more cat pictures

There is something about this that just does it for me.

Maybe it’s the appropriateness of the caption. Maybe it’s my geekery over military jargon. Maybe it’s the determination in those green and yellow eyes as they lock onto their target, muscles tightening, ready to break off full speed towards it’s prey. Like a bullet right between the eyes in a clean head shot.

I want that determination. That drive. The courage- the confidence to pull the trigger and know it’ll hit the mark without hesitation.

To open a vein and bleed on the page, as some might say.

Maybe it’s just me trying to squeeze motivation from any source I possibly can.

I’ve suffered a bit of heartache over the last few weeks. I lost a friend; mind you, she was of the feline persuasion. Four legs, pointed ears, beautiful yet often unfocused eyes, covered in long, soft, orange and white hair and answered to the name of Misty.  (well…when she felt like it at least. But she very rarely didn’t.) I’d had her for eight years, and from the time I first held her I knew we shared a bond.  It’s silly, but I thought of her as my baby. I have no idea what its like to raise a child and I apologize to anyone who takes offense to the comparison but she was special to me and losing her was painful, especially since she didn’t go peacefully.

It was time to duck and cover.

Mourning took it’s toll on me both emotionally and physically. For a whole week I felt like the walking dead. I didn’t want to do anything, didn’t want to allow myself the short bursts of agony. The thought of food made me nauseous. I remember hoping it was all just a bad dream. And when I woke up she’d be there in the morning, biting my shoulder to rouse me into giving her some affection.

But it wasn’t.

It isn’t.

Finally, when I was convinced of this, I allowed myself to grieve. I allowed myself to cry, to be emotional, unhappy, hurt, confused….

And most of all Angry. At God, the world, myself…Wrath and I go way back. There’s a reason she’s going to be so prominent in Wages of Sin, but that’s a topic for another post on another day.

Depression started to get in the way of my writing and drawing and I couldn’t have that. So I looked my personal demon in the eye, stood firm and pulled the trigger on my grief. Not for the first time in my life, I might add. In fact I’m somewhat experienced in this particular form of masochism.

Or would it technically be considered sadism?

When the pain dulled I tried to use it as a means to propel myself forward instead of continuing to let it hinder my progress. It’s been working and knowing that I’m doing something positive with negative energy helps but I can’t help but wonder when the next ball is going to drop.

What’s going to be the next target standing in my way?

If there’s one thing in life I’ve learned, it’s that you have to learn to roll with the punches. And if you can’t do that, providing cover for someone else can be very therapeutic. Just don’t stretch yourself too far.

One thing’s for sure, at least, as far as writing is concerned…

It’s time to lock and load.

]]> http://soleilnoir.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/lock-n-load/feed/ shincinati cat http://soleilnoir.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/grr/ http://soleilnoir.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/grr/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:40:38 +0000 Soleil Noir http://soleilnoir.wordpress.com/?p=81

I would like to say that for the record, BEC, you suck and have the most horrible timing.  An island-wide power outage for four hours was bad enough, then you give everyone else power and leave our street and a few other down from us off for another hour? And during the hours I was trying to work on the last of my 2yn assignments?

That’s just cruel.

Ok, so that last part doesn’t exactly have anything to do with the electric company but I’m bitter so screw ‘em.

I guess it’s back to trying to pop out five assignments by the time I got to bed tonight. I’ll be as shocked as you are if I make it but well, here’s to making an attempt. Worst case scenario is I just won’t have them done before outlining actually begins and just get them done before the second assignment in that category.

Alright, alright. Enough bitchery from me for now.

My fellow 2yners, I hope you guys are holding strong or atleast having better luck than I am. I know a few of you have fallen into some unfortunate circumstances and have either decided to take some time off or just found yourselves stuck. I know I’ve fallen behind on commenting lately what with myself being behind but I do still read them and I’m always left amazed. Not that I’m anything important but it helps a lot for me to know that others read what I’ve posted so I guess I figure it could help others knowing that.

I’m rooting for you guys and there are a lot of others doing so as well. Keep up the great work.

Saw this on Jana’s blog….never watched Babylon 5, though.

Delenn

Devoutly dedicated to helping lead others to glory, you are a strong, supportive, and spiritual caregiver.

Summoned, I take the place that has been prepared for me

This week is all about re-working and catching up in my 2YN assignments. It’s the last week of worldbuilding, as I understand it, and I want to be all caught up by the time we start on outlinning. 

So wish me luck.

I already updated Assignments 1-5, mostly just minor editing and re-wording, but I’m happy about progress. Took a break to post an update here. If I’m quiet over the next few days well then you now know why. I might post some quizzes and memes if it gets too ridiculous, but I don’t want to bog the blog down with that stuff.

Anyway, ’till next time!

“Luck is a four letter word.”

But oh, how lucky I am to have had the opurtunity to read the ARC for this story. And now I get to share all the lovely details with you fine people!

