"Ok guys, what have you got for me?" I ask as the group gathers round.
"His name is Robert Emerson," Nikolas says. "No one, not even Miss Merton, knows where he came from. He showed up two days after Ms. Lloyd was fired."
*******************************
"According to the records Jess and I borrowed from the principals office he's from LA. His cover letter said he's been a teacher for almost ten years but was looking for a school where he could make an individual difference with students. He figured that a tiny high school in Iowa was a great place to get that kind of experience." Jay chimed in as he flipped through the papers in the brown folder in his lap. Jess was nestled into his side pointed out things in the file as he spoke.
"He just happens to pick a school that's full of kids who spend their nights training to be in the FBI and CIA? He just happens to end up at a school that never, ever, hires from the outside, except that they're in a bind right now? He just happens to arrive days after a valued teacher is fired for leaking private school information? He just happens to teach world history, the same subject as the fired teacher? And he just happens to be from a huge city, making verifying his identity a complicated task?" I could tell that Aly could and would go on for hours, so I held up a hand.
"Those are all good questions Aly, but I think the most important question is why are we the only ones asking these questions? We all know that all the teachers are, or at least were, FBI or CIA, so why do they not seem concerned?" I asked to no one in particular.
The group gathered around me looked at each other and started thinking. Jess and Jay whispered quietly to each other. Aly started writing furiously in the notebook that was never far from her fingers. Nikolas opened up his computer and started typing. Frank glanced at me and nodded towards Miss Merton's office. I glanced over to see her sitting at her desk grading papers. I nod back. Without saying a word we get up and walk to her office. Miss Merton looks up as we enter the classroom. I close the door behind me and Frank steps in front of it, guarding without a word.
"What's up Melody?" Miss Merton indicated the chair in front of her desk and I sat down.
"We're concerned about Mr. Emerson. You know how this school works, and it worries us that no one is questioning his acceptance as a teacher here."
"Why would that concern you? Mr. Emerson seems perfectly qualified as a World History teacher, and I'm sure that the Principal wouldn't have allowed anyone to work here without approval." Miss Merton returned to grading her papers and seemed to consider the conversation finished, but I wasn't done.
"That's what I want to believe, but that's not the evidence right in front of me. Ms. Lloyd was a good teacher, and a loyal agent from what I've read. I can't imagine her selling secrets of any kind, but it seems like no one questioned that either."
"Ms. Lloyd had us all fooled I'm afraid. In fact, if something she sold hadn't been leaked to NBC we might never have found out at all. The trail to connect her to the information was buried quite deep. She wouldn't even admit to it in the end, she was so committed." I stared at Miss Merton, didn't she hear the words she was saying? Didn't she feel, in her gut, that something was off?
It became obvious that I wasn't going to get anywhere with her, so I nodded to Frank and we went back and joined the rest of the group at the courtyard table. As soon as we sat down everyone leaned close. I watched Nikolas scout around the courtyard to make sure no one was looking or listening before he began speaking. He laid his tablet in the middle of the table and typed on his laptop as he spoke.
"I really think that Romans had the best ideas about conquering nations..." Nikolas blathered on about Roman history, but although we responded from time to time, none of us were really listening. Instead we were glued to the tablet screen, reading the words that scrolled there as Nikolas typed. It turned out that there was no record, in LA or anywhere else, of a teacher named Robert Emerson. The credentials on his resume were good fakes, but they were still fake. There was a dummy teacher set up everywhere he claimed, but with some digging Nikolas was able to discover that not a single actual person could back up the computer files. It was obvious that Emerson was a fake.
More than that, though, it appeared that he might have been behind the firing of Ms. Lloyd. It turned out he was in possession of much of the information she supposedly stole, and a barely there computer code showed that he would have been able to take that from her and leave a false trail. It also showed that he recently transferred money to Ms. Lloyd's account. Nikolas reminded us that it didn't mean she was innocent, because they could just be working together. By passing around the keyboard we exhausted all the information each of us had recovered. Eventually we had enough. I took the tablet and lead the way to the principal's office.
"As you can see, Mr. Granger, despite what anyone has lead you to believe, Mr. Emerson is not what he claims to be." I said after laying out all the information in front of the principal. I expected him to look shocked, or horrified, or, at the very least, embarrassed, but instead he just smiled.
"Congratulations Alpha Team, you've completed your first test. The CIA would be happy to welcome you all as recruits."
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
May 30th
Today is Meg's birthday! That's pretty much the only worthwhile thing I can discuss. I guess I could mention that I had another day of work, and I'm still in training at Guest Services, but really that all pales in comparison to Meg's birthday. It's her day, I should really talk about her.
When I got off work today, I snatched up Meg and we went to hang at Universal. We briefly considered running errands or doing something productive, but it was Meg's birthday, so in the end we forgot all responsibility and just had a ton of fun. We kicked it off by wandering around the parks. Step one; snag Meg a Happy Birthday button. Then it was off to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ride Dragon Challenge (twice), race through the castle and ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and of course drink our fill of Butterbeer. We managed to get next to each other in the single rider's line on Spiderman (I think the grouper saw Meg's birthday button and took pity on us). I was actually pleased with the way they revamped Spiderman. It's a little more CG movie than animated cartoon show, but I decided that I'm alright with that. Of course we had to ride Cat in the Hat, just to see Sara and Chris. Sara was at unload and even wished Meg a happy birthday over their comm system.
Once we'd had Sara fix we had to run over to Universal Studios and partake in our favorite rides. We used the power of Meg's birthday button to get three rides on Revenge of the Mummy. We screamed, spoke along with the dialogue, and then laughed hysterically during all of them. By then we were fully riding our Butterbeer sugar high, which meant it was time for some Men in Black action. We managed to sneak three rides on that as well, thanks to some very awesome attractions attendants. I beat Meg every time, even her birthday couldn't convince me to go easy on her. The tourists in the car with us were pretty impressed by our scores, the attendant who helped us ride again was less impressed.
Once we had our fill of theme park rides and theme park food we ventured out into City Walk. We made a decision to play mini golf. Meg and I are fantastic at mini golf, assuming that mini golf works like all other sports and the goal is to get the highest score. We're also assuming that knocking your ball into the bushes surrounding the track is much more important than hitting it into that tiny little hole on the green. Keeping all those rules in mind, Meg and I are the best at mini golf. We ended up playing the alien course and laughed ourselves silly taking pictures and climbing on things. We started counting the number of times we went off course (gotta get those bonus points you know). After stunning everyone at the course with our incredible mini golf skills, it was time to move on to Meg's house for the real festivities.
At Meg's we were met by balloons, Chris, Sara, a pile of cards and presents, and cheesecake. We giggled, laughed, and made funny faces while Jill took pictures. We chatted entirely too much, and by the time that Jill was able to wrangle us up and get us to the table for presents and cheesecake it was already quite late. Meg opened her presents, and quite enjoyed them. She got a card that has cats meowing the Happy Birthday Song, and it entertained us to no end. I probably opened the card to play the song fifteen times over the course of the evening, and it never got old. At least, it never got old for me, you'd have to ask the others about their personal opinions. Then we ate some cheesecake, which is not my favorite, but I tried to enjoy it for Meg's sake.
After her birthday celebration ended I came home and realized that despite the late hour I should probably go ahead and write these 750 words. Of course I still have fifty words to go and I've pretty much exhausted my discussion of Meg's birthday. I haven't done much else with my life lately. May ends in a few days, so I'll have to start making those June goals. Maybe on Monday I'll update you on how May goals went and what my June goals are.
Until tomorrow.
When I got off work today, I snatched up Meg and we went to hang at Universal. We briefly considered running errands or doing something productive, but it was Meg's birthday, so in the end we forgot all responsibility and just had a ton of fun. We kicked it off by wandering around the parks. Step one; snag Meg a Happy Birthday button. Then it was off to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ride Dragon Challenge (twice), race through the castle and ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and of course drink our fill of Butterbeer. We managed to get next to each other in the single rider's line on Spiderman (I think the grouper saw Meg's birthday button and took pity on us). I was actually pleased with the way they revamped Spiderman. It's a little more CG movie than animated cartoon show, but I decided that I'm alright with that. Of course we had to ride Cat in the Hat, just to see Sara and Chris. Sara was at unload and even wished Meg a happy birthday over their comm system.
Once we'd had Sara fix we had to run over to Universal Studios and partake in our favorite rides. We used the power of Meg's birthday button to get three rides on Revenge of the Mummy. We screamed, spoke along with the dialogue, and then laughed hysterically during all of them. By then we were fully riding our Butterbeer sugar high, which meant it was time for some Men in Black action. We managed to sneak three rides on that as well, thanks to some very awesome attractions attendants. I beat Meg every time, even her birthday couldn't convince me to go easy on her. The tourists in the car with us were pretty impressed by our scores, the attendant who helped us ride again was less impressed.
Once we had our fill of theme park rides and theme park food we ventured out into City Walk. We made a decision to play mini golf. Meg and I are fantastic at mini golf, assuming that mini golf works like all other sports and the goal is to get the highest score. We're also assuming that knocking your ball into the bushes surrounding the track is much more important than hitting it into that tiny little hole on the green. Keeping all those rules in mind, Meg and I are the best at mini golf. We ended up playing the alien course and laughed ourselves silly taking pictures and climbing on things. We started counting the number of times we went off course (gotta get those bonus points you know). After stunning everyone at the course with our incredible mini golf skills, it was time to move on to Meg's house for the real festivities.
At Meg's we were met by balloons, Chris, Sara, a pile of cards and presents, and cheesecake. We giggled, laughed, and made funny faces while Jill took pictures. We chatted entirely too much, and by the time that Jill was able to wrangle us up and get us to the table for presents and cheesecake it was already quite late. Meg opened her presents, and quite enjoyed them. She got a card that has cats meowing the Happy Birthday Song, and it entertained us to no end. I probably opened the card to play the song fifteen times over the course of the evening, and it never got old. At least, it never got old for me, you'd have to ask the others about their personal opinions. Then we ate some cheesecake, which is not my favorite, but I tried to enjoy it for Meg's sake.
After her birthday celebration ended I came home and realized that despite the late hour I should probably go ahead and write these 750 words. Of course I still have fifty words to go and I've pretty much exhausted my discussion of Meg's birthday. I haven't done much else with my life lately. May ends in a few days, so I'll have to start making those June goals. Maybe on Monday I'll update you on how May goals went and what my June goals are.
Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
May 29th
Naturally the group decided to ignore my brilliant plan to defeat the bandits. In fact, I was lucky that I was even able to convince them to stay and fight at all. In the end I won out, but rather than a sneaky infiltration the group decided to go charge in, weapons drawn, and screw the consequences. Granted, it's not a strategy I have much objection to, as it had been my strategy for myself from the beginning, but I wasn't sure it was the best idea.
We charged in like mad men, and that seemed to startle the bandits enough that we were actually able to slice through a good number of them immediately. As soon as they recovered from their shock the bandit King immediately ran away. Figuring the others could handle the lieutenants, I chased after him, as did Dread Pirate Roberts. We managed to follow the Bandit King back into a corner of the cavern and had him up against the wall, but just as I was about to step in for a killing blow he reached into his pocket and suddenly disappeared, leaving his clothing, armor, and belongings behind in a pile. The idea that he teleported somewhere naked intrigues me, although I'm also suspicious that perhaps he simply changed into a rat or other small creature that I didn't notice.
When we returned to the rest of the group we found that they had managed to kill the other bandits and we'd gathered a nice pile of loot. Foxface, with his two bags of holding, offered to hold onto the items and money. I have little desire for riches, but I wonder if it was an act of stupidity on the side of those who care about money to agree with his offer. There were some nice magical items and I claimed some hide armor for myself. Two magical golden scimitars inlaid with gems were particularly intriguing and I can't wait to find out what they can do. I let Foxface keep them for now though.
We set up camp outside of the cave, and passed an uneventful night. In the morning we piled and burned the bandit bodies before heading out to continue our quest. Ariella informed us that Zog, an orc wizard who is an old friend of hers, lived in the next town. He would know the most about the artifact that we were seeking. The axe that I got from Kough speaks to me again, promising that I can rely on him to help me if I need it. I try not to let everyone else know that I have a talking weapon.
When we reach the town the gated are closed and white flags are flying. We bang on the gate and try to gain admittance. The guards say that they are closed up because there have been goblin attacks and they aren't allowing anyone in. We show the Mayor's Seal, and convince them to change their mind. After we get in Milk almost blows it all by saying some truly rude things, but they agree to let him stay when Ariella offers to keep watch on him. The guards apologize for keeping us outside, but say that the goblins have stopped so many of their supply runs that they barely have enough food for their own people. Remembering the stilts and crude weapons at the bandit camp I ask the guards if anyone has actually seen a goblin. They say no, the goblins usually attack at night.
I offer to deal with their "goblin" problem and Dread Pirate Roberts offers to help (for a price). The leader of the town agrees and offers us a cart and a farmer to drive it. We head back to the bandit camp to get the supplies while everyone else heads off to meet with Zog. We find the camp ransacked and the body of one of the lieutenants missing. It appears that whoever ransacked the camp (the Bandit King perhaps?), was looking for something. I follow his trail, but it goes in the opposite direction, back the way we originally came. Dread Pirate Roberts eventually convinces me to leave that and just take the supplies back to town. We return, get out reward, and then meet with the others who are waiting for us outside of Zog's tower.
It turns out that they had a rougher time that we did. When they went to Zog's tower they found blood leaking from under the door and the ground floor was filled with dead and dismembered goblin servants. Zog's voice boomed out "You've invaded my home", and he seemed quite upset. On the second floor they found his two apprentices brutally killed and displayed. Ariella realizes that something is really wrong and when they find a summoning circle on the third floor she puts two and two together and realizes that there's a succubus loose in the tower. That was the point that they all decided to leave the tower and wait for us to return.
We travel through the tower again. It's even more gruesome than they described it. It appears that the succubus not only ripped the goblins to shreds, but she might be feasting on them as well. One apprentice has his skull cut open and his brain scooped out and the other is disemboweled, hung from the ceiling, and arranged into strange shapes. When we finally reach the third floor Ariella, Rouge, and Dread Pirate Roberts band together to deactivate the summoning circle, meaning that if we can banish the succubus she can't come back. Then we head up to the fourth floor.
We charged in like mad men, and that seemed to startle the bandits enough that we were actually able to slice through a good number of them immediately. As soon as they recovered from their shock the bandit King immediately ran away. Figuring the others could handle the lieutenants, I chased after him, as did Dread Pirate Roberts. We managed to follow the Bandit King back into a corner of the cavern and had him up against the wall, but just as I was about to step in for a killing blow he reached into his pocket and suddenly disappeared, leaving his clothing, armor, and belongings behind in a pile. The idea that he teleported somewhere naked intrigues me, although I'm also suspicious that perhaps he simply changed into a rat or other small creature that I didn't notice.
When we returned to the rest of the group we found that they had managed to kill the other bandits and we'd gathered a nice pile of loot. Foxface, with his two bags of holding, offered to hold onto the items and money. I have little desire for riches, but I wonder if it was an act of stupidity on the side of those who care about money to agree with his offer. There were some nice magical items and I claimed some hide armor for myself. Two magical golden scimitars inlaid with gems were particularly intriguing and I can't wait to find out what they can do. I let Foxface keep them for now though.
We set up camp outside of the cave, and passed an uneventful night. In the morning we piled and burned the bandit bodies before heading out to continue our quest. Ariella informed us that Zog, an orc wizard who is an old friend of hers, lived in the next town. He would know the most about the artifact that we were seeking. The axe that I got from Kough speaks to me again, promising that I can rely on him to help me if I need it. I try not to let everyone else know that I have a talking weapon.
When we reach the town the gated are closed and white flags are flying. We bang on the gate and try to gain admittance. The guards say that they are closed up because there have been goblin attacks and they aren't allowing anyone in. We show the Mayor's Seal, and convince them to change their mind. After we get in Milk almost blows it all by saying some truly rude things, but they agree to let him stay when Ariella offers to keep watch on him. The guards apologize for keeping us outside, but say that the goblins have stopped so many of their supply runs that they barely have enough food for their own people. Remembering the stilts and crude weapons at the bandit camp I ask the guards if anyone has actually seen a goblin. They say no, the goblins usually attack at night.
I offer to deal with their "goblin" problem and Dread Pirate Roberts offers to help (for a price). The leader of the town agrees and offers us a cart and a farmer to drive it. We head back to the bandit camp to get the supplies while everyone else heads off to meet with Zog. We find the camp ransacked and the body of one of the lieutenants missing. It appears that whoever ransacked the camp (the Bandit King perhaps?), was looking for something. I follow his trail, but it goes in the opposite direction, back the way we originally came. Dread Pirate Roberts eventually convinces me to leave that and just take the supplies back to town. We return, get out reward, and then meet with the others who are waiting for us outside of Zog's tower.
It turns out that they had a rougher time that we did. When they went to Zog's tower they found blood leaking from under the door and the ground floor was filled with dead and dismembered goblin servants. Zog's voice boomed out "You've invaded my home", and he seemed quite upset. On the second floor they found his two apprentices brutally killed and displayed. Ariella realizes that something is really wrong and when they find a summoning circle on the third floor she puts two and two together and realizes that there's a succubus loose in the tower. That was the point that they all decided to leave the tower and wait for us to return.
We travel through the tower again. It's even more gruesome than they described it. It appears that the succubus not only ripped the goblins to shreds, but she might be feasting on them as well. One apprentice has his skull cut open and his brain scooped out and the other is disemboweled, hung from the ceiling, and arranged into strange shapes. When we finally reach the third floor Ariella, Rouge, and Dread Pirate Roberts band together to deactivate the summoning circle, meaning that if we can banish the succubus she can't come back. Then we head up to the fourth floor.
