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8zGDO3GTJs/VLJBua11AXI/AAAAAAAAG6w/-aOVkHxWHhQ/s1600/7978476177_38d62c84e0_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8zGDO3GTJs/VLJBua11AXI/AAAAAAAAG6w/-aOVkHxWHhQ/s1600/7978476177_38d62c84e0_h.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina never even saw Cook, just felt the jarring clunk of the ladle as it smashed down on her cold red knuckles. Then the scrawny hand lashed out fast as a lizard’s tongue and grabbed her wrist, crushing the bones. Cook’s voice screeched like a fork scraping porcelain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘You’re in the Pantry, Skivvy! No one is allowed in the Pantry but me! This is my Pantry and it’s not for snot-nosed, dirty, ugly little wenches like you, do you understand?’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina shrieked back and tried to release her imprisoned wrist-bones. This seemed to touch on some deep reserve of malevolence in the gaunt woman and she laboured about her with the iron ladle, ringing it on Gretina’s head and shoulders to mark each word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Do. You. Understand. Skivvy? Not. The. Pantry! Never. Ever. The. Pantry!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And with that, Gretina was dragged back into the heat and light of the kitchen. Cook gave her one final shake and a slap. The jabbing finger returned and pointed at a crumbling arch with some faded face carved into the keystone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Scullery, Skivvy! Now get out of my sight!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina dodged around the table and through the arch. She was trembling with rage, rubbing her bruised wrist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92Gte659YxA/VLJDYW4uLII/AAAAAAAAG68/hlh505MxG80/s1600/LeSphinx1742009T131016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92Gte659YxA/VLJDYW4uLII/AAAAAAAAG68/hlh505MxG80/s1600/LeSphinx1742009T131016.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the dim light, the scullery proved to be a windowless vault. Heaps of earth added to the gloom, with the stringy tails of some roots buried deep and cool. The whole chamber was cold and smelled of soil and mildew. There was a vast copper cistern. There was a solid table laden with turnips and carrots, and a tiny bed on wheels tucked underneath. And there was a rank of mops and brooms with pails to match, all to attention on one wall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina threw her sack on the floor. She drew off the useless cloak and slapped that wetly on top, along with the shapeless bonnet. Barely formed words spat out at each gesture. She filled a pail with water and, armed a mop, she went out to clean the kitchen floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m09l42s_rEM/VLJIfB55uCI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/3NPp1QUrsqw/s1600/stillif1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m09l42s_rEM/VLJIfB55uCI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/3NPp1QUrsqw/s1600/stillif1.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dipping the mop into the pail, crushing out the water in the basket and swirling it through the mud, she thought deep angry thoughts. Dip. Squeeze. Slop. Swirl. She’d clean this, as she had made the mess, but she wasn’t staying. Oh no. Not here. She wasn’t staying to be yelled at and slapped or hit and shoved. When morning came, she was going. Out the door and off. She didn’t care where. <i>Not-here</i> sounded like a good place to be. And her aunt and Cook and Frog-boy could just choke on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And Gretina was deep in her angry thoughts when a movement caught her eye. Wary of the snake-fast hands of Cook, she jerked up her head and stared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There was an open doorway, where she couldn’t remember seeing a door, and beyond it rose a flight of stairs. And through that doorway had floated a woman. Not a lady, most definitely not, but clearly a woman. She had skin of soft gold. It gleamed, as if rubbed down with satin gloves anointed with powdered honey. The harsh kitchen lamps turned lustrous on the fine bones of her shoulders, the long line of her thighs and the flare of her smooth, peach-shaped buttocks. Over those glowing shoulders, and down to those round hips, coiled heavy, wayward hair. It was as dark and shiny as blackberry wine, but not as dark as the woman’s velvet eyes. To show off such exotic beauty she wore a fine cambric apron. It was starched and bleached exquisitely. The translucent fabric gathered into ruffles and finishing with an ornate white bow in the small of her back, like fae wings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> It was all she wore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina felt herself flush deep crimson in the face of such uncaring immodesty. But then the woman smiled tenderly, so sweet and giving a smile, that Gretina made a small sound and moved two steps towards her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Why…Good evening, child. Have you seen Cook?’ The woman’s perfect brow creased into a furrow of concern. ‘Bless me, but you’re soaked to the shift!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina opened her mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She closed it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘A moment, dear soul. Stay there just one moment. I have something for you.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, closing it behind her. Once closed the doorway vanished into the panels of the walls. A brief scent, like falling honeysuckle petals, was all that remained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina stared at the wall, willing the doorway to reappear but nothing happened. Even the sweet scent withered in the heat of the kitchen. She sneezed and shivered. She must be running a fever. A bad fever with delirium in which naked women appeared and disappeared through the wall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There was a screech in her ear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Have you finished yet, Skivvy?’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘No. Cook.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Well hurry it up, girl! The serving dishes will be back directly. You need to finish this, before you start on them. And see they’re done right!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mutely, rebellion rising again, Gretina went back to mopping the dirt she had trailed over the floor. Dip. Squeeze. Slop. Swirl. Repeat. She wiped her nose on her sleeve as she worked, scowling between sniffs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She did not see the hidden door open but she smelled cool summer flowers and the woman was there once more. A long robe of some soft and heavy cloth was negligently belted around her waist. Gretina could not help but see her breasts and her belly but again, the woman showed no embarrassment or bashfulness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Here, child. Take off those soaked clothes. Please, put this on instead.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Into Gretina’s hands she placed a man’s linen undershirt. It was clean and well-made, but it was still clearly for a man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Oh, no, Miss. Mistress. I can’t take that. That wouldn’t be proper. That’s for a lad, that is.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The woman offered a smile that seemed to contain amusement, disappointment and understanding all at the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Are you quite sure? It’s laundered and aired. Much better than wearing all those wet clothes, yes?‘</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mop in hand, nose running, Gretina stared up at the dark eyes. She wanted very much to say ’yes’ and brighten those eyes with agreement. But the mere idea of wearing a man’s undershirt was so wrong all she could do was shake her head again.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The woman’s dark mouth plumped in a compassionate pout and she nodded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Very well. I understand. I’ll leave it here in case you have a change of heart.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She found herself nodding in return, just to see the beautiful face smooth out in that smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘I’m Topaz. Call me Topaz, please. Everyone does. ‘And the woman drifted away, her robe flowing around her, and vanished though the magic door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gretina glanced around her, still unsure that she was not delirious. The range bubbled under a vast iron cauldron, the lamps hissed and the only evidence that Topaz existed was the folded undershirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU93gr7GGL4/VLJPEqGrUDI/AAAAAAAAG7c/XUQXrQ7Mc8o/s1600/i_004l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU93gr7GGL4/VLJPEqGrUDI/AAAAAAAAG7c/XUQXrQ7Mc8o/s1600/i_004l.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for reading!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rhissanna</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-78522940036543820792014-09-05T09:20:00.002-07:002014-09-05T09:20:37.086-07:00Oliver's Army<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oliver's back!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ow1S4DJtLOk" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B R Marsten released his new novel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
continuing the darkly funny adventures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of hit man Oliver Tunstall in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A Confession from Oliver.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confession-Oliver-B-R-Marsten-ebook/dp/B00N137K9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409101291&sr=8-1&keywords=a+confession+from+Oliver"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H9jClOVyFyc/VAnhVxOXAhI/AAAAAAAAGmU/06HpkFpBwvQ/s1600/Confession%2BOliver%2Bsmall.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To celebrate the release of</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>A Confession from Oliver</i>,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
