ENJOY!

Richard Neville is seemingly the last man. Everyone else has become a vampire. By day he walks the empty streets, by night he cowers as the vampires surround his house.

What struck me most about I Am Legend was how it comprised a study in hopelessness and despair. The internal thoughts and deteriorating mental condition of the protagonist comprise the majority of this book.

Neville's study of vampires provides him with some relief through engaging his mind, the monotony rather than the danger being his greatest enemy. It is not bloodthirsty monsters but tedium that drag at him day after empty day. The incident with the dog is just incredible.

I Am Legend is highly recommended. If you see the word 'vampire' on the cover, don't be mistaken. This is closer to Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle than to Bram Stoker, or Joss Whedon for that matter.

The Twilight Saga tells the story of starcrossed love between a woman and a bloodsucker, and no, it's not the story of Anne Hathaway and her Con-Man boyfriend.

Nope, its that same old story, Boy Meets Girl, Girl Loves Boy, Boy's Vampiric Blood Lust causes relationship troubles. You have to give kudos to Meyer for finding ways to mix the romantic and horror genres in a way that is profitable and fulfilling to many readers, but according to these Book Reviews, Twilight, and by extension the Twilight Saga, sucks:

Oh God. I don't know where to start on the 2389471829 things wrong with this book.

...and:

I felt that the story itself was very boring. A girl falls in love with a good looking face to the point where she's willing to give up all her friends, her family, her life, even her soul. Sounds like an alcoholic or a drug addict. Apparently the boy feels the same way too but he's more in love with her smell.

...and from the same review:

It's all pretty shallow. If Edward was fugly would she even care? Edward would be like "OMG Bella I love your smell! Plzbe my g/f!!" And Bella would be all '"GTFO Creep!" I glared and grimaced!' You know I'm right!

...and:

I managed to read the first couple hundred pages, but after that it was so dull, trite and clichéd that I just skimmed along, picking up the important plot points along the way. All one of them.

...and:

It is an insult to Harry Potter to even be mentioned in the same sentence with this book.

...and:

200 pages: Nothing has happened.

300 pages: Nothing has happened.

400 pages: NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

Are you Kidding me?

...and:

I found it difficult to put the book down -- except for those moments when I had to stop and shriek at my friends, "SPARKLY VAMPIRES!" or "VAMPIRE BASEBALL!" or "WHY IS BELLA SO STUPID?" These moments came increasingly often as I reached the climactic chapters, until I simply reached the point where I had to stop and flail around laughing.

...and:

This sappy vampire love story manages to validate my distaste for fantasy novels in a way I never thought possible... I would recommend this book for lovesick teenagers, but no one else should ever bother picking it up.

...and:

If you want your teenage daughters to grow up to have no self-esteem and a lifetime of abusive co-dependent relationships, then go ahead, buy this book.

...and this, short, and definitely not sparkly:

WTF? I wasn't even able to finish this! How do people read this @$!% for entertainment?

As some of you may know, I am going to Japan to represent my country for a science thing. This morning I received a message. It was from the editor of the local newspaper which I believe is call the 'Tribune'. They say they are interested in publishing an article in their paper about me, it would be interesting they say. Of course as soon as my mentor found out she encouraged the idea and says that she should be present at the interview to make sure that nothing incorrect is recorded. I'm not really sure that I want to accept or not. I not really sure that I want to appear in a newspaper that considers 'quilting' as front page news. Along with that I'm not really joyous about people literally screaming at me 'oh my god you're going to Japan!', people are already pleading with me to smuggle them inside my suitcase. Another thing is that I am not photogenic, because of my lack of sleep, I have developed dark circles under my eyes (which I hope are temporary) and my hair is lank and lacking body, hence I look like some crazed vampire with a mischievous grin. But on the contrary I get to be in the newspaper, not the for the first time though, still the novelty factor is still there.

I'll give her a ring tommorow...maybe

Use sense when indulging your nature. Do not flaunt what you are in public places. Feed in private and make certain your donors will be discrete about what happens between you. Donors who create rumors and gossip about us are more harm than they're worth. If you engage in blood-letting, put safety and caution above all other things. Blood-born diseases are a very real thing, and we cannot risk endangering ourselves or others through irresponsibility. Screen donors carefully, making certain they are in good health both mentally and physically.

