Gloria Oliver's Blog, page 126
May 9, 2011
Mind Sieve 5/9/11
Let's see what fun stuff I can give you to play with this week. Might even get a little funky! :P
Anime/Manga
Found out from SoonerCon that they're doing a live action Cobra: Space Pirate! Won't be out until 2013, but check out the poster. Looks fab!
Fan Fun
From FansofMovies got the heads up that Javier Bardem has officially signed on to the movie and TV projects based on the series of books by Stephen King -
Teaser video from Weird Al for his upcoming album called Apocalypse.
From Examiner.Com comes a article about a huge asteroid that will buzz the planet. No Need to Panic! Should be way cool.
There's a new Harry Potter trailer out! FansofMovies shared it this week.
New Transformers trailer out as well.
Author Platform/Social Media
Kristen Lamb talks about what I am doing right here! Heh heh. She calls it a Mash Up.
Pam Moore made a list of 21 Tips to Get Your Tweet On! Advice for Twitter usage.
10 Reasons People Hate Your Website by Nick Stamoulis. He's got some good points in this list!
Twitter Tuesday from Kristen Lamb where she talks about Uptight Twitters and Chill Twitters. Managing Twitter time!
Kristen also started a Twitter Revolution this past week - the Love Revolution. Using #MyWANA in a search column for Twitter to meet with other Tweeps and get some We Are Not Alone support!
Tony Eldridge has some advice and gives us 9 Non-Technical Tips To Finding Readers for Your Blog.
Larry Braune blogs about how we need to Start Selling Yourself.
Knowledge for Writing
Sean McLachlan gives us info on Medieval Handgonnes. Awesome info tidbits to fire our imaginations and make us more accurate in our fantasy writing!
Leather Armor in the Middle Ages by A J Walker. Some really interesting tidbits about leather armor and assumptions previously made. Great stuff!
Writing Advice
The 5 Stages of Writing a Novel. Rhonda Eudaly passed on the link to this video. Hilarious and horribly, horribly true! lol.
Elizabeth Spann Craig has a great post called Modern Mythology: Publishing Myths. She exposes myths held by author, even publishers. Good stuff!
Joanna Penn points out and gives tips on Five Common Writing Problems.
Sharla Rae has a great post called Put Your Flabby Writing On A Diet. Lists of words and examples of duplicate or multiple words best said with less. Check it out!
Chuck Wendig talks about What Novelists Can Lear From Screenwriters. And some tolerance on both sides too!
Nathan Bradford walks us through - How I Edit. It might work for you or it might not, but has some nice ideas.
Tony Eldridge gives us 4 Tips On Making Your Book Available To Book Clubs/Reading Groups.
Kristen Lamb walks us through How To Show A Character's Inner Demons. I'm like really partial to this one as she uses Black Swan as an example. (Loved this movie!)
Janice Hardy has a step by step program on pumping up the Narrative Drive. Good stuff!
The 3 Stages of Querying by Jody Hedlung. Funny even!
Gene Lempp talks about Designing from Bones: Aurignacian Lion Man. How archeology, history, even a picture of something can open up creativity. Good post!
Scams
Matt Leibowitz did a story at MSNBC on how crooks are using links in e-books to scam the unwary author and readers - Novel Scam: Cybercrooks Target Kindle e-books.
That should be it for this week. Have a good one!
Anime/Manga
Found out from SoonerCon that they're doing a live action Cobra: Space Pirate! Won't be out until 2013, but check out the poster. Looks fab!
Fan Fun
From FansofMovies got the heads up that Javier Bardem has officially signed on to the movie and TV projects based on the series of books by Stephen King -
Teaser video from Weird Al for his upcoming album called Apocalypse.
From Examiner.Com comes a article about a huge asteroid that will buzz the planet. No Need to Panic! Should be way cool.
There's a new Harry Potter trailer out! FansofMovies shared it this week.
New Transformers trailer out as well.
Author Platform/Social Media
Kristen Lamb talks about what I am doing right here! Heh heh. She calls it a Mash Up.
Pam Moore made a list of 21 Tips to Get Your Tweet On! Advice for Twitter usage.
10 Reasons People Hate Your Website by Nick Stamoulis. He's got some good points in this list!
Twitter Tuesday from Kristen Lamb where she talks about Uptight Twitters and Chill Twitters. Managing Twitter time!
Kristen also started a Twitter Revolution this past week - the Love Revolution. Using #MyWANA in a search column for Twitter to meet with other Tweeps and get some We Are Not Alone support!
Tony Eldridge has some advice and gives us 9 Non-Technical Tips To Finding Readers for Your Blog.
Larry Braune blogs about how we need to Start Selling Yourself.
