Gloria Oliver's Blog, page 93
December 19, 2012
Picture Kaleidoscope 12/19/12
It's such fun finding this stuff!
The Taj Mahal by Kewal Somani at EarthShorts.org Gorgeous coloring!
This one is just fascinating! Haleakala Vortex by Nick Selway at EarthShots.org
[image error]
This is but one of the super cool pics at Lava Light Galleries (Nick Selway). Totally cool!
Wow, loads of awesome ones today! Icelandic Ice Cave by Craig Mann at EarthShots.org.
From NASA - Super Typhoon Botha - thing is HUGE! Click on the larger pic. It's just amazing.
From NASA - Saturn (and tiny Tethys on the upper left) - I love how defined the rings look!
[image error]
Double Exposure: A Clever Photo Prank From Half A Century Ago from PetaPixel.
Okay, I think that will be it for this round. Enjoy!
The Taj Mahal by Kewal Somani at EarthShorts.org Gorgeous coloring!
This one is just fascinating! Haleakala Vortex by Nick Selway at EarthShots.org
[image error]
This is but one of the super cool pics at Lava Light Galleries (Nick Selway). Totally cool!
Wow, loads of awesome ones today! Icelandic Ice Cave by Craig Mann at EarthShots.org.
From NASA - Super Typhoon Botha - thing is HUGE! Click on the larger pic. It's just amazing.
From NASA - Saturn (and tiny Tethys on the upper left) - I love how defined the rings look!
[image error]
Double Exposure: A Clever Photo Prank From Half A Century Ago from PetaPixel.
Okay, I think that will be it for this round. Enjoy!
December 17, 2012
Mind Sieve 12/17/12
What did I find this week? Let's go see!
New Simon's Cat! Icecapade. Adorable!
From Chalie - Fun Science: Saturn.
A cool pic of Star Trek Into Darkness offered by The Nerdist. Very much looking forward to it!
Man of Steel official trailer # 2! Woot!
Oblivion with Tom Cruise - SF! Yeah! Looks awesome!
This one looks funky - The Mulbury Project.
Wow~! A ton of SF is coming next year. Sweet~! After Earth Trailer.
Lone Ranger Trailer 2 - this is going to be one weird puppy. Heh heh
The Sorcerer and the White Snake - looks like a ton of fun!
Attracting Reader Responses on Your Blog by Annemarie Miles posting at the Writer's Fun Zone blog.
Dealing With Offense - When Is It Okay to Lecture Others? from Kristen Lamb. (I have so had this happen. Wished they'd just sent me a message off list. How rude!)
25 Gifts For Writers from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig!
Have an awesome week! And if you come across some cool stuff, feel free to share! :)
New Simon's Cat! Icecapade. Adorable!
From Chalie - Fun Science: Saturn.
A cool pic of Star Trek Into Darkness offered by The Nerdist. Very much looking forward to it!
Man of Steel official trailer # 2! Woot!
Oblivion with Tom Cruise - SF! Yeah! Looks awesome!
This one looks funky - The Mulbury Project.
Wow~! A ton of SF is coming next year. Sweet~! After Earth Trailer.
Lone Ranger Trailer 2 - this is going to be one weird puppy. Heh heh
The Sorcerer and the White Snake - looks like a ton of fun!
Attracting Reader Responses on Your Blog by Annemarie Miles posting at the Writer's Fun Zone blog.
Dealing With Offense - When Is It Okay to Lecture Others? from Kristen Lamb. (I have so had this happen. Wished they'd just sent me a message off list. How rude!)
25 Gifts For Writers from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig!
Have an awesome week! And if you come across some cool stuff, feel free to share! :)
December 16, 2012
Virtual Tourist - Dishonored and Star Wars The Old Republic 12/16/12
Morning all!
Been a while, but I finally got a little time to play Dishonored again. Yay! About to start the mission I'd finished before I restarted the whole mess a couple of months ago once I figured out how to take pics.
Tried to catch it when it was sparking, but it goes too fast! This is a Wall Of Light, electric barriers place to keep unwanted people from crossing zones. The glowing jars there are what is used to power them. Luckily, since I am on this side, I can take the power jar out to bring it down. :)
This is one of the skills you can choose. What it does is show you people and things through walls and their field of vision. The guy there is looking right in my direction so you can't see it. The other guy is walking away. The skill is very useful but will also drain mana like crazy if you leave it on too long.
The very place I first took pictures of and the man I didn't think of putting in them before I'd let him loose. Heh.
Doesn't look comfy at all, does it?
Star Wars The Old RepublicJedi ConsularVoss
Is this one ugly bugger or what? He's been made into a cyborg.