Never overindulge or get careless. The safety of the entire community rests upon each member's caution.

I can't stress enough how important saftey is, if you can't tell by my other posts.  So many people get so consumed by the glory or the magic, or the image, the illusion of vampyrism that they overlook saftey entirely, and that's the part where things go spiralling downward.

This section of the black veil makes donors sound rather--er--idiotic, but honestly its a good point.  With the reputation modern day vampyres get, donors who actually participate in the feeding process, especially those who did not have any idea or inkling that vampyrism was practiced in the first place, very often get excited and relay their experiences to people who--well--may not exactly understand, or may take small bits of information and apply what they've learned from Hollywood to blow it out of proportion.

This is not to say that NO ONE understands, but it's important to be careful when opening up to people, especially donors.

In the process of my awakening, I was like a child with a wonderful secret, and likewise, I wanted to tell eeeveryone.  And that I did..and I broke this very important rule.  I fed in public, in not so discrete ways, I told people about me for shock value, or just so that someone else would know.  I won't give you the entire story, but it did not end well, and gained me a reputation that was entirely too difficult to lose after I began to mature and grow into my nature, realizing the importance of this rule.  In this case it was my fault and not my donor's, but the same exact principle applies.

Now, the part about blood-letting no longer applies to me, but for those sanguinarian vampyres, or hybrids, this rule is terribly TERRIBLY important.  Diseases, both from human and/or animal blood (if that's your thing) are very real, and no one is immune.  As tedious and extreme as it sounds, if you are going to feed on blood, make sure that your donor gets tested regularly or that you are getting the blood from a credible source.  Also, be careful with your methods, dirty implements or ESPECIALLY using your teeth (I've spoken about this in a previous post) can be extremely easy ways for bacteria to get into your body and harm you.  Always ALWAYS make sure that blood-letting occurs in a safe, sterile, and private place.

The safety of the community does lie in the hands of those within it, this applies to any community, vampyre or otherwise.

There is a new drink that is marketed as a "synthetic blood beverage." This is fascinating: we buy water in bottles now, why not "blood"? It isn't blood, though, its a blood beverage. (Actually water is a blood beverage too. In fact, technically, all beverages might be able to be called "blood beverages" in that they are metabolized and contain fluid, but I don't want to spoil the party yet.) 

Anyway, the website for this stuff reveals vampire/vampyre type of sales pitch where the site asks you when you "turned" before letting you log in. 

The product is divided into 4 different "types" of  "blood" -- and visitors take a "quiz" to find out their "Type" which is divided into O, A, B, AB--the same as blood types, minus the positive and negative.

The quiz asks such riveting questions as "How often do you get the urge?" (for what?) and "What is your type?" with pictures of men and women in silhouette. At the end of the quiz it tells the participant what "Type" they are and what "types" they are compatible with. (Don't vampires like all types of blood? Do they discriminate? Do they have favorites?)

For example, the AB type is "The Cerebral Architect," who apparently prefers to mingle with "all the other types" while drinking a "synthetic blood nourishment beverage" that "boasts a succinct combination of sophistication and judiciousness." However, the B type is "The Cheerful Go Getter," who is "most affable" with type A's and drinks a beverage containing flavors that are "painstakingly imagined inducing an overall calmness."  Let me get this straight: a type A (vampire) is a "Cheerful Go Getter" that needs to have calmness induced.

But wait! There's more! They sell underpants!  (They are sold out now, as are the "onsie" for babies. Seriously.) But you can still find the Tru Blood Coffee Mug. (A coffee mug? For vampires to use whilst drinking their "synthetic blood beverage"?) Some people do think that coffee runs in their veins so it could be spun that way, but it still seems well, sort of...silly.

I think this is branding gone very very very wrong. Its also worth noting that the website never tells you what is in this drink--they just refer to it as a "synthetic blood beverage."

Trend: Probably there are some vampire/vampyre movies coming to the big screen near you. Be careful, they may need "calmness induced." Let's hope they are wearing their underpants.

            Costa shot a glare at Sanaa.  She flinched.  She hoped he hadn’t heard that last thought.  She knew better than to free-think in his presence.  Costa could read her mind from a room away.  All the Council members could.  Edwin said it was their most precious gift from the Queen.

