Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 44
May 20, 2014
"41st! 41st!" "It's not like they put the numbers on the outside of the building!"
Have you ever had one of those days were you planned to get a lot of work done and the whole world was against you? That was my day yesterday. I was going to come home from work, read, edit, and post. Instead, my family decided to last minute go out of town and see Godzilla on the big screen. (The screen in town is tiny and pathetic for watching giant monsters tear up cities.) It was fun, I won't deny that it was fun, but now I have to resort to the hermit life again and hide in my bedroom all day to see if I can get caught up.
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the Blade Books lately. I've never written anything like them before and when I look over the story and everything I hope to accomplish with it I feel like I have given myself an impossible task.
It isn't just so much making sure all of the different series fit together so the final book won't flop, it is the actual Blade series itself. There are certain things I am attempting with it that are kind of risky. I've been getting help with them - I sent a long email to someone the other day because they managed to pull off what I am hoping to do. It was brilliant when they did it. I keep believing mine is going to sound like some half thought out Science Fiction idea I threw in last minute because I wanted a plot change.
I'm not even sure what it is about this series that has me feeling lost and believing I am going to murder it brutally. Part of it is because I have been planning it for years. Even before I got the title or the actual idea, the desire to write a quest book has been bouncing around in my head since I was about 12 or 13.
I am hoping this is a good sign. These books aren't easy to write. There are days when I open the document and just stare at it because I don't know what is supposed to happen or why the characters did something and left me to try and catch up. I would have thought after all the plot changes the crew of the Haphazard books put me through I'd be more prepared for the Blade Boys. But they have their own level of insanity and plot changes. But if the books take more time, and surprise me this much, then maybe that means they will turn out really well. (I don't know how that works. But it seems to make sense if you've spent longer agonizing over a plot then it has a better chance of knocking people's boots off.)
Not to make it sound like I am not having fun with the series. (I was writing one scene the other day with Fagan and Trystan and discovered I really like them together. Something about almost killing the grumpy characters - fun things happen.)
I am nearing the end of book two. It is longer than I expected. I tend not to write long books because I don't want things to being to drag. But this time it just seems to work, and I am hoping by the end of it I will have the story I have always wanted.
I should stop now. I have editing to do and then I need to re-write a chapter which was lost when I was having computer problems.
Quote is from The Winter Soldier again. Between Sam Wilson and Nick Fury.
Allons-y!
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the Blade Books lately. I've never written anything like them before and when I look over the story and everything I hope to accomplish with it I feel like I have given myself an impossible task.
It isn't just so much making sure all of the different series fit together so the final book won't flop, it is the actual Blade series itself. There are certain things I am attempting with it that are kind of risky. I've been getting help with them - I sent a long email to someone the other day because they managed to pull off what I am hoping to do. It was brilliant when they did it. I keep believing mine is going to sound like some half thought out Science Fiction idea I threw in last minute because I wanted a plot change.
I'm not even sure what it is about this series that has me feeling lost and believing I am going to murder it brutally. Part of it is because I have been planning it for years. Even before I got the title or the actual idea, the desire to write a quest book has been bouncing around in my head since I was about 12 or 13.
I am hoping this is a good sign. These books aren't easy to write. There are days when I open the document and just stare at it because I don't know what is supposed to happen or why the characters did something and left me to try and catch up. I would have thought after all the plot changes the crew of the Haphazard books put me through I'd be more prepared for the Blade Boys. But they have their own level of insanity and plot changes. But if the books take more time, and surprise me this much, then maybe that means they will turn out really well. (I don't know how that works. But it seems to make sense if you've spent longer agonizing over a plot then it has a better chance of knocking people's boots off.)
Not to make it sound like I am not having fun with the series. (I was writing one scene the other day with Fagan and Trystan and discovered I really like them together. Something about almost killing the grumpy characters - fun things happen.)
I am nearing the end of book two. It is longer than I expected. I tend not to write long books because I don't want things to being to drag. But this time it just seems to work, and I am hoping by the end of it I will have the story I have always wanted.
I should stop now. I have editing to do and then I need to re-write a chapter which was lost when I was having computer problems.
Quote is from The Winter Soldier again. Between Sam Wilson and Nick Fury.
Allons-y!
May 17, 2014
"Lauren? With the lip ring?" "Yeah, she's cute." "Yeah...I'm not ready for that."
Wherein Jack shares the blurb for A Test of Loyalty
I don't know why, but I've been having the worst trouble with this book. Between trying to get a cover done and just editing it. Part of editing was my computer trouble and then getting sick. Another reason is I was sent about four different requests to help with beta reading and do book reviews. Not that I am complaining. If I get to say reading is part of my job I am all for that. I can spend a whole evening reading and say I am working. What isn't to like?
I really want to work on marketing though. I've been letting it slip lately and am therefore trying to come up with new ideas. I am trying them out with this book. Hopefully they will work.
The cover is, once again, one of my biggest concerns. I had hoped to have it done by now, but I don't even have a picture for it yet. But, I do have a plan now and am hoping to get the picture - and the one for book three - this week. Once I have the picture things tend to go smoother.
I am still holding the trailer contest!!! I've even made one, because I said I might, just to join in. (And I will be sharing it. It is slightly embarrassing, so if I can show mine to all of you you can show yours to everyone else. *Grin* Like my reasoning?)
Moving on.
The blurb.
Let me know what you think!
Upon learning he is one of the sons of the now dead king, Prince Lachlan has been forced to leave the only home he has ever known. Fleeing for his life, his step-brothers a step behind, Lachlan finds safety and friendship with a young seamstress named Magda, a hermit, an Elf, and two Dwarf brothers. Determined to keep the young prince alive, Magda and the others seek out help in the surrounding Nations.
Everywhere they go, the fugitives are constantly turned away. They are followed by Lachlan's half- brothers who are determined to kill him so that one of them might take their father's crown and become the next king. With every place Lachlan is taken, his brothers close in and when the finally catch up Lachlan is forced to face the question that has been haunting him since he left home.
Lachlan was saved in the hopes he would become a better king then his father and his brothers. But the last thing he wants is to sit on the throne. If he refuses the crown, will there be anyone willing to fight to keep him alive?
TADA! What do you think?
Quote is from The Winter Soldier. (I don't think I've used it before, but if I have, sorry.)
Allons-y!!
I don't know why, but I've been having the worst trouble with this book. Between trying to get a cover done and just editing it. Part of editing was my computer trouble and then getting sick. Another reason is I was sent about four different requests to help with beta reading and do book reviews. Not that I am complaining. If I get to say reading is part of my job I am all for that. I can spend a whole evening reading and say I am working. What isn't to like?
I really want to work on marketing though. I've been letting it slip lately and am therefore trying to come up with new ideas. I am trying them out with this book. Hopefully they will work.
The cover is, once again, one of my biggest concerns. I had hoped to have it done by now, but I don't even have a picture for it yet. But, I do have a plan now and am hoping to get the picture - and the one for book three - this week. Once I have the picture things tend to go smoother.
I am still holding the trailer contest!!! I've even made one, because I said I might, just to join in. (And I will be sharing it. It is slightly embarrassing, so if I can show mine to all of you you can show yours to everyone else. *Grin* Like my reasoning?)
Moving on.
The blurb.
Let me know what you think!
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Upon learning he is one of the sons of the now dead king, Prince Lachlan has been forced to leave the only home he has ever known. Fleeing for his life, his step-brothers a step behind, Lachlan finds safety and friendship with a young seamstress named Magda, a hermit, an Elf, and two Dwarf brothers. Determined to keep the young prince alive, Magda and the others seek out help in the surrounding Nations.
Everywhere they go, the fugitives are constantly turned away. They are followed by Lachlan's half- brothers who are determined to kill him so that one of them might take their father's crown and become the next king. With every place Lachlan is taken, his brothers close in and when the finally catch up Lachlan is forced to face the question that has been haunting him since he left home.
Lachlan was saved in the hopes he would become a better king then his father and his brothers. But the last thing he wants is to sit on the throne. If he refuses the crown, will there be anyone willing to fight to keep him alive?
TADA! What do you think?
Quote is from The Winter Soldier. (I don't think I've used it before, but if I have, sorry.)
Allons-y!!
May 16, 2014
"YAY! I'm a lama again! Oh...wait.
Wherein Jack went AWOL
I was going to let everyone know I wouldn't be around most of this week, but things happened and I didn't. (In case it wasn't obvious I just vanished.) Peter was very ashamed of me and hasn't been speaking to me much because of it.
First off all, tea got spilled on my computer. I did a mad dash to save it but failed. It was very tragic. I could have cried. (I've had computer disasters hit me before, and since I do so much work on them I have taken to setting aside money in case a natural disaster hits like with the tea. I was able to buy a new one.) This one has Windows 8 on it, and it is convinced it is smarter than me. (It is, but that is besides the point.) We've been having issues since I bought it, with it mocking me and doing things and leaving me scratching my head in bewilderment. I am giving it to my brother later today so he can make it behave. He is good at that.
The other reason I vanished is I have been sick for almost two weeks. I've not been able to eat much and have had no energy to do anything. Except sleep. (Because...I had something witty for that but I haven't got enough sleep for that kind of wit yet.) Anyways, I am mostly over it. I've been able to eat one real-ish meal a day and feel a little more human than I have for awhile. (Not that I ever really feel human. More Alien, but you get the idea.)
And the third and final reason is I just wanted to take a break and spend a day off of work doing nothing but reading. I accomplished it. It was fun. (And since I have a pile of books I was asked to read and review I was able to say spending a whole day reading was for work. And no one could argue with me. I love this part of being an Author.)
My mum got me a sonic screw driver. I love that I made her so much a geek that she knew what a sonic screw driver is and knew I'd like one. She was rather pleased with herself for finding one, but now I think she is rethinking the whole thing.
It is a lot of fun. It has this bright blue light I can turn on and flash at things. And I've been putting it to good use. Such as randomly sonicing my family in the eyes.
I took it to work today and had to refrain myself from using it when the freezer broke. It was SOOO tempting. I think I deserve a metal for behaving myself.
This is probably a sorry excuse for a post, but I have to go and read and edit. I'll do better next time.
Quote is from the Emperor's New Groove
ALLONS-Y!
I was going to let everyone know I wouldn't be around most of this week, but things happened and I didn't. (In case it wasn't obvious I just vanished.) Peter was very ashamed of me and hasn't been speaking to me much because of it.
First off all, tea got spilled on my computer. I did a mad dash to save it but failed. It was very tragic. I could have cried. (I've had computer disasters hit me before, and since I do so much work on them I have taken to setting aside money in case a natural disaster hits like with the tea. I was able to buy a new one.) This one has Windows 8 on it, and it is convinced it is smarter than me. (It is, but that is besides the point.) We've been having issues since I bought it, with it mocking me and doing things and leaving me scratching my head in bewilderment. I am giving it to my brother later today so he can make it behave. He is good at that.