Looks weirdly fortified, no?
Supposed ancient shrines for the Sith and Jedi. An unexpected discovery on Voss.
Does have the same look as other Jedi ancient places though. The mystery deepens
Sunset on Voss
More ancient ruins.
Couldn't get a good angle on the waterfall.
A Voss shrine
Imperial Spy! (Yes, I made time for her this week! Whee!)Taris(Looks like not all pics I tried to take actually made it. Grrr)
Things obviously did not go well here for the patients. Eek!
My new pimp ride! Much to my shock it was one of the items I got in a blackmarket bundle purchase from the new Cartel system. Since I pay monthly, I get a free stipend each month.
Place is on fire. Looks like trouble.
Really nice field in the Republic sector I am sneaking through.
Rogue Jedi lab. She's trying to not only improve the insane Rakghouls but use a communication system to bring them to heel and under her command.
And this would be her kneeling there, just before annihilation.
Had to get a closer shot of those weird energy thingies. Amazing how the Republic and Empire never seemed concerned about safety. Heh heh heh.
Have a great day!
Been a while, but I finally got a little time to play Dishonored again. Yay! About to start the mission I'd finished before I restarted the whole mess a couple of months ago once I figured out how to take pics.
Tried to catch it when it was sparking, but it goes too fast! This is a Wall Of Light, electric barriers place to keep unwanted people from crossing zones. The glowing jars there are what is used to power them. Luckily, since I am on this side, I can take the power jar out to bring it down. :)
This is one of the skills you can choose. What it does is show you people and things through walls and their field of vision. The guy there is looking right in my direction so you can't see it. The other guy is walking away. The skill is very useful but will also drain mana like crazy if you leave it on too long.
The very place I first took pictures of and the man I didn't think of putting in them before I'd let him loose. Heh.
Doesn't look comfy at all, does it?
Star Wars The Old RepublicJedi ConsularVoss
Is this one ugly bugger or what? He's been made into a cyborg.
Looks weirdly fortified, no?
Supposed ancient shrines for the Sith and Jedi. An unexpected discovery on Voss.
Does have the same look as other Jedi ancient places though. The mystery deepens
Sunset on Voss
More ancient ruins.
Couldn't get a good angle on the waterfall.
A Voss shrine
Imperial Spy! (Yes, I made time for her this week! Whee!)Taris(Looks like not all pics I tried to take actually made it. Grrr)
Things obviously did not go well here for the patients. Eek!
My new pimp ride! Much to my shock it was one of the items I got in a blackmarket bundle purchase from the new Cartel system. Since I pay monthly, I get a free stipend each month.
Place is on fire. Looks like trouble.
Really nice field in the Republic sector I am sneaking through.
Rogue Jedi lab. She's trying to not only improve the insane Rakghouls but use a communication system to bring them to heel and under her command.
And this would be her kneeling there, just before annihilation.
Had to get a closer shot of those weird energy thingies. Amazing how the Republic and Empire never seemed concerned about safety. Heh heh heh.
Have a great day!
December 14, 2012
Movie Review - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Dean O'Gorman, Aidan Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Ian Holm, Andy Serkin, Elijah Wood, Christipher Lee, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more.
Directed by: Peter Jackson Screenplay by: Fran Walsh, Philipa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro Based on the novel "The Hobbit" by: J R R Tolkien Cinematography by: Andrew Lesnie Original Music by: Howard Shore
Premise: Bilbo Baggins' tranquil life is turned upside down when Gandalf comes to viist. Not only is the wizard wanting to take Bilbo on an adventure, but he invites thirteen dwarves to come meet at his home. Worse, Gadalf has told the dwarves that Bilbo is a burglar and that he's the right person to invite along on their grand quest. And much to his own surprise, Bilbo decides to go along after all. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Martin Freeman is perfect as the reluctant adventurer Bilbo Baggins. Ian McKellen was incredibly expressive as he reprised his role as Gandalf the Grey. Richard Armitage shows Thorin's greatness as well as his fallacies without saying a word. Andy Selkin brought Gollum to life once more, flicking skillfully around the split personality of the pitiful creature.
2) Special Effects - Thumbs Up: Most of the special effects went toward the animation of a lot of the unusual wildlife and other sentient species. And while they moved and interacted well, and I got a good giggle of thinking the Pale Orc looked a lot like Benedict Cumberbatch, I was somewhat disappointed by the fact the orcs, the goblins, and the trolls looked similar to one another. Even for gamers and fantasy fans, the film made it hard on occasion to know which type of foe the adventurers were facing -- all three were mostly hairless with pasty type skin. When standing still the differences were more evident, but during combat and ambushes it was difficult.