            “Should I continue?” Sanaa asked, referring to the list of events she had been reading aloud before Costa received the upsetting phone call.  Her boss stared straight into one of the fifteen computer monitors in his office.  Sanaa took that as a yes.  “June 15^th,” she read, “the Red Cross is hosting a benefit gala in Chicago and invited the entire Council.  I thought it might be a conflict of interest.”  Costa didn’t reply.  He was adrift in his thoughts.  Sanaa watched him for a moment.  The blue light from the screens flattened his features, making him appear even more inhuman than he truthfully was.  Sanaa returned to the list.  “The same night—”

            “Do you think it would be unwise for me to rip out someone’s throat for calling in sick?”

            Sanaa froze.  She wasn’t sure if Costa wanted her to answer or not.

            “You’re probably right,” he decided.  Sanaa had no idea what thought he had picked up, but she hoped he didn’t end up blaming her for a brutal killing.  Costa continued to stare at the monitor.

            Sanaa perused her list.  Costa wasn’t listening to her.  She wondered if he would notice her leave.

            Sanaa eyed the bundle of extension cords near her chair.  She’d have to remember it was there when she got up.  She had tripped over the friggun’ thing way too many times.  It made her wonder why Costa, with all his influence and sway, couldn’t just buy a surge protector to use in one of the existing outlets in his office rather than pilfering power from the conference room.  The cord bundle was a blatant hazard, even if Sanaa was the only one in the entire building who ever tripped over it.

            Without warning, Costa perked.  “You’re human,” he announced to Sanaa as if he’d just realized the fact.

            Sanaa touched the bite scar on her neck.  “Yes, sir.”

            “You can consort for me today.”

            Sanaa’s jaw dropped.  She wanted to be a human consort for the Council more than she could articulate, but before she screamed out an enthusiastic “YES!”, she had to confirm Costa was really assigning the job to her.  His thick European accent tended to warp his words into phrases completely different from what he actually said.  “Sorry, what?” she asked.

            “You’ve wanted to be a consort since before you started working here, and since Josh thinks explosive diarrhea or whatever he’s complaining about will keep him from performing his job, I’m going to give it to you.  Not explosive diarrhea.  His job.”

            Sanaa jumped out of her seat.  She had never liked Josh anyway.  “Yes, sir!  Just say when and I’ll be there.”

            “I’ll meet you in the car at one ‘o clock sharp.  If you’re late, I’ll kill you.”

            Sanaa was too excited to catch Costa’s latter comment.  “One ‘o clock.  I’ll be there.”

            She dashed to the office door, her foot hooking the extension cord.  Sanaa slammed into the wall.  Costa burst into laughter.  Mortified, she ducked out of the office.

***

            Sanaa was standing at the car at 12:45.  No one else had arrived yet.  She was all alone in the underground parking garage.  The trespassing wind brushed against the walls, generating an undulating whistle.  About twenty feet away, a light flickered.  Sanaa squeezed her quivering shoulders.  Her eyes darted around the gray corners. 

            Sanaa shook herself.  She chuckled at her ridiculousness.  She was on a first-name basis with the most dangerous creatures of the night, but the cold, dead garage was creeping her out.  The endless rows of fluorescent lights turned the car colors unnatural hues.  The corners of Sanaa’s mouth turned down as she cast an uncomfortable glance at the cement surrounding her.  Entombing her.

            Footsteps approached, echoing between the gray walls.  Sanaa’s head snapped to see who was there.  Anton, Costa’s personal driver.  A human, Sanaa rarely ever saw him.  The human drivers only worked during daylight, whereas night hours composed Sanaa’s entire work schedule up to that point.

            “Where’s Josh?” Anton asked.

            “Ill.  I’m taking his place.”

            “Why are you here so early?”

            “Costa said one sharp.”

            “Don’t expect him to get here a second earlier.”  Anton unlocked the car.  He started it up, turning the air conditioner on full blast. 