The other reason I vanished is I have been sick for almost two weeks. I've not been able to eat much and have had no energy to do anything. Except sleep. (Because...I had something witty for that but I haven't got enough sleep for that kind of wit yet.) Anyways, I am mostly over it. I've been able to eat one real-ish meal a day and feel a little more human than I have for awhile. (Not that I ever really feel human. More Alien, but you get the idea.)
And the third and final reason is I just wanted to take a break and spend a day off of work doing nothing but reading. I accomplished it. It was fun. (And since I have a pile of books I was asked to read and review I was able to say spending a whole day reading was for work. And no one could argue with me. I love this part of being an Author.)
My mum got me a sonic screw driver. I love that I made her so much a geek that she knew what a sonic screw driver is and knew I'd like one. She was rather pleased with herself for finding one, but now I think she is rethinking the whole thing.
It is a lot of fun. It has this bright blue light I can turn on and flash at things. And I've been putting it to good use. Such as randomly sonicing my family in the eyes.
I took it to work today and had to refrain myself from using it when the freezer broke. It was SOOO tempting. I think I deserve a metal for behaving myself.
This is probably a sorry excuse for a post, but I have to go and read and edit. I'll do better next time.
Quote is from the Emperor's New Groove
ALLONS-Y!
May 10, 2014
"I made breakfast. If you eat that sort of thing."
I have been tagged! I kind of forgot who tagged me though....(Editing. Editing is my excuse.) Sorry to those who did. I want to thank you for thinking of me. And....yeah, I didn't meant to forget you. But thank you, you brilliant persons you.
So, the rules are the same. I do 11 facts about myself, answer some questions, make my own....you get the idea.
Tag one.
1. In spite of the fact I can sprout of randomness at inconvenient moments I am cruddy at it when I have to do it for these tags
2. I like cartoons. Like Jimmy Neutron.
3. I quote Finding Nemo a lot, so much I don't think anyone at work catches it anymore.
4. When my head boss is in a good mood he sings the "Afro circus" song from Madagascar three. If I wasn't such a chicken I'd join in and do the dance.
5. I had to write a sad part in my book, one I've been trying to change for two years. I wrote it and then attempted to go out for coffee to console myself. But I am only about five two and there was a mad rush at the store and I almost was run over, so I gave up and came home.
6. I have two friends who like to stalk youtube and find songs which remind them of Bucky. They then like to share said songs with me to see if they can get me to cry.
7. I have a dream to Scooby Doo jump into someone's arms someday. (Preferably at my wedding if I ever get married.)
8. I like to make faces at the little kids at work. (They make them back, it is fun.) But their parents tend to get in between us and ruin all our fun while making strange parent faces at me.
9. I have two modes. Fantasy mode which comes in winter. During this time I like to watch The Lord of the Rings and Narnia. In the summer I go into adventure mode and like to watch action movies. (Marvel, Indiana Jones...so forth.)
10. I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy.
11. I say Okey Dokey in real life. Every chance I get. I thought it would get someone at work to at least chuckle or give me the, "I didn't think you had a sense of humor under all that quiet," look - but they are too used to me now.
Now to the questions. Again, sorry to whoever tagged me. But you have great questions.
1. Favourite Superhero? I already mentioned this the other day. I have decided that Rodgers is my favourite. For various reasons.
2. What colour socks are you wearing right now? None, I am barefoot. I was wearing these snazzy grey ones though that look very forties or fifties. I feel like Susan or Lucy in them.
3. If I were to visit you for the afternoon, what would you plan on doing? Um...since I kind of forgot who you are....I'd take you to this cool bookstore in town. (Because you sound like someone who'd like that, and it is cool.)
4. Best pizza topping? CHEESE!!!!!
5. Can you introduce us to your family in less than three sentences? I can do it in three words. Crazy, cool, brilliant. (I was looking for another C word but I am not that clever....oh wait, there it is.)
6. If you could be proficient in any instrument what would it be? Bagpipes. I'd then go marching through downtown in a kilt while I played them.
7. Five favourite Disney songs off the top of your head. I see the lights. Let it go. (I know, I know, but I can't help it. I like it.) I have a dream. Beauty and the Beast. Do you wanna build a snowman? (That one for various reasons.)
8. Your opinion of maple syrup? I want some.
9. What's your favourite soup? Anything but Eowyn's.
10. Which fictional hero would you want for a sibling? Only one? Okay...SAGE!!!!
11. Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland? Peter Pan. Besides, he still comes and takes me to Neverland every week. He'd be disappointed if I traded him for Alice.
Tag Two.
Same rules
1. I sleep with a hug pile of books on one side of my bed.
2. My teddy bear sleeps by my books.
3. I don't like going to the bathroom in the middle of the night because that is when the Hound of the Baskervilles likes to attack
4. I am mad at Ward That is a SHIELD spoiler. Highlight if you saw up to Turn, Turn, Turn.
5. I don't mind that FitzSimmons in Agents of SHIELD aren't in love right at this moment. I like them in between the brother/sister stage and the, "I think I love you," stage. BUT if they end up with anyone else I will not be happy.
6. I don't think Coulson will be happy either.
7. I've been listening to this song over and over for the past...half hour? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u41DQ...
8. I panic when my phone rings because I am not used to people calling me. I forget how to answer it and usually end up hanging up on them by accident.
9. When I sit in most chairs my feet don't reach the ground, so I swing them until someone gives me the, "You're an adult, act like one." I then behave till they stop looking.
10. I had a dirk and I lost it somewhere in my room and I am very mad at myself about that. I've been tearing up my room looking for it.
11. I plan to buy a bunch of daggers for a book cover. One of my more exciting buys.
Now the question of whoever was the kind person to tag me.
1. If you were a superhero, what power would you have? I'd be able to turn invisible. I'd then open doors for people and pretend to be a gentleman Ninja.
2. What is your favourite movie? It's a tie between Tintin and Narnia. With a TON of close seconds.
3. If you could have anything you wanted for breakfast, what would it be? A Redwall breakfast.
4. Who is your favourite villain? James Moriarty.
5. Doctor Who or Sherlock? Doctor Who. I am pretty sure it's my favourite TV show.
6. Favourite Song lyric? Sing it out so I can finally breathe in. I can take in all you say, holding out for something I believe in, all I really need today. I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart, please don't keep your heart hidden away. Tied with, "You wanna runaway, runaway and you say that it can't be so. You wanna look away, look away but you stay 'cause it's oh so close. When you stand up and hold our your hand, in the face what I don't understand, my reason to be brave."
7. A movie quote you use the most? (I use three.) "I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy.": "Come BAAAAAACK!": "We leave immediately!" "What about dinner?" "We leave....in five hours."
8. Would you rather be a Hobbit so you could have second breakfasts and go on adventures with Dwarves or a Ranger so you could use cool weapons and defend your kingdom? This is easy. I'm already a Ranger.
9. What is the most poetic thing you have ever thought/ written? Thought..."I'm a poet and YOU did not know it." Written? Not telling. It was embarrassing.
10. Are you a night owl or morning person? Both. I wake up at six and go to bed at twelve.
11. What is something you tend to rant about? Braveheart, and how badly they ruined Wallace in it. I have a list of things I hate about that movie, and most of them involve Wallace.
Now my questions. This is for both tags.
1. How do you feel about main character deaths?
2. What does TADA! mean to you?
3. If I walked up to you and yelled, or whispered, HAIL HYDRA! What would you do?
4. If I gave you a pet duck would you take him for a walk in the park?
5. What was the last book you read that had you either crying, laughing, ready to fall out of your seat, forget how to breathe, or all of the above?
6. You would come to a sleep over? We could make a tent out of blankets and sleep on couch cushions thrown on the floor.
7. What was the last song you listened to one repeat over and over?
8. What was the last movie you saw that...gave you the same emotions I asked about with the book?
9. Do you think raindeers are better than people?
10. How do you feel about the giant rats of Somalia?
11. When you were a kid did you used to play Cowboys and Indians? (Germans. I mean Cowboys and Germans.) (PLEASE tell me someone got that reference.)
Now....I tag everyone. ALL of you. (If you want it.) Except for Treskie. Because I told you I was going to tag you. So you, you HAVE to do it
Don't forget about my contest!!!!
ALLONS-Y!
P.S.
Thanks to everyone who shared stories on my post about the attempt to set me up on a date. I had so much fun reading your stories! You are all brilliant.
So, the rules are the same. I do 11 facts about myself, answer some questions, make my own....you get the idea.
Tag one.
1. In spite of the fact I can sprout of randomness at inconvenient moments I am cruddy at it when I have to do it for these tags
2. I like cartoons. Like Jimmy Neutron.
3. I quote Finding Nemo a lot, so much I don't think anyone at work catches it anymore.
4. When my head boss is in a good mood he sings the "Afro circus" song from Madagascar three. If I wasn't such a chicken I'd join in and do the dance.
5. I had to write a sad part in my book, one I've been trying to change for two years. I wrote it and then attempted to go out for coffee to console myself. But I am only about five two and there was a mad rush at the store and I almost was run over, so I gave up and came home.
6. I have two friends who like to stalk youtube and find songs which remind them of Bucky. They then like to share said songs with me to see if they can get me to cry.
7. I have a dream to Scooby Doo jump into someone's arms someday. (Preferably at my wedding if I ever get married.)
8. I like to make faces at the little kids at work. (They make them back, it is fun.) But their parents tend to get in between us and ruin all our fun while making strange parent faces at me.
9. I have two modes. Fantasy mode which comes in winter. During this time I like to watch The Lord of the Rings and Narnia. In the summer I go into adventure mode and like to watch action movies. (Marvel, Indiana Jones...so forth.)
10. I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy.
11. I say Okey Dokey in real life. Every chance I get. I thought it would get someone at work to at least chuckle or give me the, "I didn't think you had a sense of humor under all that quiet," look - but they are too used to me now.
Now to the questions. Again, sorry to whoever tagged me. But you have great questions.
1. Favourite Superhero? I already mentioned this the other day. I have decided that Rodgers is my favourite. For various reasons.
2. What colour socks are you wearing right now? None, I am barefoot. I was wearing these snazzy grey ones though that look very forties or fifties. I feel like Susan or Lucy in them.
3. If I were to visit you for the afternoon, what would you plan on doing? Um...since I kind of forgot who you are....I'd take you to this cool bookstore in town. (Because you sound like someone who'd like that, and it is cool.)
4. Best pizza topping? CHEESE!!!!!
5. Can you introduce us to your family in less than three sentences? I can do it in three words. Crazy, cool, brilliant. (I was looking for another C word but I am not that clever....oh wait, there it is.)
6. If you could be proficient in any instrument what would it be? Bagpipes. I'd then go marching through downtown in a kilt while I played them.
7. Five favourite Disney songs off the top of your head. I see the lights. Let it go. (I know, I know, but I can't help it. I like it.) I have a dream. Beauty and the Beast. Do you wanna build a snowman? (That one for various reasons.)
