The lovely thing about the internet, and blogging in particular, is that it leads you down a wonderful path of discovery. This is also the dangerous part. When to stop! I found a cool ezine called Small Magazine. It's full of creative stuff, incredible photography, and some of the most beautiful children I've ever seen, except for my own kids, of course. From there I wandered off to new places. One of these was The Small Object by artist Sarah Neuburger, where I found the coolest accessory for the thumb wrestling crowd--thumb wrestling championship belts! Can you imagine?
Writing for Children:
I also wanted to mention Write4Kids. It's a great writing resource.
I'm very excited about Nancy Sanders' blog. She's doing a series called Book in a Month Club, as in actually writing the whole darn thing in one month!
International Illustrators:
I've been traveling via the internet this week and found some wonderful blogs, most of which are in Spanish. Some are in English, also. Looks like I need to learn a new language.
Claudia Degliuomini
Marta Chicote Juiz
Merce Lopez
Marlowa
Cara Carmina
And last, but not least, I discovered the lovely site of Amanda Soule. She's written a book called, The Creative Family. Her blog is so enjoyable and heartwarming and inspiring.
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By: Laura Zarrin,
on 3/18/2008
Blog: Creative Whimsies (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Cara Carmina, Marta Chicote Juiz, Nancy Sanders, Merce Lopez, Claudia Degliuomini, Write4Kids, The Creative Family, Small Object, Amanda Soule, Small Magazine, Marlowa, Add a tag
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/25/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, scary, dragons, monsters, storybook, ghosts, haunted, goblins, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, boo, Add a tag
“Sigh… it’s a shame too. They only found one Ajan wimp, and it’s been over a week.”
“Six days to go until we cancel the party for them. I can’t wait to see all the disappointment.”
“Come on, we’ve got more of those sad face buttons to sell.”
“I’m depressed.”
“You’re always depressed.”
“Yeah but today I have bonus depression.”
“Oh, have a nice day.”
“That’s not very funny.”
“Ssssend usssss more fiend mail. . . humansssss are such foolsssssss…”
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/18/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, scary, dragons, monsters, storybook, ghosts, Cecilia Daichi, Hikousen, haunted, goblins, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, boo, Add a tag
“I found Teko and he gots clues for everybody so you can help us find all my friends! If you look around our site starting tomorrow you might find some of Teko’s clues and if you do it will help us find everyone faster! Come on Hikousen! Let’s keep looking.”
zzzzzz
Posted on 10/16/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, monsters, haunted, ztag, zy, scary, boo, storybook, ghosts, thunder and lightning, spooky, dragons, halloween, goblins, reptile monsters, myths and legends, Cecilia Daichi, Hikousen, Add a tag
“I’m glad you came to help us, Acey!”
“Hey, we’re all on the same team! Let’s put together a good plan and we’ll find your friends. You can count on that.”
“Yay! Now we’re gonna beat those mean Halloween monsters, Hikousen!”
“zzzzzz”
“Communications link with LadyStar web site established, Commander.”
“Outstanding. We’ll handle the updates from here, Cici. You and Hikousen take this commlink and go find your friends. If you need us, just say ‘Cici to Hana’ and you’ll be patched in to Z-bot’s communications network.”
“Okay! Let’s go Hikousen!”
“mmmmzzzzrrrwwzzzzz”
Posted on 10/16/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, Cecilia Daichi, boo, scary, monsters, storybook, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, halloween, dragons, ghosts, haunted, goblins, Add a tag
“No time for analysis, Z-bot. Until we know what’s going on we’re on maximum battle status.”
“Affirmative, Commander. Weapons systems armed.”
“Look sharp.”
“I can’t find anyone. Alanna, Shannon, anybody. Do you have any idea?”
“Only that white bird, and it’s still in the tree outside. I can’t get near it but it’s been watching us all day.”
“FREEZE!“
gasp!
“Is that some kind of space gun or something?”
“How many more?”
“None, Commander. Nearest humanoid life form bearing 252 mark six range 18 meters.”
“Threat analysis.”
“Negative weapons. Negative heavy alloys. Negative elecromagnetic emissions. Negative radiation. Nearest radio communications signal source range is 21 kilometers.”
“Who are you?!”
“Where is Talitha Hayashi?”
“We don’t know! That’s what we were just saying!”
“Acey!”
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/15/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, dragons, ghosts, Cecilia Daichi, Hikousen, haunted, goblins, Gamepowa.com, boo, scary, monsters, storybook, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, Add a tag
“Well, you look like an awfully tired cat, but I have to use my desk if you don’t mind.”
zzzzzz
“Oof! You’re a heavy one aren’t you? Arrrgh! You’re too heavy for me! Well I was headed for class anyway so I guess you can stay here until you find another place to sleep.”