            Sanaa continued to wait outside the car.  She eyed her watch.  Her foot tapped relentlessly.  She should have been tired considering she only got three hours of sleep between leaving the office at predawn and getting ready for her appointment with Costa, but she was hopped up on anticipation.  From what she had heard, life as a human consort brimmed with fascinating duties and travels.  Sanaa already knew she’d be much better at it than she ever was at filing papers.

            1:00.

            Costa didn’t appear.  Soon, it was 1:01, but no Costa.  Sanaa whipped around, searching for her boss, fearing he had stood her up.  She wouldn’t put it past Costa—the most devious Council member—to pull such a mean-spirited prank.  Indignation crept into Sanaa’s muscles.

            The elevator closest to the car dinged.  The doors opened and Costa stepped out.  He walked purposefully to the car.  Sanaa opened the back door for him.  Without slowing, Costa zipped into the backseat.  Sanaa slid in next to him.

            Anton took off.  The motion of the car slammed Sanaa’s door shut.  She checked the black curtains over the windows.  She had to be certain no sunlight could enter the car when it emerged from the parking garage.

            “You said one sharp,” Sanaa blurted out to Costa, knowing she shouldn’t.  “It’s 1:02.”

            “Not according to my watch.”  Costa eyed Sanaa’s outfit.  “Is that what you’re wearing?”

            Sanaa smoothed the sleeves of her black wool pantsuit, the most professional outfit she owned.  She thought she looked exceptionally nice.  She frowned at Costa’s critical expression.  “Yes,” she challenged.

            Costa grinned.  “Nice knowing you.”

            Sanaa knitted her brow.  She forced the creases out of her pant legs.  “Where are we going?”

            “Philadelphia.”

            “We’re going to drive all the way there?”

            “Yes.  Such is the life of a consort.  Having second thoughts?”

            Sanaa straightened.  “Not at all.”

            Costa released a nasal chuckle.  Sanaa turned away from him.  She stared at the black curtains, focusing on them, keeping her mind off her involuntary anxiety.  She didn’t want Costa to have any cause to take away her golden opportunity.

            She fell asleep.  Sanaa didn’t know how long she was out, but when Costa shook her awake, the window curtains were open and it was night.  Anton had parked about a hundred meters from a seamy nightclub.  Looking at the dingy walls covered in graffiti and the shiny, unblemished black door, Sanaa knew exactly what type of club it was.

            “Ready?” Costa asked.

            Sanaa heard doubt in his voice.  She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, making sure not to spoil her makeup.  “Of course.”  She tried to sound as self-assured as possible.

            Costa shrugged.  “Okay.  Your mark is Angelic Fortifer.  Usually, we go over this during the ride, but you were out like the non-living dead.  Incessant need for sleep is one thing I do not miss from humanity.  Perhaps, if there is a next time, you’ll be able to stay awake.”

            Sanaa could have punched herself.  Sleeping on the job was not the impression she had hoped to make during her first time as a consort.

            “Angelic Fortifer,” Costa continued.  “He’s a third-generation, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.  He owns that club.  It’s a popular Raver hideout and, to put it bluntly, it’s overpopulated.  Angelic was supposed to stop letting Ravers turn in his establishment, but he decided that wasn’t the most profitable route.  This is his last check.”

            Sanaa nodded and waited for Costa to go on, but he seemed finished with his explanation.  Sanaa had little clue as to what she was supposed to do, but she moved to open her door.

            “You don’t know what a check is, do you?” Costa more stated than asked.  From behind the solid partition that split the car, Anton chuckled.

            “No, sir,” Sanaa mumbled.

            Costa sighed.  “Are you positive you want to do this?  There’s no shame in admitting lack of qualification.”

            Sanaa rolled her shoulders back, straightened her back and looking down her nose at her powerful boss.  “I am absolutely ready.”

            Costa took a moment to consider Sanaa.  She maintained her rigid carriage, burying her self-doubt from his penetrating eyes, desperately hoping Costa would allow her to prove that she could be a successful consort.

            Costa caved.  “Go in, find Angelic, see if he knows the Ravers are still turning, and leave.  Do you understand?”

            “Yes, sir.”  Sanaa grabbed her door handle.

            “We’ll drive you to the entrance,” Costa said.  “It’ll look more legitimate.”

            Sanaa yanked her hand from the door.  “Of course.”