B R Marsten is offering the first</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oliver tale, for free.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is the last day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oliver-B-R-Marsten-ebook/dp/B00JXOBYH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409100691&sr=8-1&keywords=A+conversation+with+oliver"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWHP4CPx8Nc/VAnhYODtoQI/AAAAAAAAGmc/u8miSCc4uOg/s1600/OLIVER%2Bborder%2B%2Bj%2Bpeg.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For more information,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
check out his blog</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2014/09/free-book.html">The Narrator's Study.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For live links to all his books</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in your country,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/p/novels.html">check out his Study page, here.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You don't need a Kindle to read Kindle books</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Download the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000493771"> app for free, from Amazon</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Read books on your whatever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-89065531956468271882014-07-16T01:50:00.002-07:002014-07-16T01:50:40.758-07:00A Song For No Reason<div style="text-align: center;">
This is here because I like this song.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't need a better reason, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/O0YxeTjFn70?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, why do I like this song?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because it seems to be set at </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the midpoint of a narrative.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make the River be anything you need it to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here you are, trying to cross it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the song,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it tells you the only way it can be done.</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-37876358147939033682014-05-19T23:29:00.001-07:002014-05-23T00:15:19.836-07:00Magpie Tales: Tea for Two, Dinner for One.<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
I'd like to say thank you</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
to <a href="http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2014/05/mag-220.html">Magpie Tales</a>, </div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
where this week's image is a </div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
delightful Edward Hopper.</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
It made me think of cream teas,</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
charming tea rooms,</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
cake-stands full of pastel pretty pastries.</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
In fact, it made me <i>very</i> hungry,<br />
which lead me to those wonderful<br />
fairy tales where someone's hunger<br />
can be a very scary thing, indeed.</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJcxqJroZQc/U3rvcMW8zOI/AAAAAAAAGTA/4FRTxjvsupg/s1600/new-york-restaurant+1922+edward+hopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJcxqJroZQc/U3rvcMW8zOI/AAAAAAAAGTA/4FRTxjvsupg/s1600/new-york-restaurant+1922+edward+hopper.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Tea for Two, Dinner for One.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Two
at table four, Margaret, please.” said the </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M<span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">aître d</span><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">'.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Greta
nodded, straightened her apron. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She carried the heavy tray with the tea things and placed it, with demure ceremony, on the table. A smile, for the customers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The woman
smiled back, her thickly painted lips as red as a glazed strawberry,
then shrugged off a heavy coat to reveal a rather smart gingerbread
coloured jacket. The man, however, just gave a hitch of his mouth
and turned his attention back to the blank tablecloth.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “We
have sachertorte and congress tarts.” Greta handed out the stiff, engraved menus, with their sinful miscellany of pastries. “There's
the éclairs, of course, and the macaroons and tarte au citron
and...”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The
woman rapped her tea cup with her spoon. The ringing tone jarred Greta
out of her rambling and she swallowed silent the description of patisserie.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The
woman leaned forward, as if about to share a secret.”I think we'll
start with the hot buttered crumpets and then we'd like to try
everything that you recommend.” She gave a nod of her head, neatly
wrapped in a cherry-red cloche.”Hans here is rather hungry, poor
soul, so I'd like to make sure he gets to eat his fill.” She then
stared across the table at Hans, who hunched his shoulders a little
and nodded.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Yes,
Mrs, Cotter.” he mumbled.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “<i>Do</i> call me Ginger, silly
boy!” Mrs Cotter suddenly tapped Greta's wrist with her fingers, flashing
nails as white and smooth as blanched almonds. “Don't you think
Hans is a silly boy?”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Greta
wasn't sure what she thought. Hans wasn't a boy at all. He looked to
be in his twenties, a good five years older than she was. Younger
than the woman, though, so she wondered exactly what their
relationship was. Mrs Cotter was older but not so old as to be his
mother. A pampering aunt and a sulky nephew? Maybe. Maybe they were
lovers, as Mrs Cotter's glances were full of greedy proprietorship
as she smirked at Hans. He looked rather nice, clean and neat. He
also looked utterly miserable. There were dark daubs under his eyes,
as if he hadn't slept, and his face was all pulled tight. Maybe he'd
been ill, she wondered? She gave him another smile. </span>
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> No
response.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Mrs
Cotter lightly clapped her hands together, the movement releasing a
fragrance of cloves and vanilla. 'Well, that's decided, then! Hans,
pour the tea would you? There's a dear. No sugar for me.” She
winked, rather coarsely, at Greta. “I'm sweet enough.”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Greta
hurried away to place the order. She looked out the wide windows of
the <i>Woodland Tea Room,</i> where outside the Bentleys and Talbots
and Rovers splashed through the rain. The sky hung down grey, like
wet mould. But inside, everything was bright and clean; the silver tea
pots, the gleaming cake stands, the delicate, brittle bone china. All
the conversation was muted, and broken by the happy silence of
someone biting into a billow of light pastry. Genteel. Civilised.
She smiled again, fluttering between the tables in her uniform, with
the huge bow at the back making her a butterfly. A cake-bearing
butterfly.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Returning
with the imposing tower of delights on the cake-stand, she noted a
strange scent. Mrs Cotter was smoking. That wasn't in itself unusual.
Lots of ladies smoked in public. It was the 1920's, not the Dark
Ages! But the smoke wasn't the usual acrid reek of tobacco. It
smelled spicy. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Greta stood the silver cake-stand on the table, for inspection.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Mrs Cotter smiled and nodded, and blew a pale wreath of
cinnamon-fragrant smoke over it.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Thank
you, dear girl. You really were <i>very </i>quick. Wasn't she, Hans?”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Hans
gave the first sign of some kind of life. His head jerked up and he
gazed around, like a sleeper woken by a sudden sound. Then he stared
down at the plate, apparently transfixed by its design of hand
painted ivy leaves.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “I'm not hungry.” he said to the plate.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “See?”
Mrs Cotter gave her another vulgar wink. “I told you he was a silly
boy. Eat up, dear heart! You're positively wasting away!” As Greta
placed a plate and fork and napkin in front of the woman, she wafted
it away, in a stream of smoke. “ No, no! Nothing for me! Nothing
before dinner tonight.” </span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> And
with that, she rubbed a hand, pale as chantilly cream, over her little
bun-shaped belly, smirking. Greta didn't know where to look and felt
her face heat up in a blush. Mrs Cotter's simper changed to a plump
pout of annoyance, as Hans continued to stare morosely at his plate.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Come
along now, <i>darling</i>. You need some meat on those bones.” </span>
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> She
gestured to Greta, who began to place frothy little confections onto Hans' china, all the while feeling a prickle of disquiet. When his plate was a mound of mille feuille, choux, savoy sponge, meringue, macaroons and
galette, Mrs Cotter struck the side of her tea cup with the spoon again, like
a dinner gong. </span>
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Hans
suddenly picked up his fork and began to put away the cakes as if he
was stoker loading coal. A wedge of éclair. A whole tartlet, studded
with raspberries. A cream horn stuffed with whipped chocolate
ganache. As his plate began to empty, Mrs Cotter cleared her throat
with some annoyance and gestured to the cake-stand.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Dish him up some more, would you, and then bring us a fresh pot of tea and
some more of these delightful pastries. Do you have any Linzer
torte? Palmiers? I'm sure you know what to bring.” And with that,
the woman leaned back, brushing some stray crumbs from her
gingerbread coat, with its butterscotch glass buttons.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Greta
was glad to get away. After returning with more tea and another
tray glutted with confectionery, she was happy to wait other tables, with more conventional customers.
Twice she was summoned back to Hans and Mrs Cotter, for more tea and
even more cakes. </span>
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> At
five o'clock, Hans' resolute, mechanical shovelling had slowed. His
face was pink now, and his sad, shadowy eyes were dazed and blinking.