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 28th
It's time for Miscellaneous Mondays! That means you're stuck here reading whatever I feel like writing, and it could be ANYTHING. Well, technically I suppose you aren't stuck, you can click away any time you want. I just like to hope you find yourself drawn in by my intriguing prose and then you stay to read a riveting post on a subject I haven't even decided on yet. I know that this is a false hope, and that likely you have already clicked to a new page and never even made it to these words, which is a bummer because the post is about to get awesome...or I'm just lying to you.
Quite honestly I'm incredibly tired and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. I just want to curl up and go to sleep, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing, but it is a little early for that. I'm afraid that if I fall asleep now I'll wake up before tomorrow and then I'll be tired at work tomorrow. Speaking of work, I had day four of training today, and it was just as awesome as the other three days. I feel like I'm really understanding the process and I can't wait to actually start working. Of course there are still six days of training before they push me out of the nest to fly (or fall) on my own. I'm hoping that I can fly.
Then I came home, unpacked my stuff from work, and sat down to get my daily YouTube watching out of the way. I'm completely caught up on all my subscriptions and that makes me incredibly happen. I love commenting on videos in a timely manner, making video responses, and getting inspired to make videos of my own. I've actually made four videos this month (two for my personal channel and two for my collab channel), and I have another video shot that is just gonna take some editing time. I'm hoping to get around to it before June starts. It's nice to feel like part of the YouTube community again. I have fun doing it, and I think I forgot that for awhile.
I'm also thinking seriously about food, but I know that if I eat I won't be as sleepy and I really should get some sleep. My nose is all stuffy and I've been sneezing almost constantly so I think rest would be recommended. Of course then there's the fact that my stomach is going to growl just a little, and that isn't good either. I might have to settle for a light snack to hold me over till the morning. Of course my snacky foods are all in the mostly unhealthy category, not that I'm trying to eat totally healthy, but it's always a bummer to only eat something unhealthy.
I still have almost three hundred words to write and my exhausted brain is having trouble coming up with ideas. I suppose I could write some flash fiction. I make no promises or apologies when it comes to the quality of the piece I'm about to write for you.
**************
"Grab it, quick!" Jilly reached out lightening fast and caught the teddy bear as it plummeted towards the bedroom floor. Jamie looked over the edge of the top bunk and sighed in relief.
"You have to be more careful, Jamie." Jilly said as she leaned out of her bunk and reached the bear up to Jamie's waiting hands. He hugged the bear securely to his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jamie said. He lay down on his bed and hung his head over the edge to look as his sister. Jilly had a pile of books spread out in front of her and was taking notes on a sleek silver tablet. She patted the top of Jamie's head.
"I know you didn't mean to, buddy. But I might not be here next time, so you're gonna have to make sure to keep everything on your bed or in your drawers." She motioned to the dresser that was hooked to the wall by his bed, positioned to be easily reachable from when he lay now.
"Someday I want to play on the floor." Jamie said with a bit of a pout. Jilly looked at the laser grid on their bedroom floor, created to slice and dice anything that landed there. Then she looked back at the schematics and layouts on her tablet.
"Someday, Jamie, you will."
Quite honestly I'm incredibly tired and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. I just want to curl up and go to sleep, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing, but it is a little early for that. I'm afraid that if I fall asleep now I'll wake up before tomorrow and then I'll be tired at work tomorrow. Speaking of work, I had day four of training today, and it was just as awesome as the other three days. I feel like I'm really understanding the process and I can't wait to actually start working. Of course there are still six days of training before they push me out of the nest to fly (or fall) on my own. I'm hoping that I can fly.
Then I came home, unpacked my stuff from work, and sat down to get my daily YouTube watching out of the way. I'm completely caught up on all my subscriptions and that makes me incredibly happen. I love commenting on videos in a timely manner, making video responses, and getting inspired to make videos of my own. I've actually made four videos this month (two for my personal channel and two for my collab channel), and I have another video shot that is just gonna take some editing time. I'm hoping to get around to it before June starts. It's nice to feel like part of the YouTube community again. I have fun doing it, and I think I forgot that for awhile.
I'm also thinking seriously about food, but I know that if I eat I won't be as sleepy and I really should get some sleep. My nose is all stuffy and I've been sneezing almost constantly so I think rest would be recommended. Of course then there's the fact that my stomach is going to growl just a little, and that isn't good either. I might have to settle for a light snack to hold me over till the morning. Of course my snacky foods are all in the mostly unhealthy category, not that I'm trying to eat totally healthy, but it's always a bummer to only eat something unhealthy.
I still have almost three hundred words to write and my exhausted brain is having trouble coming up with ideas. I suppose I could write some flash fiction. I make no promises or apologies when it comes to the quality of the piece I'm about to write for you.
**************
"Grab it, quick!" Jilly reached out lightening fast and caught the teddy bear as it plummeted towards the bedroom floor. Jamie looked over the edge of the top bunk and sighed in relief.
"You have to be more careful, Jamie." Jilly said as she leaned out of her bunk and reached the bear up to Jamie's waiting hands. He hugged the bear securely to his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jamie said. He lay down on his bed and hung his head over the edge to look as his sister. Jilly had a pile of books spread out in front of her and was taking notes on a sleek silver tablet. She patted the top of Jamie's head.
"I know you didn't mean to, buddy. But I might not be here next time, so you're gonna have to make sure to keep everything on your bed or in your drawers." She motioned to the dresser that was hooked to the wall by his bed, positioned to be easily reachable from when he lay now.
"Someday I want to play on the floor." Jamie said with a bit of a pout. Jilly looked at the laser grid on their bedroom floor, created to slice and dice anything that landed there. Then she looked back at the schematics and layouts on her tablet.
"Someday, Jamie, you will."
Sunday, May 27, 2012
May 27th
Today I decided to once again take a photo and write a story about the character. Here is the picture I chose.
It's been twenty years since I saw my home land. Twenty years since my family and the court gathered to celebrate my 5th birthday party. Twenty years since the raiders, lead by Ulrich the Liver Eater, burst into the throne room and slaughtered my father. Twenty years since I watched them drag my mother, screaming and crying, onto the feast table so the entire court could watch Ulrich prove how much of a man he was. Twenty years since they lined up the knights of my father's court and beheaded them one by one. Twenty years since the raiders took the sobbing ladies of the court and divided them up. Twenty years since my brother Avery, all of twelve at the time, shoved me out the passage behind the throne and told me to run to the stables. Twenty years since Jinto, the stable boy, shoved me and a bunch of other kids into a wagon and fled the town.
Everything else I know about that day I heard from Adele, one of the serving girls in my father's court. She was serving tables that day, and at thirteen she wasn't of much interest to the raiders. After Avery shoved me out of the room he apparently rallied the squires and pages in a last ditch effort to fight off the raiders. They managed to take down five raiders and Avery cut open Ulrich's face before he was slain. After that the raiders threw the bodies in the fire and forced the women to join them in finishing my birthday feast. Adele said that sometime during the feast my mother took a knife and slit her own throat, she would rather die than be with Ulrich.
Adele actually staying in the castle for a few months, helping some of the ladies smuggle other people to the Island that Jinto had taken me to. Eventually she was caught and only some quick work on the part of my mother's lady in waiting allowed her to escape with her life. I can't express to her how thankful I am that she saved so many, yet she is always wracked with guilt that she couldn't save more. She's actually why I'm doing this, so Adele doesn't have to feel guilty anymore.
Here on the island they call me The Winter Princess, after all my father was The Winter King, but I've never been sure what to think about the title. I was five when Ulrich and the raiders took over my father's kingdom, I've lived most of my life in exile, not as a Princess. Still, it's a title I bear with pride, pride for my father and mother, and for my brave older brother. And today I will prove that I'm deserving of that title. When we arrived on the island twenty years ago the oldest of us, Jinto, was only seventeen. Since that terrible day we've been training and studying.
Today is that the day that all changes. To celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday I'm going to take back Winter Kingdom. My army of orphaned children are ready for battle. This is what we've trained for. We've studied the raiders, we have spies in their kingdom, surviving ladies from my father's court. They've told us that Ulrich and his men have gotten lazy. It's been over ten years since they had to fight any of the neighboring kingdom. They are not ready for what we are bringing their way. Ulrich will pay for what he did to my family, for what he did to all our families. He sits on my father's throne believing his is king of everything, but he had no right to that crown.
The trip across the narrow sea was simple, and making our way to the castle was much easier than expected. It turned out that most of the peasants weren't too happy with the way they were being treated by Ulrich and his raiders. They were more than happy to help the orphaned warriors of the realm sneak up to the castle. I stood before the doors of the castle I'd been born in, surrounded by the bodies of the dozen or so guards that had already crossed our path. We were an unstoppable force, trained, focused, and filled with vengeance. I turned to regard the force behind me, they looked up at me with fierce determination, and almost as one they nodded.
I turned and shoved open the castle door.
It's been twenty years since I saw my home land. Twenty years since my family and the court gathered to celebrate my 5th birthday party. Twenty years since the raiders, lead by Ulrich the Liver Eater, burst into the throne room and slaughtered my father. Twenty years since I watched them drag my mother, screaming and crying, onto the feast table so the entire court could watch Ulrich prove how much of a man he was. Twenty years since they lined up the knights of my father's court and beheaded them one by one. Twenty years since the raiders took the sobbing ladies of the court and divided them up. Twenty years since my brother Avery, all of twelve at the time, shoved me out the passage behind the throne and told me to run to the stables. Twenty years since Jinto, the stable boy, shoved me and a bunch of other kids into a wagon and fled the town.
Everything else I know about that day I heard from Adele, one of the serving girls in my father's court. She was serving tables that day, and at thirteen she wasn't of much interest to the raiders. After Avery shoved me out of the room he apparently rallied the squires and pages in a last ditch effort to fight off the raiders. They managed to take down five raiders and Avery cut open Ulrich's face before he was slain. After that the raiders threw the bodies in the fire and forced the women to join them in finishing my birthday feast. Adele said that sometime during the feast my mother took a knife and slit her own throat, she would rather die than be with Ulrich.
Adele actually staying in the castle for a few months, helping some of the ladies smuggle other people to the Island that Jinto had taken me to. Eventually she was caught and only some quick work on the part of my mother's lady in waiting allowed her to escape with her life. I can't express to her how thankful I am that she saved so many, yet she is always wracked with guilt that she couldn't save more. She's actually why I'm doing this, so Adele doesn't have to feel guilty anymore.
Here on the island they call me The Winter Princess, after all my father was The Winter King, but I've never been sure what to think about the title. I was five when Ulrich and the raiders took over my father's kingdom, I've lived most of my life in exile, not as a Princess. Still, it's a title I bear with pride, pride for my father and mother, and for my brave older brother. And today I will prove that I'm deserving of that title. When we arrived on the island twenty years ago the oldest of us, Jinto, was only seventeen. Since that terrible day we've been training and studying.
Today is that the day that all changes. To celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday I'm going to take back Winter Kingdom. My army of orphaned children are ready for battle. This is what we've trained for. We've studied the raiders, we have spies in their kingdom, surviving ladies from my father's court. They've told us that Ulrich and his men have gotten lazy. It's been over ten years since they had to fight any of the neighboring kingdom. They are not ready for what we are bringing their way. Ulrich will pay for what he did to my family, for what he did to all our families. He sits on my father's throne believing his is king of everything, but he had no right to that crown.
The trip across the narrow sea was simple, and making our way to the castle was much easier than expected. It turned out that most of the peasants weren't too happy with the way they were being treated by Ulrich and his raiders. They were more than happy to help the orphaned warriors of the realm sneak up to the castle. I stood before the doors of the castle I'd been born in, surrounded by the bodies of the dozen or so guards that had already crossed our path. We were an unstoppable force, trained, focused, and filled with vengeance. I turned to regard the force behind me, they looked up at me with fierce determination, and almost as one they nodded.
I turned and shoved open the castle door.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
May 26th
Forget ranting, it's another week of raves. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so happy at my new Universal job, because I cleaned up my home and feel better, because I'm doing well on goals, or because the weather is warm and that makes me happy, but I'm just in WAY to good of a mood to waste time ranting about anything.
Of course part of the reason that I'm so happy is because I spent basically the entire day at Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrating Star Wars weekends 2012. I realize that today is about raving, but my entire experience was one big ball of complete awesomeness, so I'm just going to outline it for you.
I arrived at the entrance to that park around 6:30am, cause I like to torture myself, and because I wanted to get in line for autograph tickets to meet Ashley Eckstein. It bears mentioning that the park wasn't scheduled to open until 8am, but that didn't stop there from already being a rather large crowd outside the gates when I arrived. The ended up opening around 7:30, but despite waiting an hour I was never bored. There were plenty of people to talk to and the 501st along with Disney did an pretty incredible welcome before they opened the doors.
Once they let us in I ran around to ride the normal Hollywood Studios attractions, starting with Toy Story Midway Mania. That ride is notorious for having an epically long wait and the fastpasses usually run out by noon at the latest. I managed to ride three times in the early morning, which is pretty lucky. Then I rode the Rockin' Rollercoaster and the Tower of Terror. After that it was on to a couple of trips through Star Tours, and all that before 10:30am.
On my way between the rides I took some time to stop off and see some of the character meet & greet spots. I didn't wait in line for anyone, wasn't keen on getting my picture taken, and certainly didn't feel it was worth the wait. That said, I did repeatedly visit those stations all day to make sure I'd gotten video/pictures of all of the characters. I think I did a pretty decent job, but I'll have to go back to make sure. And, naturally, I made a stop at the Star Wars Weekend store (called the Darth Mall) to get the special event pin and a name tag that has my name on it in Aurebesh.
Aside from the meet & greet sessions I also had a chance to go see a couple of special shows. There was a special behind the scenes show about Clone Wars featuring three of the voice actors. I actually have barely watched Clone Wars, but despite that fact I found the show fascinating. It was really interesting to learn about how they film the cartoon and how the voice acting itself works. I've always been fascinated with the way that TV shows and movies are made, so this little trip behind the scenes was incredibly interesting to me. It also made me realize that I really do need to start watching the Clone Wars, so I'll be looking into that before I go to Celebration.
The other show I attended starred James Arnold Taylor (the voice of Obi-Wan in Clone Wars) and was basically a show about his journey and talents voice acting. He talked about how he started to get interested in voice acting watching cartoons when he was young and explained what it is about voices that makes them sound the way they do. He gave tips on becoming a voice actor and working on your own voices. The entire thing was very funny and inspiring. AND he did ALL the different voices in the show which added up to well over 100 different characters. He went through and entire web of celebrity/character impersonations, and I was completely in awe of what I heard come out of his mouth. All of them were SO spot on! I laughed incredibly hard during that show and jumped to my feet when the time for applause finally arrived. After all the voice actor in the tiny padded room with the microphone doesn't get a lot of chances at a standing ovation.
When I had some time to kill I saw the normal Hollywood Studios stunt car show, watched Muppet Vision 3D, tried out for the American Idol Experience (didn't make it) and played in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set. I also went on a few of the rides again just for the heck of it. The last adventure of the evening was showing up for my autograph from Ashley Eckstein. She is the voice of Ahsoka Tano in the Clone Wars, but more importantly to me she runs Her Universe, which is a site that makes nerdy things for girls. I've always found her incredibly inspiring because she worked her way up and jumped on the opportunities that were presented to her. I was excited to meet her in person and when she turned out to be friendly and lovely I was even happier.
After that I was pretty much wiped out, and decided it was time to head home. I'd already done an incredible amount and felt very happy about the way I spent my day. Even more than the shows or character meets or the merch I bought, what made the day awesome was the people. I met and interacted with a TON of people today, whether I rode rides next to them or waited with them in line for shows or met them as I was running around Honey I Shrunk the kids. Everyone I met was lovely and I had a complete blast just smiling and enjoying life.
May the Force be with you, always.
Of course part of the reason that I'm so happy is because I spent basically the entire day at Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrating Star Wars weekends 2012. I realize that today is about raving, but my entire experience was one big ball of complete awesomeness, so I'm just going to outline it for you.
I arrived at the entrance to that park around 6:30am, cause I like to torture myself, and because I wanted to get in line for autograph tickets to meet Ashley Eckstein. It bears mentioning that the park wasn't scheduled to open until 8am, but that didn't stop there from already being a rather large crowd outside the gates when I arrived. The ended up opening around 7:30, but despite waiting an hour I was never bored. There were plenty of people to talk to and the 501st along with Disney did an pretty incredible welcome before they opened the doors.
Once they let us in I ran around to ride the normal Hollywood Studios attractions, starting with Toy Story Midway Mania. That ride is notorious for having an epically long wait and the fastpasses usually run out by noon at the latest. I managed to ride three times in the early morning, which is pretty lucky. Then I rode the Rockin' Rollercoaster and the Tower of Terror. After that it was on to a couple of trips through Star Tours, and all that before 10:30am.
On my way between the rides I took some time to stop off and see some of the character meet & greet spots. I didn't wait in line for anyone, wasn't keen on getting my picture taken, and certainly didn't feel it was worth the wait. That said, I did repeatedly visit those stations all day to make sure I'd gotten video/pictures of all of the characters. I think I did a pretty decent job, but I'll have to go back to make sure. And, naturally, I made a stop at the Star Wars Weekend store (called the Darth Mall) to get the special event pin and a name tag that has my name on it in Aurebesh.