Knowledge for Writing
Sean McLachlan gives us info on Medieval Handgonnes. Awesome info tidbits to fire our imaginations and make us more accurate in our fantasy writing!
Leather Armor in the Middle Ages by A J Walker. Some really interesting tidbits about leather armor and assumptions previously made. Great stuff!
Writing Advice
The 5 Stages of Writing a Novel. Rhonda Eudaly passed on the link to this video. Hilarious and horribly, horribly true! lol.
Elizabeth Spann Craig has a great post called Modern Mythology: Publishing Myths. She exposes myths held by author, even publishers. Good stuff!
Joanna Penn points out and gives tips on Five Common Writing Problems.
Sharla Rae has a great post called Put Your Flabby Writing On A Diet. Lists of words and examples of duplicate or multiple words best said with less. Check it out!
Chuck Wendig talks about What Novelists Can Lear From Screenwriters. And some tolerance on both sides too!
Nathan Bradford walks us through - How I Edit. It might work for you or it might not, but has some nice ideas.
Tony Eldridge gives us 4 Tips On Making Your Book Available To Book Clubs/Reading Groups.
Kristen Lamb walks us through How To Show A Character's Inner Demons. I'm like really partial to this one as she uses Black Swan as an example. (Loved this movie!)
Janice Hardy has a step by step program on pumping up the Narrative Drive. Good stuff!
The 3 Stages of Querying by Jody Hedlung. Funny even!
Gene Lempp talks about Designing from Bones: Aurignacian Lion Man. How archeology, history, even a picture of something can open up creativity. Good post!
Scams
Matt Leibowitz did a story at MSNBC on how crooks are using links in e-books to scam the unwary author and readers - Novel Scam: Cybercrooks Target Kindle e-books.
That should be it for this week. Have a good one!
May 6, 2011
Movie Review - THOR
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stelan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Ray Stevenson and more...Directed by: Kenneth Branagh Screenplay: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne Story: J Michael Straczynki and Mark Protosevich Based on Comics by: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber Original Music: Patrick Doyle Premise: "Pride comes before a fall." Thor, son of Odin, gets thrown from Asgard after defying his father's orders. Now he has to deal with being on Earth. But all isn't as it would seem. Review: The movie was fun! Had several funny bits that really brought a lot into it, especially after the heavy fodder from the beginning. Totally loved Asgard. And we got to see a beautiful pan of the place (with some possible Jack Kirby homage) and even caught glimpses of Asgardian magic/science. For the two realms we get to see aside from Earth, the IMAX was great! The 3D doesn't do much, but it totally shines at the credits when we get to travel through the Yggdrasil and follow galaxies, stars, and nebulas as we hit each of the nine realms. All the special effects were good, some of the sky effects quite awesome. Oh, and I want me one of the Asgard Guardian machines. They ROCK! Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman had decent chemistry, which was nice. Thor's friends were a little underused, but they had their moments. Watching Thor and his Hammer go at it in the Northern Realm was a blast! That is one dangerous hammer. The distinctive look of Thor and Loki were mostly preserved, which was great. Shield gets into the act, as all of this is leading towards The Avengers movie. (Make sure to sit through the credits! Another minute or two more of movie at the end!) Overall it was a decent romp and worth a look. Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Would pay full IMAX 3D price again)
Movie Review - THOR
THOR
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stelan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Ray Stevenson and more...
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh Screenplay: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne Story: J Michael Straczynki and Mark Protosevich Based on Comics by: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber Original Music: Patrick Doyle
Premise: "Pride comes before a fall." Thor, son of Odin, gets thrown from Asgard after defying his father's orders. Now he has to deal with being on Earth. But all isn't as it would seem.
Review: The movie was fun! Had several funny bits that really brought a lot into it, especially after the heavy fodder from the beginning.
Totally loved Asgard. And we got to see a beautiful pan of the place (with some possible Jack Kirby homage) and even caught glimpses of Asgardian magic/science. For the two realms we get to see aside from Earth, the IMAX was great!
The 3D doesn't do much, but it totally shines at the credits when we get to travel through the Yggdrasil and follow galaxies, stars, and nebulas as we hit each of the nine realms. All the special effects were good, some of the sky effects quite awesome.
Oh, and I want me one of the Asgard Guardian machines. They ROCK!
Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman had decent chemistry, which was nice. Thor's friends were a little underused, but they had their moments. Watching Thor and his Hammer go at it in the Northern Realm was a blast! That is one dangerous hammer.
The distinctive look of Thor and Loki were mostly preserved, which was great. Shield gets into the act, as all of this is leading towards The Avengers movie. (Make sure to sit through the credits! Another minute or two more of movie at the end!)
Overall it was a decent romp and worth a look.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Would pay full IMAX 3D price again)
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stelan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Ray Stevenson and more...