Greta saw Mrs Cotter lean over the table, producing a handkerchief, white as sugar, to dab chocolate sauce from his lips as
if he was a child. He didn't move. He didn't move when she reached
out with those almond-white fingernails and pinched his cheek. She
left red marks on his skin.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Oh,
I think you're done, dear boy.” she breathed, then waved an imperious hand at
Greta.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> When
Greta returned with the bill on its little silver salver, Mrs Cotter
shook her head and pulled out another cinnamon bark cigarette.”I
can't see all that tiny writing without my glasses.” she said,
between tugs of scented smoke,” Give it to Hans. He might as well
do something useful before dinner.”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Hans
took the piece of paper with sweaty fingers. Then, with a chagrined
expression, he showed Greta his hands were covered in chocolate
ganache. He took up his linen napkin and began to wipe his fingers
clean, one by one, with great deliberation. Once they were cleaned to his satisfaction, he opened his wallet and unfolded a crisp white five
pound note, laying it gently on the salver under Mrs Cotter's amused
gaze. </span>
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Come
along, dear boy! You don't have <i>all night</i>!” And with that,
Mrs Cotter got to her feet. She stubbed out the cigarette in a rosette of whipped cream. Then Hans helped her into her coat, his face
stiff with resignation.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
When Greta hurried back with the change and receipt, Mrs Cotter
just waved her away, impatiently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But Hans
leaned forward, gave Greta a polite tip of his hat. “Please, keep the change.” he
muttered, and gathered all the coins into his dirty napkin, making a
little package. He pressed the napkin into Greta's hands. “Please.”</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Come
<i>along</i>!"</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> And
with that, Mrs Cotter herded him out of the tea room.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Greta
watched them go. She looked at the wreckage of the table, covered in
cream and crumbs. Then she opened Hans' napkin, and the coins all
tumbled out in a metallic cascade. Written on the cloth, in thick
smeary chocolate ganache letters, were the words</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HELP
ME</span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5DS_1A9hH4/U3r1h1JgvLI/AAAAAAAAGTM/lTha289n6Xk/s1600/Afternoon+Tea+Party,+18th+C,+Jean-Etienne+Liotard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5DS_1A9hH4/U3r1h1JgvLI/AAAAAAAAGTM/lTha289n6Xk/s1600/Afternoon+Tea+Party,+18th+C,+Jean-Etienne+Liotard.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon Tea Party . Jean Etienne Liotard . 18th C</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
(Thank you so much for reading! </div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
If you would indulge me, I'd like to point you </div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
in the direction of a giveaway, </div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
presently running on the <a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/p/a-conversation-with-oliver-blog-party.html">The Narrator's Study.</a></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
There's all kinds of good things</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
being given away.</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
For free!</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
No cakes though, unfortunately)</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-60244159809515256822014-05-18T02:28:00.000-07:002014-05-18T02:29:04.366-07:00A Conversation with Oliver free eBook<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oliver-B-R-Marsten-ebook/dp/B00JXOBYH2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398468452&sr=8-2&keywords=A+Conversation+with+Oliver">A Conversation with Oliver</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is free to download from Amazon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
18th to 22nd May.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Free!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you don't have a Kindle,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no worries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000493771">The Kindle app is free to download</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to your Mac, your PC or your very fancy phone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oliver-B-R-Marsten-ebook/dp/B00JXOBYH2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398468452&sr=8-2&keywords=A+Conversation+with+Oliver"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdFoKe19D-Y/U3h6lfXTBSI/AAAAAAAAGR4/lel2bnMOVOs/s1600/oliver+download+button.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you go over to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/p/a-conversation-with-oliver-blog-party.html">The Narrator's Study</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you'll find a giveaway in full swing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
celebrating the release</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of this title.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/p/a-conversation-with-oliver-blog-party.html"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc4j7uj8m-g/U3h7epCFMwI/AAAAAAAAGSA/3owwO44UaQM/s1600/oliver+giveaway+dates+smaller.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And if you want more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FREE STUFF</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(and who doesn't, right?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rhissanna.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-conversation-with-kindle-and-free.html">come over to my doll blog</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where a <strike>doll</strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
action figure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the eponymous hero</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is up for grabs! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rhissanna.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-conversation-with-kindle-and-free.html"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_ne_WVIxQo/U3h8yNZ5b4I/AAAAAAAAGSM/phws-Wncw6s/s1600/how+do+you+dress.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oliver visits his tailor.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-71969429920689406902014-05-04T11:52:00.001-07:002014-05-05T08:57:47.078-07:00Magpie Tales: It's All Made Up<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is another venture into </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2014/05/mag-218.html">Magpie Tales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with its weekly challenge of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an intriguing image</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the freedom to do </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
whatever you want with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyAoWKYiZSI/U2aH8-ToCDI/AAAAAAAAGLU/6z7-VjBCwHw/s1600/chair-with-the-wings-of-a-vulture+1960+salvador+dali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyAoWKYiZSI/U2aH8-ToCDI/AAAAAAAAGLU/6z7-VjBCwHw/s1600/chair-with-the-wings-of-a-vulture+1960+salvador+dali.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair with the Wings of a Vulture. Dali. 1960</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's all just made up!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sybil pushed the keyboard away in
disgust. In disappointment, bitter as her tears. She'd sat up late
into the night, tapping away fruitlessly, chasing a dream and now it
was dawn. Another wretched day, full of noises and whispers that
blistered the inside of her skull. Jealousy is a vicious beast.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All night she'd picked apart Google to
find what she needed to know. She'd tried <i>Voodoo. </i>And then,
<i>Hoodoo</i>. <i>Witches. Wicca. Pagans. Heathens.</i> Even
<i>Warlocks</i>. She’d looked for spells and incantations and magic
circles and secret curses and there'd been nothing. Just stupid hints
and whispers of something better and bigger, just out of reach.
Something hidden, like the little man behind the curtain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“This is stupid. It's all pretend!”
And she pressed her cold face into her hot, sticky hands and sobbed,
howling like a kicked dog. It didn't matter how much noise she made.
There was no one around to hear her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wiping her nose on her bathrobe, she
peered again at the mosaic of windows she had open on the screen,
pulling a mulish face at each one, with its scattering of symbols and
hints of power and demands for credit card numbers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You all just make this crap up.”
she sneered. “There's nothing there.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaning back in the seat, Sybil stared
out into the garden. The sky had desaturated to pastel <span lang="en-GB">grey</span>,
a new day was coming. Well, that was supposed to be all powerful,
right? Stupid sunlight, bringing light and heat, driving away the
evil things back to their lair..
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Daylight also meant he'd be getting
into his car, coming home, smelling of some sugary young perfume and
eyes baggy with deceit and exhaustion. It wasn't just his infidelity,
though that made her miserable enough. It was the lies, as if he
thought she was stupid. As if he thought she somehow colluded in the
act by nodding and saying, “Yes, dear. Of course, dear. Another
late night at work.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And she'd thought that there was some
magical, powerful <i>whatever</i> out there she could use to fix
this. Maybe she <i>was</i> stupid?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's just crap! It's not real!' she yelled,
and threw the cup and its scummy cold coffee against the wall. It
splashed in a sunburst on the white paint and ran like sweat.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sybil got to her feet. She stared at
the wall for a very long time as the blisters in her mind popped and
oozed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just because it's all made up,
doesn't mean it doesn't work...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She picked up the laundry basket and
began shoving random things into it, in a panic of activity. The
printer clicked and purred and matches hissed and bloomed flame as
she worked. Muttering and giggling, she stacked the objects against
the splattered wall.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Candles.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
An unfinished dream catcher.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The doll's chair made of spoons.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A pair of bird wings, from some
forgotten flea market.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <i>Woman.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sybil cut out the photograph with sharp, savage slashes of the scissors. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She'd gotten the image from his
Facebook. She’d seen the pokes, the smileys, the stupid little
hearts. She'd seen the messages, ending in a dot, dot, dot. All those
ellipses, with their hidden meanings. And now she had the photograph
of the <i>Woman </i>and made her
a centerpiece of the rough altar. Sybil stepped back and gave it a
critical glance, as if it was a flower arrangement.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It would do.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Magic was all made up. There were no
great secrets, no hidden, occult recipe books. Which meant <i>she
</i>could make it all up, just how she wanted, and imbue these tawdry
items with the power they'd need.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cross at the top was given a nod
and a bowed head. She muttered words which sounded suspiciously like
the grace they used to say at school.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“For what I am about to do, may the
Lord grant...” she faltered, and thought hard. “wisdom, power and
vengeance.” Another pause. “Amen.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But how did she start? In that moment of
uncertainty, the sun peered into the room. If she was going to do it,
she probably needed to do it right now. Sybil threw aside her
bathrobe and stood naked. She flung her arms wide, so that her belly lifted and her
breasts rose and pink light bathed her flanks. She spoke to the
altar.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I don't know how to do this, but I
know what I want to do. So you, whoever you are, can help me and heal
me.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She pointed at the candles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The light is behind her<i>,</i> so
that when she walks, she walks in the dark. Bad things will happen to
her in the dark. That is my wish.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A gesture to the fraying dream
catcher.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Her sleep will bring no peace and
her bed will be full of nightmares and they'll trap her. That is my
wish.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sybil swept her arms up and down,
like bird.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
'When she speaks, a crow will thrust
its head in her mouth and tear open her tongue, making her mute. That
is my wish!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A finger jabbed at the doll chair.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“....and when she sits, every chair
will have a spoon and she will eat, and eat, and eat and eat and eat
and eat, until she is swollen. That...' she sucked in a happy
breath.' that is very much my wish!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sybil wiped her eyes on her hand. She
stared at the runnels of brine, and flung them onto the altar, for
sacrifice and yelled,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“ Grant my fucking wish!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the sudden silence, the sun bloomed
bright, turning from pink to gold; dimming the candles. And Sybil
felt soft wash of tranquility. She felt better. She felt calmer.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If this didn't work, it didn't matter.