Loved the dwarven city when it was shown in its heyday during a flashback. They did several panning shots of the amazing place, but they were rather fast, so it was hard to take everything in. The few places they did slow down on looked amazing!
The small forest animals, the spiders, and the giant birds were incredibly detailed and turned out wonderfully. The few glimpses of Smaug at the beginning and the end were very nicely done. Totally loved the rock warriors too.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: For those who may not yet realize it, the novel the movie was based on has been split into three movies. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is but the first, to be followed in 2013 by "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," and in 2014 by "The Hobbit: There and Back Again." For seeing a detailed film and getting a lot of time to become familiar with the characters, this is a great thing, but it can also be perilous.
I read the novel thirty plus years ago, so aside from the occasional moment of 'aha!', I've forgotten most of the details, so I can't honestly say how faithful the movie adaptation coincides with the novel, but I did feel it definitely caught the spirit of the book. Even for such a long film, there's plenty to absorb and on the last half progresses at an incredible pace as the adventurers are beset with problem after problem.
For this first film, they follow the thread of Thorin's adamant belief in the worthless effort to ask the elves fir help and of Bilbo not belonging in his quest. The latter thread builds to a climax and resolution, making a nice story arc for the film to hinge on. And by cutting the novel into three parts, they allow for the telling of the story to be deeper, so the audience can get to know this odd bunch of dwarves and Middle Earth itself.
4) Stunts - Thumbs Up: Faked, real or both, the combat and physical scenes came out quite well. I have to wonder at how many plates were broken during the beautiful dish tossing scene. The insane combat in the goblin domain and the subsequent orc/warg battle had to be a choreography nightmare.
The scene with the dwarves on a spit was priceless.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Thumbs Up: The film was filled with grand sweeping shots, the typical adventurer party going over the spine of mountains shots, and breathtaking scenery shots. Each location was unique and interesting. Definitely a lot of visuals to enjoy and enough variety to make the audience feel they were truly on a journey.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: A great amount of detail was spent making the dwarves look as unique as their culture. The dwarf king even had 'bling' for his beard. The dwarven hairstyles ran the gauntlet from shaven with tattoos to intricate triple splits with braids. Made the elves look totally boring in comparison as they pretty much only wore long straight hair. The dwarves even gave the elves some competition on stylish wear. Kind of fun!
Conclusion: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is a fun, fantasy adventure film that captures the imagination and does a great job of bringing Tolkien's world to life. (If you see the film in IMAX 3D (well worth it) you also get an extended 9 minute preview for "Star Trek Into Darkness." (6 minutes of new footage and a replay of the preview already out.)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price To See Again!)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Dean O'Gorman, Aidan Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Ian Holm, Andy Serkin, Elijah Wood, Christipher Lee, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more.
Directed by: Peter Jackson Screenplay by: Fran Walsh, Philipa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro Based on the novel "The Hobbit" by: J R R Tolkien Cinematography by: Andrew Lesnie Original Music by: Howard Shore
Premise: Bilbo Baggins' tranquil life is turned upside down when Gandalf comes to viist. Not only is the wizard wanting to take Bilbo on an adventure, but he invites thirteen dwarves to come meet at his home. Worse, Gadalf has told the dwarves that Bilbo is a burglar and that he's the right person to invite along on their grand quest. And much to his own surprise, Bilbo decides to go along after all. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Martin Freeman is perfect as the reluctant adventurer Bilbo Baggins. Ian McKellen was incredibly expressive as he reprised his role as Gandalf the Grey. Richard Armitage shows Thorin's greatness as well as his fallacies without saying a word. Andy Selkin brought Gollum to life once more, flicking skillfully around the split personality of the pitiful creature.
2) Special Effects - Thumbs Up: Most of the special effects went toward the animation of a lot of the unusual wildlife and other sentient species. And while they moved and interacted well, and I got a good giggle of thinking the Pale Orc looked a lot like Benedict Cumberbatch, I was somewhat disappointed by the fact the orcs, the goblins, and the trolls looked similar to one another. Even for gamers and fantasy fans, the film made it hard on occasion to know which type of foe the adventurers were facing -- all three were mostly hairless with pasty type skin. When standing still the differences were more evident, but during combat and ambushes it was difficult.
Loved the dwarven city when it was shown in its heyday during a flashback. They did several panning shots of the amazing place, but they were rather fast, so it was hard to take everything in. The few places they did slow down on looked amazing!