            Anton started the car.  He pulled toward the club.  As they neared, Sanaa’s heart rate accelerated.  She wasn’t scared.  She was frightfully excited.  Her second-most soul-encompassing dream was finally coming true.

            “They’ll kill you if they find out you work for us,” Costa disclosed.  The car stopped.  “Blend in.”

To get back to the Twilight series Isabella Swan annoyed me to no end.  She was so clumsy to the point where I was wondering Is this for real?, because even I was never that bad and it was like she had a death wish or something.  Also she could not live without her love, Edward Cullen, because there was nothing else in her life in her mind.  But I did like Edward and Jacob Black.  I just wish Bella could see her own life worth.  I guess that's why I found her annoying.  She was likeable though and I guess this book shows the power of first person narrative. I got to see what Bella thought of herself more so than what others thought.

It still managed to be a good book.  I could really see it as a shojo manga though. People would really flip over that.  It's kind of similar to Vampire Knight in a way, but without some of the things that I found were distasteful in that.

I may not have liked the main character, but that didn't stop me from reading all three of the books and enjoying them.  And seeing that Stephenie Meyer has a new book with another on the way I think I'll be checking them out. 

Local: SESC da Rua Henrique Martins, no Centro. É a rua da Glacial que cruza com a Getúlio Vargas.
Horário: das 10 da matina até as 18 horas.

Programação: Mesas de RPG o tempo todo para iniciantes e veteranos
Concurso Cosplay Masculino e Feminino
Concurso de Interpretação
Torneio de Card-Games(Magic, Yugi-oh e Vampire)
Arena de Batalha(Lutas com espadas de espuma)
Sala de Video Games
Sala com Desenhos animados
Bazar com materiais de RPG
Quiz RPG

Premio Cosplay Individual Masculina

Premio Cosplay Individual Feminino

The Hunger, directed by Tony Scott, 1983. Provocative. Erotic. David Bowie. Heartbreaking. In this scene, from a video clip found on an iPod lost on a Chicago subway, Susan Sarandon's Sarah, lover of Catherine Deneuve's Miriam, is a newly minted immortal vampire suffering from withdrawal as she refuses to kill for her survival. Sarah's former boyfriend picks the wrong time to try and bring her home. After this moment, he is not seen again.

I had about 8 dreams. EIGHT. Everytime I woke up, fell asleep, had the vaguest dream ever, woke up and fell asleep and so on.

I remember something with biting a pen to complete dust. (I've watched Today in Class 5-2)

and something about houses, fights and needles.

Not a good way to start off my dreamblog.

So instead, I'll tell you a dream I had a while back. This one I remember into details

~

11.July.2008

Zombies. There were zombies everywhere. They weren't green but had no real skin colour. I was walking and running everywhere. For some reason the zombie didn't notice me, meh, you didn't hear me complaining about it. And at one point, I was with this blond dude, Jordy. He entered a building, in which experiments take place. I knew about the experiments, and I didn't want him to enter the building.

The expirement turns people imune to the zombie disease thing, but it also turns them into potato people. At least, I called them potato people, but they actually looked like this:

So, I didn't want my friend to turn into a... that. I screamed and yelled and pulled. No succes. And then, the building exploded. BOOM, with red fire. And I cried, but not for long. I walked further into a shopping district. It kinda looked like Cambridge. I passed a female zombie with red hair on my way. I was skipping, so she wouldn't notice me, for I didn't notice her. I entered a magazine store and the zombie came after me and scratched out a piece of my arm, ate it and left. Then I saw Jordy, talking with some people.

For some reason he looked much more attractive.

I was so happy to see him that I tried to kiss him on the lips, but failed: I was too short. I reached his chin standing on my tippy toes. I noticed a machine near him and he told me to come with him.

So I did.

He led me to another dude, with a pale skin and dark hair, surrounded by zombie girls. The dude was a freaking vampire and then I understood that Jordy became one too. He looked at me and said: 'Yeah that'll be a nice present for the boss.'

Then I woke up and fell asleep again.

ENJOY!