8. Your opinion of maple syrup? I want some.
9. What's your favourite soup? Anything but Eowyn's.
10. Which fictional hero would you want for a sibling? Only one? Okay...SAGE!!!!
11. Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland? Peter Pan. Besides, he still comes and takes me to Neverland every week. He'd be disappointed if I traded him for Alice.
Tag Two.
Same rules
1. I sleep with a hug pile of books on one side of my bed.
2. My teddy bear sleeps by my books.
3. I don't like going to the bathroom in the middle of the night because that is when the Hound of the Baskervilles likes to attack
4. I am mad at Ward That is a SHIELD spoiler. Highlight if you saw up to Turn, Turn, Turn.
5. I don't mind that FitzSimmons in Agents of SHIELD aren't in love right at this moment. I like them in between the brother/sister stage and the, "I think I love you," stage. BUT if they end up with anyone else I will not be happy.
6. I don't think Coulson will be happy either.
7. I've been listening to this song over and over for the past...half hour? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u41DQ...
8. I panic when my phone rings because I am not used to people calling me. I forget how to answer it and usually end up hanging up on them by accident.
9. When I sit in most chairs my feet don't reach the ground, so I swing them until someone gives me the, "You're an adult, act like one." I then behave till they stop looking.
10. I had a dirk and I lost it somewhere in my room and I am very mad at myself about that. I've been tearing up my room looking for it.
11. I plan to buy a bunch of daggers for a book cover. One of my more exciting buys.
Now the question of whoever was the kind person to tag me.
1. If you were a superhero, what power would you have? I'd be able to turn invisible. I'd then open doors for people and pretend to be a gentleman Ninja.
2. What is your favourite movie? It's a tie between Tintin and Narnia. With a TON of close seconds.
3. If you could have anything you wanted for breakfast, what would it be? A Redwall breakfast.
4. Who is your favourite villain? James Moriarty.
5. Doctor Who or Sherlock? Doctor Who. I am pretty sure it's my favourite TV show.
6. Favourite Song lyric? Sing it out so I can finally breathe in. I can take in all you say, holding out for something I believe in, all I really need today. I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart, please don't keep your heart hidden away. Tied with, "You wanna runaway, runaway and you say that it can't be so. You wanna look away, look away but you stay 'cause it's oh so close. When you stand up and hold our your hand, in the face what I don't understand, my reason to be brave."
7. A movie quote you use the most? (I use three.) "I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy.": "Come BAAAAAACK!": "We leave immediately!" "What about dinner?" "We leave....in five hours."
8. Would you rather be a Hobbit so you could have second breakfasts and go on adventures with Dwarves or a Ranger so you could use cool weapons and defend your kingdom? This is easy. I'm already a Ranger.
9. What is the most poetic thing you have ever thought/ written? Thought..."I'm a poet and YOU did not know it." Written? Not telling. It was embarrassing.
10. Are you a night owl or morning person? Both. I wake up at six and go to bed at twelve.
11. What is something you tend to rant about? Braveheart, and how badly they ruined Wallace in it. I have a list of things I hate about that movie, and most of them involve Wallace.
Now my questions. This is for both tags.
1. How do you feel about main character deaths?
2. What does TADA! mean to you?
3. If I walked up to you and yelled, or whispered, HAIL HYDRA! What would you do?
4. If I gave you a pet duck would you take him for a walk in the park?
5. What was the last book you read that had you either crying, laughing, ready to fall out of your seat, forget how to breathe, or all of the above?
6. You would come to a sleep over? We could make a tent out of blankets and sleep on couch cushions thrown on the floor.
7. What was the last song you listened to one repeat over and over?
8. What was the last movie you saw that...gave you the same emotions I asked about with the book?
9. Do you think raindeers are better than people?
10. How do you feel about the giant rats of Somalia?
11. When you were a kid did you used to play Cowboys and Indians? (Germans. I mean Cowboys and Germans.) (PLEASE tell me someone got that reference.)
Now....I tag everyone. ALL of you. (If you want it.) Except for Treskie. Because I told you I was going to tag you. So you, you HAVE to do it
Don't forget about my contest!!!!
ALLONS-Y!
P.S.
Thanks to everyone who shared stories on my post about the attempt to set me up on a date. I had so much fun reading your stories! You are all brilliant.
May 9, 2014
"You do anything fun Saturday night?" "Well, all the guys in my barbershop quartet are dead. So no, not really."
I am taking part in another book cover reveal. (I've been doing a lot of these lately, I know. Which is exciting for all of you because a lot of the ones I've been doing I've read or read the books before them. They're really good and are here to reassure you your reading list is never going to get smaller.)
Today's first reveal is for Champion in Flight. I reviewed the first book but it has been a long time and I think the review is buried in some of the first posts I did here. The first book is Champion in the Darkness and is going to end up on my recommending reading list here as soon as I get caught up on some other reviews. It is one of my favourite books and I have plans to re-read it before the second book is out. (I don't know if I can go through with these plans but they are there.)
Now I will shut up and get on with this.
The Blurb for the book is:
A year after she won the battle for Septily, Clara feels trapped in Skycliff by the Allied Council. As the last pieces of information about the Healing Caves fall into place, Clara is attacked by an assassin. Covert Drinaii mercenaries and the Council aren’t going to stop Clara from her quest to heal her broken blade. As Champion of Aramatir, she must act.
Meanwhile, in the joint kingdoms of Rrysorria and Wylandria, the youngest and still cursed swan prince despairs of ever being whole again. In a moment of anger and desperation, Liam discovers a blood link between him and a sorceress. The sorcery in his blood could threaten everyone Liam cares about, but he doesn’t want to admit his secret to anyone.
Clara won the battle for Septily, but her battle isn’t over.
Champion in Flight is the second book in The Champion Trilogy.
(Like I said, cool, right?)
And now....
TADA! Even has a sword....broken sword. (You know I have a thing with broken swords...right?)
And here is the link to Tyrean's blog. RIGHT HERE!!!
The second book is a debut novel, but I've been reading Hayden's blog for, more than a year if I remember correctly. She is a brilliant writer and I've been wanting her to publish a book since the day I found her blog. The moment this book is out I am buying it.
Book Synopsis:
For the wealthy and privileged in Regency England, life is filled with balls, beaux, and tea- and that’s no exception for Constance Steele and her large, unusual family. But when an unexpected letter sends her on a voyage across the Atlantic, her experiences affect more people than she ever could have realized. From the love lives of her sister Margaret and cousin Jack, to the family dynamics of the prestigious Breckenridge clan to a band of notorious pirates, no one could have guessed how her adventure would change them all…
Author Bio:
Hayden Wand is a Christian and homeschool graduate whose love of both Jane Austen and adventure stories inspired her to write Hidden Pearls. When she’s not writing, reading, or bribing her siblings to read the classics, you can find her baking, crafting or watching her favorite shows on the BBC. She lives in South Carolina with her parents and four energetic younger siblings.
HAYDEN'S BLOG
TADA!!!!! (If anyone can guess where the tadas come from you get a cookie. Certain you know whos don't count)
You can guess the quote.
And, as a reminder, I am holding a contest to celebrate the release of A Test of Loyalty. Details are in the link on the sidebar.
ALLONS-Y!!!!
Today's first reveal is for Champion in Flight. I reviewed the first book but it has been a long time and I think the review is buried in some of the first posts I did here. The first book is Champion in the Darkness and is going to end up on my recommending reading list here as soon as I get caught up on some other reviews. It is one of my favourite books and I have plans to re-read it before the second book is out. (I don't know if I can go through with these plans but they are there.)
Now I will shut up and get on with this.
The Blurb for the book is:
A year after she won the battle for Septily, Clara feels trapped in Skycliff by the Allied Council. As the last pieces of information about the Healing Caves fall into place, Clara is attacked by an assassin. Covert Drinaii mercenaries and the Council aren’t going to stop Clara from her quest to heal her broken blade. As Champion of Aramatir, she must act.
Meanwhile, in the joint kingdoms of Rrysorria and Wylandria, the youngest and still cursed swan prince despairs of ever being whole again. In a moment of anger and desperation, Liam discovers a blood link between him and a sorceress. The sorcery in his blood could threaten everyone Liam cares about, but he doesn’t want to admit his secret to anyone.
Clara won the battle for Septily, but her battle isn’t over.
Champion in Flight is the second book in The Champion Trilogy.
(Like I said, cool, right?)
And now....
TADA! Even has a sword....broken sword. (You know I have a thing with broken swords...right?)And here is the link to Tyrean's blog. RIGHT HERE!!!
The second book is a debut novel, but I've been reading Hayden's blog for, more than a year if I remember correctly. She is a brilliant writer and I've been wanting her to publish a book since the day I found her blog. The moment this book is out I am buying it.
Book Synopsis:
For the wealthy and privileged in Regency England, life is filled with balls, beaux, and tea- and that’s no exception for Constance Steele and her large, unusual family. But when an unexpected letter sends her on a voyage across the Atlantic, her experiences affect more people than she ever could have realized. From the love lives of her sister Margaret and cousin Jack, to the family dynamics of the prestigious Breckenridge clan to a band of notorious pirates, no one could have guessed how her adventure would change them all…
Author Bio:
Hayden Wand is a Christian and homeschool graduate whose love of both Jane Austen and adventure stories inspired her to write Hidden Pearls. When she’s not writing, reading, or bribing her siblings to read the classics, you can find her baking, crafting or watching her favorite shows on the BBC. She lives in South Carolina with her parents and four energetic younger siblings.
HAYDEN'S BLOG
TADA!!!!! (If anyone can guess where the tadas come from you get a cookie. Certain you know whos don't count)You can guess the quote.
And, as a reminder, I am holding a contest to celebrate the release of A Test of Loyalty. Details are in the link on the sidebar.
ALLONS-Y!!!!
May 8, 2014
"Secure the engine room, then find me a date." "I'm multi-tasking."
Wherein Jack talks about life and other misadventures
My work is usually busy. I go in in the morning, scramble around getting things ready for lunch, work through the lunch rush, and dash off to other jobs or come home and attempt to edit. It was worse with school. I was trying to get papers done, figure Math problems out, and edit. Not the best mix in the world. At work no one really talks to me. One, we don't have the time for conversation. Two, I've been there so long they don't have to tell me what to do. I already know. Usually when one of my bosses comes to talk to me I get this sinking feeling that I've made a costumer mad or wrecked havoc somewhere without meaning to. The last thing I expected was for one of them to attempt to set me up on a date.
It happened when I was getting ready to run to my other job and one boss narrowed in on me and asked, "Are you single?"
I've been asked that before, sort of. Usually it is from snickering, older guys and comes out like, "You're like, what, thirteen now? Got a boyfriend yet?" "I'm twenty-six, I love comic book movies and I can ride a motorcycle. And climb a mountain. You'd think the interest in Marvel movies - adding the fact I don't like them because of the fellow's arms - would be enough to get boys to take an interest in me. But no, all the boys I've ever met tend to go running."