The small forest animals, the spiders, and the giant birds were incredibly detailed and turned out wonderfully. The few glimpses of Smaug at the beginning and the end were very nicely done. Totally loved the rock warriors too.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: For those who may not yet realize it, the novel the movie was based on has been split into three movies. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is but the first, to be followed in 2013 by "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," and in 2014 by "The Hobbit: There and Back Again." For seeing a detailed film and getting a lot of time to become familiar with the characters, this is a great thing, but it can also be perilous.
I read the novel thirty plus years ago, so aside from the occasional moment of 'aha!', I've forgotten most of the details, so I can't honestly say how faithful the movie adaptation coincides with the novel, but I did feel it definitely caught the spirit of the book. Even for such a long film, there's plenty to absorb and on the last half progresses at an incredible pace as the adventurers are beset with problem after problem.
For this first film, they follow the thread of Thorin's adamant belief in the worthless effort to ask the elves fir help and of Bilbo not belonging in his quest. The latter thread builds to a climax and resolution, making a nice story arc for the film to hinge on. And by cutting the novel into three parts, they allow for the telling of the story to be deeper, so the audience can get to know this odd bunch of dwarves and Middle Earth itself.
4) Stunts - Thumbs Up: Faked, real or both, the combat and physical scenes came out quite well. I have to wonder at how many plates were broken during the beautiful dish tossing scene. The insane combat in the goblin domain and the subsequent orc/warg battle had to be a choreography nightmare.
The scene with the dwarves on a spit was priceless.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Thumbs Up: The film was filled with grand sweeping shots, the typical adventurer party going over the spine of mountains shots, and breathtaking scenery shots. Each location was unique and interesting. Definitely a lot of visuals to enjoy and enough variety to make the audience feel they were truly on a journey.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: A great amount of detail was spent making the dwarves look as unique as their culture. The dwarf king even had 'bling' for his beard. The dwarven hairstyles ran the gauntlet from shaven with tattoos to intricate triple splits with braids. Made the elves look totally boring in comparison as they pretty much only wore long straight hair. The dwarves even gave the elves some competition on stylish wear. Kind of fun!
Conclusion: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is a fun, fantasy adventure film that captures the imagination and does a great job of bringing Tolkien's world to life. (If you see the film in IMAX 3D (well worth it) you also get an extended 9 minute preview for "Star Trek Into Darkness." (6 minutes of new footage and a replay of the preview already out.)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price To See Again!)
December 12, 2012
Picture Kaleidoscope 12/12/12
Realized I've not tortured you all with some of my pics in a while. Heh heh heh
This is EVIL! So very evil. They look so good!
Sun pics never do the real view justice. Wah.
This plant game me the creeps! Sucked in a giant gulp of water and slowly swallowed it like a boa constrictor. Eek!
Red crawfish for a merry season!
Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine. It is HUGE! Their website has a whole 360 view section. (Can't do those for long as they make me dizzy!)
Ceiling of the inside atrium. Mind boggling.
Loved the look of this facade. If you look closely you can see fake icicles.
Looking down from the upper atrium area. Too cool.
Reason I was here. The boss and I went to see the ICE Madagascar exhibit for grins.
Giant set of miniature trains running all over the atrium! Wish we'd had time to look around more! (Snuck the show in for an early lunch)
Fireplaces off the lobby area.
Such an awesome look to the place.
Okay now for some real pics. :P
Enjoy Your Trip by Alessio Andreani at Earthshots.org Love the colors!
Water of Life by Dana Allen at Earthshots.org
Earth At Night from NASA
The Sun's Innermost Atmosphere from NASA
Have a fab Wednesday!
This is EVIL! So very evil. They look so good!
Sun pics never do the real view justice. Wah.
This plant game me the creeps! Sucked in a giant gulp of water and slowly swallowed it like a boa constrictor. Eek!
Red crawfish for a merry season!
Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine. It is HUGE! Their website has a whole 360 view section. (Can't do those for long as they make me dizzy!)
Ceiling of the inside atrium. Mind boggling.
Loved the look of this facade. If you look closely you can see fake icicles.
Looking down from the upper atrium area. Too cool.
Reason I was here. The boss and I went to see the ICE Madagascar exhibit for grins.
Giant set of miniature trains running all over the atrium! Wish we'd had time to look around more! (Snuck the show in for an early lunch)
Fireplaces off the lobby area.
Such an awesome look to the place.
Okay now for some real pics. :P
Enjoy Your Trip by Alessio Andreani at Earthshots.org Love the colors!
Water of Life by Dana Allen at Earthshots.org
Earth At Night from NASA
The Sun's Innermost Atmosphere from NASA
Have a fab Wednesday!
December 10, 2012
Mind Sieve 12/10/12
Yo!
Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser Trailer. Oh yeah!
Too Many Dwarves - The Hobbit Movie Clip.
Man Of Steel Official Poster! Ooooo!
Looks like Ender's Game is really going to be made into a movie! Sweet! And with Harrison Ford! Booyah! News from Tor.com Set for Nov 2013!
Doctor's Office - Neil Patrick Harris in Neil's Puppet Dream - with Nathan Fillion! Too darn bizarre. lol.
Extracted - an SF Mystery film. Wasn't too sure when I started watching the trailer, but by the end, I'm in!
Admission Official Trailer - could be cute!
From Debut To Multi-Published : What I've Learned In My First Year as a Published Author by Roni Loren.
How Can We Brag Without Killing Our On-line Credibility by Kristen Lamb.
An Exercise In Shutting Up The Inner Critic from Lyn Midnight.
In Which My Toddler Helps Me Think of "Character" in a New Way from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig. Too cute! And useful!
Have a great day, all!
Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser Trailer. Oh yeah!
Too Many Dwarves - The Hobbit Movie Clip.
Man Of Steel Official Poster! Ooooo!
Looks like Ender's Game is really going to be made into a movie! Sweet! And with Harrison Ford! Booyah! News from Tor.com Set for Nov 2013!
Doctor's Office - Neil Patrick Harris in Neil's Puppet Dream - with Nathan Fillion! Too darn bizarre. lol.
Extracted - an SF Mystery film. Wasn't too sure when I started watching the trailer, but by the end, I'm in!
Admission Official Trailer - could be cute!
From Debut To Multi-Published : What I've Learned In My First Year as a Published Author by Roni Loren.
How Can We Brag Without Killing Our On-line Credibility by Kristen Lamb.
An Exercise In Shutting Up The Inner Critic from Lyn Midnight.
In Which My Toddler Helps Me Think of "Character" in a New Way from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig. Too cute! And useful!
Have a great day, all!
December 9, 2012
The Next Big Thing aka Blog-A-Thon of Doom!
Okay, maybe the Doom part is an exaggeration on my part. Heh heh.
I've been tagged by buddy Kathryn Sullivan to participate on this new (for me!) blog chain concept. I've attached a link back to her Next Big Thing. Thanks Kathy!
Now for my bit:
What is the working title of your next book?"No Good Deeds" is the current title, though it looks like it's been used a lot. So I may need to rethink it!
Where did the idea come from for the book?Originally the WIP was a short story. My daughter liked it so much, she demanded I expand it into a book. (Heck, her reading, let alone liking my work is rare! Must encourage it! Heh heh.) The actual spark that started the original short story came from Bill Ledbetter. He'd made a complaint about how all SF shows and stories always assumed aliens look humanoid, which in itself is a statistical improvability. So I thought why not play with that, use humanoid aliens, yet have the protagonist make the same claim, thus creating a mystery within the story itself on that point. Heh heh heh.
What genre does your book fall under?Unlike all my other current, published novels, this one is Science Fiction.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?Oooo! Warren Kole would be fun as Captain Bennett, one of the antagonists. Stana Katic would be fun as Claudia, but she might actually be too pretty. Lol. Jewel Staite would be fun as well. (Yes, she's pretty too! What?) Stevens would be Lucy Lawless but with a crew cut. Heh heh
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?Ack, how to do that without using a cliché… Only when you hit true bottom, might you actually see the light. Yeah, needs work, I know.
Oh, how about: Stumbling over a new and unprecedented humanoid alien race, those who discovered them would rather exploit them than allow them to join the Dominion.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?Neither. Though if I can find an agent, I would send it that route. However, what's worked best for me so far has been getting contracts from small publishing houses. It's highly likely that's the path I will follow.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?I'm still working on it. Life has not been kind with regards to my writing time. Lol. Normally a first draft takes me about a year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?Hard to say. This type of thing is not my forte. L Perhaps it might resemble some of the Star Trek novels, but in a grittier universe? It's not hard SF, but it isn't Space Opera either. Just straight SF.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?Like I mentioned above, Bill Ledbetter is responsible for the core aspect, my daughter for her excitement on the premise.
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?It's about taking risks despite previously being hurt for such a thing. Learning to embrace your humanity rather than crush it. Trying to figure out what the aliens are really up to, too! Heh.
To continue the blog chain I'm nominating: Gene Lempp, ChuckWendig, Bill Ledbetter, Rie Sheridan Rose, and Jami Gold. (Won't they be surprised? Bwahahahahaha!)
