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Showing posts from August, 2015

Daily Themes: August 28, 2915

Tell this story "It turned out there was nothing behind her sunglasses."             Jacob and Marissa stood side by side in the long corridor.             ā€œWe need to talk.ā€ She didnā€™t respond. ā€œLook at me.ā€ She turned to face him. ā€œI need to see your eyes when I say this.ā€  No response. Jacob took her glasses off and stumbled back. It turned out there was nothing behind her sunglasses.

Daily Theme: August 27, 2015

Dialogue "What I lack for in common sense, I make up for in sarcasm."             Marissa knew they were all waiting for her. They had listed all of her failures and she had sat quietly by while they showed how useless she was to their organization. ā€œWhat I lack for in common sense, I make up for in sarcasm. So Iā€™m not a failure at everything.ā€ ā€œMarissa!ā€ Jacobā€™s voice hissed.

Daily Themes: August 26, 2015

Dialogue "This is the 5th door he's knocked on." ā€œWhat is he doing?ā€ ā€œNo idea.ā€ Marissa took a step away from Jacob. ā€œThis is the 5 th door heā€™s knocked on. No one answers then he moves down the hall to the next door. I donā€™t know what or who heā€™s looking for, he just keeps knocking.ā€ The old man knocked on door number six.

Daily Themes: August 25, 2015

Tell this story You wake up in a hole with a one mile crater around you and you are the only person for miles.  ā€œWhat is it like?ā€ ā€œClose your eyes and imagine what itā€™s like to be totally alone.ā€ ā€œOkay.ā€ ā€œNow picture you wake up in a hole with a one mile crater around you and you are the only person for miles.ā€ ā€œOkay.ā€ ā€œHow do you feel?ā€ ā€œIsolated, unsure, confusedā€¦ā€ His voice trailed off with his realization.

Book Review: Starlight on Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Starlight on Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love going back to Willow Lake, it really represents somewhere I wouldn't mind living if I was to ever leave my crazy suburban life. I really like that we got to see some past characters, but it wasn't forced on us to make the story fit into previous books in the series. It's a small town and you can expect for the lives of people to overlap so Faith's friendships all made sense. That said, I wish there was a family tree so I could be clear on how this branch of the Bellamy family connects to the other Bellamys we've met over the series. I enjoyed Faith and Mason's story. I like that it wasn't the typical they get together, face some hurdles, then happy ending.  There were hurdles to them even getting together and even more to face after they finally realize they belong together. It made the novel compelling and kept me hooked (but really anything set in Willow Lake has me hooked). A...

Daily Themes: August 24, 2015

Dialogue "See, this is why I told you to never leave the ship. I didn't want you to see that."              Marissa knew she was dreaming. There were flashes of her life, but not the life she remembered, but another life she lived with Jacob. "See, this is why I told you to never leave the ship. I didn't want you to see that." Marissa stared at the body at Jacobā€™s feet and ran from him. 

Daily Themes: August 23, 2015

Tell this story His mind was filled with thoughts of french fries and revenge.  Jacob was furious when he came out of the dream. Marissa was supposed to be safe, yet something went wrong and now she was in danger. Someone was going to pay for this mistake. His mind was filled with thoughts of french fries and revenge. Food and then track down who thought to hurt her. 

Daily Themes: August 22, 2015

Dialogue "Here, hold my dignity. I've got some sketchy stuff to do."  Marissa sat in the dark cave watching Jacob sleep. ā€œHave you no dignity.ā€ She remembered asking him once. He laughed and held up his hand with his signet ring. "Here, hold my dignity. I've got some sketchy stuff to do." She had worn that ring for years around a chain on her neck. Hadnā€™t she?

Daily Themes: August 21, 2015

Tell this story "If you're reading this, you've been in a coma for almost 20 years now. We're trying a new technique. We don't know where this message will end up in your dream, but we hope we're getting through. Please wake up. We miss you."  Digging through her bag Marissa found a note she didnā€™t remember packing. "If you're reading this, you've been in a coma for almost 20 years now. We're trying a new technique. We don't know where this message will end up in your dream, but we hope we're getting through. Please wake up. We miss you."  *Note, I feel really weird about leaving this one like this since I only wrote 12 words. So when I do my re-write of this project in September I'll be rewriting the whole of this letter.