The way she asked me this sent my mind into shut down mode. (This is when someone asks me something I know I won't like the follow up to and I panic and try and find the nearest escape.) "Do you want to watch a movie?" And my brain, "Why? Do you want to watch a movie? Are you asking that because I have been unable to keep the conversation going? Did I mess up or say something stupid? I will give it another try, promise! Or do you really want to watch a movie? Please don't make me pick, I don't know what movies you like! What if I pick the wrong one?!"
Trying to pretend I wasn't ready to jump over the counter and flee the scene, I told her I was single. At the same time my head boss and friend walked up and said, "That question is usually followed by, 'What are you doing Friday night?'" I laughed at him. Haha. Never happened to me before. Ever. Unfortunately he was right. (I hate it when people are right about certain things.)
"I have this friend who is interested in you."
That was what set in the real panic. "You have a friend interested in me? Why is he interested in me? I've never met him. Is he a stalker? Who is he? He isn't one of those guys I had to give a free cookie to on Valentine's Day, is he? Because I was under orders to do that and it was a cruddy deal anyways. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't have asked a single girl to give out cookies to hungry guys on Valentine's Day. That're pretty much a marriage proposal right there, but I didn't mean it. I was doing what I was told so I could keep my job." This was all on the inside. On the outside I looked like Sherlock when Watson asked him to be his best man.
She talked some more after that while head boss stood back and snickered at me. (We have a weird friendship, he and I. He's a brilliant boss. He's like a big brother to everyone and looks out for us and picks on us sometimes. But in this case it took a bit for his protective, big brother mode to kick in.)
"He asked me to set you two up."
That set in more panic. The only fellows who ever took an interest in me were desperate. And I was single. And it didn't go further then a couple conversations with me before they decided I was a bit too insane for them. I think I stood there with a dumb founded look on my face the whole time she was trying to get me to do....I actually have no idea what. (Maybe she wanted me to tell her she could give him my phone number. I still kind of wish I knew what I was supposed to say to her, or what she wanted. I went through stages of, "What is he, a chicken? He couldn't come and talk to me himself." to, "He is totally a stalker. I need my cousin to come in here and scare him off.") Anyways...so yes, I did a Sherlock the whole time. She even started to stammer, which made me feel bad but no brilliant suggestions on dates or setting up or anything came to mind. Thankfully, head boss went into big brother mode finally and ended the conversation by saying something about how it was kind of strange for someone to come in and ask about one of his employees.
Since then....well, since then I still don't know who he is. I know his name, and I have taken to examining the names on debt cards. (You know, so I at least can maybe find out who he is and dodge behind the counter whenever he comes in. Make one of my other bosses - they are managers, but whatever - go and scare him off. This one has this sinister looking beard and is like...almost seven feet tall. He is very nice, but unless you talk to him you wouldn't know it. He looks like some kind of Assassin or Mercenary. I'm hiring him when I take over the world.) Anyways, I could make him go and talk to my mysterious....whatever it is he might be. There is also my cousin idea.
And since I am on life stories and this one kind of connects with that one I will explain about my cousin. My cousin is handsome, there is no way around it. He's tall, blond, muscled, and looks nothing like me. We just can't really pass for cousins. (He is also like another brother. He looks out for me as much as my brothers - and for the record. My brothers would chase of stalkers, but for this part of the story it wouldn't work because it is obvious we are siblings. We can't pass for anything but.)
Okay, back to the story.
Like I mentioned, hungry guys come into work. And I am a girl. And I serve them food. For that brief moment while I am taking taking their orders they probably think I am the prettiest thing they have ever seen. (I don't know what is going through their minds. Because I don't really know how all this works...you know, flirting and what not. I just know I keep getting funny smiles, but as soon as they have eaten I am non existent again. Not complaining by the way. These are young, hungry guys. Their mind is on food....you get the idea.) So....my cousin came in one day and ordered and sat down - after we picked on each other.Some bit later another fellow came in, gave me one of those funny smiles, and started to order. While I was taking his my cousin got up to leave and we waved good bye to each other, because that's what cousins should do. And naturally, the fellow who was giving his food request looked to see who I was waving too....who happened to be a dashing, tall, muscular blond fellow in a tee shirt....again, you get the idea. The fellow at the counter looked crushed. (I admit, I snickered later when I realized what it looked like to him.) But, to not leave this story on a bad note, once he got his food he was happy again.
Anyways...those are some of the mishaps I run into at work. And some of my better Sherlock moments. And some of my..........well, that kind of sums up my....is it called romantic life? (When it comes to this sort of thing I feel like Rodgers. "So...do you two...fondue?"
(And please don't take these stories as me being hopelessly depressed because I am 26 and never been on a date and haven't even ever got anyone interested in me but for two desperate fellows and a stalker. I gave my romantic life to God ages ago and while I am not trying to get out of meeting fellows, I am willing to accept things how they are now. In other words, I don't have a boyfriend right now and I am okay with that. Sure, I'd love to be a mummy and wife. But if that isn't what God has planned for me then I am okay with that. I just have this thing with....not knowing what to say to bosses who try and set me up on dates with a fellow who has seen me but whom I might not have seen. My spy instincts kick in and all I can think is, "ENEMY! FLEE!") Also, I've just dubbed him Mr. Stalker. It's a nickname. So....yeah...just to clear things up.
This is just a few of the things that happen to me at work. And I thought writing was exciting.
Don't forget! I am holding a contest for to celebrate the release of my next book! You can find my details on my sidebar!
ALLONS-Y!
My work is usually busy. I go in in the morning, scramble around getting things ready for lunch, work through the lunch rush, and dash off to other jobs or come home and attempt to edit. It was worse with school. I was trying to get papers done, figure Math problems out, and edit. Not the best mix in the world. At work no one really talks to me. One, we don't have the time for conversation. Two, I've been there so long they don't have to tell me what to do. I already know. Usually when one of my bosses comes to talk to me I get this sinking feeling that I've made a costumer mad or wrecked havoc somewhere without meaning to. The last thing I expected was for one of them to attempt to set me up on a date.
It happened when I was getting ready to run to my other job and one boss narrowed in on me and asked, "Are you single?"
I've been asked that before, sort of. Usually it is from snickering, older guys and comes out like, "You're like, what, thirteen now? Got a boyfriend yet?" "I'm twenty-six, I love comic book movies and I can ride a motorcycle. And climb a mountain. You'd think the interest in Marvel movies - adding the fact I don't like them because of the fellow's arms - would be enough to get boys to take an interest in me. But no, all the boys I've ever met tend to go running."
The way she asked me this sent my mind into shut down mode. (This is when someone asks me something I know I won't like the follow up to and I panic and try and find the nearest escape.) "Do you want to watch a movie?" And my brain, "Why? Do you want to watch a movie? Are you asking that because I have been unable to keep the conversation going? Did I mess up or say something stupid? I will give it another try, promise! Or do you really want to watch a movie? Please don't make me pick, I don't know what movies you like! What if I pick the wrong one?!"
Trying to pretend I wasn't ready to jump over the counter and flee the scene, I told her I was single. At the same time my head boss and friend walked up and said, "That question is usually followed by, 'What are you doing Friday night?'" I laughed at him. Haha. Never happened to me before. Ever. Unfortunately he was right. (I hate it when people are right about certain things.)
"I have this friend who is interested in you."
That was what set in the real panic. "You have a friend interested in me? Why is he interested in me? I've never met him. Is he a stalker? Who is he? He isn't one of those guys I had to give a free cookie to on Valentine's Day, is he? Because I was under orders to do that and it was a cruddy deal anyways. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't have asked a single girl to give out cookies to hungry guys on Valentine's Day. That're pretty much a marriage proposal right there, but I didn't mean it. I was doing what I was told so I could keep my job." This was all on the inside. On the outside I looked like Sherlock when Watson asked him to be his best man.
She talked some more after that while head boss stood back and snickered at me. (We have a weird friendship, he and I. He's a brilliant boss. He's like a big brother to everyone and looks out for us and picks on us sometimes. But in this case it took a bit for his protective, big brother mode to kick in.)
"He asked me to set you two up."
That set in more panic. The only fellows who ever took an interest in me were desperate. And I was single. And it didn't go further then a couple conversations with me before they decided I was a bit too insane for them. I think I stood there with a dumb founded look on my face the whole time she was trying to get me to do....I actually have no idea what. (Maybe she wanted me to tell her she could give him my phone number. I still kind of wish I knew what I was supposed to say to her, or what she wanted. I went through stages of, "What is he, a chicken? He couldn't come and talk to me himself." to, "He is totally a stalker. I need my cousin to come in here and scare him off.") Anyways...so yes, I did a Sherlock the whole time. She even started to stammer, which made me feel bad but no brilliant suggestions on dates or setting up or anything came to mind. Thankfully, head boss went into big brother mode finally and ended the conversation by saying something about how it was kind of strange for someone to come in and ask about one of his employees.
Since then....well, since then I still don't know who he is. I know his name, and I have taken to examining the names on debt cards. (You know, so I at least can maybe find out who he is and dodge behind the counter whenever he comes in. Make one of my other bosses - they are managers, but whatever - go and scare him off. This one has this sinister looking beard and is like...almost seven feet tall. He is very nice, but unless you talk to him you wouldn't know it. He looks like some kind of Assassin or Mercenary. I'm hiring him when I take over the world.) Anyways, I could make him go and talk to my mysterious....whatever it is he might be. There is also my cousin idea.
And since I am on life stories and this one kind of connects with that one I will explain about my cousin. My cousin is handsome, there is no way around it. He's tall, blond, muscled, and looks nothing like me. We just can't really pass for cousins. (He is also like another brother. He looks out for me as much as my brothers - and for the record. My brothers would chase of stalkers, but for this part of the story it wouldn't work because it is obvious we are siblings. We can't pass for anything but.)
Okay, back to the story.
Like I mentioned, hungry guys come into work. And I am a girl. And I serve them food. For that brief moment while I am taking taking their orders they probably think I am the prettiest thing they have ever seen. (I don't know what is going through their minds. Because I don't really know how all this works...you know, flirting and what not. I just know I keep getting funny smiles, but as soon as they have eaten I am non existent again. Not complaining by the way. These are young, hungry guys. Their mind is on food....you get the idea.) So....my cousin came in one day and ordered and sat down - after we picked on each other.Some bit later another fellow came in, gave me one of those funny smiles, and started to order. While I was taking his my cousin got up to leave and we waved good bye to each other, because that's what cousins should do. And naturally, the fellow who was giving his food request looked to see who I was waving too....who happened to be a dashing, tall, muscular blond fellow in a tee shirt....again, you get the idea. The fellow at the counter looked crushed. (I admit, I snickered later when I realized what it looked like to him.) But, to not leave this story on a bad note, once he got his food he was happy again.
Anyways...those are some of the mishaps I run into at work. And some of my better Sherlock moments. And some of my..........well, that kind of sums up my....is it called romantic life? (When it comes to this sort of thing I feel like Rodgers. "So...do you two...fondue?"