Aside from the meet & greet sessions I also had a chance to go see a couple of special shows. There was a special behind the scenes show about Clone Wars featuring three of the voice actors. I actually have barely watched Clone Wars, but despite that fact I found the show fascinating. It was really interesting to learn about how they film the cartoon and how the voice acting itself works. I've always been fascinated with the way that TV shows and movies are made, so this little trip behind the scenes was incredibly interesting to me. It also made me realize that I really do need to start watching the Clone Wars, so I'll be looking into that before I go to Celebration.
The other show I attended starred James Arnold Taylor (the voice of Obi-Wan in Clone Wars) and was basically a show about his journey and talents voice acting. He talked about how he started to get interested in voice acting watching cartoons when he was young and explained what it is about voices that makes them sound the way they do. He gave tips on becoming a voice actor and working on your own voices. The entire thing was very funny and inspiring. AND he did ALL the different voices in the show which added up to well over 100 different characters. He went through and entire web of celebrity/character impersonations, and I was completely in awe of what I heard come out of his mouth. All of them were SO spot on! I laughed incredibly hard during that show and jumped to my feet when the time for applause finally arrived. After all the voice actor in the tiny padded room with the microphone doesn't get a lot of chances at a standing ovation.
When I had some time to kill I saw the normal Hollywood Studios stunt car show, watched Muppet Vision 3D, tried out for the American Idol Experience (didn't make it) and played in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set. I also went on a few of the rides again just for the heck of it. The last adventure of the evening was showing up for my autograph from Ashley Eckstein. She is the voice of Ahsoka Tano in the Clone Wars, but more importantly to me she runs Her Universe, which is a site that makes nerdy things for girls. I've always found her incredibly inspiring because she worked her way up and jumped on the opportunities that were presented to her. I was excited to meet her in person and when she turned out to be friendly and lovely I was even happier.
After that I was pretty much wiped out, and decided it was time to head home. I'd already done an incredible amount and felt very happy about the way I spent my day. Even more than the shows or character meets or the merch I bought, what made the day awesome was the people. I met and interacted with a TON of people today, whether I rode rides next to them or waited with them in line for shows or met them as I was running around Honey I Shrunk the kids. Everyone I met was lovely and I had a complete blast just smiling and enjoying life.
May the Force be with you, always.
Friday, May 25, 2012
May 25th
Today finished day three of training, and I still love my new job just as much as I did two days ago. I can't wait to continue training and start my actual job. Of course today isn't supposed to me about my job, Friday is for reviews, so let's talk about something.
WARNING!!! This review might contain spoilers.
On Monday I watched the movie Thor. Obviously this movie has been out for awhile, but I hadn't seen it yet. I decided to watch it because my two weeks are ending on Avengers (meaning I can use my gift certificate to go to the movie for free), and everyone told me I needed to see the other videos first. I saw both Iron Mans and Captain America so the only hole in my repertoire was Thor, and now I've seen it as well.
The movie was actually better than I was expecting, a feeling I've experienced with all of the recent Marvel hero movies. I feel that they've really stepped up their game to show audiences that comics and cartoons are NOT the same thing. The action and scripts are always fantastic and I felt that Thor was the same.
Luckily for Thor, most audiences have at least a vague idea of Norse Mythology, so they weren't in need of a long voice over that explained the back story. They told the history as the told the story and it weaved together quite well. I've never read a single Thor comic, seen any show, and I know nothing about Marvel's version of Thor, and yet I didn't feel lost at all. That is the beauty of these Marvel movies, they explain everything so well that you don't feel like the loser who never read the comics. Of course there are probably plenty of Easter eggs for the avid comic fans, but I don't know what they are.
The movie's basic story line is that Odin (king of the Norse gods, who are actually aliens) is entering Odin sleep and needs one of his sons (Thor or Loki) to take over as king for the time he will be sleeping. Thor is the warrior, the fighter with the short temper. Loki is the magic user, the trickster, the cunning one who gets what he wants sneakily. Odin is best known for defeating the frost giants (another alien race), and they travel between the worlds via a bridge (which can also take them to Earth). At the moment that Thor is meant to be named the next king the frost giants attack! They are stopped, but it also stops the ceremony to name Thor.
Naturally, Thor gets angry and wants to chase down the frost giants and kill them for daring to come his home. Odin tries to convince him that starting a war over the actions of what could be a few rogue agents is not a kingly decision, but Thor refuses to listen and insolently insists that as king he wants to declare war. At that moment Odin reminds him that he's NOT king, and decides that he perhaps shouldn't be king. Thor is upset and childish enough that he takes his friends and Loki and goes to the frost giant planet anyway. They nearly get killed before Odin rescues them, at which point he strips Thor of his powers and sends him and his hammer to exile on Earth.
The rest of the movie is Thor meeting up with humans and learning the value of thinking before acting. He also learns the value of caring for others and realizes the price that a war can have. He also finds love because it wouldn't be a true super hero movie if he didn't find a normal girl to fall for. Meanwhile back on his home planet it's revealed that Loki is the one who let the frost giants in cause he wants to be king (shocker I know), so then there's his battle there and Thor's issues on Earth and then everything comes together and ends with Thor destroying the planet bridge so he can't return to his love on Earth. Of course it wouldn't be a Marvel movie without the end credit clip that hints at Avengers.
The acting in this movie was great, just the right mix of honest and exaggerated so that it seemed genuine. The writing was smart and witty (which is a requirement for me), and the plot, while predictable, didn't seem contrived. I highly enjoyed that the movie held a balance between action and drama, and the ending (before the end credit clip) left just enough questions that they can easily make a sequel. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like superheros, rent Thor.
WARNING!!! This review might contain spoilers.
On Monday I watched the movie Thor. Obviously this movie has been out for awhile, but I hadn't seen it yet. I decided to watch it because my two weeks are ending on Avengers (meaning I can use my gift certificate to go to the movie for free), and everyone told me I needed to see the other videos first. I saw both Iron Mans and Captain America so the only hole in my repertoire was Thor, and now I've seen it as well.
The movie was actually better than I was expecting, a feeling I've experienced with all of the recent Marvel hero movies. I feel that they've really stepped up their game to show audiences that comics and cartoons are NOT the same thing. The action and scripts are always fantastic and I felt that Thor was the same.
Luckily for Thor, most audiences have at least a vague idea of Norse Mythology, so they weren't in need of a long voice over that explained the back story. They told the history as the told the story and it weaved together quite well. I've never read a single Thor comic, seen any show, and I know nothing about Marvel's version of Thor, and yet I didn't feel lost at all. That is the beauty of these Marvel movies, they explain everything so well that you don't feel like the loser who never read the comics. Of course there are probably plenty of Easter eggs for the avid comic fans, but I don't know what they are.
The movie's basic story line is that Odin (king of the Norse gods, who are actually aliens) is entering Odin sleep and needs one of his sons (Thor or Loki) to take over as king for the time he will be sleeping. Thor is the warrior, the fighter with the short temper. Loki is the magic user, the trickster, the cunning one who gets what he wants sneakily. Odin is best known for defeating the frost giants (another alien race), and they travel between the worlds via a bridge (which can also take them to Earth). At the moment that Thor is meant to be named the next king the frost giants attack! They are stopped, but it also stops the ceremony to name Thor.
Naturally, Thor gets angry and wants to chase down the frost giants and kill them for daring to come his home. Odin tries to convince him that starting a war over the actions of what could be a few rogue agents is not a kingly decision, but Thor refuses to listen and insolently insists that as king he wants to declare war. At that moment Odin reminds him that he's NOT king, and decides that he perhaps shouldn't be king. Thor is upset and childish enough that he takes his friends and Loki and goes to the frost giant planet anyway. They nearly get killed before Odin rescues them, at which point he strips Thor of his powers and sends him and his hammer to exile on Earth.
The rest of the movie is Thor meeting up with humans and learning the value of thinking before acting. He also learns the value of caring for others and realizes the price that a war can have. He also finds love because it wouldn't be a true super hero movie if he didn't find a normal girl to fall for. Meanwhile back on his home planet it's revealed that Loki is the one who let the frost giants in cause he wants to be king (shocker I know), so then there's his battle there and Thor's issues on Earth and then everything comes together and ends with Thor destroying the planet bridge so he can't return to his love on Earth. Of course it wouldn't be a Marvel movie without the end credit clip that hints at Avengers.
The acting in this movie was great, just the right mix of honest and exaggerated so that it seemed genuine. The writing was smart and witty (which is a requirement for me), and the plot, while predictable, didn't seem contrived. I highly enjoyed that the movie held a balance between action and drama, and the ending (before the end credit clip) left just enough questions that they can easily make a sequel. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like superheros, rent Thor.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
May 24th
"Why did you die? You weren't supposed to die."
The words rode the wind to meet my ears where I stood in the graveyard. I moved toward the voice silently. I stood behind a tree and quietly watched the figure kneeling by a grave. She was a pretty girl, no, not pretty, beautiful. She had long strawberry waves that fell gracefully down her back. Her skin was the palest cream. She was slender, but not skinny, and delicate.
************************
"You promised me you'd always be there, that you'd never leave me alone. They were the ones who left me, but you didn't. You stayed, you said you'd always stay. I don't know how to be alone, I don't know how to be without you."
The girl collapsed into sobs that shook her entire slender form. I inched closer, hoping to read the name on the gravestone, curious about who she was yelling at and crying to. Yet before I could see anything clearly, and despite my silent careful movement, she somehow sensed my presence. I watched her shoulders stiffen and briefly considered ducking behind one of the larger gravestones, hoping she would brush the feeling off, but she robbed him of that decision with a few soft spoken words.
"I'm sorry, I know I was being loud." She said, without turning or even straightening from where she'd collapsed in tears. All thoughts of running away fled from my mind and I instead found my feet carrying me closer. Without communicating with my brain my legs folded and I found myself kneeling next to the girl in front of the grave. She still hadn't turned to look at me, but now I could see the gravestone clearly. There were no dates on the stone, but the name and inscription we clearly visible.
Kasey Branson
Loving Brother
Taken After Only 25 Short Years
"You have nothing to be sorry for." I said quietly, but she jumped at the sound of my voice. She truly hadn't noticed that I'd knelt down next to her. For the first time she turned to face me and I was immediately struck by how beautiful she was. Despite the puffiness in her cheeks and the redness in her eyes, she was stunning. Her eyes were a pale amethyst that despite logic, seemed to be natural. If she wore any makeup I couldn't tell, but her skin was smooth and her lips were a pale pink. There was a spatter of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and I found myself lost in the patterns I found in them, until she spoke again.
"It's nice of you to say that..." I continued to stare until I realized she was waiting for something, it took me a moment more to realize that thing was my name.
"Cameron, and it's not nice of me, it's the truth. You should never apologize for being sad..." Now it was my turn to wait for a name.
"Cassie."
"Cassie." I savored the sound of her name, lengthening the syllables. Then I nodded my head at the gravestone. She turned back to face it and I saw tears once again shining in her eyes.
"My brother, Cassie and Kasey, my parents thought it was funny. They died when I was eight, Kasey was twelve. He raised me, kept me safe through all the foster homes and orphanages, until he turned 18 and could care for me on his own. He was my everything for so long, and I thought he'd always be there." I found myself reaching out to her, but I stopped short, we'd only just met.
"When did he die?"
"Three years ago, he was killed by a drunk driver while coming to get me from college for the start of summer break. I hadn't seen him in almost three months, I'd been to busy with my college friends and classes. When we talked on the phone that day we argued about what I was going to do that summer, I wanted a job out of town and Kasey wanted me to stay at home and work there. We hung up angry...and I never saw him again." This time I did place a gentle hand on her leg and to my surprise she turned and clutched my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. I sat still, shocked, and let her speak and cry.
"I managed to finish school, it was hard, but I knew he'd want me to. But school ended months ago, and I just don't know what to do with myself. I can't go back to the home we shared, I can't face the idea of cleaning up his things, I have no plans, no future without him."
She began sobbing in earnest and I turned so that I was cradling her to my chest, her tears soaking my t-shirt. It occurred to me that from the outside we would look strange, two twenty something strangers locked in an embrace in a deserted cemetery, but in that moment it felt right. When Cassie had finally cried herself out she turned her face up to look at me.
"Cameron, I'm so"
"No," I interrupted her immediately, "you need to stop being sorry." I stared into her eyes for a moment, choosing my next words carefully. "Do you need a ride somewhere? It doesn't have to be home, I'll take you anywhere you want to go."
She stared at me for a long time, trying to read something in my face, and then she nodded. Without asking permission my hand reached up and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Fast as lightening a thought flickered through my head, and without taking time to analyze I acted. I leaned down and kissed Cassie.
And she kissed me back.
The words rode the wind to meet my ears where I stood in the graveyard. I moved toward the voice silently. I stood behind a tree and quietly watched the figure kneeling by a grave. She was a pretty girl, no, not pretty, beautiful. She had long strawberry waves that fell gracefully down her back. Her skin was the palest cream. She was slender, but not skinny, and delicate.
************************
"You promised me you'd always be there, that you'd never leave me alone. They were the ones who left me, but you didn't. You stayed, you said you'd always stay. I don't know how to be alone, I don't know how to be without you."
The girl collapsed into sobs that shook her entire slender form. I inched closer, hoping to read the name on the gravestone, curious about who she was yelling at and crying to. Yet before I could see anything clearly, and despite my silent careful movement, she somehow sensed my presence. I watched her shoulders stiffen and briefly considered ducking behind one of the larger gravestones, hoping she would brush the feeling off, but she robbed him of that decision with a few soft spoken words.
"I'm sorry, I know I was being loud." She said, without turning or even straightening from where she'd collapsed in tears. All thoughts of running away fled from my mind and I instead found my feet carrying me closer. Without communicating with my brain my legs folded and I found myself kneeling next to the girl in front of the grave. She still hadn't turned to look at me, but now I could see the gravestone clearly. There were no dates on the stone, but the name and inscription we clearly visible.
Kasey Branson
Loving Brother
Taken After Only 25 Short Years
"You have nothing to be sorry for." I said quietly, but she jumped at the sound of my voice. She truly hadn't noticed that I'd knelt down next to her. For the first time she turned to face me and I was immediately struck by how beautiful she was. Despite the puffiness in her cheeks and the redness in her eyes, she was stunning. Her eyes were a pale amethyst that despite logic, seemed to be natural. If she wore any makeup I couldn't tell, but her skin was smooth and her lips were a pale pink. There was a spatter of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and I found myself lost in the patterns I found in them, until she spoke again.
"It's nice of you to say that..." I continued to stare until I realized she was waiting for something, it took me a moment more to realize that thing was my name.
"Cameron, and it's not nice of me, it's the truth. You should never apologize for being sad..." Now it was my turn to wait for a name.
"Cassie."
"Cassie." I savored the sound of her name, lengthening the syllables. Then I nodded my head at the gravestone. She turned back to face it and I saw tears once again shining in her eyes.
"My brother, Cassie and Kasey, my parents thought it was funny. They died when I was eight, Kasey was twelve. He raised me, kept me safe through all the foster homes and orphanages, until he turned 18 and could care for me on his own. He was my everything for so long, and I thought he'd always be there." I found myself reaching out to her, but I stopped short, we'd only just met.
"When did he die?"
"Three years ago, he was killed by a drunk driver while coming to get me from college for the start of summer break. I hadn't seen him in almost three months, I'd been to busy with my college friends and classes. When we talked on the phone that day we argued about what I was going to do that summer, I wanted a job out of town and Kasey wanted me to stay at home and work there. We hung up angry...and I never saw him again." This time I did place a gentle hand on her leg and to my surprise she turned and clutched my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. I sat still, shocked, and let her speak and cry.
"I managed to finish school, it was hard, but I knew he'd want me to. But school ended months ago, and I just don't know what to do with myself. I can't go back to the home we shared, I can't face the idea of cleaning up his things, I have no plans, no future without him."
She began sobbing in earnest and I turned so that I was cradling her to my chest, her tears soaking my t-shirt. It occurred to me that from the outside we would look strange, two twenty something strangers locked in an embrace in a deserted cemetery, but in that moment it felt right. When Cassie had finally cried herself out she turned her face up to look at me.
"Cameron, I'm so"
"No," I interrupted her immediately, "you need to stop being sorry." I stared into her eyes for a moment, choosing my next words carefully. "Do you need a ride somewhere? It doesn't have to be home, I'll take you anywhere you want to go."
She stared at me for a long time, trying to read something in my face, and then she nodded. Without asking permission my hand reached up and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Fast as lightening a thought flickered through my head, and without taking time to analyze I acted. I leaned down and kissed Cassie.
And she kissed me back.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
May 23rd
I could go on and on about my training at guest services. I've had a completely incredible two days. The trainers are awesome, the training is interesting, the coworkers are nice, the job is perfect for me, and EVERYONE has spoken about advancement. It's basically everything I wanted from a job. Time has flown by and I feel that I've learned an intense amount of information in just two days. I can't wait to continue training and actually start working. I know that there is a ton still to learn, and I can't wait to memorize it all. Of course if I did continue to wax poetic about all the amazingness (Firefox doesn't think that's a word, but I do) I've been experiencing I'd be walking the fine line that is the UO blogging policy. Instead, I guess I'll have to wax poetic about other subjects.
TV shows are winding down for the season, which is both a happy and sad occurrence. It gives me a chance to breathe, to do other things, and it wraps up stories while still keeping me interested. Of course it also means that I have to wait months for the next chapter, or in some cases I'll never see the rest at all because the show got canned. For the ones that are coming back, I'm incredibly excited. For the ones that are cancelled, I'm sad, but most were expected. The few serious bummers are the ones that KNEW they would be cancelled and still insisted on ending the show with a cliff hanger of some sort. Especially the ones that wouldn't have even required a re-shoot, merely a cutting of the last few seconds. Missing fits into this category.