It worked for her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDprYZ-tgiA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-34210647984205832682014-04-02T21:59:00.000-07:002014-04-25T20:31:33.583-07:00Introducing Mr Tunstall<div style="text-align: center;">
Assassins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They've come a long way from ancient Persia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and they permeate modern culture</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as a personification of Death.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvu467bVzEE/UzzkvHswY1I/AAAAAAAAF-A/Pn5JI_iHE28/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvu467bVzEE/UzzkvHswY1I/AAAAAAAAF-A/Pn5JI_iHE28/s1600/giphy.gif" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Death. Personified.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in such a role,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we expect our assassins to be </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
superstars. Clean, calm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thorough, remorseless.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODevDb2MM18/Uzzl4lMldYI/AAAAAAAAF-M/JZSBLkAXzCo/s1600/tumblr_mh5jwvcr2y1r2aobgo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODevDb2MM18/Uzzl4lMldYI/AAAAAAAAF-M/JZSBLkAXzCo/s1600/tumblr_mh5jwvcr2y1r2aobgo1_500.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Want help with that tie? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who wants to be butchered clumsily</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by a bloke with bad teeth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and poor dress sense?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv33qNxV5kc/Uzzn5i_aaOI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/W2vxpABoe1Y/s1600/tumblr_m8i25hEsnc1r9x0jao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv33qNxV5kc/Uzzn5i_aaOI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/W2vxpABoe1Y/s1600/tumblr_m8i25hEsnc1r9x0jao1_500.gif" height="174" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently four people do, according to Freddie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over in <a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2014/04/oliver.html">The Narrator's Study</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the Narrator would like to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
introduce you to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr Oliver Tunstall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AE3dfLgqw0/UzzqdXkQ91I/AAAAAAAAF-k/uBQiX_3ZX4c/s1600/tumblr_msvph05wg51syzau5o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AE3dfLgqw0/UzzqdXkQ91I/AAAAAAAAF-k/uBQiX_3ZX4c/s1600/tumblr_msvph05wg51syzau5o1_500.gif" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2014/04/oliver.html?zx=4a8bd80ebc70ba2b">Mr Tunstall does not like</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2014/04/oliver.html?zx=4a8bd80ebc70ba2b">to be kept waiting.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIKeGy8LfJs/U1sogJ_EYYI/AAAAAAAAGI0/oAz4iKpFzVc/s1600/OLIVER+border++j+peg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIKeGy8LfJs/U1sogJ_EYYI/AAAAAAAAGI0/oAz4iKpFzVc/s1600/OLIVER+border++j+peg.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here. you'll find more<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-Oliver-B-R-Marsten-ebook/dp/B00JXOBYH2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398468452&sr=8-2&keywords=A+Conversation+with+Oliver">about Oliver.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-17180662077503353992014-03-20T23:55:00.000-07:002014-03-20T23:55:07.066-07:00Not in Kansas any more.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRpZMXq9ZRQ/UyviDcTdjNI/AAAAAAAAF70/JqoKo3lxGQY/s1600/Hues+of+Oz+button+2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRpZMXq9ZRQ/UyviDcTdjNI/AAAAAAAAF70/JqoKo3lxGQY/s1600/Hues+of+Oz+button+2014.png" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're looking for Oma Linda's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hues of Oz</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lindaomasoldebaggsnstuftshirts.blogspot.com/p/celebrate-oz-2014.html">you need to go here.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNuAF7_WHCk/UyviM72vv1I/AAAAAAAAF78/mNHRIHslB4s/s1600/Ive-seen-some-weird-shit..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNuAF7_WHCk/UyviM72vv1I/AAAAAAAAF78/mNHRIHslB4s/s1600/Ive-seen-some-weird-shit..jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-44596637782370426702014-03-20T10:06:00.000-07:002014-03-20T10:06:19.870-07:00Blossom on the Thorn. <div style="text-align: center;">
Spring is here!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpY0rH34Fxw/UysfsMzZj1I/AAAAAAAAF5U/yGXaeC3O05M/s1600/1381212_736368796380098_553811202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpY0rH34Fxw/UysfsMzZj1I/AAAAAAAAF5U/yGXaeC3O05M/s1600/1381212_736368796380098_553811202_n.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the Vernal Equinox </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and everything is in balance and opening up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To celebrate Spring, <a href="http://pagan-culture.blogspot.com/">Magaly Guerrero</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is offering free kindle copies of her book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Red-Magaly-Guerrero-ebook/dp/B00HGEPC56">Thorn In Red.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7nEpa6DRPI/Uysd-X8KhVI/AAAAAAAAF5E/1Sxv-yzgq-Q/s1600/Thorn+in+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7nEpa6DRPI/Uysd-X8KhVI/AAAAAAAAF5E/1Sxv-yzgq-Q/s1600/Thorn+in+Red.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is for two days only,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so hop off to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Red-Magaly-Guerrero-ebook/dp/B00HGEPC56">Amazon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and pick it up!</div>
</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-8404181394163662742014-03-13T11:30:00.000-07:002014-03-13T11:30:18.736-07:00Homework<div style="text-align: center;">
So, <a href="http://www.magalyguerrero.com/2014/03/neglect.html">Magaly</a> sent me homework </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
though my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhissanna.collins">facebook</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry, not homework.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A valuable writing opportunity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2014/03/mag-210.html">Magpie Tales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
posts pictures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as a springboard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for writing some short</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
piece, prose or poem.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I love alliteration. It's an Anglo Saxon thing)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my first stab at this event.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Narrator's, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2014/03/thrown-under-bus.html">His post is here.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2014/03/mag-210.html">Find other offerings, here.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsiObVfxFP8/UyH0i_CvBtI/AAAAAAAAF2w/lcoTm44VLeU/s1600/Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsiObVfxFP8/UyH0i_CvBtI/AAAAAAAAF2w/lcoTm44VLeU/s1600/Room.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He’d left the office. Late. Late again. One of the awful effects of the New Technological Dawn was that the world was now a 24/7 non-stop Market. Floors were always opening somewhere, Tokyo or London, it didn’t matter. The numbers were perpetually going up or down, as the money moved around. If he ever met Dow Jones, he was going to punch him right in the mouth. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The world of finance had all seemed so magnificent when he’d started; he’d bought a Gordon Gecko striped shirt and made his bid to be a Master of the Universe. It hadn’t quite happened like that, of course. This was a game with winners, which meant, by default, there had to be losers. Not that he was a loser, exactly. He was in some Looking Glass World, where he had to run as fast as possible to stay in the same place. His dad had complained that the job wasn’t physical, but it was exhausting, like taking a SAT he had to pass in front of a critical audience, every single day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He finally hailed a cab, glad to be going home to his wife. He smiled. He loved his wife. She was a pretty little wisp, not like the women around him who were career-minded and wore shoes they could kill a dog with. She was the first woman he’d met that didn’t start a date with questions about his salary, his investments and his portfilio. She was more interested in what he’d read, what he liked, who he was. He‘d fallen helplessly for this butterfly, who danced from one thing to another. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was always good to come home to her. He’d mix drinks, they’d lounge together in the deep warm womb of those red leather sofas she’d chosen, and she’d rub his toes and tell him about the light, airy nothings of her day. Maybe she’d bought pretty shoes to show him? Maybe she’d have found a new delicatessen and they’d nibble Greek olives together? Whatever foolish, flippant nonsense she’d bought, it would be welcome after the heartless, soulless counting he’d done all day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The house smelled strange. Powdery dry wall dust that he remembered from his father’s overalls,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
mixed with the sour stink of abandoned furniture. The door creaked. Creaked! He pushed it open to stare in horror at the decay, the devastation, of his once beautiful home. The walls shed strips of paper like falling leaves and a rat poised for a moment of the arm of the tattered chair, before scampering away.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Dear God…”</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“I knew you’d love it!” </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
His wife appeared, carrying two cloudy-looking drinks in a pair of canning jars.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Isn’t it wonderful? It’s the newest look! They call it <i>Art Cou-Rouge</i>!’ She pushed the jar into his nerveless hands. “Real Moonshine!” She winked, and clinked her glass against his. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-35004717898574292382014-03-05T13:23:00.001-08:002014-03-05T13:25:00.701-08:00Twenty Horror Stories. Two Sentences Each<div style="text-align: center;">
I apologise if you've already this on facebook</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but this is how memes get born.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw this and found it such a brilliant idea,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm posting it here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I'm not ashamed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twenty horror stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two sentences each.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tickld.com/x/20-two-sentence-horror-stories-that-will-keep-you-up-at-night-7-gave-me-chills"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RssHkhgHOOw/UxeVqofnyJI/AAAAAAAAF0E/3pgoQDIHRFg/s1600/20+horror+stories.jpg" height="320" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-88993080889822256932014-02-28T23:33:00.001-08:002014-02-28T23:33:11.731-08:00The Periodic Table of Storytelling<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm just going to repeat the title, people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/">The Periodic Table of Storytelling</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from the brilliant people at <a href="http://tvtropes.org/">tvtropes.org</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq1euzfRuqo/UxGKh9WmEYI/AAAAAAAAFy8/Fo4z_tb80kc/s1600/e41814b4f33a728530e946e5963f13f3-pkty4s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq1euzfRuqo/UxGKh9WmEYI/AAAAAAAAFy8/Fo4z_tb80kc/s1600/e41814b4f33a728530e946e5963f13f3-pkty4s.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It looks like this, but it's interactive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