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh Screenplay: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne Story: J Michael Straczynki and Mark Protosevich Based on Comics by: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber Original Music: Patrick Doyle
Premise: "Pride comes before a fall." Thor, son of Odin, gets thrown from Asgard after defying his father's orders. Now he has to deal with being on Earth. But all isn't as it would seem.
Review: The movie was fun! Had several funny bits that really brought a lot into it, especially after the heavy fodder from the beginning.
Totally loved Asgard. And we got to see a beautiful pan of the place (with some possible Jack Kirby homage) and even caught glimpses of Asgardian magic/science. For the two realms we get to see aside from Earth, the IMAX was great!
The 3D doesn't do much, but it totally shines at the credits when we get to travel through the Yggdrasil and follow galaxies, stars, and nebulas as we hit each of the nine realms. All the special effects were good, some of the sky effects quite awesome.
Oh, and I want me one of the Asgard Guardian machines. They ROCK!
Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman had decent chemistry, which was nice. Thor's friends were a little underused, but they had their moments. Watching Thor and his Hammer go at it in the Northern Realm was a blast! That is one dangerous hammer.
The distinctive look of Thor and Loki were mostly preserved, which was great. Shield gets into the act, as all of this is leading towards The Avengers movie. (Make sure to sit through the credits! Another minute or two more of movie at the end!)
Overall it was a decent romp and worth a look.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Would pay full IMAX 3D price again)
May 4, 2011
Pitcure Kaleidoscope 5/4/11
Tollway photography! lol. Sun looked too tempting to ignore.
Pixmarket shared this cool flower pics called Firewheel. Taken by D Robert Frantz.
Loved the light and shadow play in the sky for this one. You can even see the rain way off in the distance. PacMan eating the sun. :P
Torbooks shared this link from blastr - Shotgun-riding Chewbacca Dog. Too cute!
And a new microcosm pic from Chuck Wendig that came out too cool! Tree On An Alien World.
This was the skies on Sunday. Also the beginning of an experiment! The one above is a normal picture. The one below is a composite made with the photosynth app. (First time using it! Kinda cool!)
I figured the sky was too ominous to be taken by one narrow picture. Weird no? I think I will be using this sucker more. Bwahahahaha!
Have an awesome, picturesque week!
May 2, 2011
Mind Sieve 5/2/11
I'm thinking of making a logo graphic for Mind Sieve and Picture Kaleidoscope blog entries. Have a wonderful visual that came to me this morning for the Mind Sieve. Let's see if I can actually finds pics to make it so! With any luck, maybe I can unveil it next week. Don't hold your breath though, this things can be harder to find pieces for than you might think. :)
Fan Fun
There was some bad news last week as Dr Who fandom lost Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). Tom Baker, who played the Doctor from 1974 to 1981, wrote a beautiful letter remembering his time with Elisabeth.
If you enjoy ABC's Castle, you'll love this video about a possible spin-off called: Sex and the City with Boys. Cracked me up! hee hee!
Also, here's the evolution of the Batman Symbol. So Cool!
From FansOfMovies came a link with news about the animated film based on Frank Miller's
From NCIS_CBS we get preview photos from NCIS all new episode on May 3rd. See Tony back in the day! DiNozzo before he joined NCIS! Flashback episode! Woot!
NCIS_CBS also shared a link with pics of Cote de Pablo on the Late Show!
Stana Katic shared a video made by fans for her Birthday last week. How cool is that?
Russ Pits Talks about Minecraft, society, and bears! (I don't he's learned that enough torches will keep the zombies out. Shshshshsh! Don't tell him!) :P
Author Platform/Social Media
Kristen Lamb talks about Schizo Tweeter on her Twitter Tuesday Blog.
Then she asks how we'd feel if we found out our favorite blogger wasn't writing his or her own blog.
Jodi Hedlund has some great advice we should all keep in mind with Social Media and building our Author Platforms - Loving and Taking Care of Our Readers.
Writing Tips/Advice
Kristen Lamb takes us through the 7 Deadly Sins of Prologues. Some good points here on how they get used wrong.
Jami Gold shared this post by Lisa Gail Green on Point of View. Hitting deep and fast.
Staci ONeale shares the Worst Writing Advice I've Ever Received.
Nathan Bradford says it like it is and talks about The Fate Factor. (Yeah that pesky part of the business we can't control!)
Jordan McCollum shares a multitude of revision styles in R is for Revision.
Coping With False Starts - Julie Eshbaughs's take on it and how it might actually be good for you.
Kristen Lamb talks more on plot - Choosing Our Path: Genre Matters. Some nice notes on what you should be doing in particular genres, or knowing what you're not doing.