FoW:

• Panzer Lehr Divisionsbox (bemalen)
• 21. Panzerdivision/StuG Batterie (zusammenbauen/bemalen)

WHFB:

• Imperium 1250pkt (bemalen)
• Orks&Goblins ~1750pkt (bemalen)
• Bretonen Streitmachtbox (bemalen)
• Wachturm 50 % bemalt
• Festung (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• großes Geländeset (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• Rittergut (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• 2 Belagerungstürme (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• Mächtige Königreiche Kampagnenset (bemalen)
• Arkane Ruine (bemalen)
• Ziterdes Drachensteinwarte (bemalen)

WH40k:

• Renegatenverband der CSM Box (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• Streitmachtbox CSM (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• Imp. Armee ~1000pkt (bemalen)
• Stadtgebäudeset (zusammenbauen/bemalen)
• 5 Mondkrater (bemalen)

DBA/FOG:

• CB Römer (bemalen)
• BH Kelten (bemalen)
• britische Armee (bemalen)
• Ritterburg (zusammenbauen/bemalen)

Erschreckend nicht wahr, das sollte wirklich für die nächsten Jahr(zehnte) reichen. Aber das ist noch nicht alles was noch auf dem Weg ist beziehungsweise bald kommen wird sind:

für FoW die 2. SS-Panzerdivision

für WHFB die Speerspitzenbox der Vampire

Die Bloodbowl Grundbox hab ich auch noch, hat aber nicht oberste Priorität. Zuerst möchte ich meine WHFB Imperium Armee fertig haben dann die FoW Panzer Lehr Box u. zum Schluss die CSM Boxen. Das sind so die Projekte für den Rest dieses Jahres. Der Rest wird dann im laufe der nächsten Jahre erledigt.

Larissa Ione war mir schon bekannt(denn sie schreibt gemeinsam mit Stephenie Meyer alias Sydney Croft), aber von der Buchbeschreibung online her war ich ein wenig skeptisch.

Teyla ist eine Dämonenjägerin und seitdem ihre Mutter von einem Dämon getötet wurde, als Waise auf der Straße und danach in einer Organisation, die weltweit Dämonen jagt, aufgenommen worden. Sie unterscheidet nicht(bzw. weiß auch gar nicht, daß es einen Unterschied gibt), zwischen guten und bösen Dämonen, sondern alle müssen sterben. Eines Tages jedoch wird ihre Partnerin von einem Dämon getötet und sie selber schwer verletzt, und sie kommt- gemeinsam mit dem Dämon, den sie bekämpft hatte, in ein Dämonenkrankenhaus(UGH abgekürzt, lol). Da sie als "Slayer" dort gleich erkannt wird, hängt ihr Schicksal vom Willen des Chefarztes, Eidolon ab, denn alle anderen Angestellten möchten sie lieber gleich umbringen oder foltern...

Eidolon ist ein Dämon, und zwar von einer besonderen Art(ein Seminus). Seine zweite Reife steht bevor, und das bedeutet für ihn, daß er entweder zu einem Dämon wird, der vollkommen triebgesteuert ist , und sich mit allem, was weiblich ist(Dämon, Mensch)paaren möchte, ungeachtet deren Einwilligung oder Beziehungsstatus...oder er findet eine Gefährtin, an die er sich binden kann(mit dem kleinen Problem, eine zu finden, die a)bereit ist, mehrere hundert Jahre mit ihm auszuhalten und b)mit der er es mehrere hundert Jahre aushalten kann).

Als er Teyla sieht, fasziniert sie ihn, denn sie ist nicht nur "die" Feindin schlechthin für Dämonen, sondern hat auch eine merkwürdige DNA und ihre Organe sind nicht normal, was für ihn als Arzt natürlich ein Anreiz ist(neben ihren sonstigen Attributen).
Zu alledem kommt, daß jemand Dämonen ausschlachtet, um deren Organe auf dem Schwarzmarkt zu verkaufen.
Teyla und Eidolon finden langsam zusammen, während Teyla ihre Erfahrungen und ihr Denken, sowie ihre Loyalitäten überdenken muß, und Eidolon langsam aber sicher den Kampf gegen seine Reifewandlung verliert, nur- an eine Menschenfrau kann er sich nicht binden, da sein Blut für Menschen tödlich ist....