(And please don't take these stories as me being hopelessly depressed because I am 26 and never been on a date and haven't even ever got anyone interested in me but for two desperate fellows and a stalker. I gave my romantic life to God ages ago and while I am not trying to get out of meeting fellows, I am willing to accept things how they are now. In other words, I don't have a boyfriend right now and I am okay with that. Sure, I'd love to be a mummy and wife. But if that isn't what God has planned for me then I am okay with that. I just have this thing with....not knowing what to say to bosses who try and set me up on dates with a fellow who has seen me but whom I might not have seen. My spy instincts kick in and all I can think is, "ENEMY! FLEE!") Also, I've just dubbed him Mr. Stalker. It's a nickname. So....yeah...just to clear things up.
This is just a few of the things that happen to me at work. And I thought writing was exciting.
Don't forget! I am holding a contest for to celebrate the release of my next book! You can find my details on my sidebar!
ALLONS-Y!
May 7, 2014
"Where did you learn how to steal a car?" "Germany. And we're borrowing it - get your feet off the dash."
Wherein Jack holds in interview
This was meant to go up on Tuesday. I've been trying to begin editing and writing now that school is over, and between that and the beta reading and book reviews I am behind on I've been feeling piled under papers. (It is better than being piled under school papers, but it is still taking more work than I thought it would getting out from under them all.)
Right now I have the house to myself for awhile, Josh Groban playing on my phone, a cup of tea, and a foggy day outside giving me an excuse to keep inside for a little while. (Ever seen The 13th Warrior? My brother and I have this thing about fog because of that movie. Not meaning we hate fog, we really like the movie and therefore like fog even more than we used to. We just like to shout, "FIRE WORM!" and lock the door whenever it is foggy out.)
Okay, back to my late post.
I will say this again even though I've said it a lot. I am writing a book with a fellow Author, Kendra - who wrote Sew it's a Quest. We've been doing character interviews to introduce you all to our....characters. (Don't ask me to make sense right now. I'm your Evil Overlord and you have to accept my ramblings as they are.)
I will be interviewing my main characters best friend today, Christa.
Welcome, Christa! Please, have a seat. And some cookies...if you can find them. John wanted a snack again.
Oh, that is okay. He's cute, I don't mind sharing cookies with him.
Yeah, well I think he kind of minds sharing with other people. Anyways, because of certain parts in books I'm writing and editing I am kind of feeling lost how to carry out this interview. Since I am pretty much supposed to ask you about yourself though....I will see what I can do. You are best friends with Adrian, the crown prince who has been living in hiding his whole life.
Yes, thank you, by the way.
For what?
Giving me no warning about that. He is my best friend, since we were little kids. And now....he's the crown prince and he's off to be king, and I had no kind of warning whatsoever!
And here I was, thinking you were such a sweet character.
Wouldn't you be angry too if your best friend was forced to do something he hated? He hates anything to do with government, and you are making him king.
In all fairness, it wasn't just my idea. I am CO-Authoring this book. Which means I wasn't alone.
You created Adrian, so it is your fault.
Are you going to spend this whole interview yelling at me?
No, I am sorry. I will be okay once I get used to the idea. It will just take time.
Imagine how Adrian feels.
Oh, thank you, that makes everything easier to handle
Okay, now, back to the part where I ask YOU questions. Um, so this is kind of obvious, but you care about Adrian I take it?
I just said he was my best friend, of course I care about him.
I care about my best friends too. That is why I take Nerf bullets for them.
I don't know what a Nerf or a bullet is.
Doesn't matter. Um....what do you hope to accomplish with your life.
I thought you would say, "What did you want to be when you grew up?"
I almost did. Give me a break, I am trying to act professional here.
*Giggles* Well, I do love books. I always dreamed of starting a little library in my home town. I visited one once when I went to one of the bigger towns and I loved the idea. I am still hoping I might be able to do this someday. It wouldn't be too hard....wouldn't have been...since I knew the village printer.
Sorry about that. How would you describe your friendship with Adrian? Are you kind of like the leader and he follows you around or the opposite?
I don't know. He's older, so I guess I always followed him around. But....he's been like my brother for as long as I can remember. He's always there for me, looking out for me even though I don't think he really likes being around people. I don't mean he dislikes people, he just likes to keep to himself and can be a little awkward around them sometimes.
Very good, very good. I'm going to have fun spending a book with him. You were invited to be one of the bride's maids to the princess's wedding. Are you excited?
I WAS. And then I found out she is Adrian's twin sister. Now I feel bad for him and feel even worse I am going to be taking part in the wedding.
Another thing you were probably wishing you had a warning about.
Might have been nice.
I'll take that into consideration. But I really have to go back and edit. I got myself into another one of those...holes.
I don't know what editing holes are.
Of course you wouldn't. Trust me, they aren't fun. Do you have any parting words you'd like to share?
Hm..........you and Kendra be nice to Adrian, okay? He's been through a lot and your forcing him into taking the throne. This is a lot to deal with, so be understanding. He is going to have his bad days, but he tries to do his best. So.....just, don't make life too hard on him, please?
I promise to be understanding. I am of most of my characters. (I have issues with a certain someone at the moment. Well...two, we aren't exactly on speaking terms.) But, I will keep in mind everything I am putting Adrian through. Though I cannot promise life won't be too hard on him.
I didn't think you would.
You know me well. Thank you for coming by.
Thank you. I had fun...a bit. *Waves**** The fog just turned into on of those cold rains. The kind that smells nice but you wouldn't want to be out in it unless you were on a mission to take the ring to Mordor or take a mountain back from a Dragon. In other words....I think I might go for a walk. So if you don't see me for a year look for me in Mordor. Actually...come and save me because if I go alone there is a good chance I will get lost or side tracked. Or have so much dressing up as an Orc that I will forget why I went in the first place.
I might have used this quote already. I don't remember. I am trying to convince someone into going with me to see it again because I was too busy worrying about Bucky to catch a lot of quotes.
Allons-y!
This was meant to go up on Tuesday. I've been trying to begin editing and writing now that school is over, and between that and the beta reading and book reviews I am behind on I've been feeling piled under papers. (It is better than being piled under school papers, but it is still taking more work than I thought it would getting out from under them all.)
Right now I have the house to myself for awhile, Josh Groban playing on my phone, a cup of tea, and a foggy day outside giving me an excuse to keep inside for a little while. (Ever seen The 13th Warrior? My brother and I have this thing about fog because of that movie. Not meaning we hate fog, we really like the movie and therefore like fog even more than we used to. We just like to shout, "FIRE WORM!" and lock the door whenever it is foggy out.)
Okay, back to my late post.
I will say this again even though I've said it a lot. I am writing a book with a fellow Author, Kendra - who wrote Sew it's a Quest. We've been doing character interviews to introduce you all to our....characters. (Don't ask me to make sense right now. I'm your Evil Overlord and you have to accept my ramblings as they are.)
I will be interviewing my main characters best friend today, Christa.
Welcome, Christa! Please, have a seat. And some cookies...if you can find them. John wanted a snack again.
Oh, that is okay. He's cute, I don't mind sharing cookies with him.
Yeah, well I think he kind of minds sharing with other people. Anyways, because of certain parts in books I'm writing and editing I am kind of feeling lost how to carry out this interview. Since I am pretty much supposed to ask you about yourself though....I will see what I can do. You are best friends with Adrian, the crown prince who has been living in hiding his whole life.
Yes, thank you, by the way.
For what?
Giving me no warning about that. He is my best friend, since we were little kids. And now....he's the crown prince and he's off to be king, and I had no kind of warning whatsoever!
And here I was, thinking you were such a sweet character.
Wouldn't you be angry too if your best friend was forced to do something he hated? He hates anything to do with government, and you are making him king.
In all fairness, it wasn't just my idea. I am CO-Authoring this book. Which means I wasn't alone.
You created Adrian, so it is your fault.
Are you going to spend this whole interview yelling at me?
No, I am sorry. I will be okay once I get used to the idea. It will just take time.
Imagine how Adrian feels.
Oh, thank you, that makes everything easier to handle
Okay, now, back to the part where I ask YOU questions. Um, so this is kind of obvious, but you care about Adrian I take it?
I just said he was my best friend, of course I care about him.
I care about my best friends too. That is why I take Nerf bullets for them.
I don't know what a Nerf or a bullet is.
Doesn't matter. Um....what do you hope to accomplish with your life.
I thought you would say, "What did you want to be when you grew up?"
I almost did. Give me a break, I am trying to act professional here.
*Giggles* Well, I do love books. I always dreamed of starting a little library in my home town. I visited one once when I went to one of the bigger towns and I loved the idea. I am still hoping I might be able to do this someday. It wouldn't be too hard....wouldn't have been...since I knew the village printer.
Sorry about that. How would you describe your friendship with Adrian? Are you kind of like the leader and he follows you around or the opposite?
I don't know. He's older, so I guess I always followed him around. But....he's been like my brother for as long as I can remember. He's always there for me, looking out for me even though I don't think he really likes being around people. I don't mean he dislikes people, he just likes to keep to himself and can be a little awkward around them sometimes.
Very good, very good. I'm going to have fun spending a book with him. You were invited to be one of the bride's maids to the princess's wedding. Are you excited?
I WAS. And then I found out she is Adrian's twin sister. Now I feel bad for him and feel even worse I am going to be taking part in the wedding.
Another thing you were probably wishing you had a warning about.
Might have been nice.
I'll take that into consideration. But I really have to go back and edit. I got myself into another one of those...holes.
I don't know what editing holes are.
Of course you wouldn't. Trust me, they aren't fun. Do you have any parting words you'd like to share?
Hm..........you and Kendra be nice to Adrian, okay? He's been through a lot and your forcing him into taking the throne. This is a lot to deal with, so be understanding. He is going to have his bad days, but he tries to do his best. So.....just, don't make life too hard on him, please?
I promise to be understanding. I am of most of my characters. (I have issues with a certain someone at the moment. Well...two, we aren't exactly on speaking terms.) But, I will keep in mind everything I am putting Adrian through. Though I cannot promise life won't be too hard on him.
I didn't think you would.
You know me well. Thank you for coming by.
Thank you. I had fun...a bit. *Waves**** The fog just turned into on of those cold rains. The kind that smells nice but you wouldn't want to be out in it unless you were on a mission to take the ring to Mordor or take a mountain back from a Dragon. In other words....I think I might go for a walk. So if you don't see me for a year look for me in Mordor. Actually...come and save me because if I go alone there is a good chance I will get lost or side tracked. Or have so much dressing up as an Orc that I will forget why I went in the first place.
I might have used this quote already. I don't remember. I am trying to convince someone into going with me to see it again because I was too busy worrying about Bucky to catch a lot of quotes.
Allons-y!
May 6, 2014
"Friendship is born of that moment when you say, 'You too? I thought I was the only one!'"
Wherein Jack talks about friendships
(And is random, because she is always random.)