Daily Themes: August 20, 2015

Dialogue "Throwing up when you're scared isn't really a super power." Marissa sat curled in a ball, what little she had in her stomach was no longer there. ā€œGuess this is my super power.ā€             ā€œThrowing up when youā€™re scared isnā€™t really a super power.ā€             ā€œItā€™s an inside joke between me and an old friend.ā€             He looked down at her, ā€œMaybe youā€™ll tell me about it sometime.ā€

Daily Themes: August 19, 2015

Dialogue "My fish!" "Forget the fish, we have to leave.  Now ." "But... my fish!"             Jacob just finished cooking when they heard the sounds coming towards them.  Before she could move he was gathering their bags, dousing the fire, and pulling her into the woods.             ā€œMy fish!ā€ Marissa pulled free to grab the meal.             ā€œForget the fish, we have to leave. Now. ā€             ā€œButā€¦my fish!ā€ She was tired of eating beef. 

Daily Themes: August 18, 2015

Tell this story "Come with me," he said, knowing the answer would be no. After a moment, however, she said, "Come with me instead." Marissa had opened the door to the tunnels when she heard something. Turning she saw her guard walking quickly towards her.             ā€œCome with me,ā€ he said, knowing the answer would be no.             After a moment, however, she said, ā€œCome with me instead.ā€ She held out her hand. He hesitated briefly, took it and they ran. 

Book Review: Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome by Reb Riley

Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: A Memoir of Humor and Healing by Reba Riley My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book! I think most people (at least in my circle) can claim a bit of post-traumatic church syndrome (PTCS). I wasn't brought up in the same manner as Reba Riley, but in my own way I started to question the church I was raised in and the beliefs I had followed since I was young. Unlike the author, my PTCS wasn't as severe and I have found my way back under my own terms.  And that I feel is the core of this book. Reba goes on a 30 by 30 journey.  She wanted to experience or better understand 30 religions by her 30th birthday. This journey impacts her life in more than just a religious aspect. She is battling health issues and her past religious experiences in what feels sometimes like a minute by minute battle to complete this journey.  Her journey takes her to an online chapel, a synagogue, mosque, and a number of other places of worship.  She sp...

Daily Themes: August 17, 2015

Dialogue "You're one of them now," she whispered softly. The door opened the the old man was dragged inside. The guards dropped him on the floor and left without looking at Marissa.  She leaned over him and could already tell there was in a change in him.  The mischievous light in his eyes was gone. ā€œYouā€™re one of them now,ā€ she whispered softly, sadly.

Daily Themes: August 16, 2015

Dialogue "I think not." Marissa watched as the brothers ran home. ā€œTime to lock this door.ā€ The old man pulled an old brass key from a pocket, closed the door and locked it. The door disappeared. ā€œSo youā€™re what, a guardian of the tunnels?ā€ ā€œTime to unlock your door now.ā€ He mumbled. ā€œI think not.ā€ An ethereal voice answered.

Daily Themes: August 15, 2015

Tell this story We'd been bred for working, not dreaming. We were supposed to be simple creatures. But we weren't. ā€œMy people were made to be workers, not dreamers. We were supposed to be simple creatures, content to work our days away producing for our masters. But we werenā€™t. Some of us were dreamers and we created the tunnels. There are few dreamers left, the tunnels are no longer safe.ā€ ā€œAnd yet you travel them?ā€

Daily Themes - August 14, 2015

Dialogue "Turns out separate planets wasn't far enough."  Marissa woke to warm sun on her face, the smell of coffee, and hushed voices. She smiled thinking about the journey that brought her to this place. The smile vanished when she heard the faint moos from outside. ā€œTurns out separate planets wasnā€™t far enough.ā€ She groaned and covered her face with the pillow.