Of course with TV winding down it does give me a chance to enjoy more YouTube videos, and that has been a blessing. I'm keeping up to date and working my way slowly through my backlog of must watch videos. Being current on YouTube is once again making me more excited to create videos. I've made 2 (both Star Wars themed) already this month. I already have plans to make a collab channel video tomorrow, and this weekend when I go to Star Wars Weekends at Disney I'll make another for my main channel (making May all about Star Wars apparently). Then next month I can spend some time making video responses and borrowing inspiration from the amazing YouTubers that I watch.
I've also been working on that "reading a book" goal. The problem is that I'm also addicted to a Harry Potter fanfiction written by one of my friends. It's 363 pages, and yet another thing I could wax poetic on forever, but I'll save that till I finish it. The issue is that it has interrupted the reading of the most recent Vampire Diaries book (I don't care if you judge me). However, with the fanfiction being 363 pages, it's basically a book, so I feel that it should count towards the goal. I guess I can let you weigh in on that (not that you will seeing as I'm pretty sure that no one reads this). So, should a 363 page fanfiction count as a book for my read a book goal?
Reading that fanfiction has reminded how much I used to enjoy writing fanfiction. I might actually try my hand at some of that on flash fiction day. When I write fanfiction I usually stick to Harry Potter (although I used to write Star Wars), and I like to watch what I call "missing moment" stories. These are stories that add to cannon texts without changing the story line that's written. Perhaps they change your view on certain characters but they don't alter events that have already occurred. An example of this is a flash piece I wrote about the death of Emmeline Vance. In the HP books it's mentioned that she died, but not much else is known about it. I wrote a scene where Dumbledore tells her that she has to basically sacrifice herself because Snape needs information to pass to the Death Eaters because his loyalty is seriously being questioned. I'm actually really proud of that story. I also like to write stories that occur in the Wizarding World, but separate from Harry Potter, whether it's long after his time or during the same time somewhere totally different.
Of course there's a singular exception to my "no changes" rule, and that is the story of Sylvia Black. Sylvia came into being shortly after I started reading Harry Potter back in 1998. I often create myself a character in books I read or movies I see because I prefer that to thinking of myself as one of the characters that already exist. Yet, none of those are as well developed or as dear to my heart as Sylvia. When I first created her I knew nothing about what would become of Sirius Black, but I liked the name of the character and the fact that he had a flying motorcycle. Plus there's the fact that he seemed to be a friend of Hagrid's meaning he could have a child Harry's age. Of course I orphaned her as well, putting her father on the run and her mother dead until I learned the truth about Sirius. She knew Harry before Hogwarts, growing up with him in the muggle world. Still with her I try to make sure she doesn't alter the story TOO much, allowing the stories to continue the way they were written with her adding a bit here and there. She's super developed and while it isn't all written down she spends many a night running around my head having adventures. Someday she will see the light of day, but not yet. Until tomorrow.
TV shows are winding down for the season, which is both a happy and sad occurrence. It gives me a chance to breathe, to do other things, and it wraps up stories while still keeping me interested. Of course it also means that I have to wait months for the next chapter, or in some cases I'll never see the rest at all because the show got canned. For the ones that are coming back, I'm incredibly excited. For the ones that are cancelled, I'm sad, but most were expected. The few serious bummers are the ones that KNEW they would be cancelled and still insisted on ending the show with a cliff hanger of some sort. Especially the ones that wouldn't have even required a re-shoot, merely a cutting of the last few seconds. Missing fits into this category.
Of course with TV winding down it does give me a chance to enjoy more YouTube videos, and that has been a blessing. I'm keeping up to date and working my way slowly through my backlog of must watch videos. Being current on YouTube is once again making me more excited to create videos. I've made 2 (both Star Wars themed) already this month. I already have plans to make a collab channel video tomorrow, and this weekend when I go to Star Wars Weekends at Disney I'll make another for my main channel (making May all about Star Wars apparently). Then next month I can spend some time making video responses and borrowing inspiration from the amazing YouTubers that I watch.
I've also been working on that "reading a book" goal. The problem is that I'm also addicted to a Harry Potter fanfiction written by one of my friends. It's 363 pages, and yet another thing I could wax poetic on forever, but I'll save that till I finish it. The issue is that it has interrupted the reading of the most recent Vampire Diaries book (I don't care if you judge me). However, with the fanfiction being 363 pages, it's basically a book, so I feel that it should count towards the goal. I guess I can let you weigh in on that (not that you will seeing as I'm pretty sure that no one reads this). So, should a 363 page fanfiction count as a book for my read a book goal?
Reading that fanfiction has reminded how much I used to enjoy writing fanfiction. I might actually try my hand at some of that on flash fiction day. When I write fanfiction I usually stick to Harry Potter (although I used to write Star Wars), and I like to watch what I call "missing moment" stories. These are stories that add to cannon texts without changing the story line that's written. Perhaps they change your view on certain characters but they don't alter events that have already occurred. An example of this is a flash piece I wrote about the death of Emmeline Vance. In the HP books it's mentioned that she died, but not much else is known about it. I wrote a scene where Dumbledore tells her that she has to basically sacrifice herself because Snape needs information to pass to the Death Eaters because his loyalty is seriously being questioned. I'm actually really proud of that story. I also like to write stories that occur in the Wizarding World, but separate from Harry Potter, whether it's long after his time or during the same time somewhere totally different.
Of course there's a singular exception to my "no changes" rule, and that is the story of Sylvia Black. Sylvia came into being shortly after I started reading Harry Potter back in 1998. I often create myself a character in books I read or movies I see because I prefer that to thinking of myself as one of the characters that already exist. Yet, none of those are as well developed or as dear to my heart as Sylvia. When I first created her I knew nothing about what would become of Sirius Black, but I liked the name of the character and the fact that he had a flying motorcycle. Plus there's the fact that he seemed to be a friend of Hagrid's meaning he could have a child Harry's age. Of course I orphaned her as well, putting her father on the run and her mother dead until I learned the truth about Sirius. She knew Harry before Hogwarts, growing up with him in the muggle world. Still with her I try to make sure she doesn't alter the story TOO much, allowing the stories to continue the way they were written with her adding a bit here and there. She's super developed and while it isn't all written down she spends many a night running around my head having adventures. Someday she will see the light of day, but not yet. Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
May 22nd
I received a text letting me know that they didn't go through with my plan at all. Which is fine by me, it was mostly designed to keep me out of the game while still fitting my character. I can't wait till next week so I can find out what they actually did decide to do. Until then I promised you one of Riley's other adventures.
*************************
You want a story from my past? Are you sure? My stories don't contain love or bravery or happy endings like the ones the bards tell in the taverns. My stories are dark and full of blood, betrayal, sadness, and death. You really think you're up for it?
Before meeting up with this merry little band of adventures, I almost always worked alone. The singular exception to that rule was my first adventure. I had just been convinced to leave the arena and become a different type of hero, a hero for the people rather than a hero of battle. I had always wanted to do something good, to try and make sure at least someone's life would be happier than mine, but until Zanroar showed me the way I had no idea how to even begin doing good. I had built up enough of a reputation as a amazing fighter, that people were more than willing to send me out to hunt down monsters and bring back items. And lots of adventuring groups wanted me to join them. Back then it seemed like such an amazing idea. I would get to have friends, people who might actually watch my back, which was something I wasn't used to.
I met up with a small band of adventurers who called themselves The Blades of Luck. A halfling rouge (Melas), a gnome sorcerer (Trick), a human fighter (Ben), and an elf ranger (Julian). They accepted me easily into their group, actually knowing me as Riley rather than Battleaxe, my arena alias. We trained together and traveled together looking for work. We performed a few tasks here and there, and I really began to know and trust the members of my party. We eventually made it to the city of Chrome, where we landed our first big adventure. There was a rad dragon terrorizing the countryside and the city needed someone to deal with it. The peasants were too scared to farm and as a result they were crowding into the city's walls and everyone was running out of food. We accepted the quest and headed off to defeat the dragon.
The journey itself was short, but the fight against the dragon seemed to go on forever. Try as we might it seemed that nothing we did could hurt it. We were all battered and bloody by the time we took it down. While the others collected the treasure Julian and I went to examine the body of the beast. It was then that we discovered that the dragon was being controlled by a collar. It wasn't terrorizing the countryside by choice, someone was forcing it to do those things. If there is one thing I hate above all else it's slavery, I basically grew up a slave. The anger built inside of me and before I could remember that I needed to get it under control my birthmark began to burn and then my body burst into flame. I scorched the dragon's body, and Julian, who was too near to me and completely worn out from the battle, died in the blaze.
The instant I regained myself and realized what had happened, I ran. I was overwhelmed with guilt over what I had done, and I couldn't face the rest of the party, these people I considered friends, after killing one of their own. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me back to Chrome. I was tempted to turn myself into the guards and rot in jail for the rest of my life, where people would be safe from me, but something stopped me. That something was remembering what had happened to the dragon. I knew that someone from Chrome had to be controlling it, and I was going to find out who.
A few days of investigation led me to a the home of Kelvick the Wizard. He hadn't been very good at covering his tracks, I imagine because he didn't expect anyone to be crazy enough to go after a dragon. Besides, even if they did it was unlikely they'd stop to look for a collar let alone know what it was when they found it. He was, of course, very wrong in those assumptions. I broke down his door and could already feel my anger coming on as I cornered him. When he admitted to the dead I felt my anger overflow, but rather than fighting it I embraced the power and encouraged my birthmark to blaze with flames. I thought of the dragon, forced into slavery, and I thought of Julian, dead because of my anger. I destroyed not just the wizard, but his entire house that night. As I walked away from the falling ash I made a vow that I would never lose control of my anger again.
I wrote a letter to the remaining Blades of Luck, and left it at their residence. I explained what had happened, how incredibly sorry I was, what had happened with the wizard, and that I would never again work with an adventuring group because I didn't want to cause anyone else harm. Then I left Chrome and began roaming the countryside fighting monsters all on my own. I never saw The Blades of Luck again. From time to time I'd hear of their comings and goings, but I'd always make sure I wasn't anywhere near a town when they arrived. I don't think I can ever face them, see what I've done to them. How's that for a story?
*************************
You want a story from my past? Are you sure? My stories don't contain love or bravery or happy endings like the ones the bards tell in the taverns. My stories are dark and full of blood, betrayal, sadness, and death. You really think you're up for it?
Before meeting up with this merry little band of adventures, I almost always worked alone. The singular exception to that rule was my first adventure. I had just been convinced to leave the arena and become a different type of hero, a hero for the people rather than a hero of battle. I had always wanted to do something good, to try and make sure at least someone's life would be happier than mine, but until Zanroar showed me the way I had no idea how to even begin doing good. I had built up enough of a reputation as a amazing fighter, that people were more than willing to send me out to hunt down monsters and bring back items. And lots of adventuring groups wanted me to join them. Back then it seemed like such an amazing idea. I would get to have friends, people who might actually watch my back, which was something I wasn't used to.
I met up with a small band of adventurers who called themselves The Blades of Luck. A halfling rouge (Melas), a gnome sorcerer (Trick), a human fighter (Ben), and an elf ranger (Julian). They accepted me easily into their group, actually knowing me as Riley rather than Battleaxe, my arena alias. We trained together and traveled together looking for work. We performed a few tasks here and there, and I really began to know and trust the members of my party. We eventually made it to the city of Chrome, where we landed our first big adventure. There was a rad dragon terrorizing the countryside and the city needed someone to deal with it. The peasants were too scared to farm and as a result they were crowding into the city's walls and everyone was running out of food. We accepted the quest and headed off to defeat the dragon.
The journey itself was short, but the fight against the dragon seemed to go on forever. Try as we might it seemed that nothing we did could hurt it. We were all battered and bloody by the time we took it down. While the others collected the treasure Julian and I went to examine the body of the beast. It was then that we discovered that the dragon was being controlled by a collar. It wasn't terrorizing the countryside by choice, someone was forcing it to do those things. If there is one thing I hate above all else it's slavery, I basically grew up a slave. The anger built inside of me and before I could remember that I needed to get it under control my birthmark began to burn and then my body burst into flame. I scorched the dragon's body, and Julian, who was too near to me and completely worn out from the battle, died in the blaze.
The instant I regained myself and realized what had happened, I ran. I was overwhelmed with guilt over what I had done, and I couldn't face the rest of the party, these people I considered friends, after killing one of their own. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me back to Chrome. I was tempted to turn myself into the guards and rot in jail for the rest of my life, where people would be safe from me, but something stopped me. That something was remembering what had happened to the dragon. I knew that someone from Chrome had to be controlling it, and I was going to find out who.
A few days of investigation led me to a the home of Kelvick the Wizard. He hadn't been very good at covering his tracks, I imagine because he didn't expect anyone to be crazy enough to go after a dragon. Besides, even if they did it was unlikely they'd stop to look for a collar let alone know what it was when they found it. He was, of course, very wrong in those assumptions. I broke down his door and could already feel my anger coming on as I cornered him. When he admitted to the dead I felt my anger overflow, but rather than fighting it I embraced the power and encouraged my birthmark to blaze with flames. I thought of the dragon, forced into slavery, and I thought of Julian, dead because of my anger. I destroyed not just the wizard, but his entire house that night. As I walked away from the falling ash I made a vow that I would never lose control of my anger again.
I wrote a letter to the remaining Blades of Luck, and left it at their residence. I explained what had happened, how incredibly sorry I was, what had happened with the wizard, and that I would never again work with an adventuring group because I didn't want to cause anyone else harm. Then I left Chrome and began roaming the countryside fighting monsters all on my own. I never saw The Blades of Luck again. From time to time I'd hear of their comings and goings, but I'd always make sure I wasn't anywhere near a town when they arrived. I don't think I can ever face them, see what I've done to them. How's that for a story?
Monday, May 21, 2012
May 21st
Forget current events. I'm sick of them, I don't really care, and as Zefrank is fond of saying, they aren't even current anyway; they already happened. In light of this incredible insight I've decided to turn Mondays into Miscellaneous Mondays, they day where I can feel free to write about anything I want. If I want to write more fiction, I can. If I want to do another review, I can. If I want to rant or rave or just plain blog, I can. If I want to do something totally different, I can. And if rather than sticking to a theme I just want to write 750 words that have no substance and take very little thought, I can. Feel that? That's a weight lifting off my chest as Mondays become about freedom and expression. I think I need a day like that to keep me going.
Tomorrow is my first day at Guest Services, and because of training, I won't be able to attend Dungeons and Dragons. This makes me truly sad as it is something that I look forward to every week, but the new job is important to me. As a result I won't have a campaign journal for tomorrow, so Riley will instead have to tell you about some past adventure. What that is I can't be quite sure. However, today I want to share with you what I'm emailing to my fellow adventures, so that they know what to do with my character while I'm gone.
********************************
It seems to me that the black bands that the bandits wear allow them to gain entrance to the cave, and our best bet of securing all that it holds is to infiltrate their ranks. However, I'm not sure how well they know each other and if some of us merely walk in with arm bands they might be suspicious, not to mention someone might recognize us from the battle with the cave troll. That is why I've come up with a plan of action.
I'm not the best at sneaking or lying, so giving one of the four armbands to me would be a waste. My strength, and my part in this plan, lie elsewhere. I would suggest that the armbands are given to our cleverest sneaks; Stealthlina, Foxface, and The Dread Pirate Roberts. If someone other than Milk (who is already known) wants to wear the other armband than they need to prove they can sneak in and bluff their way into the organization. Still, as I said before, walking right in isn't really an option. That's where my role in the plan comes in.
I will take my axe, build up my anger, and rush the cave alone. The ensuing chaos should allow those with the armbands to easily enter the camp and seamlessly become part of the operation. I've seen the way their leader acts, it is likely he'll keep me alive for sport. If it seems that I am to be killed, this piece of paper should be presented. It's a wanted poster that shows my likeness and offers 1,000 gold for my capture alive. Never you mind where it came from. That should convince him I'm better off breathing.
Once the sneaks have become part of the camp they can work it from the inside. I imagine within a day or two we should know enough to be able to take the camp. Then all you need is a well placed key, a simple signal, and our small fighting force should be able to take them completely unaware.
(Mallory's notes, this seemed like a plan Riley would approve of, and it gets her out of the way since she won't be involved in battle this week. Megan has told me that it's likely Rouge would go wandering off into the forest after some small creature. I think that fits with her character just as well).
************************
Hopefully they're able to make use of my strategy, but I honestly probably won't know until I join them again in a week. When that time comes I'll catch up my journal and you'll be able to find out what really happened.
Aside from getting excited for my guest service job, today was spent at home. I developed a lineup for the Wrock Event at Ascendio. Now all it needs is a name and we're good to go. I also cancelled the magazines I don't read. And I played Portal 2 with my brother. We have a lot of fun playing together and I swear that each level is a lesson in how we solve the puzzles NOT in the way they're meant to be solved. Of course that's what makes it so fun. Until tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my first day at Guest Services, and because of training, I won't be able to attend Dungeons and Dragons. This makes me truly sad as it is something that I look forward to every week, but the new job is important to me. As a result I won't have a campaign journal for tomorrow, so Riley will instead have to tell you about some past adventure. What that is I can't be quite sure. However, today I want to share with you what I'm emailing to my fellow adventures, so that they know what to do with my character while I'm gone.
********************************
It seems to me that the black bands that the bandits wear allow them to gain entrance to the cave, and our best bet of securing all that it holds is to infiltrate their ranks. However, I'm not sure how well they know each other and if some of us merely walk in with arm bands they might be suspicious, not to mention someone might recognize us from the battle with the cave troll. That is why I've come up with a plan of action.