When I turned thirteen my former babysitter told me I was entering the clumsy teen years. She said I'd be knocking things over and running into them all the time because I was going to grow suddenly and I wouldn't be used to it. This didn't happen. I wasn't a graceful teen, that's never been one of my strong suits, but I didn't crash into things and drop things and knock things over. My teen clumsiness took a holiday until recently. It has suddenly jumped on me. (This might be one reason everyone thinks I'm younger than I am. One reason. The other might possibly be because I act like I'm ten sometimes. Just a hunch.) Lately I've been knocking over almost everything I attempt to grab. I run into things even when they are right in front of me.I'm always losing my balance and stumbling around. I think I amuse my fellow co-workers. Or they think I'm one of those girls who sees a guy and forgets how to function. I'm pretty sure this is payback for all those times I snickered at teens when they ran face first into walls.
Now that I got the randomness out of my system.
I've mentioned before how I like friendship stories out of romantic ones. I've also said I put a little bit of romance into some of my books sometimes but it always drifts in the back. I only have one book planned that has about as much romance as friendship. And the only reason I think I might be able to do it is because it still does have strong friendships in it. (And brothers. Three fun brothers whom I love and want to strangle all at once.)
Given the choice though, I will always pick to read or watch a friendship story over a romance. And I always have to have friends in the books I write.
When I was little I was the odd kid. The one who sat alone under a tree with a book rather than talk to girls my own age. Someone said hi to me and my brain shut down and I couldn't even remember my own name, let alone what to say in response. Everyone told me I'd grow out of it.
"I was shy when I was your age, look at me now!"
When I became a teenager and I still didn't know how to carry on a conversation I was discouraged. The brilliant change hadn't come, and I was slowly becoming odder than I had been when I was younger. No one wanted to be my friend then, it would only get worse now - so I believed.
This was when I started to write and take it more seriously than I had before. I even got my first blog and met three girls who liked fantasy and dressing up and all of those fun things. I formed a friendship with them, one in particular. She was as different from me as anyone could get, or at least I thought so.
I'd always been a tomboy, partly made to believe all girly things were bad and should be shunned. I was supposed to be another one of the boys but with longer hair. Spending time with my new found best friend I began to realize I loved being a girl. I liked painting my nails and wearing pink sometimes and dressing up. (I still climbed trees, thought boots were the coolest shoes ever made, and never missed the chance to fence with sticks. Still do that.) But I was more willing to try new things, and many of them I liked.
For awhile I felt like I was living in those books I used to read when I was younger. (The Story Girl. Little Women.) I'd go on adventures with my friend which consisted of walking to the park ad dipping our feet in the fountain, or going down to the bakery and talking about characters we liked. I even went to the Renaissance Faire and tripped Robin Hood - not on purpose.
I got my first real experience at having a friend, and I was able to write friendships much easier. (This was about the time Peter and Tony came into existence.)
Things happen though. I think they have technical terms and are often explained by, "We grew up." "Our interests changed." And so on. But it isn't one of those things that need details. Things happened, and one day I realized that my best friend and I were no longer friends.
That was almost impossible to get over. She knew everything about me, and if she didn't want to be my friend, there couldn't possibly be anyone else in the world who would.
I decided I didn't need friends. Not if it meant losing them and things being worse when they left. I wasn't even going to try and find friends. (Melodramatic on my part. There was a lot of other things going on at the time and I wasn't really a fun person to be around then.)
This was just when I was getting close to publishing my first book and I was keeping up on my blog because I didn't want to lose the few people who were interested in my book. And...to make sure this doesn't turn into one of those boring stories I have been known to tell before I catch myself and shut up...I met several good friends who showed up to comment. And I was reminded of one friend who hadn't given up on me even though I'd turned into an odd ball.
(I won't list names. You likely all know who you are so I will just wave.)
The weird thing about these new found friendships is none of them considered me odd. They didn't call me strange or remind me how normal I'm not. How abnormal I am? Whatever you call it. They just accepted me. It still has been something I have trouble accepting and sometimes feel like hiding under my blanket, scared I will frighten everyone off.
My point is though, since meeting some of these wonderful friends and realizing they really don't care how strange I am, they like me for being me, I've been giving a lot of thought to friendships and how important they are. I think they might be the most important relationships we can have. (Even more than marriage, but only because I believe a husband and wife should be best friends as well. I can't speak from experience since I've never even been in love - if God has someone picked out for me hopefully I will someday know - but it is just something I've observed. Husbands and wives who are best friends just seem so much happier then those who aren't. But....if you don't trust me, ask married couples.)
My friends and I have been talking a lot lately about Rodgers and Bucky's friendship in the Captain America movies. (I even got new ideas for how to fix Peter and Tony's friendship, which kind of fell apart in book three. I was writing it when I lost my friend, not the best time to write about friendships.) But all of the talk about their great friendship reminded me of the wonderful friendships I now have. And just why they are so important.
Maybe we won't be going to war and need a friend beside us to keep an eye out for us. But we will all face times when we need a friend at our side. It can be anything - facing a daunting school task, a new job, a bad day, writing a book...there are moments in our lives when we need someone there to lean on. Someone who will make a cup of tea and listen to a long ramble about how horrible their day was at work.
I suppose what I mean to say by all of this is that I've discovered in about a week just how important my friends have become to me. A reminder I think I needed. Because it reminded me why I write about friendships.
I had a better ending for this post, but I always get awkward when I talk about myself. But...there it is. A reminder, maybe, to be grateful for those special friends you'd take a Nerf Bullet for. They aren't always easy to find, and sometimes might take years, but they are worth keeping.
Now I need to go and do some beta reading because I spent most of this evening laughing insanely with said friends.
Quote is from C.S. Lewis.
ALLONS-Y!
(And is random, because she is always random.)
When I turned thirteen my former babysitter told me I was entering the clumsy teen years. She said I'd be knocking things over and running into them all the time because I was going to grow suddenly and I wouldn't be used to it. This didn't happen. I wasn't a graceful teen, that's never been one of my strong suits, but I didn't crash into things and drop things and knock things over. My teen clumsiness took a holiday until recently. It has suddenly jumped on me. (This might be one reason everyone thinks I'm younger than I am. One reason. The other might possibly be because I act like I'm ten sometimes. Just a hunch.) Lately I've been knocking over almost everything I attempt to grab. I run into things even when they are right in front of me.I'm always losing my balance and stumbling around. I think I amuse my fellow co-workers. Or they think I'm one of those girls who sees a guy and forgets how to function. I'm pretty sure this is payback for all those times I snickered at teens when they ran face first into walls.
Now that I got the randomness out of my system.
I've mentioned before how I like friendship stories out of romantic ones. I've also said I put a little bit of romance into some of my books sometimes but it always drifts in the back. I only have one book planned that has about as much romance as friendship. And the only reason I think I might be able to do it is because it still does have strong friendships in it. (And brothers. Three fun brothers whom I love and want to strangle all at once.)
Given the choice though, I will always pick to read or watch a friendship story over a romance. And I always have to have friends in the books I write.
When I was little I was the odd kid. The one who sat alone under a tree with a book rather than talk to girls my own age. Someone said hi to me and my brain shut down and I couldn't even remember my own name, let alone what to say in response. Everyone told me I'd grow out of it.
"I was shy when I was your age, look at me now!"
When I became a teenager and I still didn't know how to carry on a conversation I was discouraged. The brilliant change hadn't come, and I was slowly becoming odder than I had been when I was younger. No one wanted to be my friend then, it would only get worse now - so I believed.
This was when I started to write and take it more seriously than I had before. I even got my first blog and met three girls who liked fantasy and dressing up and all of those fun things. I formed a friendship with them, one in particular. She was as different from me as anyone could get, or at least I thought so.
I'd always been a tomboy, partly made to believe all girly things were bad and should be shunned. I was supposed to be another one of the boys but with longer hair. Spending time with my new found best friend I began to realize I loved being a girl. I liked painting my nails and wearing pink sometimes and dressing up. (I still climbed trees, thought boots were the coolest shoes ever made, and never missed the chance to fence with sticks. Still do that.) But I was more willing to try new things, and many of them I liked.
For awhile I felt like I was living in those books I used to read when I was younger. (The Story Girl. Little Women.) I'd go on adventures with my friend which consisted of walking to the park ad dipping our feet in the fountain, or going down to the bakery and talking about characters we liked. I even went to the Renaissance Faire and tripped Robin Hood - not on purpose.
I got my first real experience at having a friend, and I was able to write friendships much easier. (This was about the time Peter and Tony came into existence.)
Things happen though. I think they have technical terms and are often explained by, "We grew up." "Our interests changed." And so on. But it isn't one of those things that need details. Things happened, and one day I realized that my best friend and I were no longer friends.
That was almost impossible to get over. She knew everything about me, and if she didn't want to be my friend, there couldn't possibly be anyone else in the world who would.
I decided I didn't need friends. Not if it meant losing them and things being worse when they left. I wasn't even going to try and find friends. (Melodramatic on my part. There was a lot of other things going on at the time and I wasn't really a fun person to be around then.)
This was just when I was getting close to publishing my first book and I was keeping up on my blog because I didn't want to lose the few people who were interested in my book. And...to make sure this doesn't turn into one of those boring stories I have been known to tell before I catch myself and shut up...I met several good friends who showed up to comment. And I was reminded of one friend who hadn't given up on me even though I'd turned into an odd ball.
(I won't list names. You likely all know who you are so I will just wave.)
The weird thing about these new found friendships is none of them considered me odd. They didn't call me strange or remind me how normal I'm not. How abnormal I am? Whatever you call it. They just accepted me. It still has been something I have trouble accepting and sometimes feel like hiding under my blanket, scared I will frighten everyone off.
My point is though, since meeting some of these wonderful friends and realizing they really don't care how strange I am, they like me for being me, I've been giving a lot of thought to friendships and how important they are. I think they might be the most important relationships we can have. (Even more than marriage, but only because I believe a husband and wife should be best friends as well. I can't speak from experience since I've never even been in love - if God has someone picked out for me hopefully I will someday know - but it is just something I've observed. Husbands and wives who are best friends just seem so much happier then those who aren't. But....if you don't trust me, ask married couples.)
My friends and I have been talking a lot lately about Rodgers and Bucky's friendship in the Captain America movies. (I even got new ideas for how to fix Peter and Tony's friendship, which kind of fell apart in book three. I was writing it when I lost my friend, not the best time to write about friendships.) But all of the talk about their great friendship reminded me of the wonderful friendships I now have. And just why they are so important.
Maybe we won't be going to war and need a friend beside us to keep an eye out for us. But we will all face times when we need a friend at our side. It can be anything - facing a daunting school task, a new job, a bad day, writing a book...there are moments in our lives when we need someone there to lean on. Someone who will make a cup of tea and listen to a long ramble about how horrible their day was at work.
I suppose what I mean to say by all of this is that I've discovered in about a week just how important my friends have become to me. A reminder I think I needed. Because it reminded me why I write about friendships.
I had a better ending for this post, but I always get awkward when I talk about myself. But...there it is. A reminder, maybe, to be grateful for those special friends you'd take a Nerf Bullet for. They aren't always easy to find, and sometimes might take years, but they are worth keeping.