“Okay, here’s that computer that Talitha was using with the green letters. She did a ‘ping’ something and that made it so Acey could hear us. Let me try it.”
“New Satcom signal detected. Low-power ATS IP network data source at terminal location E29A64. Core communications database identifies sender as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ ninth-grade student. Location: Tree Shores High School. Priority transmission source identified. Message recorded for relay to Hana. Activating primary com channel. Stand by location E29A64.”
“Help us Acey! Oh wait, I have to type it. H-E-L-P U-S A-C-E-Y“
“Distress signal detected. Upgrading alert status. Switching transmission network to secure frequency. Activating secondary com channel.”
“Z-bot to Hana.”
“Hana, Acey here.”
“Reporting auto-upgrade of alert status. Receiving distress signal from priority transmission source at station E29A64, bearing 304 mark 18, range 82,000 kilometers. Sender has been identified as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ Location: Tree Shores High School. Standing by for instructions.”
“Yellow Alert. Activate autocombat systems.”
“Affirmative. Autocombat systems engaged.”
“Patch me in to primary secure com channel.”
“Affirmative. You’re on Commander.”
“This is Commander Acey aboard the Hana. Please describe your emergency.”
“Receiving response, Commander. Relaying… T-H-E H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N M-O-N-S-T-E-R-S“
“Halloween monsters? Analysis, Z-bot?”
“Negative. Station E29A64 is no longer transmitting.”
“We’ve got to get down there and find out what’s going on. Rendezvous with the Hana at the Tree Shores High School Band Room and remain on station, Z-bot. Acey out.”
“Affirmative, Commander. ETA six minutes.”
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/15/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, scary, dragons, monsters, storybook, ghosts, Cecilia Daichi, Hikousen, haunted, goblins, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, boo, Add a tag
“This is where Talitha was using the computer, Hikousen, but we gotta be real quiet ’cause it’s like a library.”
“mmmmmwwwrzzzzzz”
“That’s the teacher’s desk I think. It’s the one with all the papers. Maybe I should transform and then I can use my powers to make them go away.”
zzzzzz
“Or I can use big fat purring kitty power.”
*oof* “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”
“You’re gonna sleep there Hikousen. Don’t move until I get back. I’m gonna go use Talitha’s computer so I can call Acey to help us.”
“mmrwowrzzzzzz”
“What in the name of…”
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/14/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, scary, dragons, monsters, storybook, ghosts, haunted, goblins, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, spooky, reptile monsters, myths and legends, boo, Add a tag
The Haunted Halloween Hunt now has its own page so you can follow Cici n’ Hikousen’s spooky adventure!
“Missssssserable humansssssss. . . thisssss page will not sssssssave your Ajan Warriorsssssssss. . .”
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/13/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Tree Shores High School Band Room, halloween, scary, storybook, Cecilia Daichi, Hikousen, thunder and lightning, ztag, zy, reptile monsters, myths and legends, boo, dragons, monsters, ghosts, haunted, goblins, spooky, Add a tag
“Greetings humans! heh heh heh… seems we’ve got us a web site now that everyone else is gone. We brought some of our friends along too.”
“Pathetic humanssssss. . . . Your Ajan Warriorssssssss are finissssssssshed. . . . You thought we were defeated at the Lithic Pavilion, but you cannot defeat ussssss ssssso eassssily. . .”
“So as you can see, we’re in charge around here now.”
“This is all so pointless. Why is everything so pointless?”
“Oh, I’m afraid we’ll find the last of the Ajan Warriors soon enough. . . heh heh heh get it? ‘I’m afraid?’”
“I’m so depressed.”
“Go ahead you simpering humans. See if you can find them! We dare you.”
“They get candy and parties and what do I get? A candle burning the top of my head for two weeks. Go away and leave us alone.”
Happy Halloween!
Jessica, Shannon, Talitha, Ranko, Leila and Alanna were all together at school. But one by one, they have vanished. Only Cici and Hikousen are left, and they’ve set out to rescue their friends.
But they need YOUR help. The nefarious Haunted Halloween minions have trapped Jessica and her friends in ensorcelled cages hidden somewhere around the LadyStar web site. Each time you discover one of the ensorcelled cages, you will be able to read another chapter of the story of Cici n’ Hikousen’s Haunted Halloween Hunt. If you can find them, you will be helping Cici and Hikousen solve the Halloween mystery.
Starting Monday, October 15th!