Ten Steps for Editing Your Own Writing from Mark Nichol. Some very good tips on this list.
Great (yet mind troubling) post by Nathan Bransford on Spaghetti Agents!
And Chuck Wendig came up with a stellar list this past week! 25 Things Every Writer Should Know. (And he's not kidding!) Possibly NSFW!
Also Colleen Lindsay and TheSekritProjekt are now revealed! Go check out Book Country. A new place for writers to gather together, get and give crits, as well as converse about the craft of writing and more.
That should be enough to make your brain hemorrhage. Until next time!
Fan Fun
There was some bad news last week as Dr Who fandom lost Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). Tom Baker, who played the Doctor from 1974 to 1981, wrote a beautiful letter remembering his time with Elisabeth.
If you enjoy ABC's Castle, you'll love this video about a possible spin-off called: Sex and the City with Boys. Cracked me up! hee hee!
Also, here's the evolution of the Batman Symbol. So Cool!
From FansOfMovies came a link with news about the animated film based on Frank Miller's
From NCIS_CBS we get preview photos from NCIS all new episode on May 3rd. See Tony back in the day! DiNozzo before he joined NCIS! Flashback episode! Woot!
NCIS_CBS also shared a link with pics of Cote de Pablo on the Late Show!
Stana Katic shared a video made by fans for her Birthday last week. How cool is that?
Russ Pits Talks about Minecraft, society, and bears! (I don't he's learned that enough torches will keep the zombies out. Shshshshsh! Don't tell him!) :P
Author Platform/Social Media
Kristen Lamb talks about Schizo Tweeter on her Twitter Tuesday Blog.
Then she asks how we'd feel if we found out our favorite blogger wasn't writing his or her own blog.
Jodi Hedlund has some great advice we should all keep in mind with Social Media and building our Author Platforms - Loving and Taking Care of Our Readers.
Writing Tips/Advice
Kristen Lamb takes us through the 7 Deadly Sins of Prologues. Some good points here on how they get used wrong.
Jami Gold shared this post by Lisa Gail Green on Point of View. Hitting deep and fast.
Staci ONeale shares the Worst Writing Advice I've Ever Received.
Nathan Bradford says it like it is and talks about The Fate Factor. (Yeah that pesky part of the business we can't control!)
Jordan McCollum shares a multitude of revision styles in R is for Revision.
Coping With False Starts - Julie Eshbaughs's take on it and how it might actually be good for you.
Kristen Lamb talks more on plot - Choosing Our Path: Genre Matters. Some nice notes on what you should be doing in particular genres, or knowing what you're not doing.
Ten Steps for Editing Your Own Writing from Mark Nichol. Some very good tips on this list.
Great (yet mind troubling) post by Nathan Bransford on Spaghetti Agents!
And Chuck Wendig came up with a stellar list this past week! 25 Things Every Writer Should Know. (And he's not kidding!) Possibly NSFW!
Also Colleen Lindsay and TheSekritProjekt are now revealed! Go check out Book Country. A new place for writers to gather together, get and give crits, as well as converse about the craft of writing and more.
That should be enough to make your brain hemorrhage. Until next time!
April 29, 2011
Movie Review - Fast Five
Fast Five
Staring: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky, and more...
Directed by: Justin Lin Writing Credits: Chris Morgan Based on Characters by: Gary Scott Thompson Original Music by: Brian Tyler
Premise: After a grand escape by Dominic Toretto, engineered by Brian O'Conner and Dominic's sister Mia, the team meets again in Rio, where an old friend hooks them up with an 'easy' job when they're strapped for cash. Things go south due to info that wasn't shared, and now Dominic, Brian, and Mia are on the most wanted list of not only the US Government, who's sending a special team to find them, but Rio's biggest crime boss.
Review: Five Fast is the fifth installment of The Fast and The Furious franchise that started back in 2001. If you haven't seen the others you won't be lost, all the major info needed supplied in bits and pieces for the most part. However, if you have seen them, this turns into a major reunion party and more. (In the credits they show the way the characters looked then to now - sort of wished they'd done it at the start as it would have helped place one or two of them! :P)
You can't look at the physics of things too closely, or you'll spoil the fun. A little suspension of disbelief will go a long way and boost your enjoyment. That being said, they pull off all sorts of amazing stunts. They took all the stops out and wrecked more cars, in more closeups than ever before. If you're seeing it in IMAX, it makes it that much more. Some of the flipping cars and flying pieces of concrete and metal feel like they're coming right at you with no 3D.
Loads of chases, gun play, wrecks, and mass destruction with a towed safe. I also enjoyed the added flavor of people speaking in Portuguese down in Rio and the Spanish and English wordplay between two of the guys. (Decent subtitles are supplied for all.)