Das Buch- übrigens der Auftakt zu einer Serie, man wird aber nicht vollkommen zum Schluß hängengelassen, nur ein kleiner Teil der Handlung bleibt offen- ist ein Paradebeispiel für Paranormal Romance.
Sympathische Charaktere, die so ihre Macken haben, schnippische Wortgefechte, die teilweise auch so witzig sind, weil sie von Nichtmenschen geführt werden, Gefühle, Sex(natürlich, lol, die Szenen sind aber etwas heißer, also für Erwachsene), Spannung, und einige Wendungen, die teilweise zwar vorhersehbar sind, aber andere sind auch recht überraschend. Richtig viele paranormale Elemente.

Wehmütig wartet man allerdings auf die nächsten zwei Bände(beide Mitte 2009), Shades und Wraiths Geschichten.
5 Sterne von mir, und die nächsten Bände sind schon auf meiner Wunschliste;-).

Theatrical photo by arbron; creative commons license

I have a house full of company this summer, but it's oh-so-pleasant and has settled into a nice pattern of incense wafting upward from the countertop, couscous on the stove, wine in my glass, Brian playing the piano or guitar, Amy singing, Robert drumming on the table over sushi, Aislinn fetching strawberry-chocolate shakes, Shannon playing with Grendel, and regular midnight marathons of Buffy.  Yes, a wonderful season for us with lots of blessings. 

While other people are having their names cursed.  I didn't realize this until half-way through one of our hang-out-on-the-purple-carpet-with-pillows-and-watch-Buffy fun moments.  (As Maggie Shayne and I have agreed on many occasions, Joss Whedon is a god.)

The scene is from the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.    Willow, now becoming much more powerful in her own TV brand of witchcraft, is stunned by her reunion with Oz, her former boyfriend and favorite werewolf. They're talking about their feelings, the separation they've endured.

Willow:  Some of it, you know, was me telling myself I hated you, and cursing your name.... Well, not literally.

Oz:  Well, thanks for that.

Witches would be heavily criticized for "cursing" someone's name, right?  If they're Wiccan, they'd probably be called unethical and accused of magickal harm.  Karma, the threefold law, and all sorts of spiritual rules and regulations would be hastily invoked, I suppose.

And yet, cursing someone's name is exactly what gossip and scandal are. 

A friend of mine who lives at the beach has been in some trouble recently, which is why this hit me so hard. He hasn't hurt anyone but he did manage to become the brunt of scandal.  Bottom line is that it's always a bad idea to email pictures of yourself wearing nothing but a leash, high-heeled boots, and a wicked smile.  Doubly bad if you're in a highly visible career with the public.  I saw the pictures long before they became public, and no, I didn't let anyone else see them.  Shoot, it's taken me this long just to close my mouth.  The guy is adorable, no matter what he wears.

I did him no harm.  I didn't, in fact, point my finger as surely as an athame and curse his name by declaring him bad, insane, perverted, ridiculous, unworthy of his career, or any of those things that have happened so crazily this summer just because he has some interesting fetishes and forgot to be discreet just once. 

His career and reputation are now ruined.  To continue in his profession--if the ethics committees allow it--will likely mean he'll have to move across the State to where his name isn't a household joke.  He'll have to start over.  He'll have to leave his friends and community behind.  He'll have to pray that all the Google caches disappear faster than usual.  I've been the subject of gossip myself, and I know first hand how hurtful it can be--not just emotionally and psychologically, but financially, too.

When I was a child, I remember a story about gossip being released like feathers into the wind and the only way to make amends to the injured party was to gather all the scattered feathers--which could never be done 100%.  It's now too late for my friend.  His life has been interrupted and his career possibly dealt a death blow.  Only time will tell if he'll recover.   

Meanwhile, thousands of people have snickered and speculated and embellished until they've destroyed his good reputation.  They have, very much so, cursed his name.  And it didn't take a witch, a spell, or any magickal tool to do it.

Cheney coming to Birmingham Aug. 1

I'm going to sneak in with a mirror and see if Cheney has a reflection.

This one is pretty cool.