Daily Themes - August 13, 2015

Dialogue "That's it for this week! Thank you to our studio audience, and to everyone else, join us next time on Superpowers You Really Don't Want!" ā€œThatā€™s it for this week! Thank you to our studio audience, and to everyone else, join us next time on Superpowers You Really Donā€™t Want!ā€ ā€œWhat in the world was that?ā€ ā€œItā€™s my favorite show.ā€ ā€œThey donā€™t like it.ā€ Marissa looked over at the sleeping brothers. ā€œChildren donā€™t know what good shows are any more.ā€

Daily Themes - August 12, 2015

Dialogue "My cooking is so awesome, even the smoke alarm cheers me on."  The old man was moving around the kitchen with great flourish. ā€œI havenā€™t cooked for people in so long. Donā€™t worry youā€™re going to love it.  My cooking is so awesome, even the smoke alarm cheers me on.ā€ He laughed greatly as he stirred a big pot. Marissa and the brothers exchanged a worried glance. 

Book Review: Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books by Cara Nicoletti

Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books by Cara Nicoletti My rating: 4 of 5 stars Cara Nicoletti loves food, you could say it's in her blood. She comes from a family of butchers and is herself a butcher and a baker. As much as she loves food, Cara also loves books.  She's been an avid reader since childhood. As she reads, she finds that in books as in life a lot of things happen around food.  This book takes a look back at some of her favorite books and the food found between the pages.  Each book is paired with Cara's version of food based on or inspired by the book. The books/recipes are broken up into three sections: Childhood, Adolescence and College Years, Adulthood. Since it is currently August and I participate in Austen in August (run by Roof Beam Reader) I'm going to focus on the two Jane Austen novels that appear in this book. Pride & Prejudice  White Garlic Soup As any reader of the novel knows and as Nicoletti points out,...

Daily Themes - August 11, 2015

Dialogue "Time's up, honey." Marissa woke to find yet another dark figure leaning over her.  This one was old and he was pointing a knife to her. ā€œHow did you get down here?ā€ She stared at him blankly. ā€œAnswer me!ā€ he growled. ā€œI, uh, um...ā€ ā€œTimeā€™s up, honey.ā€ Before he could harm her with the knife they heard voices.

Daily Themes - August 10, 2015

Tell this story An abandoned shack turns out to be a door to another universe as a band of local hooligans is about to find out. The boys approached the shack. They had been planning for weeks how they were going to come out here and see if the stories were true.  The stories said the shack wasnā€™t just any abandoned place, there was something going on here.  Opening the door they were surprised to see a hallway, not a room.

Daily Themes - August 9, 2015

Tell this story It was a tight-knit community so everyone knew one another. Except for the man in the lighthouse, who kept to himself... It was a tight-knit community so everyone knew one another. Except for the man in the lighthouse, who kept to himself and never left the building as far as they were concerned. In truth, he used the underground tunnels frequently to move around town. While they were curious about him, he knew everything about them.

Daily Themes - August 8, 2015

Tell this story It has never been mapped - there's all kinds of unknown that awaits you! The guard lead Marissa to a large steel door.   ā€œThese tunnels havenā€™t been used in years. Remember donā€™t surface before sunrise.ā€ He handed Marissa a knapsack with supplies and a flashlight.  Flipping on the light, she stepped through the door. ā€œAre you sure you canā€™t come with me?ā€ With no answer, he shut the door.

Daily Themes - August 7, 2015

Tell this story Write about a unique relationship between an immortal and a time traveler. ā€œI want her gone and not just out of this compound.ā€ ā€œSheā€™s a government official, you canā€™t kill her. We have to follow the plan.ā€ The (delusional) leader looked at his companion and knew the man from his future was correct. He came back for a reason, a reason that would ensured his long life.

Book Review - You're Never Weird on the Internet

You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love Felicia Day and I loved this book. This was a great journey story of how she got to where she currently sits as the Queen of the Internet. I canā€™t remember how I started watching The Guild, but I know I instantly loved it, it was so true to different levels of my reality. I wasnā€™t a hardcore gamer, but the relationships you form online and how that becomes more of your real life than your real life, spoke true to me.  I loved learning how the characters were based on people Felicia met in her exploration around the Internet.  Knowing that the show was semi-autobiographical just makes it even more awesome. Sheā€™s done what most of us dream of doing, turning our passion into our profession. Sheā€™s doing what she loves most and in the process making stuff that we can all enjoy. If you are a familiar at all with her work and would like to know more about her this is a must read! I ...