The acting is good, which means they sell it well. Some expected turns actually don't happen, and some unexpected left turns do, which was great. Loads of action action action. Tons of lovely cars and in one section loads of babes for the guys to drool over - as if they needed more than the two, make that three hot female costars.
It was a blast watching Vin Diesel and the Rock go at it. A train wreck waiting to happen. And it does. And then some.
Great location shots, too -- Rio, Puerto Rico, Arizona. I love it when they actually try to use location shots for foreign places (though they did mix some Puerto Rico into Rio - it has a spacial look :P) so you can get a feel for the difference in housing and even customs if you look hard enough.
So if you're on the hunt for an action film with decent plot, colorful characters, amazing stunts and good acting - this one's for you!
Also, make sure to sit through part of the credits, especially if you've seen the other films. There's a little extra something there just for you! :)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth full price of admission (IMAX))
Staring: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky, and more...
Directed by: Justin Lin Writing Credits: Chris Morgan Based on Characters by: Gary Scott Thompson Original Music by: Brian Tyler
Premise: After a grand escape by Dominic Toretto, engineered by Brian O'Conner and Dominic's sister Mia, the team meets again in Rio, where an old friend hooks them up with an 'easy' job when they're strapped for cash. Things go south due to info that wasn't shared, and now Dominic, Brian, and Mia are on the most wanted list of not only the US Government, who's sending a special team to find them, but Rio's biggest crime boss.
Review: Five Fast is the fifth installment of The Fast and The Furious franchise that started back in 2001. If you haven't seen the others you won't be lost, all the major info needed supplied in bits and pieces for the most part. However, if you have seen them, this turns into a major reunion party and more. (In the credits they show the way the characters looked then to now - sort of wished they'd done it at the start as it would have helped place one or two of them! :P)
You can't look at the physics of things too closely, or you'll spoil the fun. A little suspension of disbelief will go a long way and boost your enjoyment. That being said, they pull off all sorts of amazing stunts. They took all the stops out and wrecked more cars, in more closeups than ever before. If you're seeing it in IMAX, it makes it that much more. Some of the flipping cars and flying pieces of concrete and metal feel like they're coming right at you with no 3D.
Loads of chases, gun play, wrecks, and mass destruction with a towed safe. I also enjoyed the added flavor of people speaking in Portuguese down in Rio and the Spanish and English wordplay between two of the guys. (Decent subtitles are supplied for all.)
The acting is good, which means they sell it well. Some expected turns actually don't happen, and some unexpected left turns do, which was great. Loads of action action action. Tons of lovely cars and in one section loads of babes for the guys to drool over - as if they needed more than the two, make that three hot female costars.
It was a blast watching Vin Diesel and the Rock go at it. A train wreck waiting to happen. And it does. And then some.
Great location shots, too -- Rio, Puerto Rico, Arizona. I love it when they actually try to use location shots for foreign places (though they did mix some Puerto Rico into Rio - it has a spacial look :P) so you can get a feel for the difference in housing and even customs if you look hard enough.
So if you're on the hunt for an action film with decent plot, colorful characters, amazing stunts and good acting - this one's for you!
Also, make sure to sit through part of the credits, especially if you've seen the other films. There's a little extra something there just for you! :)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth full price of admission (IMAX))
April 27, 2011
Picture Kaleidoscope 4/27/11
Howdy! Thanks for dropping by for more photo sharing goodness! :)
Private area at 300 where we had our work bowl-a-rama! I fell on my knees first time out then tried to break dance on the first ball of the second game. Doh! Needless to say all my coworkers and I were moving a little slower the following day. Heh.
Swinefever shared a video of the most amazing costume, ever! The Raptor suit! Totally ROCKS!
This is the coming clouds last week when much needed rain tried to tease the Dallas/Ft Worth area. We've been super dry and West Texas has had the worst of it with a ton of grass fires.
Torbooks, via BadAstronomer, shared this a link to an article with pictures of the DeathStar Moon. The second picture totally resembles the Star Wars iconic ship. :)
On this one I totally liked the contrast between the fast moving clouds and the straight airplane trails in the background. Some nice colors too!
Last but not least, I wanted to share one of Chuck Wendig's microcosm pics. DROP! The colors, the world trapped inside the drop. Really cool!
Private area at 300 where we had our work bowl-a-rama! I fell on my knees first time out then tried to break dance on the first ball of the second game. Doh! Needless to say all my coworkers and I were moving a little slower the following day. Heh.
Swinefever shared a video of the most amazing costume, ever! The Raptor suit! Totally ROCKS!
This is the coming clouds last week when much needed rain tried to tease the Dallas/Ft Worth area. We've been super dry and West Texas has had the worst of it with a ton of grass fires.