INTERACTIVE!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you write</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you really need to see this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's fun. It's clever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's uplifting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's also as humbling as a </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.katfeete.net/writing/marysue.html">Mary Sue Litmus Test.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did I mention that it's interactive?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, and you can <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/print/34989580/">buy it as a poster.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is all.</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-23685327328928275192014-02-27T22:10:00.000-08:002014-02-27T22:10:03.064-08:00Fairy tales. The French do it better.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, they do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2beQJnYAM4A/UxAjSGIOLyI/AAAAAAAAFyI/VyWHOF2WHBA/s1600/tumblr_mx73spKeCf1rtn6xjo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2beQJnYAM4A/UxAjSGIOLyI/AAAAAAAAFyI/VyWHOF2WHBA/s1600/tumblr_mx73spKeCf1rtn6xjo1_1280.jpg" height="147" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And you know it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y1qCZ9reOM/UxAkFIa6b5I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/4g2xUj1W8kU/s1600/tumblr_mx73spKeCf1rtn6xjo4_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y1qCZ9reOM/UxAkFIa6b5I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/4g2xUj1W8kU/s1600/tumblr_mx73spKeCf1rtn6xjo4_1280.jpg" height="148" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a French production of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Beauty and the Beast</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from Christophe Gans</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hH738f9eQ6Y/UxAkN3m38uI/AAAAAAAAFyY/480-jLOdBaI/s1600/beauty-and-the-beast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hH738f9eQ6Y/UxAkN3m38uI/AAAAAAAAFyY/480-jLOdBaI/s1600/beauty-and-the-beast.png" height="320" width="235" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, it's not due to be released</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the USA, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I'm sure a bit of </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Internet pressure will fix that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_COCCpWhR3Q/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_COCCpWhR3Q&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_COCCpWhR3Q&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doesn't it look gorgeous?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christophe Gans</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> also brought us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brotherhood of the Wolf.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Historic fiction! Fabulous costumes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wire-fighting Native Americans!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyVB4kdHqPo/UxAnjs7ay5I/AAAAAAAAFyk/q3W9z2bnh44/s1600/51xth+-lOfL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyVB4kdHqPo/UxAnjs7ay5I/AAAAAAAAFyk/q3W9z2bnh44/s1600/51xth+-lOfL.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harlots and assassins! Secret sects and an evil monster!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPBJ8r4jkEM/UxAnwEq2BdI/AAAAAAAAFys/ldMbVEb2_eU/s1600/brotherhood-of-the-wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPBJ8r4jkEM/UxAnwEq2BdI/AAAAAAAAFys/ldMbVEb2_eU/s1600/brotherhood-of-the-wolf.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tarot cards and incest and pretty horses!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You should see that!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Feh8Eqh4nWU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What else is this cold spring for</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but snuggling up, and watching glorious eye-candy?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-37730807440723568242014-02-15T00:00:00.001-08:002014-02-15T00:00:19.078-08:00You're digging in the wrong place.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KzgwIrEPU4/Uv8d9Baer2I/AAAAAAAAFvo/nxjXVmKvUzM/s1600/giphy+(1).gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KzgwIrEPU4/Uv8d9Baer2I/AAAAAAAAFvo/nxjXVmKvUzM/s1600/giphy+(1).gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're here for Holly Horrorland's </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vampire Day Soiree,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you're in the wrong place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcZbQsggz-U/Uv8eFPUzWVI/AAAAAAAAFvw/cTA92pWwDcM/s1600/Vampire's+Day+Soiree+2014+art+by+meritxell+ribas+puigmal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcZbQsggz-U/Uv8eFPUzWVI/AAAAAAAAFvw/cTA92pWwDcM/s1600/Vampire's+Day+Soiree+2014+art+by+meritxell+ribas+puigmal.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You <a href="http://hollyshorrorland.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-third-annual-vampires-day-soiree.html">need to be here.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gif of Morticia and Lurch dancing?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No reason...</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-41474255258119375622014-02-06T21:05:00.001-08:002014-02-12T00:16:24.678-08:00Classical Movement<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
If you came here to view<br />
B E A U T Y<br />
the film has been taken down<br />
while it is<br />
being shown on the art film circuit.<br />
<br />
There is a link to a brief clip,<br />
to get the flavour of the whole piece,<br />
at the end of this post.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you to Summer, of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dreamspirationsgallery.blogspot.com/">Dreamspirations Gallery</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for sending this my way.<br />
<br />
If I find a link to the entire piece<br />
I will update this post.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1dc67c2e20ab9bc5302ff12cd4585988/tumblr_n0dvayKrYq1qdtzbao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1dc67c2e20ab9bc5302ff12cd4585988/tumblr_n0dvayKrYq1qdtzbao1_500.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rino Stefano Taglialfierro</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
animated classical paintings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and linked them together,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with a loose narrative</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and evocative music.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What starts out as sweet and dreamy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
becomes intriguing and compelling;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the images shifting from </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
innocence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6cd41d3c7ad35c683b4f3dc54b112dcc/tumblr_n0dvivOOYi1qdtzbao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6cd41d3c7ad35c683b4f3dc54b112dcc/tumblr_n0dvivOOYi1qdtzbao1_500.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eroticism,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/16e33501afc165c3cbf6aed36c6a86c4/tumblr_mzcc8dNnGA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/16e33501afc165c3cbf6aed36c6a86c4/tumblr_mzcc8dNnGA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then to brutality</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/06a51a53f45dcc4a0dd3011410e0c975/tumblr_mzcbw9XPhA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/06a51a53f45dcc4a0dd3011410e0c975/tumblr_mzcbw9XPhA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and darkness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://31.media.tumblr.com/b61ff980fceb4e09a42f2ed523019691/tumblr_mzcbqvkkqA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/b61ff980fceb4e09a42f2ed523019691/tumblr_mzcbqvkkqA1qdtzbao1_500.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have eight minutes<br />
use the link</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and watch. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tagroom.com/this-guy-animated-classic-paintings-and-the-results-are-f-cking-beautiful-49111"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tagroom.com/this-guy-animated-classic-paintings-and-the-results-are-f-cking-beautiful-49111">B E A U T Y</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-71357571255891070022014-01-20T21:22:00.000-08:002014-01-20T21:22:24.101-08:00What's in the box! What's in the BOX!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You said that in Brad Pitt's voice, I hope?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/0cmqwbZa6_w/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/0cmqwbZa6_w&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/0cmqwbZa6_w&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, all the way back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
last year, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I entered a giveaway on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pagan-culture.blogspot.com/2013/12/thick-hot-chocolate-with-star-anise-to.html">Magaly's blog.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You don't know Magaly?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0aLeWQVH2z8/Ut4Cj3v12vI/AAAAAAAAFgg/nZ1nhbCIjVY/s1600/AlmaMia+Cienfuegos+and+Other+Stories+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0aLeWQVH2z8/Ut4Cj3v12vI/AAAAAAAAFgg/nZ1nhbCIjVY/s1600/AlmaMia+Cienfuegos+and+Other+Stories+(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083HF7MS">Now on Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You should.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She writes the most absorbing, magical</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
dark and wicked stories.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJE8NYX52Ys/Ut4CkNgWZKI/AAAAAAAAFgo/WQSBY__PYtg/s1600/Thorn+in+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJE8NYX52Ys/Ut4CkNgWZKI/AAAAAAAAFgo/WQSBY__PYtg/s1600/Thorn+in+Red.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Red-Magaly-Guerrero-ebook/dp/B00HGEPC56">Also on Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pagan-culture.blogspot.com/">She is a shining star in the Blogoverse,</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
radiant, warm and wicked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She helped Mr N and I</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
get these <a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/">shared blogs off the ground</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and airborne.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyway, back to the Giveaway!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I WON!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you so much, Magaly</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
for your kindness and </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
sweet spiciness and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