I'm not the best at sneaking or lying, so giving one of the four armbands to me would be a waste. My strength, and my part in this plan, lie elsewhere. I would suggest that the armbands are given to our cleverest sneaks; Stealthlina, Foxface, and The Dread Pirate Roberts. If someone other than Milk (who is already known) wants to wear the other armband than they need to prove they can sneak in and bluff their way into the organization. Still, as I said before, walking right in isn't really an option. That's where my role in the plan comes in.
I will take my axe, build up my anger, and rush the cave alone. The ensuing chaos should allow those with the armbands to easily enter the camp and seamlessly become part of the operation. I've seen the way their leader acts, it is likely he'll keep me alive for sport. If it seems that I am to be killed, this piece of paper should be presented. It's a wanted poster that shows my likeness and offers 1,000 gold for my capture alive. Never you mind where it came from. That should convince him I'm better off breathing.
Once the sneaks have become part of the camp they can work it from the inside. I imagine within a day or two we should know enough to be able to take the camp. Then all you need is a well placed key, a simple signal, and our small fighting force should be able to take them completely unaware.
(Mallory's notes, this seemed like a plan Riley would approve of, and it gets her out of the way since she won't be involved in battle this week. Megan has told me that it's likely Rouge would go wandering off into the forest after some small creature. I think that fits with her character just as well).
************************
Hopefully they're able to make use of my strategy, but I honestly probably won't know until I join them again in a week. When that time comes I'll catch up my journal and you'll be able to find out what really happened.
Aside from getting excited for my guest service job, today was spent at home. I developed a lineup for the Wrock Event at Ascendio. Now all it needs is a name and we're good to go. I also cancelled the magazines I don't read. And I played Portal 2 with my brother. We have a lot of fun playing together and I swear that each level is a lesson in how we solve the puzzles NOT in the way they're meant to be solved. Of course that's what makes it so fun. Until tomorrow.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
May 20th
The elevator door opened and I stepped onto the training floor. Immediately my chest was covered in tiny red lights and I was staring down the barrels of about 40 guns. I did the only thing I could do in a situation like that, I smiled.
"Honestly, I infiltrate a secret base, take out the leader of a terrorist organization, reroute his entire bank account to a little place in the Cayman Islands, do it all in time for afternoon tea, and 40 guns in my face is supposed to scare me. Try again."
In a single seamless motion I dropped to the floor and laid out a spray of bullets from the automatic I had held behind my back. People underestimate the power of a good shot to the knees. Half of the recruits went down with me, the difference being that they weren't able to spring back up the next second and make a run for the door on the other side of the room. I know what you're thinking; running the gauntlet through 20 armed grunts sounds like suicide, and for most people it might be, but I am not most people.
I knew these recruits, each and every one of them, we'd trained together, risen through the ranks together, and been recruited together. We were close as kin, and right now I used that to my advantage. As I ran along the length of the room they were hesitant to shoot and risk hitting each other. I didn't want to shoot them either, they didn't cause this, but I wasn't at all hesitant to stay low and take out more kneecaps. The recruits would recover, and I made it out the other door without so much as a bullet graze.
Once I hit the other side of the door I engaged the bolt, ripped out the keypad, and reloaded my guns. I may have gotten past the newest recruits, but there was still a lot of distance to cover if I wanted to end this. I heard the gunfire cease behind me as they realized I'd left the room. Soon they would start taking apart the door, so it was best that I get some distance.
I sprinted down the maze like hallways. To most they might have been confusing, but I knew them well, I'd grown up here after all. I faced a few guards along the way, and took them down with ease. I knew they were just a few left over guard dogs, the main force was waiting for me on the lower levels. The lights suddenly snapped off, someone had finally alerted command that I made it through the recruits. I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips, they'd waited almost ten minutes to call command, someone didn't want to admit to him that they failed, and I couldn't blame them. Of course I was prepared for this eventuality and swung the night vision goggles down over my eyes.
The air vent was a tighter squeeze than I remembered, but it was the quickest way to get to the command center. Not only that but I knew for a fact that he didn't know where these lead. Somehow, despite all of the action movies, people still ignored the usefulness of air vents. Sure, they welded the entrances or added deadly fans every few dozen feet, but never anything I couldn't get through, and never any armed guards. I vowed that if I ever built a secret base there wouldn't be air vents. I don't care if that's completely unrealistic. Soon I could hear voices, which let me know that the command center was near, it was time to see what I was up against.
From a very tight little corner of the vent system I had a clear view of the command center. Outside of the glass window I could see around 100 agents milling about, preparing for what they expected to be a head on attack. By comparison the command center itself was deathly quiet. The computer banks glowed dimly but only four of them were manned. I recognized Gerard and Emily, his right hand man and lead tech, but where was he. My eyes ran over and over the four people in the room again and again. He had to be there.
It was at that moment I saw a movement in the glass. There was his face, staring at the agents. He was right under me, just out of my view. I was out of options, there was no way to sneak this in quietly. Time to go for broke. I took a deep breathe, grabbed my guns, and kicked. The grill hit the floor seconds before I did. Before anyone could react I'd slammed the lock down button and the steel shield slammed down, cutting the command center off from the rest of the compound. A spray of bullets took out the four people at the computer screens, and then it was just me and him.
He stared at me, surprise evident on his face. I saw him twitch, thinking about getting his gun, but both of my pistols were already trained on him, I fired a warning shot past his knee. He froze, and I waved the pistol in my right hand at him. Without a word he grabbed his gun and tossed it my way. Now he was standing before me, seemingly unarmed, but I knew better than that. I knew about the knife up his sleeve, the gun in his pant leg, and I would never underestimate the power of his fists. Lucky for me he would never have a chance to get to any of them. I answered the question he was silently asking.
"Because I found out the truth, about what you do here, about who you work for, and about what happened to my mother. There is nothing you can say. Goodbye, father."
Then I shot him.
"Honestly, I infiltrate a secret base, take out the leader of a terrorist organization, reroute his entire bank account to a little place in the Cayman Islands, do it all in time for afternoon tea, and 40 guns in my face is supposed to scare me. Try again."
In a single seamless motion I dropped to the floor and laid out a spray of bullets from the automatic I had held behind my back. People underestimate the power of a good shot to the knees. Half of the recruits went down with me, the difference being that they weren't able to spring back up the next second and make a run for the door on the other side of the room. I know what you're thinking; running the gauntlet through 20 armed grunts sounds like suicide, and for most people it might be, but I am not most people.
I knew these recruits, each and every one of them, we'd trained together, risen through the ranks together, and been recruited together. We were close as kin, and right now I used that to my advantage. As I ran along the length of the room they were hesitant to shoot and risk hitting each other. I didn't want to shoot them either, they didn't cause this, but I wasn't at all hesitant to stay low and take out more kneecaps. The recruits would recover, and I made it out the other door without so much as a bullet graze.
Once I hit the other side of the door I engaged the bolt, ripped out the keypad, and reloaded my guns. I may have gotten past the newest recruits, but there was still a lot of distance to cover if I wanted to end this. I heard the gunfire cease behind me as they realized I'd left the room. Soon they would start taking apart the door, so it was best that I get some distance.
I sprinted down the maze like hallways. To most they might have been confusing, but I knew them well, I'd grown up here after all. I faced a few guards along the way, and took them down with ease. I knew they were just a few left over guard dogs, the main force was waiting for me on the lower levels. The lights suddenly snapped off, someone had finally alerted command that I made it through the recruits. I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips, they'd waited almost ten minutes to call command, someone didn't want to admit to him that they failed, and I couldn't blame them. Of course I was prepared for this eventuality and swung the night vision goggles down over my eyes.
The air vent was a tighter squeeze than I remembered, but it was the quickest way to get to the command center. Not only that but I knew for a fact that he didn't know where these lead. Somehow, despite all of the action movies, people still ignored the usefulness of air vents. Sure, they welded the entrances or added deadly fans every few dozen feet, but never anything I couldn't get through, and never any armed guards. I vowed that if I ever built a secret base there wouldn't be air vents. I don't care if that's completely unrealistic. Soon I could hear voices, which let me know that the command center was near, it was time to see what I was up against.
From a very tight little corner of the vent system I had a clear view of the command center. Outside of the glass window I could see around 100 agents milling about, preparing for what they expected to be a head on attack. By comparison the command center itself was deathly quiet. The computer banks glowed dimly but only four of them were manned. I recognized Gerard and Emily, his right hand man and lead tech, but where was he. My eyes ran over and over the four people in the room again and again. He had to be there.
It was at that moment I saw a movement in the glass. There was his face, staring at the agents. He was right under me, just out of my view. I was out of options, there was no way to sneak this in quietly. Time to go for broke. I took a deep breathe, grabbed my guns, and kicked. The grill hit the floor seconds before I did. Before anyone could react I'd slammed the lock down button and the steel shield slammed down, cutting the command center off from the rest of the compound. A spray of bullets took out the four people at the computer screens, and then it was just me and him.
He stared at me, surprise evident on his face. I saw him twitch, thinking about getting his gun, but both of my pistols were already trained on him, I fired a warning shot past his knee. He froze, and I waved the pistol in my right hand at him. Without a word he grabbed his gun and tossed it my way. Now he was standing before me, seemingly unarmed, but I knew better than that. I knew about the knife up his sleeve, the gun in his pant leg, and I would never underestimate the power of his fists. Lucky for me he would never have a chance to get to any of them. I answered the question he was silently asking.
"Because I found out the truth, about what you do here, about who you work for, and about what happened to my mother. There is nothing you can say. Goodbye, father."
Then I shot him.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
May 19th
Usually today is reserved for raging and ranting but today I want rave about things that I love rather than rant about things that bother me. This is largely because I've been having a pretty awesome week and I don't have much to complain about. My life is blessed, so I decided to talk about that for a change. So in no particular order this will be a list of things that I happen to really like.
Apples- I eat an apple almost every single day. They're always delicious and sweet and they do a great job of waking you up in the morning, which is a bonus for someone who doesn't drink caffeine.
Dancing- I seriously dislike exercise, but when it comes to dancing I can trick my brain into thinking it's just fun. I get into a lot of the dance clubs at City Walk for free and I love to just go crazy and dance. I'm sure I look like a total idiot, but I'm always having a blast.
Orlando Summer Weather- I love the warmth, I love the sun, and I adore the sudden downpours. I sleep better when it rains, I love walking in the rain, and the rain here is always warm. Granted it's not the best thing for someone who wants to ride to work since apparently not even an apple a day can keep away the cold if you get sweaty and soaked in the rain repeatedly.
Hulu- Having the option to watch the shows I enjoy from any network whenever I feel like it is truly a blessing. With the way my life and schedule is watching shows when they air would be nearly impossible, but this way I don't miss anything.
The Internet- I could probably write an entire 750 words about how much I love the internet. For now we'll settle for just saying that I live the blessed life I have today largely due to the magic of the internet.
Ice Cream- It's not healthy, I eat way too much of it, but I don't care. There's something about the creaminess and the coldness and the incredible amount of sugar that make it completely delicious. I try and eat at least somewhat decently, but I'll never give up my ice cream.
My Nook- I can carry around 50 books in my purse, this is a BIG DEAL! It also saves me a lot of shelf space as I'm a bit of a book addict. I think I'm going to try to clean up some of my books. Maybe try and sell them to replace them with nook books. Wish there was a way to exchange them outright. My life would much easier to transport if ALL my books were digital.
Felix- You had to know that my adorable every excited kitten would make this list. Despite the annoying amount of hair he leaves behind and the tendency he has to want to sit in my lap the moment I need to stand up, I love him deeply. I'm continuously amazed and excited by the little things he does. I probably take too many pictures and film too much video, but I can't pass up a chance to document the cuteness.
My Wizards- The number of Harry Potter friends I have is quite large and I'm thankful for each and every one of them. They're an incredible group of seriously talented people and honestly some of the nicest people I've ever met. Even though a bunch of us only see each other once a year it always seems like no time has passed. Even if we haven't spoken in months as soon as we get together we're just as close as we always were.
Harry Potter- The books, the movies, the websites, the fanfiction, the music, and every aspect of the fandom. Every time I turn around there is something wonderful and new happening. The books have taught me so much about bravery and friendship and the value of an amazing mother. The fandom has taught me about kindness and brought me more friends than I ever thought I would have.
Allegra- This little allergy pill became nonprescription in March 2011, I started taking it in June, and have been largely symptom free ever since. I used to live my life with sniffles and an itchy nose and eyes, but things have been WAY better since Allegra. If you have allergies I at least recommend that you try it out.
There are more things that I love, but for today that's enough raving.
Apples- I eat an apple almost every single day. They're always delicious and sweet and they do a great job of waking you up in the morning, which is a bonus for someone who doesn't drink caffeine.
Dancing- I seriously dislike exercise, but when it comes to dancing I can trick my brain into thinking it's just fun. I get into a lot of the dance clubs at City Walk for free and I love to just go crazy and dance. I'm sure I look like a total idiot, but I'm always having a blast.
Orlando Summer Weather- I love the warmth, I love the sun, and I adore the sudden downpours. I sleep better when it rains, I love walking in the rain, and the rain here is always warm. Granted it's not the best thing for someone who wants to ride to work since apparently not even an apple a day can keep away the cold if you get sweaty and soaked in the rain repeatedly.
Hulu- Having the option to watch the shows I enjoy from any network whenever I feel like it is truly a blessing. With the way my life and schedule is watching shows when they air would be nearly impossible, but this way I don't miss anything.
The Internet- I could probably write an entire 750 words about how much I love the internet. For now we'll settle for just saying that I live the blessed life I have today largely due to the magic of the internet.
Ice Cream- It's not healthy, I eat way too much of it, but I don't care. There's something about the creaminess and the coldness and the incredible amount of sugar that make it completely delicious. I try and eat at least somewhat decently, but I'll never give up my ice cream.
My Nook- I can carry around 50 books in my purse, this is a BIG DEAL! It also saves me a lot of shelf space as I'm a bit of a book addict. I think I'm going to try to clean up some of my books. Maybe try and sell them to replace them with nook books. Wish there was a way to exchange them outright. My life would much easier to transport if ALL my books were digital.
Felix- You had to know that my adorable every excited kitten would make this list. Despite the annoying amount of hair he leaves behind and the tendency he has to want to sit in my lap the moment I need to stand up, I love him deeply. I'm continuously amazed and excited by the little things he does. I probably take too many pictures and film too much video, but I can't pass up a chance to document the cuteness.
My Wizards- The number of Harry Potter friends I have is quite large and I'm thankful for each and every one of them. They're an incredible group of seriously talented people and honestly some of the nicest people I've ever met. Even though a bunch of us only see each other once a year it always seems like no time has passed. Even if we haven't spoken in months as soon as we get together we're just as close as we always were.
Harry Potter- The books, the movies, the websites, the fanfiction, the music, and every aspect of the fandom. Every time I turn around there is something wonderful and new happening. The books have taught me so much about bravery and friendship and the value of an amazing mother. The fandom has taught me about kindness and brought me more friends than I ever thought I would have.
Allegra- This little allergy pill became nonprescription in March 2011, I started taking it in June, and have been largely symptom free ever since. I used to live my life with sniffles and an itchy nose and eyes, but things have been WAY better since Allegra. If you have allergies I at least recommend that you try it out.
There are more things that I love, but for today that's enough raving.
Friday, May 18, 2012
May 18th
Today I worked, and I picked up some more shifts at Mummy to supplement the hours of training I have at Guest Services. That means I still have 5 days scheduled at Mummy (including tomorrow). We'll just have to wait and see if that continues. I'm super excited to start my new job, but that's not what today is supposed to be about, today is about reviews.
Today I want to discuss my newest favorite TV show, which just finished it's first season, Once Upon a Time. The show airs on ABC and just got confirmed for a second season, which makes me incredibly excited. When this season started I decided to watch at least one episode of each new show. A lot of them fell on the wayside, but Once Upon A Time continually surprised me and kept me going back every single week.
WARNING!!! There might be spoilers
The show is a bit of a fairy tale retelling, a genre I've always been obsessed with in any form (TV, books, movies, comics). The evil queen from Snow White is the main evil force in the show. In the world of fairy tales she ruled with magic and an iron fist, but she was disliked and fought by Snow White and Prince Charming. Eventually it seems she was defeated and relegated to the underworld. It was there, with the help of Rumpelstiltskin, that she came up with a spell to destroy the people that hurt her. The spell comes to fruition just as Snow is about to give birth, and the daughter she is going to have is the only one who can break the curse. Of course Snow and Charming come up with a way to protect their child so that someday she can break the curse.
Fast forward about 30 years. Emma, a woman in the real world, answers the door to her apartment to find a young boy named Henry standing there. He informs her that he's the son she gave up for adoption ten years ago and now he needs her help. He lives in a town called Storybrooke in Maine, with his adoptive mother, Regina. Henry informs Emma that the town is populated by fairy tale characters under a curse. He says that Regina is the evil queen and Emma is the daughter of Snow White. He begs her to come to Storybrooke because she is the only one who can defeat Regina, break the curse, and let everyone return to their true home in the fairy tale land.
As you can imagine Emma doesn't really believe Henry, but she does decide that she wants to know him. She goes to Storybrooke first to give Henry back to Regina, but after arriving she begins to feel an attachment to the people in the town, and decides to stay. It turns out that none of the people in the town remember who they actually are, except the evil queen Regina and Mr. Gold (Rumpelstiltskin). Henry has a story book that tells him the true story of their lives, and he uses it to try and convince Emma that she needs to break the curse.
Every episode of the show combines a story happening to Emma in the real world with the back story of one of the fairy tale characters back in the fairy tale world. Mostly everyone's story relates to Regina, Snow, Charming or Rumpelstiltskin. And each glance back into the fairy tale world reveals more of what makes the characters who they are and how they reached the point where Regina decided to exile them all to our world.