You all know by now (or atleast, you may have guessed) that my love knows no bounds for Joely Sue Burkhart’s work. If I didn’t know it before, reading Beautiful Death proved it.

This story is nothing like The Rose of Shanhasson. No, this story has a beauty all it’s own. No carbon copies set in a different time here. Joely weaves her worlds, characters, and creatures with such mastry you’re left in a state of complete awe as the tale unfolds.

And this one was a doozey!

Review Below:

New Olympia stands as a becon of hope to it’s citzens after a mutating alien virus nearly caused the end of the world as they knew it. Regular vaccinations may keep the people from contamination, but only the First Marshall of Athens, Isabella Thanatos, keeps them from rebellion against the politicians and outright panic when the monsters, spwaned from the outbreak of the virus, come to town. The contaminants know her only as Beautiful Death. For she’s killed hundreds of their kind to keep her city and it’s poeple safe. 

When the Monster’s come to play, you can bet Beautiful Death stands at the ready to slay.

Only, she’s turnning into a monster herself. In the final stages of mutation, forced to flee the city she’s long standed to protect, Isabella finds herself having to rely on the monster she hates most of all.

 Hades.

Lord of the Underworld. Underworld of contaminents that is.

And what better place for Death to be than in the Underworld?

Chilling, no?

I believe Joely described it as “Science Fiction Post-Apocolyptic Romance”.

Me? I’m just calling it “EPIC”!

Where do I begin?

Greek Mythology? Yes yes yes! Of course I don’t need to explain the Hades references, that’s pretty clear. Ohoho, but I haven’t even mentioned any of the other key players in this tale of betrayal, politics, love, hate, and of course the darkness and light that resides in us all. Let me just say that the story reeks with Mythology.  It’s a very delightful stench though. One Joely seems to work well with in a lot of her stories, which is a big part of it’s appeal.

I was also toroughly impressed with the way she handled the Marshalls. (I’m a big lover of the military.) *g* The banter and comraderie between them was great. Some of my favorite scenes was just listenning to them talk trash with one another. I absolutely LOVED Herakles! He had the best lines in terms of comic relief. And he was full of the very thing you’d want in a brother in arms; unwavering loyalty.

 I’m actually torn between who I liked better, him, or Charon, Hades’ drakon Enforcer.

(Joely, your sister has great taste in characters. Then again, as I said before, you make it insanely difficult to dislike any.)

Ok, I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m interested in fashion? One of the characters, Icarus, Isabella’s best friend, owns On Death’s Wings, a highly admired a sought after clothing line. I know this is mostly just geek-ary for me that noone else will find very fascinating but I was so enthralled in the magnificient descriptions of the designs! Of course, everything’s objective, and what she had in mind could be totally different from my visualizations, but in my mind they’re gorgeous! But more to the point, they play a crucial role in the story, which is always a plus.

The romance between Hades and Isabella was scorching hot and bitterly cold. Complex and Beautiful. And with each interaction between them it just got more and more interesting.

 But you don’t have to take my word for it.

You may read an exceprt here,  win a free download at Joely’s giveaway, details here, or wait until it’s release date (June 20th, 2008) to purchase it from Drollerie Press.

 Either way, Happy reading!

So I woke up this mornning, went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator only to find…

 We’re out of Coca-colas.

The Apocolypse nears.  

Need …carbonated goodness!

Withdrawl headches….suck!

Too quiet.

A breif explanation would be that I acquired a temporary job. Which is over, for now. Back to catching up!

Oh, and I just last night finnished the beta-reads for The Road to Shanhasson, second book in the Blood and Shadows Trilogy by Joely Sue Burkhart.

Believe me when I tell you it’s just as good as the first!

This woman has talent and a flair all her own. Her style is so…awe-inspiring! The beauty in her words, the passion; it’s magic!  Pure magic. What can I say, she just speaks to the fantasy lover in me. Doesn’t hurt that her stories ooze with epic romances either!

Yes, I’ll stop my frantic praise for now. That is, until I finnish reading Beautiful Death. *g*

The Wandering Author has a marvelous idea.  

The gist involves writting stories for the men and women of the United States Military who are currently deployed. A project he’s tentatively calling Tales for the Troops. 

He also mentions that writers willing to participate should leave a comment on the original post, where you may find further information on the project.

TWA admits that he’s less likely to accept work from those he’s unfamiliar with but I wouldn’t let that deter you. He wants the best (stories) for the troops. Given what I know of quite a few of you who visit my blog on occasion? I’m more than certian you could give that and then some.

Definately go over and take a look, even if it’s only to see what it’s all about or to offer feedback on the idea itself. I’m sure he’d be most appreciative for your thoughts.

I did warn you, I’m never satisfied.

My sechdule has become so unpredictable it’s unreal.

Assignment 19 for 2yn is kicking my ass. I’m thinking about weeding through my notes, doing some sketch work and going back and editing in changes for the previous assignments. My mind feels too cluttered with all the changes this story has been doing. Need to clear it.

So um…high-ho, it’s off to work I go?