your parcel of goodies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is my Box of Delights.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVf0NRRLJTY/Ut39l7CnmnI/AAAAAAAAFfY/0CciqkfQrhw/s1600/red+skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVf0NRRLJTY/Ut39l7CnmnI/AAAAAAAAFfY/0CciqkfQrhw/s1600/red+skull.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On top, in the tissue,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a smiley, shiny skull</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with a daisy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2DirDLGt34/Ut39onRLHxI/AAAAAAAAFfg/3hKWTVdaE3k/s1600/open+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2DirDLGt34/Ut39onRLHxI/AAAAAAAAFfg/3hKWTVdaE3k/s1600/open+box.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, under the tissue...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMsuuiBpHQ8/Ut39rQJR1RI/AAAAAAAAFfo/kLQS5WOR3QE/s1600/1st+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMsuuiBpHQ8/Ut39rQJR1RI/AAAAAAAAFfo/kLQS5WOR3QE/s1600/1st+layer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spice and goodness, as promised!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74MnOkNoBg0/Ut39r_cZd6I/AAAAAAAAFfs/-exqPB9C9uc/s1600/2nd+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74MnOkNoBg0/Ut39r_cZd6I/AAAAAAAAFfs/-exqPB9C9uc/s1600/2nd+layer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A spicy book!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz2BjdDgmw0/Ut39uojyZaI/AAAAAAAAFf4/_6-GXWG9N-0/s1600/3rd+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz2BjdDgmw0/Ut39uojyZaI/AAAAAAAAFf4/_6-GXWG9N-0/s1600/3rd+layer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spicy cards!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAYa2hH1Hk0/Ut39xLXFwNI/AAAAAAAAFgE/RHpD3uK4UEo/s1600/4th+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAYa2hH1Hk0/Ut39xLXFwNI/AAAAAAAAFgE/RHpD3uK4UEo/s1600/4th+layer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spicy secrets!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Krf-fSC3xBk/Ut39xKbWNgI/AAAAAAAAFgA/Pbz_9wtvvRE/s1600/5th+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Krf-fSC3xBk/Ut39xKbWNgI/AAAAAAAAFgA/Pbz_9wtvvRE/s1600/5th+layer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sugar and spice!<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am so thrilled to get these</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the books and I will disappear into a corner</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and take great pleasure</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in each tasty page.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you, thank you, Magaly!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As there's another cold rush coming in,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Polar Vortex! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't that a great name</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a cocktail?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I suggest you go have </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
another look at Magaly's post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and see her recipe for</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pagan-culture.blogspot.com/2013/12/thick-hot-chocolate-with-star-anise-to.html">Thick Hot Chocolate with Star Anise.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're going to need it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-50147356421087317892014-01-05T11:55:00.000-08:002014-01-05T11:55:33.433-08:00Happy New Year and a Hanged Man.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome back to our scheduled programming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's now 2014. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UFQqxTdVkY/Usm0_4aDL4I/AAAAAAAAFd8/k8kBWTkQgC4/s1600/New-Years-Moon-Lady-GraphicsFairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UFQqxTdVkY/Usm0_4aDL4I/AAAAAAAAFd8/k8kBWTkQgC4/s320/New-Years-Moon-Lady-GraphicsFairy.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time to drink champagne and eat four-leafed clover.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, apart from some very </span>pointed<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> questions like</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's 2014! Where are our flying cars?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Who is this wrinkly woman in my mirror</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>every morning?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">things are remarkably chipper.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr N has a new posting we've been working on,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/">The Narrator's Study.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the hanged man</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who started wriggling and coughing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the end of his noose?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've got more!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlTRAiUtcMw/Usm0UdwNeII/AAAAAAAAFdo/u0I4cwMtLFA/s1600/hanging+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlTRAiUtcMw/Usm0UdwNeII/AAAAAAAAFdo/u0I4cwMtLFA/s320/hanging+man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go here to read more of</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/p/new-writing.html">The Curious Vanishing of Professor Raynard.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For new readers,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> start </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the top</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the post.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To go to our next installment,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">scroll down to the photo </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the hanging man.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(like the one above)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and read from there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excitement!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steampunk!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adventure!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bustles!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/F2eqX93umXo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cue the theme music!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-11300708876248938972013-12-15T00:43:00.002-08:002013-12-15T11:09:50.881-08:00Celebrating my way. 3rd Advent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Are you sitting comfortably?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I'll begin...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And thank you to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://msmisantropia.blogspot.com/2013/12/celebrating-my-way-3rd-of-advent.html">Ms Misantropia</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
for inviting us to share</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
our Winter celebrations. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2NZzn5U7qA/Uq1Z3PprRBI/AAAAAAAAFZc/lwhj6X6EQ9g/s1600/holidays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2NZzn5U7qA/Uq1Z3PprRBI/AAAAAAAAFZc/lwhj6X6EQ9g/s320/holidays.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Whenever I say 'Christmas' </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
feel free to insert the </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Winter Festival</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of your choice.)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6aqsEC4ack/Uq1a7WpIs5I/AAAAAAAAFa8/eNgM3k_2aAA/s1600/gs011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6aqsEC4ack/Uq1a7WpIs5I/AAAAAAAAFa8/eNgM3k_2aAA/s320/gs011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Part of what makes Christmas special</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is the repetition of customs and traditions</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that inspire feelings of nostalgia and pleasure,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
building on happy memories of previous years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we talk about childhood Christmases</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we tumble the best bits together,</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and good things get carried forward</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to become part of every Christmas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DfKRUV6CxA/Uq1aBJfibkI/AAAAAAAAFaI/fY9uHDxJjY8/s1600/gs094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DfKRUV6CxA/Uq1aBJfibkI/AAAAAAAAFaI/fY9uHDxJjY8/s320/gs094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One year, not long after we'd married,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hubby asked me to read aloud to him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Understand, dear souls,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I stammer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No one had ever asked me </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to read aloud to them before.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He wanted me to read him</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A Christmas Carol.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljZmX3SFJbQ/Uq1Z_D_TqXI/AAAAAAAAFaA/YGWnYT1zYCA/s1600/reading-couple-edmond-renoir-and-marguerite-legrand-1877.jpg%2521xlMedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljZmX3SFJbQ/Uq1Z_D_TqXI/AAAAAAAAFaA/YGWnYT1zYCA/s1600/reading-couple-edmond-renoir-and-marguerite-legrand-1877.jpg%2521xlMedium.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not us. Some couple by Renoir.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tucked up together on the sofa,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
wrapped in a blanket and </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
drinking steaming hot tea,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I read the whole thing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl3TM8w_Kxk/Uq1aNnPnN1I/AAAAAAAAFa4/gkX1ChNy_wc/s1600/jacob-marleys-ghost-john-leech-1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl3TM8w_Kxk/Uq1aNnPnN1I/AAAAAAAAFa4/gkX1ChNy_wc/s320/jacob-marleys-ghost-john-leech-1843.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know him; Marley's ghost!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It took three readings</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to complete the story,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and its transformative tale</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of a man's redemption.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YxYwg14Rw4/Uq1Z76Bc5eI/AAAAAAAAFZw/SBDhOtj4sS4/s1600/first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YxYwg14Rw4/Uq1Z76Bc5eI/AAAAAAAAFZw/SBDhOtj4sS4/s320/first.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More ghosts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found I loved reading it,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and he enjoyed being read to,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so now it's part of every Christmas.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzcbwy29Egw/Uq1Z92TBofI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/wx4OsgL82oE/s1600/gs109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzcbwy29Egw/Uq1Z92TBofI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/wx4OsgL82oE/s320/gs109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We set aside evenings for it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with cookies and cocoa,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I have to have a hanky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I get all choked up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKysFiCLuM/Uq1aEx5bntI/AAAAAAAAFac/wPUE2rLggaw/s1600/gs081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKysFiCLuM/Uq1aEx5bntI/AAAAAAAAFac/wPUE2rLggaw/s320/gs081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> He: Are you all right, my dear? She: No! Tiny Tim just died!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a simple thing to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It costs nothing and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you can find the book for free on-line.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Although we are considering buying a nice version</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as my old paperback copy is getting very battered.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGUxurmVBnw/Uq1aGEZCNmI/AAAAAAAAFak/cD_RFE51APU/s1600/gs045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGUxurmVBnw/Uq1aGEZCNmI/AAAAAAAAFak/cD_RFE51APU/s320/gs045.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe one with Arthur Rackham's wonderful illustrations?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's a wonderful intimacy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in reading aloud;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's a shared experience</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that's unlike anything else.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmBG8Pmcpv0/Uq1Z5N8e85I/AAAAAAAAFZo/w-OVijVD3YE/s1600/Inf._06_Anselm_Feuerbach%252C_Palo_e_Francesca_%25281864%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmBG8Pmcpv0/Uq1Z5N8e85I/AAAAAAAAFZo/w-OVijVD3YE/s320/Inf._06_Anselm_Feuerbach%252C_Palo_e_Francesca_%25281864%2529.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also not us. Paolo e Francesca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I look forward to it every year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9klmPnyYa8/Uq1aMP1z-CI/AAAAAAAAFas/iGG8N44o-xQ/s1600/old+scratch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9klmPnyYa8/Uq1aMP1z-CI/AAAAAAAAFas/iGG8N44o-xQ/s320/old+scratch.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Krampus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
