Monday, August 25, 2008

Thinking Good Thoughts Today...

...for baby Aaron, who arrived unexpectedly last night, two months early.

3lbs. 4oz.

Instead of seeing his pregnant mother next month, I'll be hopefully meeting him in person.

The year of the baby continues...

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Holy Crap!

Yesterday was my four-year blogversary (is that a word?). BUT! More important things today!

This is pure genius:


Hitler Runs Universal


A truer piece about the theme park industry has never existed.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Clearing out the Cobwebs

I'd really like to say I've been so busy doing fascinating! fun! stuff that I simply haven't had time to blog in the last two weeks.

Um, yeah. I've been working. And then I worked some more. Maybe I cooked something, thought about exercising, and then I fell asleep.

What a life.

The most exciting thing I've done is watch movies. My other half was kind enough to move our extra TV and DVD player outside in front of the sofa. So, in the last week I've seen Madagascar, No Country for Old Men, Ratatouille, and Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Electric Boogaloo. I'll let you guess which one I liked the most. That is the most movies I've seen in months, by the way.

I did go to the Huntington the other day, and now I'm a member.

Yep. I need a hobby.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Vacation - All I Ever Wanted

Note to self: Do not take a vacation at the home of a person for whom you work. It can hardly be called a vacation.

That said, it is nice to be out of the office for awhile, even if I am designing books, editing plans, and signing drawings. And other than the complete meltdown I had at 4:30 this morning (hey thanks anxiety!) I'm having a fine time. Especially because I'm here ALONE right now. Except that I really want to go out and while my oldest friend in the world lives here, she started teaching at her new school yesterday and is wrapped up until Friday. Sigh. I guess I could go find some random convention attendee to buy me some drinks, but that seems like a lot of work, not to mention slightly creepy. I've seen those "local girls"...and no way am I going anywhere with some strange man.

Besides, I'd have to take a shower AND be charming. I'd rather sit around in my underpants and eat potato chips and grunt at the TV.

Somehow I've become a man.

I'd better buy some shoes tonight.

Friday, August 01, 2008

CYOB - Science Fiction Double Feature!

The following post is my piece of Choose Your Own Blogventure.

Start at the beginning and make your own adventure!

Continued from Stefanie Says...

"Jax?"

Xinni heard herself cry out, praying he was here. The mysterious voice was weak but, without a doubt, his. Confused and in need of support, Xinni followed the trail of wires and ship parts.

The trail wound down a steep hill covered with moss. The rocks were loose and she slipped more than once as she descended to the valley. At the bottom of the hill she followed more pieces of wire, buttons, and scraps. Ahead lay a thick grove of rock formations. It was a desolate and barren place. The darkness followed shadows and the shadows followed nothingness.

Xinni could hear her heart pounding in her ears. This place was dangerous. The feeling of being watched haunted her. As she reached the opening to the rock formations she stumbled. She stopped and turned to go back to the ship when Jax's voice caressed her ears again. He was calling out to her. She couldn't give up on him no matter what dangers lay ahead of her.

Continuing forward, Xinni crossed the threshold and left the valley behind. She moved deeper into the shadows of the towering rocks. A blinding green light spread in front of her. It grew in intensity as it approached her, and frightened, she fell to the ground. At that moment an enormous boulder came crashing out of the sky and landed only a few feet from her. As the dust settled Xinni saw the entrance was completely sealed by the boulder. There was no going back now.

She turned to examine her only way out. The shadows were blinding. There was something unnatural about their dark nature, as if they were not shadows but merely voids. Then she noticed the last piece of wire under her foot. She moved ahead cautiously to look for more clues, but found none. Left in the dark caverns, no trail to follow, Xinni felt a shiver run down her spine. She had to think, but there was no time. Jax could be in trouble and she needed to get away from these dark voids.

The only choice left was to keep moving forward. The voids seemed to shimmer. How was it possible for complete nothingness to shimmer? Xinni tried to put them out of her mind. She turned a corner and came upon a narrow path between two rocks. She was terrified of squeezing through them, but from the little light showing she could see that ahead the pathway widened. Suddenly, a rustling sound on her right made her jump. She turned and jumped back.

Just as she turned she saw a large hole in the bottom of the cave wall. Something was crawling through the hole, whether to escape her or have her follow, she couldn't tell. As she bent down to examine the hole she noticed a small rounded disc lying at the opening. It was a key from the ship. Xinni stood and looked around. Another piece of the ship lay close to the narrow passageway. Just then a loud piercing scream came from behind her. The rumbling of rocks could be heard above and the ground was shaking. She had to get out of there.


If you think Xinni should enter the hole (and follow whatever went in before her) click here.

If you think Xinni should enter the narrow passageway, click here.