Daily Themes - August 6, 2015

Dialogue "Don't say a word. They're listening."  Marissa woke with a hand pressed over her mouth and someone breathing next to her ear, ā€œI have to get you out of here. We have to move fast. Donā€™t say a word. Theyā€™re listening.ā€ Her guard removed his hand and stood back. Truth or trap? It didnā€™t matter she wanted away from the cows.

Daily Themes - August 5, 2015

Dialogue "Put her in the back room with the rest of the products." "Put her in the back room with the rest of the products." The delusional leader demanded. ā€œDid he just call me a cow?ā€ The Chief Authority Supervisor paid neither any mind and continued. ā€œYou will be under supervision until the morning at which time you will be escorted off our property. You are hereby dismissed.ā€

Daily Themes - August 4, 2015

Tell this story Create a positive review from a critic about a story you have yet to create. Congratulations Marissa, you have single handedly broken a key political alliance due to your own selfish beliefs. We congratulate you on how fast you managed to accomplish this feat.  Only two hours into a simple overnight stay and you managed to cause trouble. That is quite a feat and you should be proud of yourself.

Daily Themes - August 3, 2015

Dialogue "Why aren't you worshiping me, mortal?" "Not interested, thanks ." Marissa sat with the other overnight guests for dinner and was the only one not following everyone else.  When it came to different customs of different compounds, she normally didnā€™t participate. She struggled enough with her own home situation. "Why aren't you worshiping me, mortal?" said the compoundā€™s delusional leader. "Not interested, thanks." Marissa smiled.

Daily Themes - August 2, 2015

Tell this story The wail of the siren signaled the five minute warning for curfew, and everyone scrambled to not be caught outside. The wail of the siren signaled the five minute warning for curfew, and everyone scrambled to not be caught outside. Marissa cursed. That damn cow conversation had lasted too long. She packed up her work and went out to talk to someone about a room for the night. Awful curfew. Stupid job. Damn freakinā€™ cows.

Daily Themes - August 1, 2015

Dialogue "Our main source of energy is currently cows." ā€œOur main source of energy is currently cows.ā€ ā€œCows?ā€ Marissaā€™s focus snapped back into the conversation. ā€œYes, cows.ā€ The man adjusted in his seat, ready to tell her how and why cows were their energy source. She liked her job, for the most part, but these onsite compound visits weā€™re starting to push her limit. 

Finish the Series Challenge - Buchanan

Buchanan by Julie Garwood (I've read book 1, and books 7-12) #2 Mercy #3 Killjoy #4 Murder List #5 Slow Burn #6 Shadow Dance I hate starting series in the middle, but somehow my OCD in book reading didn't really kick in with this series.  While the books are interconnect each book can pretty much stand on its own.  You get enough background when needed. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most about these books was the outdated tech talk. The best were the discussions of cell phones having cameras in them and how unique that was at the time. In each case, it was thankful that one of the characters have one of these phones in order to take a picture of something important to the investigation. The first book in the series was written 2000 and in the last 15 years so much has changed that these books seem so wildly outdated. Still they have great characters and I like the slight suspense.

Daily Themes-July 3, 2015

Dialogue "Well, that was one way of doing it."  The group approached the bridge. It did not look sturdy at all, but it was either attempt to cross it or spend precious time trekking across the expanse of the cavern to the far bridge and then walking back to the passageway that was right across the way.  The opted to cross over the bridge. Well, it was more Donna decided for the group.  She was tired, dirty and getting more annoyed the longer this mission took to complete. Hitching her back up on her back she cautiously took a step onto the bridge. It held. She took another step and another and as her confidence grew she sped up her progress.  She was moving too fast and quickly saw that her next step was out into midair. She fell. Thankfully the fall wasn't too bad, the bridge hadn't been that high. After a brief mental check she sat up and looked back up at the group. Sitting up she thought about displaying a vulgar sign to show the guys what she thought of them as...