I've been tagged by buddy Kathryn Sullivan to participate on this new (for me!) blog chain concept. I've attached a link back to her Next Big Thing. Thanks Kathy!
Now for my bit:
What is the working title of your next book?"No Good Deeds" is the current title, though it looks like it's been used a lot. So I may need to rethink it!
Where did the idea come from for the book?Originally the WIP was a short story. My daughter liked it so much, she demanded I expand it into a book. (Heck, her reading, let alone liking my work is rare! Must encourage it! Heh heh.) The actual spark that started the original short story came from Bill Ledbetter. He'd made a complaint about how all SF shows and stories always assumed aliens look humanoid, which in itself is a statistical improvability. So I thought why not play with that, use humanoid aliens, yet have the protagonist make the same claim, thus creating a mystery within the story itself on that point. Heh heh heh.
What genre does your book fall under?Unlike all my other current, published novels, this one is Science Fiction.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?Oooo! Warren Kole would be fun as Captain Bennett, one of the antagonists. Stana Katic would be fun as Claudia, but she might actually be too pretty. Lol. Jewel Staite would be fun as well. (Yes, she's pretty too! What?) Stevens would be Lucy Lawless but with a crew cut. Heh heh
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?Ack, how to do that without using a cliché… Only when you hit true bottom, might you actually see the light. Yeah, needs work, I know.
Oh, how about: Stumbling over a new and unprecedented humanoid alien race, those who discovered them would rather exploit them than allow them to join the Dominion.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?Neither. Though if I can find an agent, I would send it that route. However, what's worked best for me so far has been getting contracts from small publishing houses. It's highly likely that's the path I will follow.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?I'm still working on it. Life has not been kind with regards to my writing time. Lol. Normally a first draft takes me about a year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?Hard to say. This type of thing is not my forte. L Perhaps it might resemble some of the Star Trek novels, but in a grittier universe? It's not hard SF, but it isn't Space Opera either. Just straight SF.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?Like I mentioned above, Bill Ledbetter is responsible for the core aspect, my daughter for her excitement on the premise.
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?It's about taking risks despite previously being hurt for such a thing. Learning to embrace your humanity rather than crush it. Trying to figure out what the aliens are really up to, too! Heh.
To continue the blog chain I'm nominating: Gene Lempp, ChuckWendig, Bill Ledbetter, Rie Sheridan Rose, and Jami Gold. (Won't they be surprised? Bwahahahahaha!)
Virtual Tourist - Angry Birds Star Wars and Star Wars The Old Republic 12/9/12
Good morning! Felt like Doom and Gloom yesterday. Doing a little better today. Sad I had to skip a friend's party for the second year in a row. Waaaahhhhh!
Angry Birds
Deathstar - bwahahahaha
One slide movie showing us being pulled into the Deathstar.
Chewie!!!!
Lasers, floatie things, Imperial Pigs!
This Han Solo screen was insane. Needed to ricochet laser shots off the metal sheets. What's mean is that the sheets take damage each time.
Chewie!!!! lol. This one had Chewie, Lightsaber Luke, and the X-wing pilots. It was hard! (There's like 3 more columns of blocks you can't see.
Another toughie puzzle. Had to use Obiwan to use the force to hit the blocks to rain them on the floaters.
Squee! Darth Pig in the house! All the red lines stuff is stuff he's keeping aloft with the force. And you can't hit him directly. By getting the small platform beneath his copilots, then he'd take sufficient damage to poof away. The moment he's gone, his force hold disappears and all the stuff falls. NOt as easy as it sounds either. lol
Movie shot!
Star Wars The Old Republic
Voss
Why yes, I am easily distracted by cool looking walls. Why do you ask? :P
Yeah, not the kind of place to be hanging around at. Eek!
Shrine charging up a weird Sith cube.
Say Hello to my little (dead) friend. 4 eyes and lots of sharp, sharp teeth! These seem to be like rabbits on earth, spread all over the galaxy but deadly rather than cute.
Roots!
This apparatus looks very similar to the one being admired by my Imperial Spy. Hmmm.
A very funky shrine.
As you'll notice in several pics, my companion NPC started trying to hog the camera!
Dead things that don't fall down make great pic opportunities! Hee!
Cave with the source of the corruption taking over people on Voss.
Now hubby is being a camera hog. Hmm, I am noticing a trend here. :P
Sith companion responsible for a lot of trouble around here.
One of several shrines in the cave system.
Love these doors!
The three Mystics of Voss.
Have a great Sunday, ya'll!
Angry Birds
Deathstar - bwahahahaha
One slide movie showing us being pulled into the Deathstar.
Chewie!!!!
Lasers, floatie things, Imperial Pigs!