Torbooks, via BadAstronomer, shared this a link to an article with pictures of the DeathStar Moon. The second picture totally resembles the Star Wars iconic ship. :)
On this one I totally liked the contrast between the fast moving clouds and the straight airplane trails in the background. Some nice colors too!
Last but not least, I wanted to share one of Chuck Wendig's microcosm pics. DROP! The colors, the world trapped inside the drop. Really cool!
April 25, 2011
Mind Sieve 4/25/11
Another busy week and tons of links to share!
Fan Fun
Candace Havens shared a new trailer for the Movie Priest. Looks totally AWESOME! Can't wait!
NCIS_CBS shared some casting news. Kerr Smith is joining the hunt for the Port-to-Port Killer. (Kerr Smith rocks! This should be FUN!)
Twaitter shared a link to an article about First Light Wave Quantum Teleportation being achieved. This will open up the way for ultra fast data transmissions. Mind boggling and totally rad!
FansofMovies shared a link to Rise of the Planet of the Apes! A story about how it all began. Looks good!
Also from FansofMovies come a link to the second trailer for Cowboys vs Aliens. I am so very much looking forward to this one! Woohoo!
ATATforAmerica got talked about in an article by Alexandra Petri titled - AT-AT for America: President Obama and all patriots, it's Time. The movement is crazy and yet fun at the same time. :P
Manga/Anime
Some sad news linked by SoonerCon. Tokyopop, one of the major manga translation groups is closing its doors in May 2011. As a super manga junkie, this is going to hurt.
Social Media/Author Platforms
Kristen Lamb talks about busting the Myth! Yes, Writers Can Make Time For Social Media.
Preview:
"I have to spend hours on Twitter and Facebook to be effective.
Um…that would be a negative. Total myth. In fact, if we do? An angry clown will jump out of our computer and bite off our face. Kidding! Though that would be cool. No, the angry clown is a total lie. But, it is likely people will unfollow us because we never shut up."
For Twitter Tuesday, Kristen Lamb talks to us about How Hashtags Need to Be Used Responsibly.
Preview:
"If our goal is to build an author platform in the thousands to tens of thousands, then we will have to approach Twitter differently than a faceless corporation or even the regular person who does not possess a goal of becoming a brand. This blog will help you rule the Twitterverse without devolving into a spam bot."
The Book Marketing Floozy listed a ton of links at her site. Now I just have to find the time to go click on them all~! DOH! (Go right on ahead and don't wait on me, or you'll be waiting a while. :P)
Professor Clay Morgan shows us How To Create Opportunities. (Really neat story!)
Does Likability Matter? Kristen Lamb explores this as she recounts her recent experience in LA at Romantic Times.
Writing Advice
KristenLamb asks: Want to write a novel that will grab an agent's attention? Grab a reader's love? Let's Talk Structure.
Preview:
Want a way to stand out from all the other writers clamoring to get an agent's attention? Want to be a best-selling author with stories that endure the tests of time? Learn all you can about the craft, particularly novel structure. Structure is one of those boring topics like finance or taxes. It isn't nearly as glamorous as creating characters or reading about ways to unleash our creative energy.
Tawna Fenske waxes on Hope, Bad Advice, and Positions that Cramp Your Thighs. Good stuff to keep in mind. Remember why you're doing this stuff!
Pimp My Novel gives a lot of common sense advice and truths as well! Schedule, Schedule, Schedule.
Preview:
"If you've been reading this blog for awhile, mes auteurs, then you're familiar with my opinion that, even beyond talent and luck, a writer needs discipline in order to succeed. John Gardner once wrote: "Most of the people I've known who wanted to become writers, knowing what it meant, did become writers" (bold emphasis mine). So: what does it mean to be a writer?"
Chuck Wendig gives us Six Signs You're Not Ready To Be A Professional Writer.
Amy Shojai does a comparison between veterinary medicine and publishing. Pretty cool comparison really.
Aha! That should keep you busy for a bit. I will destroy brain matter yet! Bwahahahaha!
Fan Fun
Candace Havens shared a new trailer for the Movie Priest. Looks totally AWESOME! Can't wait!
NCIS_CBS shared some casting news. Kerr Smith is joining the hunt for the Port-to-Port Killer. (Kerr Smith rocks! This should be FUN!)
Twaitter shared a link to an article about First Light Wave Quantum Teleportation being achieved. This will open up the way for ultra fast data transmissions. Mind boggling and totally rad!
FansofMovies shared a link to Rise of the Planet of the Apes! A story about how it all began. Looks good!
Also from FansofMovies come a link to the second trailer for Cowboys vs Aliens. I am so very much looking forward to this one! Woohoo!