Starting Monday night, October 15th, you have until Halloween night, October 31st, to help rescue all six of Cici’s friends. Then, on Halloween night, the seventh and final chapter of the Haunted Halloween Hunt will be published exclusively right here on the Magical and Mysterious World of LadyStar. Can you defeat the Halloween minions and rescue Cici’s friends?
The Haunted Halloween Hunt Rules
- The ensorcelled cages and story chapters are on the Ladystar.net site only. It is not necessary to click any off-site links or links provided by any site other than LadyStar.net
- You may find clues hidden around the site as well.
- Be observant and read the Halloween story chapters carefully. There might be clues hidden there.
Are you up for the challenge? Prepare yourself. The minions are waiting, and they know what scares you . . .
By: Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 8/27/2007
Blog: LadyStar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Jessica Hoshi, Talitha Hayashi, Ranko Yorozu, Alanna Kawa, Shannon Ka Yoru, jewelry, warrior, Lore, thunder and lightning, magical warrior, plate armor, sonic, warhammer, Add a tag
“Sugoi-desuuuuu….”
“Oh my…”
“I have no idea what to say.”
“I agree with Hoshi. Sugoi.”
“Well, since nobody is going to talk, I’ll just say here’s the new Warrior of the Storms Page. Tons of new stuff. Have fun.”
By: Neil Gaiman,
on 8/10/2007
Blog: Neil Gaiman (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Stardust movies, Thunder and lightning, why computers are bloody-minded tools of the devil, making light, cables, Add a tag
Anyway...
The email from Paramount that came in earlier today contained good news -- Stardust opened at Number 1 in Russia, and took 3 million already -- and bad news -- we were Number 4 on Friday night in the USA and took 3 million. Which means, it went on, that the projections are that we'll easily break $100 million internationally; and that as the majority of US reviews are good to excellent*, and the exit polls they've done on people coming out are as good as could be hoped for, that Stardust will hang around for a little while longer in the US (which is, after all, about 40% of the theatrical market) and hope that word of mouth does what the ad campaign has significantly failed to do.
* Stardust reviews can be read at
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/stardust
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stardust/
(Although the review collections leave out the NPR review at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12688902
which I like mostly because it describes it as reminding him of the Princess Bride with a healthy dollop of Blackadder.)
There's a fascinating article about Stardust and The Princess Bride, and about how Paramount marketing seem to have come a cropper on the same pitfalls that The Princess Bride did:
...
Could you, by any chance, post the mole footage? I know it seems silly, but of all the animals I've seen living in Minnesota (foxes, deer, bears, minks, otters, grouse, pheasants, giant snapping turtles, chipmunks, bald eagles and a few pelicans), I've never actually seen a mole. I feel very curious about the look of the thing.
Sure -- let me see if I can figure out how to put it up here directly through blogger without putting it onto youtube or something first. It's just film from an old phone, and it's small to begin with.
...
I really enjoyed this presentation and annotation, by Teresa Nielsen Hayden, of a letter from an Australian bookselling chain who think they deserve more money from small publishers, so are trying to charge them for the privilege of being stocked, and the reply from an irate but sensible publisher:
...
So a few months ago I noticed that things had stopped working. The Slingbox. Various computers. The house network didn't do what it used to. Something was wrong.
I got the electrician who had redone the junction box, where all the cat 5 cables come out to the house, while I was away. "You did it wrong," I told him. "Everything worked before you came." He inspected all the cabling and told me, no, it was all fine.
It wasn't fine. A couple of computers were okay, but the rest of them couldn't get on to the network. Even the network printer didn't work.
Yesterday he came back and we tried to figure out what was wrong.
"I don't understand it," he said. "I mean, I hooked them all up right..."
I went on to the web and checked what where the Cat 5 cable wires are meant to go. There was a huge illustrated colour diagram showing all the different wires, orange and green and blue and brown and their stripy equivalents, and where they fit in the head. "So you did them like this?" I asked.
"Er..." and he looked, and he checked. "No. No, I didn't." It turned out he'd put them in in an order of his own devising. The strange thing was that a couple of the computers had managed to get on the network anyway, despite that.
So he put all the wires where they should have been. As if by magic, things started working...
Except for the Linux computer in the attic, which can no longer find the network.
...
And for those of you looking for your own falling stars...
I don't know if you're aware of it or will even be in the right circumstances to watch it, but tomorrow (Sunday) night around 11ish to Monday morning 6ish the Perseids are making their appearance. The peak of Perseids will be during the predawn period Monday. The professionals are saying it will be a wonderful shower with a lack of moonlight and the shower peaking at 80 meteors per hour. Even Mars will enjoy the show. Anyway, I thought this would be something you'd enjoy.