What intrigues me about this show is how they've woven all of these fairy tale characters together. From Snow to Midas to Belle to The Mad Hatter to Pinocchio to Red Riding Hood, everyone exists together and they interact with each other. Of course they've added a lot of other characters (mostly kings) to round out the story, but largely every character is recognizable. What makes the interactions awesome is the brilliant crossovers that are created. Rumpelstiltskin is Belle's beast, Red Riding Hood is the wolf, Grumpy is in love with a fairy, and Charming was supposed to marry Midas's daughter. The story is complex and discovering each new twist and turn always excites me.
If you are a lover of fairy tales now is a good time for you to turn on the TV or go to the movies or pick up a boos, because they're making a comeback everywhere. Once Upon A Time is one of those comebacks, and it's absolutely one that is completely worth checking out.
Today I want to discuss my newest favorite TV show, which just finished it's first season, Once Upon a Time. The show airs on ABC and just got confirmed for a second season, which makes me incredibly excited. When this season started I decided to watch at least one episode of each new show. A lot of them fell on the wayside, but Once Upon A Time continually surprised me and kept me going back every single week.
WARNING!!! There might be spoilers
The show is a bit of a fairy tale retelling, a genre I've always been obsessed with in any form (TV, books, movies, comics). The evil queen from Snow White is the main evil force in the show. In the world of fairy tales she ruled with magic and an iron fist, but she was disliked and fought by Snow White and Prince Charming. Eventually it seems she was defeated and relegated to the underworld. It was there, with the help of Rumpelstiltskin, that she came up with a spell to destroy the people that hurt her. The spell comes to fruition just as Snow is about to give birth, and the daughter she is going to have is the only one who can break the curse. Of course Snow and Charming come up with a way to protect their child so that someday she can break the curse.
Fast forward about 30 years. Emma, a woman in the real world, answers the door to her apartment to find a young boy named Henry standing there. He informs her that he's the son she gave up for adoption ten years ago and now he needs her help. He lives in a town called Storybrooke in Maine, with his adoptive mother, Regina. Henry informs Emma that the town is populated by fairy tale characters under a curse. He says that Regina is the evil queen and Emma is the daughter of Snow White. He begs her to come to Storybrooke because she is the only one who can defeat Regina, break the curse, and let everyone return to their true home in the fairy tale land.
As you can imagine Emma doesn't really believe Henry, but she does decide that she wants to know him. She goes to Storybrooke first to give Henry back to Regina, but after arriving she begins to feel an attachment to the people in the town, and decides to stay. It turns out that none of the people in the town remember who they actually are, except the evil queen Regina and Mr. Gold (Rumpelstiltskin). Henry has a story book that tells him the true story of their lives, and he uses it to try and convince Emma that she needs to break the curse.
Every episode of the show combines a story happening to Emma in the real world with the back story of one of the fairy tale characters back in the fairy tale world. Mostly everyone's story relates to Regina, Snow, Charming or Rumpelstiltskin. And each glance back into the fairy tale world reveals more of what makes the characters who they are and how they reached the point where Regina decided to exile them all to our world.
What intrigues me about this show is how they've woven all of these fairy tale characters together. From Snow to Midas to Belle to The Mad Hatter to Pinocchio to Red Riding Hood, everyone exists together and they interact with each other. Of course they've added a lot of other characters (mostly kings) to round out the story, but largely every character is recognizable. What makes the interactions awesome is the brilliant crossovers that are created. Rumpelstiltskin is Belle's beast, Red Riding Hood is the wolf, Grumpy is in love with a fairy, and Charming was supposed to marry Midas's daughter. The story is complex and discovering each new twist and turn always excites me.
If you are a lover of fairy tales now is a good time for you to turn on the TV or go to the movies or pick up a boos, because they're making a comeback everywhere. Once Upon A Time is one of those comebacks, and it's absolutely one that is completely worth checking out.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
May 17th
Jamie stretched her arms above her head and yawned. The sun filtered through the gap in the curtains and illuminated a strip of her burgundy wall paper. She pushed over the jet black comforter and stepped gingerly onto the midnight carpet, carefully avoiding
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the piles of books, CDs, and clothes. She knew her mother would cry if she saw the state of Jamie's room, but it's not like that was very likely. After all, the mother who is sleeping around with half of her coworkers doesn't really spend much time at home with her husband and two children. Jamie knocked over a few piles of things just for effect before opening the door to the bathroom she shared with her younger sister.
In sharp contrast to the dimness of Jamie's room, the bathroom was bright and full of light. The tub, toilet, and sink were powder blue and there were enough lights in this one room to light the entire two story house. Sammy was already in front of the mirror, dressed in an adorable pink bubble dress, hair perfectly curled, and makeup flawless. Jamie honestly wasn't sure what she could possibly be looking in the mirror for, she was already perfect. Sammy looked up at her as she came through the door.
"Only an hour before we have to be at school, Jamie. Don't you think you should put on something other than pajamas." Sammy said as she added a ribbon to her curls. Jamie glared at her.
"Out." Sammy made a face but quickly left the bathroom. Jamie jumped in the shower. When she got back to her room, feeling slightly more alive, she found Sammy sitting on her bed holding out a cup of coffee.
"You know that she's coming back right? Dad didn't mean it when he kicked her out last night. He still loves her." Sammy said as she handed over the cup. Jamie said nothing as she sipped and put on a pair of jeans and a ripped black tshirt.
"He may love her, but it's obvious that she doesn't love him. If he wants her back he's an idiot. You're an idiot too. We're all idiots for wanting someone in our lives who doesn't actually give a shit about us." Jamie kicked over a few more piles of books while Sammy pulled at invisible threads on her skirt.
"That's not true. She loves us. She's just not sure what she wants right now. She'll be back." Jamie turned to argue, but one look at Sammy's face changed her mind. She sat down on the bed and put her arm around her little sister.
"You're right, Sammy. I'm just being stupid because I'm sad. I know she'll come back. She loves you, and she would never leave you. Just give her some time." The lies felt sour in Jamie's mouth. She knew full and well that her mother wasn't coming back, she'd known for weeks. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to tell her sister the truth, Sammy was too loving to understand. "Now let's go eat some breakfast."
Dad was waiting for them downstairs with toast, eggs, and bacon already on the table. Jamie returned his tired smile and gave him a one armed hug as she poured herself a glass of orange juice. She waited until Sammy was engrossed in texting someone on her phone before pulling her dad into the kitchen.
"You have to tell Sammy she isn't coming back." Jamie whispered. "You can't let her hold on to false hope like this."
"She still might come back, she's come back before." Dad whispered back, and Jamie took a deep breath to calm herself. She turned away from her father and sat at the table across from Sammy. They ate in silence with Sammy glued to her phone making after school plans with her friends. Jamie waited until Sammy was finished with breakfast and sent her out to the car, saying she would join once the dishes were put away. As soon as the door closed behind her sister Jamie rounded on her father.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Mom is cheating on you, she's sleeping with those men at her office. She left because she DOESN'T love you, and she's NOT coming back. I don't understand why you can't get that through your head. She won't be home tonight or tomorrow or the next day and eventually you and Sammy need to face that. It's better if you dealt with it sooner rather than later. She's a cheating bitch and you need to forget about her." Jamie's father just stared at her with his mouth hanging open, but Jamie didn't wait for him to come up with a response.
"Just throw out her stuff and tell Sammy it's over. Tonight." With those words Jamie grabbed her backpack and walked out the door.
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the piles of books, CDs, and clothes. She knew her mother would cry if she saw the state of Jamie's room, but it's not like that was very likely. After all, the mother who is sleeping around with half of her coworkers doesn't really spend much time at home with her husband and two children. Jamie knocked over a few piles of things just for effect before opening the door to the bathroom she shared with her younger sister.
In sharp contrast to the dimness of Jamie's room, the bathroom was bright and full of light. The tub, toilet, and sink were powder blue and there were enough lights in this one room to light the entire two story house. Sammy was already in front of the mirror, dressed in an adorable pink bubble dress, hair perfectly curled, and makeup flawless. Jamie honestly wasn't sure what she could possibly be looking in the mirror for, she was already perfect. Sammy looked up at her as she came through the door.
"Only an hour before we have to be at school, Jamie. Don't you think you should put on something other than pajamas." Sammy said as she added a ribbon to her curls. Jamie glared at her.
"Out." Sammy made a face but quickly left the bathroom. Jamie jumped in the shower. When she got back to her room, feeling slightly more alive, she found Sammy sitting on her bed holding out a cup of coffee.
"You know that she's coming back right? Dad didn't mean it when he kicked her out last night. He still loves her." Sammy said as she handed over the cup. Jamie said nothing as she sipped and put on a pair of jeans and a ripped black tshirt.
"He may love her, but it's obvious that she doesn't love him. If he wants her back he's an idiot. You're an idiot too. We're all idiots for wanting someone in our lives who doesn't actually give a shit about us." Jamie kicked over a few more piles of books while Sammy pulled at invisible threads on her skirt.
"That's not true. She loves us. She's just not sure what she wants right now. She'll be back." Jamie turned to argue, but one look at Sammy's face changed her mind. She sat down on the bed and put her arm around her little sister.
"You're right, Sammy. I'm just being stupid because I'm sad. I know she'll come back. She loves you, and she would never leave you. Just give her some time." The lies felt sour in Jamie's mouth. She knew full and well that her mother wasn't coming back, she'd known for weeks. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to tell her sister the truth, Sammy was too loving to understand. "Now let's go eat some breakfast."
Dad was waiting for them downstairs with toast, eggs, and bacon already on the table. Jamie returned his tired smile and gave him a one armed hug as she poured herself a glass of orange juice. She waited until Sammy was engrossed in texting someone on her phone before pulling her dad into the kitchen.
"You have to tell Sammy she isn't coming back." Jamie whispered. "You can't let her hold on to false hope like this."
"She still might come back, she's come back before." Dad whispered back, and Jamie took a deep breath to calm herself. She turned away from her father and sat at the table across from Sammy. They ate in silence with Sammy glued to her phone making after school plans with her friends. Jamie waited until Sammy was finished with breakfast and sent her out to the car, saying she would join once the dishes were put away. As soon as the door closed behind her sister Jamie rounded on her father.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Mom is cheating on you, she's sleeping with those men at her office. She left because she DOESN'T love you, and she's NOT coming back. I don't understand why you can't get that through your head. She won't be home tonight or tomorrow or the next day and eventually you and Sammy need to face that. It's better if you dealt with it sooner rather than later. She's a cheating bitch and you need to forget about her." Jamie's father just stared at her with his mouth hanging open, but Jamie didn't wait for him to come up with a response.
"Just throw out her stuff and tell Sammy it's over. Tonight." With those words Jamie grabbed her backpack and walked out the door.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
May 16th
Today I worked all morning. It went pretty quickly and the days to starting my new job are quickly counting down. My last official day at Revenge of the Mummy is Sunday, although I'll likely pick up shifts for awhile to supplement the hours I get at guest services. I'm really going to miss the people I work with at Mummy so it will be nice to spend a day a week or so there visiting. Plus I think that working outside of attractions will mean I'll want to play in the park a bit more after/before my shifts. I'll have to wait and see.
After work I went to Magic Kingdom (one of the parks in Disney World), and had a blast just playing around. I played some Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom, which is a fantastic interactive card game that Disney created. It involves getting a key card and 5 spell cards and then walking around to different stations throughout the park and activating these screens. Once you activate the screen with your key card you hold up spell cards when prompted, they are read by cameras, and then the spell transfers to the screen. You duel Disney villains as you try to keep them from collecting the crystals of the Magic Kingdom for Hades, who wants to gain control of the park. Every day you can take your key card back to the recruitment center and get a pack of 5 more spell cards. There are 70 spell cards in the first set (10 of which are almost impossible to get). The game is brilliantly executed, fun for all ages, and completely free. It's got strategy at higher levels and it encourages people to interact so they can trade cards. I'm incredibly impressed with what Disney has created with this game.
I also managed to ride a few rides while I was at the park, and then something really neat happened. As I was leaving the park I noticed the girl in front of me was holding a box painted like the TARDIS. Since I'm the type of person who likes to talk to strangers (not recommend to younger readers), I asked her what the box was. She explained that she made it to carry egg babies for a class project. I told her that I thought that was cool, but what I really like was that it was a TARDIS. That's when things got awesome. She and the group of friends she was with hadn't ever met another Whovian and they got very excited! Turned out that the egg babies were dressed up like Eleven, Amy, and Rory. We discussed excitement for the new season, our favorite Doctor, the best episodes, and Chameleon Circuit (a Trock band), which lead us to briefly talking about YouTubers we like. When we finally got back to the parking lot I took a picture with the girls before we split ways. It was just a ton of fun to meet them and it made the end of my day incredibly pleasant. It just goes to show that sometimes all you have to do to meet amazing people is ask a stranger a question.
After leaving the park I came home, made some dinner, watched Bones, and now I'm watching some YouTube as I write this. Tomorrow I plan to get up early and made a video before I have to go to work. I also need to work on some of my other goals because I'm halfway through the month now, and I'm not halfway through my goals. Which reminds me, I should probably do an update here.
1) Write 750 words a day (so far so good, I'm sure I'll make this one)
2) Make 2 videos for channel (one is done and I'm making one tomorrow)
3) Read a book (working on it, slowly)
4) Save $200 (the new job should help with this)
5) Write Wrockbox Show (that's what next week's days off are for)
6) Finalize ALL Ascendio scheduling (I'm only a Wrock lineup away)
7) Make shot list for 3 music videos (I'll get on this, it's been on hold for a bit)
8) Read or cancel all Magazine subscriptions (working on it)
9) Spend less than $300 on credit card (FAILED. Stuff adds up)
10) Clean out living space (have cleaned up a lot, still working on it)
Looks like I could manage nine of my goals this month, which means more rewards. Until tomorrow.
After work I went to Magic Kingdom (one of the parks in Disney World), and had a blast just playing around. I played some Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom, which is a fantastic interactive card game that Disney created. It involves getting a key card and 5 spell cards and then walking around to different stations throughout the park and activating these screens. Once you activate the screen with your key card you hold up spell cards when prompted, they are read by cameras, and then the spell transfers to the screen. You duel Disney villains as you try to keep them from collecting the crystals of the Magic Kingdom for Hades, who wants to gain control of the park. Every day you can take your key card back to the recruitment center and get a pack of 5 more spell cards. There are 70 spell cards in the first set (10 of which are almost impossible to get). The game is brilliantly executed, fun for all ages, and completely free. It's got strategy at higher levels and it encourages people to interact so they can trade cards. I'm incredibly impressed with what Disney has created with this game.
I also managed to ride a few rides while I was at the park, and then something really neat happened. As I was leaving the park I noticed the girl in front of me was holding a box painted like the TARDIS. Since I'm the type of person who likes to talk to strangers (not recommend to younger readers), I asked her what the box was. She explained that she made it to carry egg babies for a class project. I told her that I thought that was cool, but what I really like was that it was a TARDIS. That's when things got awesome. She and the group of friends she was with hadn't ever met another Whovian and they got very excited! Turned out that the egg babies were dressed up like Eleven, Amy, and Rory. We discussed excitement for the new season, our favorite Doctor, the best episodes, and Chameleon Circuit (a Trock band), which lead us to briefly talking about YouTubers we like. When we finally got back to the parking lot I took a picture with the girls before we split ways. It was just a ton of fun to meet them and it made the end of my day incredibly pleasant. It just goes to show that sometimes all you have to do to meet amazing people is ask a stranger a question.
After leaving the park I came home, made some dinner, watched Bones, and now I'm watching some YouTube as I write this. Tomorrow I plan to get up early and made a video before I have to go to work. I also need to work on some of my other goals because I'm halfway through the month now, and I'm not halfway through my goals. Which reminds me, I should probably do an update here.
1) Write 750 words a day (so far so good, I'm sure I'll make this one)
2) Make 2 videos for channel (one is done and I'm making one tomorrow)
3) Read a book (working on it, slowly)
4) Save $200 (the new job should help with this)
5) Write Wrockbox Show (that's what next week's days off are for)
6) Finalize ALL Ascendio scheduling (I'm only a Wrock lineup away)
7) Make shot list for 3 music videos (I'll get on this, it's been on hold for a bit)
8) Read or cancel all Magazine subscriptions (working on it)
9) Spend less than $300 on credit card (FAILED. Stuff adds up)
10) Clean out living space (have cleaned up a lot, still working on it)
Looks like I could manage nine of my goals this month, which means more rewards. Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
May 15th
The cave troll seemed to believe the illusion well enough and the fire is just as effective as I imagined it would be. Cave trolls can recover from most kinds of damage, fire is not one of those. Of course my triumph only lasted a few short seconds before the bandits tried to stick me full of arrows. Not that it had the crippling effect they expected it to, I'm made of tougher stuff than that. Ariella and Endra quickly realized that the cave troll was being controlled via a collar and made short work of pointing out the hiding place of the controller. Knowing that the cave troll's actions were completely out of it's control awoke an anger inside of me and before I really understood what was happening my birthmark began to burn and then erupted into a burst of fire.
This has happened to me before, always driven by a incredible feeling of anger. That's why I try and work to keep my anger under control, it's why I try and stay stoic, it's why I work alone. Luckily, I believe the rest of the party thought I was casting a conscious spell, which is a good thing. If they knew the truth, if they knew about my first night in the arena or the adventure with Julian or the kitten I had as a child, they probably wouldn't be so happy to work with me then.