ATATforAmerica got talked about in an article by Alexandra Petri titled - AT-AT for America: President Obama and all patriots, it's Time. The movement is crazy and yet fun at the same time. :P
Manga/Anime
Some sad news linked by SoonerCon. Tokyopop, one of the major manga translation groups is closing its doors in May 2011. As a super manga junkie, this is going to hurt.
Social Media/Author Platforms
Kristen Lamb talks about busting the Myth! Yes, Writers Can Make Time For Social Media.
Preview:
"I have to spend hours on Twitter and Facebook to be effective.
Um…that would be a negative. Total myth. In fact, if we do? An angry clown will jump out of our computer and bite off our face. Kidding! Though that would be cool. No, the angry clown is a total lie. But, it is likely people will unfollow us because we never shut up."
For Twitter Tuesday, Kristen Lamb talks to us about How Hashtags Need to Be Used Responsibly.
Preview:
"If our goal is to build an author platform in the thousands to tens of thousands, then we will have to approach Twitter differently than a faceless corporation or even the regular person who does not possess a goal of becoming a brand. This blog will help you rule the Twitterverse without devolving into a spam bot."
The Book Marketing Floozy listed a ton of links at her site. Now I just have to find the time to go click on them all~! DOH! (Go right on ahead and don't wait on me, or you'll be waiting a while. :P)
Professor Clay Morgan shows us How To Create Opportunities. (Really neat story!)
Does Likability Matter? Kristen Lamb explores this as she recounts her recent experience in LA at Romantic Times.
Writing Advice
KristenLamb asks: Want to write a novel that will grab an agent's attention? Grab a reader's love? Let's Talk Structure.
Preview:
Want a way to stand out from all the other writers clamoring to get an agent's attention? Want to be a best-selling author with stories that endure the tests of time? Learn all you can about the craft, particularly novel structure. Structure is one of those boring topics like finance or taxes. It isn't nearly as glamorous as creating characters or reading about ways to unleash our creative energy.
Tawna Fenske waxes on Hope, Bad Advice, and Positions that Cramp Your Thighs. Good stuff to keep in mind. Remember why you're doing this stuff!
Pimp My Novel gives a lot of common sense advice and truths as well! Schedule, Schedule, Schedule.
Preview:
"If you've been reading this blog for awhile, mes auteurs, then you're familiar with my opinion that, even beyond talent and luck, a writer needs discipline in order to succeed. John Gardner once wrote: "Most of the people I've known who wanted to become writers, knowing what it meant, did become writers" (bold emphasis mine). So: what does it mean to be a writer?"
Chuck Wendig gives us Six Signs You're Not Ready To Be A Professional Writer.
Amy Shojai does a comparison between veterinary medicine and publishing. Pretty cool comparison really.
Aha! That should keep you busy for a bit. I will destroy brain matter yet! Bwahahahaha!
April 22, 2011
Movie Review - Source Code
Source Code
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden, Scott Bakula (voice only) and more... Directed by: Duncan Jones Written by: Ben Ripley Original Music by: Chris Bacon
Premise: Captain Colter Stevens has eight minutes to find the bomb and bomber which will destroy a Chicago Commuter Train. If he doesn't succeed, he can try again and again, whether he wants to or not.
Review: This movie was fab! There's the main story and then there's a secondary story that slowly develops as time passes, which in turn becomes more important that the original.
Totally awesome acting by all concerned especially Jake Gyllenhaal. His reactions to a number of things happening were excellent. Good CGI and other special effects. The soundtrack rocked as well.
Several questions of consciousness, reality, alternate reality, humanity and more are touched upon. Repetition was used just enough to get the scenes established and then speeded through so it didn't get in the way. There's even hints of things I cannot mention as it might ruin it for you. :P
Good pacing, good effects, good writing, good acting, good background music. Can't ask for much more. I'm easy, but just in case, take a hanky. You might need it. :) A totally satisfying experience. Great conversation piece after the fact as well.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating - worth paying full price of admission again!)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden, Scott Bakula (voice only) and more... Directed by: Duncan Jones Written by: Ben Ripley Original Music by: Chris Bacon
Premise: Captain Colter Stevens has eight minutes to find the bomb and bomber which will destroy a Chicago Commuter Train. If he doesn't succeed, he can try again and again, whether he wants to or not.
Review: This movie was fab! There's the main story and then there's a secondary story that slowly develops as time passes, which in turn becomes more important that the original.
Totally awesome acting by all concerned especially Jake Gyllenhaal. His reactions to a number of things happening were excellent. Good CGI and other special effects. The soundtrack rocked as well.