This Han Solo screen was insane. Needed to ricochet laser shots off the metal sheets. What's mean is that the sheets take damage each time.
Chewie!!!! lol. This one had Chewie, Lightsaber Luke, and the X-wing pilots. It was hard! (There's like 3 more columns of blocks you can't see.
Another toughie puzzle. Had to use Obiwan to use the force to hit the blocks to rain them on the floaters.
Squee! Darth Pig in the house! All the red lines stuff is stuff he's keeping aloft with the force. And you can't hit him directly. By getting the small platform beneath his copilots, then he'd take sufficient damage to poof away. The moment he's gone, his force hold disappears and all the stuff falls. NOt as easy as it sounds either. lol
Movie shot!
Star Wars The Old Republic
Voss
Why yes, I am easily distracted by cool looking walls. Why do you ask? :P
Yeah, not the kind of place to be hanging around at. Eek!
Shrine charging up a weird Sith cube.
Say Hello to my little (dead) friend. 4 eyes and lots of sharp, sharp teeth! These seem to be like rabbits on earth, spread all over the galaxy but deadly rather than cute.
Roots!
This apparatus looks very similar to the one being admired by my Imperial Spy. Hmmm.
A very funky shrine.
As you'll notice in several pics, my companion NPC started trying to hog the camera!
Dead things that don't fall down make great pic opportunities! Hee!
Cave with the source of the corruption taking over people on Voss.
Now hubby is being a camera hog. Hmm, I am noticing a trend here. :P
Sith companion responsible for a lot of trouble around here.
One of several shrines in the cave system.
Love these doors!
The three Mystics of Voss.
Have a great Sunday, ya'll!
December 7, 2012
Movie Review - Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew McFadyen, Kelly McDonald, Jude Law, Olivia Williams, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and more.
Directed by: Joe Wright Screenplay by: Tom Stoppard Based on the Novel by: Leo Tolstoy Cinematography by: Seamus McGarvey Original Music by: Dario Marianelli
Premise: Leaving her husband and son to go to Moscow to help her brother reconcile with his wife, Anna Karenina inadvertently crosses paths with Vronsky, a young and passionate soldier who is currently courting another woman. The spark struck between them sets their own lives and that of those around them spiraling in directions none ever expected and which could prove the undoing of them all. (Rated R)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Keira Knightley does a superb job as Anna Karenina. From her drifting through her overtly ordered life to resisting temptation to giving in to it and eventually spiraling into despair, every emotion was clear and full. As her conservative, workaholic husband, Jude Law was perfect. Matthew McFadyen brought a touch of levity as Anna's philandering brother, Olansky. All the performances by the cast were outstanding.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: The effects for this film are many, though most go back to the 'tried and true' methods of theater, just on a grander and expanded scale. Reality waxes and wanes, toy trains transforming into actual machines or illusions of docks or Moscow streets in the upper walking rafters of a theater. Image is everything, whether by a reality imposed by society, or that dreamed up for ourselves. Slices of life turned surreal.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: Nicely paced for the most part, the story follows the developing lives of a number of characters all somehow connected to or affected by Anna Karenina. As the film's tag line says "You can't ask why about love." And we're shown various types of it, from destructive, to one sided, to sublime. It is the main driving force behind all. But it isn't always healthy for everyone.
The integration of the stage motif and and its intricate interweaving between social expectations and rules of conduct was an interesting take on a story which has been told many times in film. At first it seemed a little jarring, then into a lot of fun. Watching its influence on the different scenes was interesting. Not all viewers will enjoy it, however, as to some it will prove a distraction rather than an added layer, and jerk them multiple times out of the story's trance.
There are a lot of little details that have to be caught visually, or from sounds, little clues of things not addressed directly. These worked really well. And though the industrial age was well entrenched at the time the story is set in, the machines in the film are the people. The choreography in this movie for several sequences was just amazing.
Lots and lots of symbolism hidden throughout - the ordered and staged state in the lives of those involved, yet when they are happy, content, or at peace they are out in nature, under an open sky. The longer you think about the film after it's over, the more discoveries you'll make, and the more astounded you will be.
4) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The majority of the film occurs indoors, but the locations vary widely, even when it is in the same place as it will have been twisted into something else. The country scenes are all vast and wide. The inner scenes inversely are always restrained, like puzzles being changed, but still leaving you trapped in the same location - stuck.
5) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: The costumes were fantastic. Several of the costume changes are done as we watch - definitely not your normal fare, yet so wonderfully done.