The others began their attacks shortly after and we began to wear down the cave troll and eliminate the weaker bandits. Foxface manages to escape Rouge, who has been intent on holding onto him or his tail at all times, Ariella and Endra try and take out the bandit leader and Shallahai sends her spirit bear Fluffy after the cave troll. The troll responds by picking up the bear and hurling him at the Dread Pirate Roberts. Both sustain damage and the bear disappears in a puff of smoke. Shallahai cries out in pain but continues on, determined to avenge her friend. Our old companion Garr comes running in, having finished the task that was holding him back sooner than expected. As soon as Skylara sees him she tells us that her mission is complete and turns back towards the temple. Typical Paladin, all high and mighty until they're actually needed and then suddenly nowhere to be found. Rouge finally raised a weapon against an enemy instead of a fuzzy creature and managed to freeze the troll in his tracks.
Lily turned into a wolf and killed one of the weaker bandits. The sight of a werewolf must have shaken the bandits because the next thing I knew they'd abandoned their hiding places and run off down the road. The others moved in on the cave troll but I knew he wasn't in charge of himself and I took off after the bandit. I knew it was probably wrong to leave my party to defend for themselves, but the anger had taken over and my feet moved without the consent of my heart or mind. I could only hope that the party could handle the troll on their own, and besides when I'm like this they might be safer without me there.
I would later discover that they banded together nicely and Milk managed to take the troll down with an incredibly accurate crossbow bolt. Although trolls can regenerate, before this troll could manage that the Dread Pirate Roberts did the most disturbing thing he's managed to date. He leaned over the troll raised his hand and a blue smokey light floated from the troll and into one of the seven jewels on his helm. After this strange ritual is finished the troll's regeneration ceases completely. I've decided I don't want him anywhere near me when I die. When the battle finishes a few of them followed after me, some hunted rabbits, and some just wanted to loot the troll.
As I followed the bandit leader his crown began to fall apart, the first sign that my group had been victorious with the cave troll. I was able to track him back to his lair, the cave troll's cave, and what I found convinced even my anger filled mind that entering was the wrong idea. The cave was filled with the riches of hundreds of caravans, roughly 20 bandits, three bandit captains, and a leader that made the crowned bandit I followed in seem like a lowly minion. I notice that they all wear a black armband that they present upon reaching the entry of the cave. It bears a symbol that seems to allow them entrance without any questions. The other group members catch up to me and I explain the situation to them.
As we are planning and scheming an attack we notice that Milk has not joined us. That's when we see him dragged up to the cave by four bandits. The leader questions him but that halfling has a silver tongue and managed to talk them down from imprisonment and torture to a day long walk in the woods that would guarantee he couldn't find his way back to the cave. Shortly after the four bandits walked him away Foxface decided to follow and rescue him. It would be an easy way to acquire four arm bands from bandits that won't be missed for two days. Rouge begs to go as well but we vote that one has a better chance of making it through undetected. Naturally she goes ahead and follows against everyone's wishes. She has too great of a love for the small creatures to keep still when they're in danger.
Foxface, Rouge, and Milk made short silent work of the four bandits and soon returned with the four arm bands. Now it was time to watch, wait, and make a plan of attack. I figure that the night is the best time for an attack, which gives us just a few hours for a plan.
******************************
And that's where we ended for the night.
This has happened to me before, always driven by a incredible feeling of anger. That's why I try and work to keep my anger under control, it's why I try and stay stoic, it's why I work alone. Luckily, I believe the rest of the party thought I was casting a conscious spell, which is a good thing. If they knew the truth, if they knew about my first night in the arena or the adventure with Julian or the kitten I had as a child, they probably wouldn't be so happy to work with me then.
The others began their attacks shortly after and we began to wear down the cave troll and eliminate the weaker bandits. Foxface manages to escape Rouge, who has been intent on holding onto him or his tail at all times, Ariella and Endra try and take out the bandit leader and Shallahai sends her spirit bear Fluffy after the cave troll. The troll responds by picking up the bear and hurling him at the Dread Pirate Roberts. Both sustain damage and the bear disappears in a puff of smoke. Shallahai cries out in pain but continues on, determined to avenge her friend. Our old companion Garr comes running in, having finished the task that was holding him back sooner than expected. As soon as Skylara sees him she tells us that her mission is complete and turns back towards the temple. Typical Paladin, all high and mighty until they're actually needed and then suddenly nowhere to be found. Rouge finally raised a weapon against an enemy instead of a fuzzy creature and managed to freeze the troll in his tracks.
Lily turned into a wolf and killed one of the weaker bandits. The sight of a werewolf must have shaken the bandits because the next thing I knew they'd abandoned their hiding places and run off down the road. The others moved in on the cave troll but I knew he wasn't in charge of himself and I took off after the bandit. I knew it was probably wrong to leave my party to defend for themselves, but the anger had taken over and my feet moved without the consent of my heart or mind. I could only hope that the party could handle the troll on their own, and besides when I'm like this they might be safer without me there.
I would later discover that they banded together nicely and Milk managed to take the troll down with an incredibly accurate crossbow bolt. Although trolls can regenerate, before this troll could manage that the Dread Pirate Roberts did the most disturbing thing he's managed to date. He leaned over the troll raised his hand and a blue smokey light floated from the troll and into one of the seven jewels on his helm. After this strange ritual is finished the troll's regeneration ceases completely. I've decided I don't want him anywhere near me when I die. When the battle finishes a few of them followed after me, some hunted rabbits, and some just wanted to loot the troll.
As I followed the bandit leader his crown began to fall apart, the first sign that my group had been victorious with the cave troll. I was able to track him back to his lair, the cave troll's cave, and what I found convinced even my anger filled mind that entering was the wrong idea. The cave was filled with the riches of hundreds of caravans, roughly 20 bandits, three bandit captains, and a leader that made the crowned bandit I followed in seem like a lowly minion. I notice that they all wear a black armband that they present upon reaching the entry of the cave. It bears a symbol that seems to allow them entrance without any questions. The other group members catch up to me and I explain the situation to them.
As we are planning and scheming an attack we notice that Milk has not joined us. That's when we see him dragged up to the cave by four bandits. The leader questions him but that halfling has a silver tongue and managed to talk them down from imprisonment and torture to a day long walk in the woods that would guarantee he couldn't find his way back to the cave. Shortly after the four bandits walked him away Foxface decided to follow and rescue him. It would be an easy way to acquire four arm bands from bandits that won't be missed for two days. Rouge begs to go as well but we vote that one has a better chance of making it through undetected. Naturally she goes ahead and follows against everyone's wishes. She has too great of a love for the small creatures to keep still when they're in danger.
Foxface, Rouge, and Milk made short silent work of the four bandits and soon returned with the four arm bands. Now it was time to watch, wait, and make a plan of attack. I figure that the night is the best time for an attack, which gives us just a few hours for a plan.
******************************
And that's where we ended for the night.
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 14th
Today I did the laundry, vacuumed my room, my bathroom, the living room, and the kitchen, did the dishes, cleaned the stove top, washed the kitchen counters, took out the trash, and worked on Ascendio. All in all a very productive day off from work. Now it's time for me to write 750 words and Monday is supposed to be current events.
Of course I know basically nothing about current events, cause I'm too busy doing things like laundry. So instead of discussing what Republican candidates have dropped out of the race or which campaign groups are currently bashing each other or Syrian soldiers dying in Lebanon or the drama on Dancing with the Stars or the downfall of Yahoo or SpaceX launching their Dragon capsule up to the ISS. Not that those aren't all fascinating topics, I'm just not really in the mood to discuss any of them because I feel that I don't have fully formed thoughts to offer.
So instead I would like to actually just spend a bit of time just writing whatever pops into my head. Like traveling back in time to April where this blog was rambling and unedited (not that it's terribly edited now). I was speaking to my friend Alissa today about why I do this. She's an artist (of the making super amazing drawings variety) and was telling me that she tries to draw something every day because in order to keep improving she needs to practice. Personally I think that her art is already incredible and there isn't much farther to go, but I understand the principal of the idea. That's why I'm writing the 750 words a day, to practice. Obviously this type of thoughts on paper writing is different than what I might want to do with my life, but practice is practice, and letting go of my inner editor so that I can actually compose something is a skill I can learn with any subject matter.
The other thing I've been thinking about is how much fun I had writing that short scene yesterday. I've discovered that I'm quite inspired by the character art I find on the internet, and I want to continue to write from those pictures. Pinterest has actually become a wonderful tool for me to store up the pictures I find inspiring so that I can pull them out easily to write. AND it saves the location of the art so that if I write something I'm especially proud of I can send it to the artist and share my creativity. Plus, if I come up with a character that I love, I can hunt down some of those artists to illustrate them for me. It has the potential to help me build a pretty incredible community.
The apartment issue is also still weighing heavily on my mind is deciding where I will be living in July. We no longer have a fourth decided roommate, which means that we might not move. That is actually an outcome I'm completely fine with. I'll probably end up switching rooms so that I'm no longer in the master bedroom, which is enough of a move to give me a chance to start fresh. The bummer is that now Sara seems pretty set on moving to a different apartment but we don't have anyone to move with. I'm not sure I want to look for anyone else anymore. I'm happy with who I live with, my rent will go down, and I don't mind switching rooms because it will give me a chance to clean out my room and get rid of the stuff that I brought with me for whatever reason but haven't paid any attention to since. I actually enjoy spring cleaning, reorganizing my living space. Moving on the other hand I find a bit more stressful. Not the physical movement of my stuff but all the address change that goes along with it. Still, I'm open to most anything and if Sara finds someone she wants to live with then I'm willing to take the leap.
I've also had some time to think about the way my life is and what I want to change about it. I think that I need to write out some rules about eating and exercise and creative pursuits and see if I can get into a schedule that will keep me on top of everything with out burning me out. I think that switching jobs will help with that because the increase in pay will mean that the less hours working won't be as stressful and I'll have more time to pursue other things. Now I just have to make an executive decision on what those other things will be.
Of course I know basically nothing about current events, cause I'm too busy doing things like laundry. So instead of discussing what Republican candidates have dropped out of the race or which campaign groups are currently bashing each other or Syrian soldiers dying in Lebanon or the drama on Dancing with the Stars or the downfall of Yahoo or SpaceX launching their Dragon capsule up to the ISS. Not that those aren't all fascinating topics, I'm just not really in the mood to discuss any of them because I feel that I don't have fully formed thoughts to offer.
So instead I would like to actually just spend a bit of time just writing whatever pops into my head. Like traveling back in time to April where this blog was rambling and unedited (not that it's terribly edited now). I was speaking to my friend Alissa today about why I do this. She's an artist (of the making super amazing drawings variety) and was telling me that she tries to draw something every day because in order to keep improving she needs to practice. Personally I think that her art is already incredible and there isn't much farther to go, but I understand the principal of the idea. That's why I'm writing the 750 words a day, to practice. Obviously this type of thoughts on paper writing is different than what I might want to do with my life, but practice is practice, and letting go of my inner editor so that I can actually compose something is a skill I can learn with any subject matter.
The other thing I've been thinking about is how much fun I had writing that short scene yesterday. I've discovered that I'm quite inspired by the character art I find on the internet, and I want to continue to write from those pictures. Pinterest has actually become a wonderful tool for me to store up the pictures I find inspiring so that I can pull them out easily to write. AND it saves the location of the art so that if I write something I'm especially proud of I can send it to the artist and share my creativity. Plus, if I come up with a character that I love, I can hunt down some of those artists to illustrate them for me. It has the potential to help me build a pretty incredible community.
The apartment issue is also still weighing heavily on my mind is deciding where I will be living in July. We no longer have a fourth decided roommate, which means that we might not move. That is actually an outcome I'm completely fine with. I'll probably end up switching rooms so that I'm no longer in the master bedroom, which is enough of a move to give me a chance to start fresh. The bummer is that now Sara seems pretty set on moving to a different apartment but we don't have anyone to move with. I'm not sure I want to look for anyone else anymore. I'm happy with who I live with, my rent will go down, and I don't mind switching rooms because it will give me a chance to clean out my room and get rid of the stuff that I brought with me for whatever reason but haven't paid any attention to since. I actually enjoy spring cleaning, reorganizing my living space. Moving on the other hand I find a bit more stressful. Not the physical movement of my stuff but all the address change that goes along with it. Still, I'm open to most anything and if Sara finds someone she wants to live with then I'm willing to take the leap.
I've also had some time to think about the way my life is and what I want to change about it. I think that I need to write out some rules about eating and exercise and creative pursuits and see if I can get into a schedule that will keep me on top of everything with out burning me out. I think that switching jobs will help with that because the increase in pay will mean that the less hours working won't be as stressful and I'll have more time to pursue other things. Now I just have to make an executive decision on what those other things will be.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 13th
Happy Mother's Day! Did you talk to your mom today?
It's also short fiction day. I decided to take one of the random pictures I pinned on Pinterest and write a short story for that character. Here is the picture I chose.
I found the image on conceptart.org, created by the talented drawnblud, who you can see more work from here.
*****************************************
Jenny took a deep breath and peered over the edge of the building, four floors down to the window washing lift or thirty feet over to the neighboring roof. Footsteps pounded behind her and Jenny turned to see four Agency goons burst through the door onto the roof. A glance back over the edge showed the lift moving rapidly away. Damn, they're getting better at this, Jenny thought. She turned and ran at the goons. The surprise had just registered on their faces when Jenny spun on a dime and sprinted towards the edge.
"What's she doing?" One of the goons shouted.
"I think she's going over."
"Is she insane? That's suicide." The goons upped their speed but Jenny knew that they were going to be too slow. The edge was approaching, 50 feet, 20, 10, 5. Jenny coiled her legs and propelled herself into the space between buildings. The seconds she was airborne lengthened into hours and Jenny held her breath and prayed that the other building would appear beneath her feet. The skittering of gravel echoed behind her as the goons stopped shot behind her, none of them were crazy enough to follow.
"I knew they called her Jumper, but I didn't know she was that crazy."
"She'll never make it, this will be an easy clean up."
Jenny heard the voices, but they seemed to come from far away. She was focused on the building ahead of her. She imagined the air thickening around her, keeping her afloat, and a strong wind propelling her towards the roof. Days, or perhaps seconds, later the lip of the building passed beneath her eyes. Jenny instantly compacted into a ball and rolled across the pea gravel. She felt the hilt of her sword dig into her shoulder and knew that she would be covered in scrapes and bruises. Small price to pay for freedom. As soon as she slowed enough she sprang to her feet and spared a quick glance at the roof behind her. The goons were standing in a row on the edge of the roof just staring. Jenny gave a harsh laugh, they were too stupid to realize they should be following. That was their loss. She blew them a kiss and took off across the roof.
********************************
"Jumper, you're all over the net. They've raised your price to 10,000." Globe whipped the screen around as soon as Jenny enters the base. "The Agency refuses to say what you were after, but the price hike suggests something big. What did you do?"
The core members of the PLP were gathered in the basement of the abandoned library. Computer screens glowed along the wall and couches and blankets littered the floor. All the faces except one were turned towards Jenny to see how she would respond. Out of habit Jenny tried to catch Gunner's eye, but she knew he wasn't going to look at her. They hadn't spoken since the Pringles Mission, and she doubted that would change tonight. Still, it didn't hurt to try.
"I hit them where it hurts. I went into the west side headquarters and got this." Jenny holds up a gold key card. Gasps and appreciative whistles fill the crowded room.
"A gold key, holy shit Jumper." Dex snatches the key from Jenny's fingers and plugs it in to the nearest open computer port. "Do you know what we can do with this?"
"Anything." Jenny finally allowed herself to smile. "We can do anything we want."
"Provided that we get to it soon." Arrow pointed out as she looked at the screen over Dex's shoulder. "The countdown started the moment your took that key, and all the codes will be rewritten in just over 5 hours."
"What's the plan?" File asked as she pulled a keyboard onto her lap. "Food? Money? Transport? What do we want?"
"Food should come first," Globe pointed out. "Everyone needs the food, there are a lot of families in the undercity who would benefit."
"Money can get you food though." Dex pointed out.
"Only at an unrealistically steep price, unless The Agency likes you." Globe replied.
"Jamison Myers," Gunner's gravely voice interrupted. "Forget food, forget money, we want Jamison Myers."
"The head of The Agency?" Arrow said. "Are you crazy?"
"No," Jenny replied quietly, "he's right. This is a chance we can't pass up. Jamison Myers is the target. Let's make a plan."
****************************
It's also short fiction day. I decided to take one of the random pictures I pinned on Pinterest and write a short story for that character. Here is the picture I chose.
*****************************************
Jenny took a deep breath and peered over the edge of the building, four floors down to the window washing lift or thirty feet over to the neighboring roof. Footsteps pounded behind her and Jenny turned to see four Agency goons burst through the door onto the roof. A glance back over the edge showed the lift moving rapidly away. Damn, they're getting better at this, Jenny thought. She turned and ran at the goons. The surprise had just registered on their faces when Jenny spun on a dime and sprinted towards the edge.
"What's she doing?" One of the goons shouted.
"I think she's going over."
"Is she insane? That's suicide." The goons upped their speed but Jenny knew that they were going to be too slow. The edge was approaching, 50 feet, 20, 10, 5. Jenny coiled her legs and propelled herself into the space between buildings. The seconds she was airborne lengthened into hours and Jenny held her breath and prayed that the other building would appear beneath her feet. The skittering of gravel echoed behind her as the goons stopped shot behind her, none of them were crazy enough to follow.
"I knew they called her Jumper, but I didn't know she was that crazy."
"She'll never make it, this will be an easy clean up."