If you want to try it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd set aside three evenings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JySX52W474/Uq1n54i44sI/AAAAAAAAFbc/3SAfC1aRY34/s1600/img04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JySX52W474/Uq1n54i44sI/AAAAAAAAFbc/3SAfC1aRY34/s320/img04.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first for Marley's visit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUGS14L8bz0/Uq1njconihI/AAAAAAAAFbU/h5ohu29HYww/s1600/Ghost_of_Christmas_Past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUGS14L8bz0/Uq1njconihI/AAAAAAAAFbU/h5ohu29HYww/s320/Ghost_of_Christmas_Past.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The second for Christmas Past </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idlqC3GY-So/Uq1oY1WU3DI/AAAAAAAAFbk/xWtzRVtrNw8/s1600/Scrooges_third_visitor-John_Leech,1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idlqC3GY-So/Uq1oY1WU3DI/AAAAAAAAFbk/xWtzRVtrNw8/s320/Scrooges_third_visitor-John_Leech,1843.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Christmas Present.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-dvkUeIQHs/Uq1nLGPRBhI/AAAAAAAAFbM/t_8zRsNp02A/s1600/gs138+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-dvkUeIQHs/Uq1nLGPRBhI/AAAAAAAAFbM/t_8zRsNp02A/s320/gs138+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the last for </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas Yet To Come. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Christmas morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Provide nibbles,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
light lots of candles,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and enjoy the role</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the Storyteller.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQZycgesFtE/Uq1o_ES7oII/AAAAAAAAFbs/iKVLlblvE4A/s1600/gs016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQZycgesFtE/Uq1o_ES7oII/AAAAAAAAFbs/iKVLlblvE4A/s320/gs016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Links to making your own <a href="http://gaslightandgilt.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-ghost-of-christmas-past.html">Marley Door Knocker </a>can be found here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To share in other celebrations,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hop over to Ms Misantropia's Blog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to join in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://msmisantropia.blogspot.com/2013/12/celebrating-my-way-3rd-of-advent.html">Celebrating the Holidays My Way</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-54047185285431008652013-12-11T03:11:00.002-08:002013-12-11T09:06:13.043-08:00Horny Hump Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Blimey, it's cold!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Better get some hot action going, then!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hornyhumpday.com/2013/12/08/hornyhday-participants-december-11-2013/">Horny Hump Day!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are the further adventures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the foul-mouthed Gretina the Skivvy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Foul-mouthed she may be, but she is also bewilderingly innocent and horribly prudish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alone with a young man for the first time, she panics about what will happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrVD2gpXHf8/UqhHprJKOdI/AAAAAAAAFYI/M5iY2xoTyts/s1600/Jean-Honor%C3%A9_Fragonard_-_The_Bolt_-_WGA8080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrVD2gpXHf8/UqhHprJKOdI/AAAAAAAAFYI/M5iY2xoTyts/s320/Jean-Honor%C3%A9_Fragonard_-_The_Bolt_-_WGA8080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Gretina wasn't sure what to expect, but Tilly Squint had assured her, with much giggling and gasps of horror, that men turned into </i>beasts<i>, that they ripped away all your clothing and threw you down on your back with your legs stuck up in the air, like rabbit-ears. Tilly had been vague on the details as to what happened next, but that it was terrible, that you were </i>used<i>; that was the word, </i>used<i>! Tilly had explained that afterwards there was mess and blood, and then you had a baby, in agony. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzgxQzSTUf0/UqhH54qhjmI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/t4BfRpmjyxc/s1600/stays4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzgxQzSTUf0/UqhH54qhjmI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/t4BfRpmjyxc/s320/stays4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hop on over to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hornyhumpday.com/2013/12/08/hornyhday-participants-december-11-2013/">Horny Hump Day</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and join in the party.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-36638152771411430602013-12-10T11:04:00.001-08:002013-12-10T11:04:32.888-08:00Seven Minutes of Story<div style="text-align: center;">
I write, because I love story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the compulsion of the narrative </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and believe in the redemptive powers of the tale.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heavy, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, how about this?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have seven minutes to spare,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watch this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G0KTUysrwgQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And when it's done,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
even though the story is complete,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you'll want to know more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You'll want to know</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWVZ_zKwkPk/UqdlYvu1_lI/AAAAAAAAFXY/XYQA7t4pTkM/s1600/quantic-dream-e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWVZ_zKwkPk/UqdlYvu1_lI/AAAAAAAAFXY/XYQA7t4pTkM/s320/quantic-dream-e3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was made as a showcase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a game developer's graphics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, there isn't any more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You want more,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you'll have to add story yourself.</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-83709405036720733632013-12-06T16:41:00.001-08:002013-12-07T12:05:36.809-08:00Dream Destination <div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dream Destination </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
blog hop</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
courtesy of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lexacain.blogspot.se/2013/12/dream-destination-blog-hop.html">Lexa Cain</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://julieflanders.blogspot.com/2013/12/dream-destination-day-two-aquinnah-blog.html">Julie Flanders.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlq7dFySg0U/UqJsoEfTBMI/AAAAAAAAFV0/qJXi9uXU90c/s1600/Blog-Hop+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlq7dFySg0U/UqJsoEfTBMI/AAAAAAAAFV0/qJXi9uXU90c/s320/Blog-Hop+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please fasten your seatbelt,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and return your stewardess to the upright position.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rn1Dr2-81KI/UqJs_Yy7MjI/AAAAAAAAFV8/rHBMx0zUwdA/s1600/twa_stewardess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rn1Dr2-81KI/UqJs_Yy7MjI/AAAAAAAAFV8/rHBMx0zUwdA/s320/twa_stewardess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where would I go</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if I could go anywhere?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good question. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQgMU3vX8rQ/UqJtaYQsUMI/AAAAAAAAFWE/NIoMyrRcfCg/s1600/695px-World_Map_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQgMU3vX8rQ/UqJtaYQsUMI/AAAAAAAAFWE/NIoMyrRcfCg/s320/695px-World_Map_1689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm limiting the answers to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
real places</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because most of you are writers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and frankly, as writers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we can go ANYWHERE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while still sat behind our keyboard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And have tea with a faun</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when we get there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLSk_I0vq1E/UqJt7aiPZNI/AAAAAAAAFWM/L4OQy1CZaQQ/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLSk_I0vq1E/UqJt7aiPZNI/AAAAAAAAFWM/L4OQy1CZaQQ/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's like this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm English and<br />
I've lived most of my life near castles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wp2GMTwDmnE/UqJnH8XgpSI/AAAAAAAAFUE/rPytk-Y5cbA/s1600/stillharb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wp2GMTwDmnE/UqJnH8XgpSI/AAAAAAAAFUE/rPytk-Y5cbA/s320/stillharb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne_Castle"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lindisfarne</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Big, beautiful castles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM9qFmaNjHg/UqJn2xY4jKI/AAAAAAAAFU0/lBviuLACJvo/s1600/coastal_region_bamburgh_castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM9qFmaNjHg/UqJn2xY4jKI/AAAAAAAAFU0/lBviuLACJvo/s320/coastal_region_bamburgh_castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamburgh_Castle">Bamburgh</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like this. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbQObDNSm1c/UqJnQXIIE2I/AAAAAAAAFUU/qwjb_fGxhRI/s1600/800px-Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbQObDNSm1c/UqJnQXIIE2I/AAAAAAAAFUU/qwjb_fGxhRI/s320/800px-Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodiam_Castle">Bodiam</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are everywhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V98oId3Wla0/UqJnWFhQwDI/AAAAAAAAFUc/bR1lZ3rgaM0/s1600/norham3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V98oId3Wla0/UqJnWFhQwDI/AAAAAAAAFUc/bR1lZ3rgaM0/s320/norham3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norham_Castle">Norham</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of them are lived in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMDbYKrrtr0/UqJnfktuagI/AAAAAAAAFUk/Fcc0zrBw4Zg/s1600/Warwickcastle_Westside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMDbYKrrtr0/UqJnfktuagI/AAAAAAAAFUk/Fcc0zrBw4Zg/s320/Warwickcastle_Westside.