Conclusion: "Anna Karenina" is a stunning, visual treat. Very subtle on many levels. Slows down a bit too much towards the end, but totally worth it. And wait until you see the ballroom scene - very complex and even pays homage to the Russian Ballet.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Better for Matinee)
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew McFadyen, Kelly McDonald, Jude Law, Olivia Williams, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and more.
Directed by: Joe Wright Screenplay by: Tom Stoppard Based on the Novel by: Leo Tolstoy Cinematography by: Seamus McGarvey Original Music by: Dario Marianelli
Premise: Leaving her husband and son to go to Moscow to help her brother reconcile with his wife, Anna Karenina inadvertently crosses paths with Vronsky, a young and passionate soldier who is currently courting another woman. The spark struck between them sets their own lives and that of those around them spiraling in directions none ever expected and which could prove the undoing of them all. (Rated R)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Keira Knightley does a superb job as Anna Karenina. From her drifting through her overtly ordered life to resisting temptation to giving in to it and eventually spiraling into despair, every emotion was clear and full. As her conservative, workaholic husband, Jude Law was perfect. Matthew McFadyen brought a touch of levity as Anna's philandering brother, Olansky. All the performances by the cast were outstanding.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: The effects for this film are many, though most go back to the 'tried and true' methods of theater, just on a grander and expanded scale. Reality waxes and wanes, toy trains transforming into actual machines or illusions of docks or Moscow streets in the upper walking rafters of a theater. Image is everything, whether by a reality imposed by society, or that dreamed up for ourselves. Slices of life turned surreal.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: Nicely paced for the most part, the story follows the developing lives of a number of characters all somehow connected to or affected by Anna Karenina. As the film's tag line says "You can't ask why about love." And we're shown various types of it, from destructive, to one sided, to sublime. It is the main driving force behind all. But it isn't always healthy for everyone.
The integration of the stage motif and and its intricate interweaving between social expectations and rules of conduct was an interesting take on a story which has been told many times in film. At first it seemed a little jarring, then into a lot of fun. Watching its influence on the different scenes was interesting. Not all viewers will enjoy it, however, as to some it will prove a distraction rather than an added layer, and jerk them multiple times out of the story's trance.
There are a lot of little details that have to be caught visually, or from sounds, little clues of things not addressed directly. These worked really well. And though the industrial age was well entrenched at the time the story is set in, the machines in the film are the people. The choreography in this movie for several sequences was just amazing.
Lots and lots of symbolism hidden throughout - the ordered and staged state in the lives of those involved, yet when they are happy, content, or at peace they are out in nature, under an open sky. The longer you think about the film after it's over, the more discoveries you'll make, and the more astounded you will be.
4) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The majority of the film occurs indoors, but the locations vary widely, even when it is in the same place as it will have been twisted into something else. The country scenes are all vast and wide. The inner scenes inversely are always restrained, like puzzles being changed, but still leaving you trapped in the same location - stuck.
5) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: The costumes were fantastic. Several of the costume changes are done as we watch - definitely not your normal fare, yet so wonderfully done.
Conclusion: "Anna Karenina" is a stunning, visual treat. Very subtle on many levels. Slows down a bit too much towards the end, but totally worth it. And wait until you see the ballroom scene - very complex and even pays homage to the Russian Ballet.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Better for Matinee)
December 5, 2012
Picture Kaleidoscope 12/5/12
Let's see what eye candy I can dig up this week. :)
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A Picture-Perfect Full Rainbow Captured by Accident In A Time-Lapse Video from Peta Pixel. Photographer is Roderick Lee Mann.
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Stunning Slow-Motion Shots Created Using Only Still Photographs from Peta Pixel. Quite cool!
Polar Sea by Maurizio Pignotti at EarthShots.org.
Islands by Stefano Vita at Earthshots.org
Submerged Storm Pictures at Trend Hunter Tech. Photography by Stephen Wilkes
Instagram Storm Blogs at Trend Hunter Tech.
Till next time!
[image error]
A Picture-Perfect Full Rainbow Captured by Accident In A Time-Lapse Video from Peta Pixel. Photographer is Roderick Lee Mann.
[image error]
Stunning Slow-Motion Shots Created Using Only Still Photographs from Peta Pixel. Quite cool!
Polar Sea by Maurizio Pignotti at EarthShots.org.
Islands by Stefano Vita at Earthshots.org
Submerged Storm Pictures at Trend Hunter Tech. Photography by Stephen Wilkes
Instagram Storm Blogs at Trend Hunter Tech.
Till next time!
![[image error]](http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/12/doubleexposure.jpg){kind=link}
![[image error]](http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/11/rainbow.jpg){kind=link}
![[image error]](http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/11/wwf-1.jpg){kind=link}