Now I need to go and do some beta reading because I spent most of this evening laughing insanely with said friends.
Quote is from C.S. Lewis.
ALLONS-Y!
May 5, 2014
"You've got to keep both eyes open."
You know I just watch movies to get new quotes to use, right? (Just kidding, but I do always come away with new, usable quotes after I see a movie. Now if only I could remember quotes from books.)
Mondays haven't been my day for getting things done lately. I'm thinking of giving up on them. Maybe just skip them all together. But I guess I can't technically do this until I take over the world.
Spring got here finally. My boss had me cleaning windows today in a kind of foyer. I had to prop open the doors with one foot while I cleaned the glass or risk getting suffocated by heat. (Okay, so it wasn't that bad.)
We've been invaded by spiders early this year. There was a huge one in the bath tub, along with a smaller one of the same...breed? Kind? Whatever you call evil, sinister spiders. My gallant brothers didn't get rid of it until today - so they've been in there since Sunday. (Two days. Too long.) I had a horrible feeling the spiders were using the tub for their honeymoon suite and I'm considering asking friends if I can take showers at their houses.
I'm setting up a link for my video contest. I would make a button but I don't remember how. (Does anyone have tips?) I didn't know if I would be able to make a trailer as well because I need to get the Loyalty one done. But, I was inspired by an idea so I will be joining in. (You know, joining in all the work. Not entering the actual contest.)
Yeah...I just spent half an hour trying buttons. I still can't figure them out. (Does anyone know how they work?)
Anyways, I have a page set up now on the side bar. Right on top. So it shouldn't be hard to find. I even announced prizes on there.
I had more rambling planned but someone is insisting I eat dinner.
ALLONS-Y!
May 1, 2014
"Was that your first kiss since 1945?" "No. I'm 95, not dead."
Wherein Jack reviews The Winter Soldier.
Spoilers....don't read unless you've seen it. (Well, I think there will be spoilers. I can't say for sure, because I won't be paying attention to what I say.)
Because this is a better poster than the one used in the theatre
I thought I should write this once I was passed the BUCKY!!! stage...but I don't think that is going to happen.
So, here we go.
First of all, I loved Bucky in the first movie. I knew he was going to die - he was Rodgers' best friend. Rodgers was an Avenger. He was going to be in the Avengers movie. He was living in the 1940's, this meant he somehow made it to the future. Which meant his best friend was going to die. When this hit me I decided not to like Bucky, so I wouldn't be sad when he died. That lasted until he saved Rodgers from the bully and didn't yell at him for putting himself in danger. Nope, just saved his friend, pulled him up, and insisted they go out on a date with a couple of girls. (I only liked him more when he told Rodgers he wasn't going to follow Captain America into battle, he was going to follow a kid from Brooklyn who couldn't walk away from a fight. That was when I knew I loved Bucky. His friend was a hero, he took on a bunch of Hydra soldiers and saved a group of rag tag men. But that didn't matter to Bucky. What mattered was that Rodgers was still the kid from Brooklyn. The kid who stood up to bullies when he didn't have a chance at winning, and that was the hero Bucky was going to fight beside.) From that moment on I steeled myself for Bucky's death. It still hurt when it happened.
When I found out the title for the new Captain America movie I thought it was referring to Rodgers, until I heard something - I don't remember what - and I realized it was referring to Bucky. I was thrilled, until other things clicked and the full implications of what that meant sank in. (My geeky brain connected the fact Bucky was being held by Hydra before Rodgers saved him and that he fell into a winter wasteland and therefore could have survived if he had some of the same stuff in his blood stream as Rodgers. It was one of my proudest geek moments.)
Probably the best line in the first movie
Knowing the mysterious assassin was Bucky meant I wasn't knocked out of my seat when he took his mask off. But there were other things that surprised me, and everything else that didn't just made me happy - and sad.
First...the Black Widow. She is too cool of a character to have such a dorky pose on the poster. I feel bad for her poster picture.
Her new hair style didn't look as bad as I thought it would. (I still think she should have got to keep the style in the Avengers, but you know.)
I realized in this movie how much I like her. She was really cool in the Avengers. I liked her a lot in that one, but I liked her even more in this one. One reason is she is running around with a big, blond haired, gentlemanly superhero. Most girls would be swooning left and right, but there was no romance between them. (Someone might be able to imagine some in, but she was wearing an arrow necklace....so, I think it would take some hard imagining.) They were best friends, and they amused me.
I still love how she can kick bad guys in the head but she doesn't act better than Rodgers. She never got offended when he would try and protect her. And I LOVED how she kept trying to get him on a date. While they were fighting or shoving guys off buildings, she was never too busy to multitask. (Also, the part after she and Rodgers kiss and she picks on him, that was funny)
I don't have a picture for Natasha. So....I will do a quote. How is that?"Where did you learn to steal a car?" "Germany. And we're borrowing it, get your feet off the dash."
Sam. I liked Sam when Rodgers was outrunning him and he was yelling, "Don't you say it!" I was happy he had such a big role in the movie...AND I WANT HIS WINGS!!!!
My favourite part was when Sam tries to talk Rodgers out of trying to save Bucky. (I wanted Rodgers to save Bucky, I kind of yelled at Sam for saying that, but it was still a nice scene. I think, even though Rodgers is bigger than a lot of the men in the Avenger movies, everyone worries about him a lot. He has this little boy-ishness that never went away even after he was turned into a superhero and his friends just have this urge to protect him and look out for him. Even Bucky was doing it, after Rodgers saved him - he refused to leave the burning building even though Rodgers likely would have been fine on his own.) Sam was worried Rodgers would get hurt or killed if he tried to save Bucky and he didn't want to see that happen to his new friend.
I sat through the last battle, gripping my chair, panicking that Sam was going to die. And the part where Rodgers is in the hospital and Sam is waiting by him, playing that one song he told him to listen to so he'd fit more into the modern world. That was one of the best happy moments.
Fury. I am mad at Fury for Coulson reasons. I think I stuck my tongue out at him once. I laughed with his car broke. (I realized one reason I don't like Fury. He does try and help people, but to keep peace he is willing to hurt or sacrifice almost anyone. Rodgers, Coulson. He kind of reminds me of Conner in the False Prince books.)
Because I don't want to do a Fury picture. "I just do what he does...only slower."
(I will now insert something besides characters so it sounds like I did watch the movie.)
The elevator scene was perfect. Just as wonderful as I was hoping it would be. It kind of reminded me of an elevator fight in Get Smart.
They connect the movies with Agents of SHIELD!!!! I thought they would do it with this movie, it just made me especially happy when they did.
I liked Nathasa and Rodgers on the run together. They were so awkward at trying to blend in and Rodgers' shoes were disturbing.
Someone who has read the comics I can't find...I thought in them Rodgers ended up with the waitress he saved in the Avengers. But now it looks like it is "neighbor". I am asking for a spoiler, because I don't really like "neighbor". (The only part I liked about her was Rodgers' "neighbor" part.)
The scene when Bucky catches Rodgers' shield!!!! I LOVED the crushed, baffled look on Rodgers' face! "But...but...that is MY shield. No one can catch MY shield! Give it back!" And when Bucky throws it at him he looks even more heart broken. "You...you just threw my own shield at me."
The bridge scene. Even though I knew it was Bucky, I forgot how to breathe when Rodgers' saw. He looked so confused and panicked and then he was dazed.....yes, one of the worse scenes in the movie.
When Bucky is asking about the man on the bridge and keeps repeating that he knew him and he sounds like a little boy. That one hurt too.
The final battle was amazing and heart wrenching. I yelled at Rodgers when he beat Bucky, then I yelled at Bucky when he beat Rodgers up. (It is hard, liking them the exact same.) I then yelled at Bucky for just walking off after he saved Rodgers. He was starting to remember! The one person who could help him, and he leaves him lying on the ground half drowned.
(Look, Ben. I used it.)
Okay, now to the best part.
I save the best for last.
"He's still skinny."
RODGERS! I was never able to decide who my favourite Avenger was. (Next to Hawkeye. Hawkeye has a bow, he won without trying. But he isn't really a superhero so, I was trying to pick a superhero.) I like Stark. More now that he isn't such a twerp. For a while I thought he might be my favourite, but Rodgers won with this movie. (He was tied with his one movie to Stark's three...)
I think I am drawn toward soldier characters. And he is clueless about a lot of technology things and I love slightly clueless characters. (Hence Peter.) Also, he has cool boots. I know, I shouldn't be adding points for boots, but I do.
He has a quirky sense of humor and can laugh at himself and admit when he doesn't know something. (Picking on Sam while they were running. Admitting he was still learning about 2014. His age joke when Natasha is picking on him about their kiss.) AND, even when his best friend took his shield, threw it back at him, tried to kill Natasha, tried to kill Sam, tried to kill him, tried to take over the world, turned into a brain washed assassin, he never gave up on trying to save him. And, once he didn't have to fight Bucky to save the world he stopped fighting him because he couldn't hurt his friend.
Because you needed this
His uniform is cool. (His new one. I liked it more than the one he borrowed from the museum. It looked more WWII ish.)
(I didn't like that he got a new motorcycle. His Avenger one was cooler. WAY cooler.)
How, even now that he can run really fast and get shot and recover and has arms which could rip his shirts, he is still the same kid from Brooklyn who doesn't like bullies.
The fact he isn't ready for lip rings. (That part was funny. "The one with the lip ring? Yeah, not ready for that yet.")
The age thing. I don't know why, but that amuses me. I believe in the first Captain America, when eh was trying to sign up, his papers said he was 21. (Someone might know for sure.) Either way, I'm pretty sure he is now the oldest/ youngest Avenger.
How he sassed his neighbor. I don't know why I liked that so much, but I do.
Him standing up to Fury. Because...YAY!!!!!
And....lastly, because he pulled Bucky's, "Because I'm with you till the end of the line," line.
Okay...now we have got to the part where I am not allowed to explain all my feelings by shouting BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!
Mad Bucky
I don't even think that is possible.
I didn't know Bucky was going to be bad, when I first realized he was the Winter Soldier. When I found out I was a bit worried, but still...he was Bucky. Something had to have happened. I didn't know he'd been brain washed and had his memory swiped, so it was worse than what I had been preparing for.
I had it on good authority that the ending of the movie was hopeful, but I still was on the edge of my seat during the times when Bucky was on screen. I felt bad for him when he was with Hydra and talking about how he knew the man on the bridge, and I mentally yelled when they said to wipe his memory.
After that I went back and forth with him. (Knowing he wasn't in control meant I wasn't mad AT Bucky. I knew if he was himself he would never have been trying to kill Rodgers. That said....I was squirming and grabbing the side of my seat during the fight scenes. (The first one, on the bridge, was the worse. Natasha is shot, Bucky loses his mask and Rodgers realizes his best friend is alive and breathing and has no clue he is his best friend. That was one of those moments were I wasn't sure if I felt worse for Bucky or Rodgers.)