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle">Warwick</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of them are still lived in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by the family who built them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdWZQdSpHhA/UqJnySNVS-I/AAAAAAAAFUs/Y18axKEsusM/s1600/alnwick_castle_northumberland_uk_photo_gov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdWZQdSpHhA/UqJnySNVS-I/AAAAAAAAFUs/Y18axKEsusM/s320/alnwick_castle_northumberland_uk_photo_gov.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle">Alnwick</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love castles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP3PZbc_3Io/UqJo5upnO-I/AAAAAAAAFVA/UtyFxP25RCE/s1600/bothal-castle-800p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP3PZbc_3Io/UqJo5upnO-I/AAAAAAAAFVA/UtyFxP25RCE/s320/bothal-castle-800p.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothal_Castle">Bothal</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But sometimes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd like a different kind of fantasy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Something splashy and trashy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Something in high heels and false eyelashes </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and suspect gender.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's a real kind of magic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A city set aside for adults to play adult games,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to believe in the very real power of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">glamour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in its original sense.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I want to go to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">LAS VEGAS!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYBtGJ36vs8/UqJqMPLRTtI/AAAAAAAAFVM/ryzomlLX1lk/s1600/e776ee53c417971a54f0ff4d09882913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYBtGJ36vs8/UqJqMPLRTtI/AAAAAAAAFVM/ryzomlLX1lk/s320/e776ee53c417971a54f0ff4d09882913.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Yeah, Baby!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgh7xiYyEzg/UqJqM-QJtdI/AAAAAAAAFVU/0qU2eK2t8_Q/s1600/800px-Las_Vegas_Strip_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="54" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgh7xiYyEzg/UqJqM-QJtdI/AAAAAAAAFVU/0qU2eK2t8_Q/s320/800px-Las_Vegas_Strip_panorama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They even have castles!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hop on over to either </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lexacain.blogspot.se/2013/12/dream-destination-blog-hop.html">Lexa's </a></span>or <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://julieflanders.blogspot.com/2013/12/dream-destination-day-two-aquinnah-blog.html">Julie's</a></span> blog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and join in the fun.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prizes too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went back and identified the castles,<br />
so you can visit them,<br />
at least on the page.<br />
<br />
Most of them are in the north of England.<br />
I've been lucky enough to live near<br />
all of them, except Warwick Castle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-7777314963081359182013-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:002013-12-01T16:22:05.158-08:00NaNoWriMo and me.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, I didn't complete my NaNoWriMo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vShVS_GTp4/UpvP-Hp0qwI/AAAAAAAAFRU/rUb5LtiNC70/s1600/crest-bda7b7a6e1b57bb9fb8ce9772b8faafb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vShVS_GTp4/UpvP-Hp0qwI/AAAAAAAAFRU/rUb5LtiNC70/s1600/crest-bda7b7a6e1b57bb9fb8ce9772b8faafb.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got to 21,007 words, though,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">so nearly half.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This does mean that my 44,000 word</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">fledgling novel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is now </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">63317 words long!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yay!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Someone who did complete their</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NaNoWriMo is</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.magalyguerrero.com/">Magaly Guerrero.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4gKekm3PfQ/UpvRwxP0D1I/AAAAAAAAFRg/uCxIt9tF20Q/s1600/Magaly+Guerrero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4gKekm3PfQ/UpvRwxP0D1I/AAAAAAAAFRg/uCxIt9tF20Q/s1600/Magaly+Guerrero.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well done, Magaly</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and congratulations!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-11937685278328966352013-11-27T00:40:00.001-08:002013-11-28T17:31:34.431-08:00Horny Hump Day: The Skivvy's Tale.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post contains naughty words and naughty pictures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">NSFW!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Safe for Grown-Ups, though.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is three sentence passage from the novel I've been poking at for three years. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first half wrote itself very quickly, the second section I've been plugging at on NaNoWriMo. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've hit an action scene.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cannons! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drama! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Betrayal! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wicked Cooks!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, I can't write action scenes for shit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Not a word I write often, but absolutely</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
apposite under the circumstances)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I've stalled.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope to write half a NaNo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's like a half-marathon, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl1-Al-f-2E/UpWqLXtYMaI/AAAAAAAAFQI/uiRFF2RQve0/s1600/Jean_Sim%C3%A9on_Chardin_-_The_Kitchen_Maid_-_WGA04763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl1-Al-f-2E/UpWqLXtYMaI/AAAAAAAAFQI/uiRFF2RQve0/s320/Jean_Sim%C3%A9on_Chardin_-_The_Kitchen_Maid_-_WGA04763.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meanwhile, this is a scene</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from the closing chapters of the first book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of <i>The Skivvy's Tale</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where our protagonist,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gretina Bathshaw</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is in the wicked clutches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the evil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord Arcady Vulpt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYVuNztpelY/UpWuWtXqmCI/AAAAAAAAFQY/4p6T9QzDHu0/s1600/RokebyVenus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYVuNztpelY/UpWuWtXqmCI/AAAAAAAAFQY/4p6T9QzDHu0/s320/RokebyVenus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> She bent her knees, drawing up her feet, knowing her position to be wanton and shameless; grateful for the concealment of the mask. A new scent sharpened the air, her own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Like a rose,’ he said, softly, ’ A woman’s sex opens like a flower and pours out its fragrance when she is in bloom.’</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for visiting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hornyhumpday.com/2013/11/24/hornyhday-participants-nov-27-2013/">on Horny Hump Day</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you had fun!</div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-17109371788410078062013-11-25T15:02:00.000-08:002013-11-25T15:02:19.555-08:00Grabs you by your collar<div style="text-align: center;">
Crickets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, Crickets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a recording of crickets. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are two tracks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
blended together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One is the sound of crickets as we hear them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other is the sound slowed down.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crickets live brief lives, compared to us,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the cricket chirrup is slowed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the speed it would be </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if a cricket lived as long as we do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/tags/crickets"> Listen...</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(It's at the top of the page)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty6m89F1ey4/UpPWnqP3ulI/AAAAAAAAFP0/ngtSi4V3mG0/s1600/781px-Criquet.1(L).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty6m89F1ey4/UpPWnqP3ulI/AAAAAAAAFP0/ngtSi4V3mG0/s320/781px-Criquet.1(L).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's some reports </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that this is a hoax,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or a fix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd suggest that when the sound was slowed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was also changed in pitch, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be at the same tone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as a human voice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That seems fair enough,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a valid solution for us to be able to hear it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as something musical and new.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086220695886267082.post-14593199167776618102013-11-24T14:39:00.000-08:002013-11-24T14:39:20.923-08:00The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://morrislessmore.com/"><br /></a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://morrislessmore.com/">The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore</a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is an award winning film, inspired by </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hurricane Katrina, the Wizard of Oz, Buster Keaton</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and a love of books.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is a paean to the redemptive power of story,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
which ties in rather neatly to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thenarratorsstudy.blogspot.com/2013/11/todays-tunes_24.html">The Narrator's musical offering </a>for today.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
However, it is 15 minutes long,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so it's not a quick browse</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
if you're just passing through.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It might be nice to find this on youtube</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and put up for your little bunnies to watch,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
while they sit there in their bunny slippers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with hot chocolate and blankets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
on a cold winter's night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EGgo1-1QBok?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Rhissannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09001501916407616825noreply@blogger.com2