Several questions of consciousness, reality, alternate reality, humanity and more are touched upon. Repetition was used just enough to get the scenes established and then speeded through so it didn't get in the way. There's even hints of things I cannot mention as it might ruin it for you. :P
Good pacing, good effects, good writing, good acting, good background music. Can't ask for much more. I'm easy, but just in case, take a hanky. You might need it. :) A totally satisfying experience. Great conversation piece after the fact as well.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating - worth paying full price of admission again!)
April 20, 2011
Picture Kaleidoscope 4/20/11
This weekend was rather exciting, which also means I got a bunch of pics! Figured I'd share the best or most bothersome of the lot with you.
First off is one proving that the Addam's Family is still alive and kicking! Though they're now using cheerier colors? Heh heh
The place is actually in the roundabout in Weatherford. Yes, we were out on a driving bit on Saturday. (Actually a driving nightmare! Between getting lost going and coming back, closed roads, fires, and more! Woo!)
This was on the way Possum Kingdom Lake after Weatherford. If you look at the skyline you can see a dark swath across the sky. No, those aren't mountains, that's smoke from the fires in West Texas and (much to our surprise later) up by the lake itself.
The area had been ravaged by fires just the night before. You can see the burned bald spot on the top of the hill in this picture, with green to either side. And as we found out as we were leaving after a beautiful day up there, the fires weren't out, they were just bidding their time for a wind direction change.
This one you have to look at carefully in several places. Side of the road to the right is black, burned grass. In a lot of places the grass fire burned so fast it only took out the grass and not the bush trees. Others the green bushes were lightly smoking like burning coals in a fireplace, slow but sure. You could see places and how the grass fires had jumped across the road with the help of the wind.
Straight ahead you can see a cloud of smoke. We ended up driving through it and there were actual flames just beside the road. Made our pulse jump that's for sure!
On the left were the remains of a church that burned down the day before. Two more buildings next to it were spared. Though I heard more news about Sunday and it's possible those are now gone as well.
To lighten up the mood, here is a cliff side on the ritzier end of Possum Kingdom Lake. Some really cool houses in that direction.
That's Lola, my bro's little sweetie as we go around the bend to Hell's Gate. The wind had changed that morning and blown all the smoke from the night before away and it was a gorgeous day at the lake. Just as we were leaving, around four is when the wind changed and the smoke came back and things got bad.
Last I heard, there's a possibility the cabin is now gone. The fires got big enough again they were threatening the places on the non-cliff side of the lake. Hopefully the fire brake they got last year when there were other fires did the trick, but with the wind to push the fire across roads and over walls, who knows! Feel really weird to have finally seen the place and it may now be gone.
Ack! Happiness! Happiness! Prayers and good thoughts to all the people in West Texas. Stay safe ya'll!
First off is one proving that the Addam's Family is still alive and kicking! Though they're now using cheerier colors? Heh heh
The place is actually in the roundabout in Weatherford. Yes, we were out on a driving bit on Saturday. (Actually a driving nightmare! Between getting lost going and coming back, closed roads, fires, and more! Woo!)
This was on the way Possum Kingdom Lake after Weatherford. If you look at the skyline you can see a dark swath across the sky. No, those aren't mountains, that's smoke from the fires in West Texas and (much to our surprise later) up by the lake itself.
The area had been ravaged by fires just the night before. You can see the burned bald spot on the top of the hill in this picture, with green to either side. And as we found out as we were leaving after a beautiful day up there, the fires weren't out, they were just bidding their time for a wind direction change.
This one you have to look at carefully in several places. Side of the road to the right is black, burned grass. In a lot of places the grass fire burned so fast it only took out the grass and not the bush trees. Others the green bushes were lightly smoking like burning coals in a fireplace, slow but sure. You could see places and how the grass fires had jumped across the road with the help of the wind.
Straight ahead you can see a cloud of smoke. We ended up driving through it and there were actual flames just beside the road. Made our pulse jump that's for sure!
On the left were the remains of a church that burned down the day before. Two more buildings next to it were spared. Though I heard more news about Sunday and it's possible those are now gone as well.
To lighten up the mood, here is a cliff side on the ritzier end of Possum Kingdom Lake. Some really cool houses in that direction.
That's Lola, my bro's little sweetie as we go around the bend to Hell's Gate. The wind had changed that morning and blown all the smoke from the night before away and it was a gorgeous day at the lake. Just as we were leaving, around four is when the wind changed and the smoke came back and things got bad.
Last I heard, there's a possibility the cabin is now gone. The fires got big enough again they were threatening the places on the non-cliff side of the lake. Hopefully the fire brake they got last year when there were other fires did the trick, but with the wind to push the fire across roads and over walls, who knows! Feel really weird to have finally seen the place and it may now be gone.
Ack! Happiness! Happiness! Prayers and good thoughts to all the people in West Texas. Stay safe ya'll!