The last fight scene was nail biting though. (As I mentioned above.) I still haven't got over that.
I was VERY happy when Bucky saved Rodgers though....then irritated when he just walked off. He was starting to remember, so what does he do? Leaves the one person who could help him laying by a river and wanders off into the world on his own. (There went my hopeful ending.)
But, I was a good Marvel girl and sat through the VERY end of the credits and saw the hopeful clip. That made me feel a little better. Now, whenever I talk about BUCKY!!!!! it is with a couple less !!! then if I had left before. All I know is that, after that, my friends and I have decided we deserve a BUCKY!!!!!! 8-D moment.
Oh look, I found one "Was that your first kiss since 1945?"
But...there it is. My best attempts at a review. Sorry for the spoilers, but there was no way around that. Go and see it if you haven't. It is Marvel, so it is fun. Grimmer than the Thor movies, but it still has light hearted moments.
You can guess where the quote is from
Allons-y!
Spoilers....don't read unless you've seen it. (Well, I think there will be spoilers. I can't say for sure, because I won't be paying attention to what I say.)
Because this is a better poster than the one used in the theatreI thought I should write this once I was passed the BUCKY!!! stage...but I don't think that is going to happen.
So, here we go.
First of all, I loved Bucky in the first movie. I knew he was going to die - he was Rodgers' best friend. Rodgers was an Avenger. He was going to be in the Avengers movie. He was living in the 1940's, this meant he somehow made it to the future. Which meant his best friend was going to die. When this hit me I decided not to like Bucky, so I wouldn't be sad when he died. That lasted until he saved Rodgers from the bully and didn't yell at him for putting himself in danger. Nope, just saved his friend, pulled him up, and insisted they go out on a date with a couple of girls. (I only liked him more when he told Rodgers he wasn't going to follow Captain America into battle, he was going to follow a kid from Brooklyn who couldn't walk away from a fight. That was when I knew I loved Bucky. His friend was a hero, he took on a bunch of Hydra soldiers and saved a group of rag tag men. But that didn't matter to Bucky. What mattered was that Rodgers was still the kid from Brooklyn. The kid who stood up to bullies when he didn't have a chance at winning, and that was the hero Bucky was going to fight beside.) From that moment on I steeled myself for Bucky's death. It still hurt when it happened.
When I found out the title for the new Captain America movie I thought it was referring to Rodgers, until I heard something - I don't remember what - and I realized it was referring to Bucky. I was thrilled, until other things clicked and the full implications of what that meant sank in. (My geeky brain connected the fact Bucky was being held by Hydra before Rodgers saved him and that he fell into a winter wasteland and therefore could have survived if he had some of the same stuff in his blood stream as Rodgers. It was one of my proudest geek moments.)
Probably the best line in the first movieKnowing the mysterious assassin was Bucky meant I wasn't knocked out of my seat when he took his mask off. But there were other things that surprised me, and everything else that didn't just made me happy - and sad.
First...the Black Widow. She is too cool of a character to have such a dorky pose on the poster. I feel bad for her poster picture.
Her new hair style didn't look as bad as I thought it would. (I still think she should have got to keep the style in the Avengers, but you know.)
I realized in this movie how much I like her. She was really cool in the Avengers. I liked her a lot in that one, but I liked her even more in this one. One reason is she is running around with a big, blond haired, gentlemanly superhero. Most girls would be swooning left and right, but there was no romance between them. (Someone might be able to imagine some in, but she was wearing an arrow necklace....so, I think it would take some hard imagining.) They were best friends, and they amused me.
I still love how she can kick bad guys in the head but she doesn't act better than Rodgers. She never got offended when he would try and protect her. And I LOVED how she kept trying to get him on a date. While they were fighting or shoving guys off buildings, she was never too busy to multitask. (Also, the part after she and Rodgers kiss and she picks on him, that was funny)
I don't have a picture for Natasha. So....I will do a quote. How is that?"Where did you learn to steal a car?" "Germany. And we're borrowing it, get your feet off the dash."Sam. I liked Sam when Rodgers was outrunning him and he was yelling, "Don't you say it!" I was happy he had such a big role in the movie...AND I WANT HIS WINGS!!!!
My favourite part was when Sam tries to talk Rodgers out of trying to save Bucky. (I wanted Rodgers to save Bucky, I kind of yelled at Sam for saying that, but it was still a nice scene. I think, even though Rodgers is bigger than a lot of the men in the Avenger movies, everyone worries about him a lot. He has this little boy-ishness that never went away even after he was turned into a superhero and his friends just have this urge to protect him and look out for him. Even Bucky was doing it, after Rodgers saved him - he refused to leave the burning building even though Rodgers likely would have been fine on his own.) Sam was worried Rodgers would get hurt or killed if he tried to save Bucky and he didn't want to see that happen to his new friend.
I sat through the last battle, gripping my chair, panicking that Sam was going to die. And the part where Rodgers is in the hospital and Sam is waiting by him, playing that one song he told him to listen to so he'd fit more into the modern world. That was one of the best happy moments.
Fury. I am mad at Fury for Coulson reasons. I think I stuck my tongue out at him once. I laughed with his car broke. (I realized one reason I don't like Fury. He does try and help people, but to keep peace he is willing to hurt or sacrifice almost anyone. Rodgers, Coulson. He kind of reminds me of Conner in the False Prince books.)
Because I don't want to do a Fury picture. "I just do what he does...only slower."(I will now insert something besides characters so it sounds like I did watch the movie.)
The elevator scene was perfect. Just as wonderful as I was hoping it would be. It kind of reminded me of an elevator fight in Get Smart.
They connect the movies with Agents of SHIELD!!!! I thought they would do it with this movie, it just made me especially happy when they did.
I liked Nathasa and Rodgers on the run together. They were so awkward at trying to blend in and Rodgers' shoes were disturbing.
Someone who has read the comics I can't find...I thought in them Rodgers ended up with the waitress he saved in the Avengers. But now it looks like it is "neighbor". I am asking for a spoiler, because I don't really like "neighbor". (The only part I liked about her was Rodgers' "neighbor" part.)
The scene when Bucky catches Rodgers' shield!!!! I LOVED the crushed, baffled look on Rodgers' face! "But...but...that is MY shield. No one can catch MY shield! Give it back!" And when Bucky throws it at him he looks even more heart broken. "You...you just threw my own shield at me."
The bridge scene. Even though I knew it was Bucky, I forgot how to breathe when Rodgers' saw. He looked so confused and panicked and then he was dazed.....yes, one of the worse scenes in the movie.
When Bucky is asking about the man on the bridge and keeps repeating that he knew him and he sounds like a little boy. That one hurt too.
The final battle was amazing and heart wrenching. I yelled at Rodgers when he beat Bucky, then I yelled at Bucky when he beat Rodgers up. (It is hard, liking them the exact same.) I then yelled at Bucky for just walking off after he saved Rodgers. He was starting to remember! The one person who could help him, and he leaves him lying on the ground half drowned.
(Look, Ben. I used it.)Okay, now to the best part.
I save the best for last.
"He's still skinny."RODGERS! I was never able to decide who my favourite Avenger was. (Next to Hawkeye. Hawkeye has a bow, he won without trying. But he isn't really a superhero so, I was trying to pick a superhero.) I like Stark. More now that he isn't such a twerp. For a while I thought he might be my favourite, but Rodgers won with this movie. (He was tied with his one movie to Stark's three...)
I think I am drawn toward soldier characters. And he is clueless about a lot of technology things and I love slightly clueless characters. (Hence Peter.) Also, he has cool boots. I know, I shouldn't be adding points for boots, but I do.
He has a quirky sense of humor and can laugh at himself and admit when he doesn't know something. (Picking on Sam while they were running. Admitting he was still learning about 2014. His age joke when Natasha is picking on him about their kiss.) AND, even when his best friend took his shield, threw it back at him, tried to kill Natasha, tried to kill Sam, tried to kill him, tried to take over the world, turned into a brain washed assassin, he never gave up on trying to save him. And, once he didn't have to fight Bucky to save the world he stopped fighting him because he couldn't hurt his friend.
Because you needed thisHis uniform is cool. (His new one. I liked it more than the one he borrowed from the museum. It looked more WWII ish.)
(I didn't like that he got a new motorcycle. His Avenger one was cooler. WAY cooler.)
How, even now that he can run really fast and get shot and recover and has arms which could rip his shirts, he is still the same kid from Brooklyn who doesn't like bullies.
The fact he isn't ready for lip rings. (That part was funny. "The one with the lip ring? Yeah, not ready for that yet.")
The age thing. I don't know why, but that amuses me. I believe in the first Captain America, when eh was trying to sign up, his papers said he was 21. (Someone might know for sure.) Either way, I'm pretty sure he is now the oldest/ youngest Avenger.
How he sassed his neighbor. I don't know why I liked that so much, but I do.
Him standing up to Fury. Because...YAY!!!!!
And....lastly, because he pulled Bucky's, "Because I'm with you till the end of the line," line.
Okay...now we have got to the part where I am not allowed to explain all my feelings by shouting BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!
Mad BuckyI don't even think that is possible.
I didn't know Bucky was going to be bad, when I first realized he was the Winter Soldier. When I found out I was a bit worried, but still...he was Bucky. Something had to have happened. I didn't know he'd been brain washed and had his memory swiped, so it was worse than what I had been preparing for.
I had it on good authority that the ending of the movie was hopeful, but I still was on the edge of my seat during the times when Bucky was on screen. I felt bad for him when he was with Hydra and talking about how he knew the man on the bridge, and I mentally yelled when they said to wipe his memory.
After that I went back and forth with him. (Knowing he wasn't in control meant I wasn't mad AT Bucky. I knew if he was himself he would never have been trying to kill Rodgers. That said....I was squirming and grabbing the side of my seat during the fight scenes. (The first one, on the bridge, was the worse. Natasha is shot, Bucky loses his mask and Rodgers realizes his best friend is alive and breathing and has no clue he is his best friend. That was one of those moments were I wasn't sure if I felt worse for Bucky or Rodgers.)
The last fight scene was nail biting though. (As I mentioned above.) I still haven't got over that.
I was VERY happy when Bucky saved Rodgers though....then irritated when he just walked off. He was starting to remember, so what does he do? Leaves the one person who could help him laying by a river and wanders off into the world on his own. (There went my hopeful ending.)
But, I was a good Marvel girl and sat through the VERY end of the credits and saw the hopeful clip. That made me feel a little better. Now, whenever I talk about BUCKY!!!!! it is with a couple less !!! then if I had left before. All I know is that, after that, my friends and I have decided we deserve a BUCKY!!!!!! 8-D moment.
Oh look, I found one "Was that your first kiss since 1945?"But...there it is. My best attempts at a review. Sorry for the spoilers, but there was no way around that. Go and see it if you haven't. It is Marvel, so it is fun. Grimmer than the Thor movies, but it still has light hearted moments.
You can guess where the quote is from
Allons-y!