Jenny heard the voices, but they seemed to come from far away. She was focused on the building ahead of her. She imagined the air thickening around her, keeping her afloat, and a strong wind propelling her towards the roof. Days, or perhaps seconds, later the lip of the building passed beneath her eyes. Jenny instantly compacted into a ball and rolled across the pea gravel. She felt the hilt of her sword dig into her shoulder and knew that she would be covered in scrapes and bruises. Small price to pay for freedom. As soon as she slowed enough she sprang to her feet and spared a quick glance at the roof behind her. The goons were standing in a row on the edge of the roof just staring. Jenny gave a harsh laugh, they were too stupid to realize they should be following. That was their loss. She blew them a kiss and took off across the roof.
********************************
"Jumper, you're all over the net. They've raised your price to 10,000." Globe whipped the screen around as soon as Jenny enters the base. "The Agency refuses to say what you were after, but the price hike suggests something big. What did you do?"
The core members of the PLP were gathered in the basement of the abandoned library. Computer screens glowed along the wall and couches and blankets littered the floor. All the faces except one were turned towards Jenny to see how she would respond. Out of habit Jenny tried to catch Gunner's eye, but she knew he wasn't going to look at her. They hadn't spoken since the Pringles Mission, and she doubted that would change tonight. Still, it didn't hurt to try.
"I hit them where it hurts. I went into the west side headquarters and got this." Jenny holds up a gold key card. Gasps and appreciative whistles fill the crowded room.
"A gold key, holy shit Jumper." Dex snatches the key from Jenny's fingers and plugs it in to the nearest open computer port. "Do you know what we can do with this?"
"Anything." Jenny finally allowed herself to smile. "We can do anything we want."
"Provided that we get to it soon." Arrow pointed out as she looked at the screen over Dex's shoulder. "The countdown started the moment your took that key, and all the codes will be rewritten in just over 5 hours."
"What's the plan?" File asked as she pulled a keyboard onto her lap. "Food? Money? Transport? What do we want?"
"Food should come first," Globe pointed out. "Everyone needs the food, there are a lot of families in the undercity who would benefit."
"Money can get you food though." Dex pointed out.
"Only at an unrealistically steep price, unless The Agency likes you." Globe replied.
"Jamison Myers," Gunner's gravely voice interrupted. "Forget food, forget money, we want Jamison Myers."
"The head of The Agency?" Arrow said. "Are you crazy?"
"No," Jenny replied quietly, "he's right. This is a chance we can't pass up. Jamison Myers is the target. Let's make a plan."
****************************
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12th
Today I had a completely fantastic day at work. My rotation was amazing, we were busy, and the day went by at lightening speed. Then I got to come home and I have a bunch of Hulu to watch, some dinner to make, and then I'm going to go to sleep. I'm all in hall having a fantastic day, which makes finding a rant for today a bit of a challenge, but you know I like challenges.
Since it's something I'm very interesting in, let's talk about TV shows. The end of season sweeps have started, the time when networks decide what shows to cancel and what shows to renew. Naturally quite a few shows that I enjoy have gotten the can, and some that I thought were totally stupid and worthless are gonna be back next year. However, it's not the loss of shows that I want to rant about. I want to talk about how those decisions are made, specifically the gathering of views and ratings.
I do not have cable, I do not have satellite, I do not have an antennae, I do not watch TV on a TV. I know that a lot of other people in my generation are in the same boat. We eat, sleep, and breathe the internet. That's where we get our news, where we talk to our friends, where we do our work, and where we watch TV. It allows us to watch shows on our schedule, which is a wonderful thing. We get to pause the show, watch earlier episodes to catch up, and for just a few dollars we can get shows as soon as a day after they air. All in all it seems like an amazing service, until you realize that you actually don't count.
Despite the prevalence of online services like Hulu and Netflix the industries and networks still use the same methods that they always have to gather ratings and decide which shows to keep and which to cancel. This basically means that when I (and thousands of others like me) watch a TV show I like, it doesn't matter at all. Even though I tune in to Hulu every single week to watch a show, I might as well not watch it at all. It drives me crazy that with technology going the way it is, they can't seem to update the way they do ratings for TV shows. Just because I have the type of life that doesn't allow me to sit in front of my actual TV at a certain time on a certain night doesn't mean I don't like a show.
I think part of the reason that they don't take this into account, is because I have the freedom to watch whenever I want. The so called "prime" spot on TV doesn't matter if I can just watch it a different day. Going up against a wildly popular show doesn't matter either, because I have to time and opportunity to watch them both online if I choose. I wonder if the networks feel cheated of the time and work they put into organizing shows and setting up schedules. Or if they feel like we are somehow cheating the system. Whatever the reason, I just don't believe it's practical for them to continue to ignore online viewership. Good shows, that people enjoy, get cancelled because they cater to a younger audience that views them almost exclusively online.
What baffles me is that online viewing creates a whole new demographic that networks can tap into. AND it allows them to run shows with smaller budgets and do things like web series. There is a lot more freedom online, and the possibilities are truly endless. If they would just tap into what some of the YouTubers are doing they'd realize that the small budgets and dedication can bring amazing results. It's not about budget it's about advertising and availability. I can watch a YouTube video as many times as I want, whenever I want, and each time the ads run and the creator gains revenue. Why don't the TV networks see the benefit of this?
I suppose that's enough waxing poetic about the downsides of living most of my existence online. Honestly though, the good overshadows the bad. And speaking of the good, it's about time for me to go and eat some delicious dinner. I'll be back tomorrow with a piece of flash fiction, or at least something that vaguely resembles flash fiction.
Since it's something I'm very interesting in, let's talk about TV shows. The end of season sweeps have started, the time when networks decide what shows to cancel and what shows to renew. Naturally quite a few shows that I enjoy have gotten the can, and some that I thought were totally stupid and worthless are gonna be back next year. However, it's not the loss of shows that I want to rant about. I want to talk about how those decisions are made, specifically the gathering of views and ratings.
I do not have cable, I do not have satellite, I do not have an antennae, I do not watch TV on a TV. I know that a lot of other people in my generation are in the same boat. We eat, sleep, and breathe the internet. That's where we get our news, where we talk to our friends, where we do our work, and where we watch TV. It allows us to watch shows on our schedule, which is a wonderful thing. We get to pause the show, watch earlier episodes to catch up, and for just a few dollars we can get shows as soon as a day after they air. All in all it seems like an amazing service, until you realize that you actually don't count.
Despite the prevalence of online services like Hulu and Netflix the industries and networks still use the same methods that they always have to gather ratings and decide which shows to keep and which to cancel. This basically means that when I (and thousands of others like me) watch a TV show I like, it doesn't matter at all. Even though I tune in to Hulu every single week to watch a show, I might as well not watch it at all. It drives me crazy that with technology going the way it is, they can't seem to update the way they do ratings for TV shows. Just because I have the type of life that doesn't allow me to sit in front of my actual TV at a certain time on a certain night doesn't mean I don't like a show.
I think part of the reason that they don't take this into account, is because I have the freedom to watch whenever I want. The so called "prime" spot on TV doesn't matter if I can just watch it a different day. Going up against a wildly popular show doesn't matter either, because I have to time and opportunity to watch them both online if I choose. I wonder if the networks feel cheated of the time and work they put into organizing shows and setting up schedules. Or if they feel like we are somehow cheating the system. Whatever the reason, I just don't believe it's practical for them to continue to ignore online viewership. Good shows, that people enjoy, get cancelled because they cater to a younger audience that views them almost exclusively online.
What baffles me is that online viewing creates a whole new demographic that networks can tap into. AND it allows them to run shows with smaller budgets and do things like web series. There is a lot more freedom online, and the possibilities are truly endless. If they would just tap into what some of the YouTubers are doing they'd realize that the small budgets and dedication can bring amazing results. It's not about budget it's about advertising and availability. I can watch a YouTube video as many times as I want, whenever I want, and each time the ads run and the creator gains revenue. Why don't the TV networks see the benefit of this?
I suppose that's enough waxing poetic about the downsides of living most of my existence online. Honestly though, the good overshadows the bad. And speaking of the good, it's about time for me to go and eat some delicious dinner. I'll be back tomorrow with a piece of flash fiction, or at least something that vaguely resembles flash fiction.
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11th
Today I got up super early to get to work only to discover that I actually wasn't scheduled till an hour later, bummer. On the plus side they were short people and asked me to clock in early, so more money for me. I also got my new schedule and I'll start in Guest Services on May 22, which isn't too far away!
Today is review day so I suppose I should decide on something to review. The hot new show that has my attention right now is Scandal. This show airs Thursdays at 10/9 central on ABC. It follows Olivia Pope, a former media relations consultant to the President, who now runs her own firm. She "wears the white hat" as the firm's members are fond of saying, which means she's a good person. She takes on clients only when she believes they are honest and generally good. Each episode of the show focuses on a case that the group is working as well as another piece of the current long term mystery.
SPOILERS ARE COMING
The show has now aired 6 episodes, 5 of which I've watched. Through them we've learned that Olivia and the President had an affair when she was working for his campaign. It comes forward that he perhaps had another affair with a young intern named Amanda. Of course by episode 5 Amanda has been killed by a black ops (or ex black ops) agent and it seems like perhaps her claims weren't what they first seemed. Olivia goes from trusting the President to declaring war on him, while his right hand Cyrus Beene, seems to know a lot more than he lets on. The President's wife also seems to know more than anyone believes, and I personally am suspicious that she is behind Amanda's death. Of course that's just speculation on my part.
Yet, far more than the intriguing plot line, it's the stories of the characters that I'm fascinated by. We know Olivia used to work for the President, and that she quit shortly after their affair ended. We know that Olivia saved one of her firm members Abby, from an abusive spouse, and we have a brief glimpse at the lives of her other firm members Stephen and Harrison. I'm excited to see what will happen when it's finally time for their stories to come to light.
The most intriguing characters by far though are Huck and Quinn. Quinn is the new girl, she entered the firm we when entered the series, and thus the audience has an intimate bond with her. She is a bit awkward, talks too much when she's nervous, and cries an awful lot. She seems genuine and endearing, but then in a recent episode revealed that Quinn didn't exist just a few short years ago. That's makes her infinitely interesting to me. Someone who didn't exist a few years ago usually lead a hard life, or witnessed a crime, or is a criminal escaping from something. None of those things add up to a woman who babbles and cries. That makes me wonder if perhaps she isn't at all what she seems. I can't wait to find out.
Huck is equally fascinating, even if we know more about him, starting with his name not being Huck (obviously). We discovered that he is actually ex black ops, he's the one who found the guy and tortured the information about Amanda's death out of him. We also learn that he hates the torture, but the government forced him to do it until "something fell away" and he found that he was good at what he did, and enjoyed it. He was in a dark dark place and it was Olivia that pulled him back. That is a story I'm really excited to hear eventually. What makes Huck my favorite isn't his past though, it's his personality. He's incredibly empathetic, almost to the point of a super power, and always knows exactly what everyone needs. He's always there with a shoulder to lean on, a kind word, or good advice. I love him because he's so kind and yet so hard, and I find that dichotomy intriguing.
Overall Scandal is a show I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys complex characters and a show that both provides an overarching story and single episode stories that wrap up nicely. Now all that's left for me to do is hope that ABC sees the value in this show and doesn't cancel just when it's getting good.
Today is review day so I suppose I should decide on something to review. The hot new show that has my attention right now is Scandal. This show airs Thursdays at 10/9 central on ABC. It follows Olivia Pope, a former media relations consultant to the President, who now runs her own firm. She "wears the white hat" as the firm's members are fond of saying, which means she's a good person. She takes on clients only when she believes they are honest and generally good. Each episode of the show focuses on a case that the group is working as well as another piece of the current long term mystery.
SPOILERS ARE COMING
The show has now aired 6 episodes, 5 of which I've watched. Through them we've learned that Olivia and the President had an affair when she was working for his campaign. It comes forward that he perhaps had another affair with a young intern named Amanda. Of course by episode 5 Amanda has been killed by a black ops (or ex black ops) agent and it seems like perhaps her claims weren't what they first seemed. Olivia goes from trusting the President to declaring war on him, while his right hand Cyrus Beene, seems to know a lot more than he lets on. The President's wife also seems to know more than anyone believes, and I personally am suspicious that she is behind Amanda's death. Of course that's just speculation on my part.
Yet, far more than the intriguing plot line, it's the stories of the characters that I'm fascinated by. We know Olivia used to work for the President, and that she quit shortly after their affair ended. We know that Olivia saved one of her firm members Abby, from an abusive spouse, and we have a brief glimpse at the lives of her other firm members Stephen and Harrison. I'm excited to see what will happen when it's finally time for their stories to come to light.
The most intriguing characters by far though are Huck and Quinn. Quinn is the new girl, she entered the firm we when entered the series, and thus the audience has an intimate bond with her. She is a bit awkward, talks too much when she's nervous, and cries an awful lot. She seems genuine and endearing, but then in a recent episode revealed that Quinn didn't exist just a few short years ago. That's makes her infinitely interesting to me. Someone who didn't exist a few years ago usually lead a hard life, or witnessed a crime, or is a criminal escaping from something. None of those things add up to a woman who babbles and cries. That makes me wonder if perhaps she isn't at all what she seems. I can't wait to find out.
Huck is equally fascinating, even if we know more about him, starting with his name not being Huck (obviously). We discovered that he is actually ex black ops, he's the one who found the guy and tortured the information about Amanda's death out of him. We also learn that he hates the torture, but the government forced him to do it until "something fell away" and he found that he was good at what he did, and enjoyed it. He was in a dark dark place and it was Olivia that pulled him back. That is a story I'm really excited to hear eventually. What makes Huck my favorite isn't his past though, it's his personality. He's incredibly empathetic, almost to the point of a super power, and always knows exactly what everyone needs. He's always there with a shoulder to lean on, a kind word, or good advice. I love him because he's so kind and yet so hard, and I find that dichotomy intriguing.
Overall Scandal is a show I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys complex characters and a show that both provides an overarching story and single episode stories that wrap up nicely. Now all that's left for me to do is hope that ABC sees the value in this show and doesn't cancel just when it's getting good.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May 10th
“I love you, Kris.”
Those were the last words I heard as a human. My world slowly slipped into darkness and when I awoke I wasn’t human any longer.
************************************
I know what you’re thinking; I spent my teen years reading vampire novels too. You’re expecting to hear that I was turned by my greatest love, but only because I was dying anyway. That when I awoke he held me as I survived the change and taught me that I could survive on animal blood or blood from blood banks or at the very least without actually injuring humans. Well, if that’s what you’re hoping for I recommend you stop reading now, my story is nothing like that.
Starting with the fact that the last words I heard as a human did NOT come from my true love, or my best friend, or a member of my family. It came from a slightly creepy boy who stalked me in high school and then turned out to be a vampire. His name was Dexter. Sometimes I wonder if I had just agreed to go to prom with him maybe graduation wouldn’t have ended with me drained of blood in a frat basement looking up into the face of a vampire.
I woke a week later in a house I didn’t recognize in a town hundreds of miles from anything I knew. Dexter wasn’t there, but he didn’t need to be. All it took was an accidental step in front of the window to make me realize that I was a prisoner until the sun went down. An Internet search revealed that I was reported missing, but they’d given up on the search. I was starving but there was literally nothing to eat in the house. In fact, aside from a computer on a desk with a chair, the bed I awoke in, and a couch and TV in the living room, the house was empty.
I scouted my surrounding from what I could glimpse through the windows (without getting into the sunlight myself), and I discovered my strength by breaking the leg off the computer chair, with one hand. I thought I had a decent plan for where to go and how to get home, but before the sun went down Dexter was back, and he wasn’t alone. Dexter brought a human with him, a boy he found when he was out. The boy was cute, I might have even given him a dance when I was human, but dancing wasn’t the plan that night. I’m not proud of what happened next, not just because I ripped the boys throat out with my teeth, but because I enjoyed it.
Before you start to judge me for killing an innocent boy, answer me this, have you ever been starving? I don’t mean hungry because you haven’t eaten in a few hours, I mean stomach completely empty, shooting pain in your belly, you’re going to die shortly without nourishment, starving. If you’ve never been that hungry than you can’t understand what I was going through. If you have been there than I’m pretty sure that you won’t fault me for eating the one thing that would bring me nutrition.
Dexter was there every step of the way, opening the boy’s vein and then egging me on and on until the boy’s neck more closely resembled pounded hamburger than human skin. By the end of it I was so high on the blood that I lost track of myself. The euphoria is so intoxicating that at that moment everything seemed like an amazing idea, even making out with the boy who took my life and turned me into a vampire. When the high wore off I would be disgusted with myself, but for those few hours I would do anything, and Dexter knew it.
He kept bringing in a steady stream of humans and like the drug addict that I was I took a shot of every last one. Eventually he’d show me how to leave them alive enough to survive, but in the beginning he only cared about giving me the high that he knew would make me love him. And the sick thing is that I did love him, deeply. In those blood soaked days he wasn’t the creeper who had murdered me, he was the savior who had opened my eyes to excitement and power, who had rescued me from a boring existence and filled my world with vibrant colors, amazing smells, and above all, love.
But Dexter’s fairy tale couldn’t last forever. Eventually the high wore off, I remembered who I was, what I’d done, and each day the resentment grew. When I wasn’t feeding I was brooding. Hating myself not just for the humans I’d fed on but also for the affection I’d shown the vampire who ruined my life. I was obsessing over my past life, what my friends were doing now, and what I’d lost. I was realizing that when I wasn’t drinking blood, when I was actually seeing things clearly, I didn’t want to be alive (or whatever qualifies as alive when you’re a vampire).
“I hate you, Dexter.”
Those were the last words I ever spoke. I uttered them as I used blood given strength to throw Dexter out of my way and step out of the front door into the bright noon sun.
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