:D

Shingetsutan Tsukihime ep.3:

~Demon Eyes of direct Death~

Tohno wacht auf und schaut sich in der Wohnung um. Arcueid kommt nach Hause. Sie war einkaufen. Tohnos Schwester ist sich sicher, dass Tohno wieder nach Hause kommt. Arcueid hat für ihn etwas zu Essen gemacht. In der Schule bemerken Ciel und Tohnos Freund, dass Yamizuka und Tohno fehlen. In den Nachrichten wird grade davon berichtet, dass in dem Hotel Century über hundert Menschen plötzlich verschwunden sind. Die Namen der Vermissten werden gesagt und da taucht dann der Name von Yamizuka auf. Tohno weiß, dass sie Geburtstag hatte und mit ihren Eltern in einem Restaurant feiern wollte. Ihm wird bewusst, dass er Yamizuka hätte retten können. Tohno möchte alles über Nero erfahren und Arcueid erklärt ihm, dass Nero ein Shito ist. Es gibt zwei Arten von "Vampiren"..Es gibt die Shinos, dass sind Wesen, die von Natur aus ihre Kräft haben und kein Blut bauchen..& es gibt Shintos, die Menschen sind, die von einem Shino gebissen wurden. Arcueid ist eine Shino. Sie trinkt kein Menschenblut, aber sie jagt die Shintos. dann möchte Arcueid wissen, wie Tohno es geschafft hat sie zu töten. Er meint, er kann die Linien sehen und wenn er in diese Linien einsticht, wird die Person oder der Gegenstand zerstört. Arcueid möchte das sehen und deswegen nimmt Shiki seine Brille ab und geht zum Stuhl. Er sticht in die Linien und plötzlich ist der Stuhl in mehrere Stücke zerstückelt. Arcueid meint, er habe die "Demon Eyes of direct Death". Inui ruft bei Shiki an und fragt, ob es ihm gut geht. Doch die Schwester sagt, dass er nicht nach Hause gekommen ist und Inui lügt sie an. Am Abend sitzt Arcueid auf der Schaukel und will Nero zu sich locken. Damit Shiki ihn töten kann. Nero kommt und Shiki kommt aus seinem Versteck. Nero schickt seine Hune auf ihn los. Er greift auch Arcueid an. Diese wehrt sich und schneidet ihm den Arm ab. Shiki erledigt die Hund und Neros Arm verwandelt sich in eine Art Fessel und fesselt Arcueid. Shiki greift Nero an und Nero ist sauer, weil ein Mrnsch es wagt ihn anzugreifen. Er greift Shiki an und Shiki tötet ihn. Wegen seines geschwächten Körpers fällt er um und Arcueid gibt ihm einen Kuss auf die Stirn.

Ende.

Some vague information about myself.

• I'm 17 years old
• I live in a big city
• I don't like most of the people I know; even my best friends
• I'm engaged
• I'm not close with ether of my parents
• I have a room mate
• I have an eating disorder
• I used to be addicted to drugs
• I used to be a nymphomaniac
• I explodered my sexual orriantaition
• I really hate the color brown
• I wish I were a vampire.

Thats all for now; I'll be back soon enough.
Its the view from my bedroom window.

Anyhow, like any child I had Bible study during my growing years. So, I got very familiar with the Bible. Alot of the information sounded contradictory. Like, if God loves us unconditionally, then why would he become vengeful?! In my 30’s, I read alot of interesting books relating to the Enoch stories. If you are not familiar with the Enoch stories, these are the stories of the origins of evil. To make a long story short after Lucifer & his band were kicked out of heaven because they wanted to what we call “take over the throne of Grace.” (We’ve romanticized the bible too much.) Take over the throne of Grace meant that Lucifer thought he could do a better job than God to “control” us (God’s children). Lucifer wanted to appoint himself ruler & enslave us to do his bidding. As a result of this egotistical attitude of Lucifer, there was a great war in heaven. Archangel Michael & the Blue Lightning Angels found against Lucifer & his band. Michael won.

The fallen angels were kicked out of heaven cursed to live in the flesh on a separate planet than earth. They were allowed to live, but having a short time to live now that Lucifer was made flesh, he vowed revenge against God by tricking the children of God into committing sin. Anyways to make a long story short, the fallen angels had knowledge of our DNA. They created for themselves a slave race. What we call “aliens” or as ancient native Indians called them, “Annunaki” meaning “Those who have been cast down.” The fallen angels had their slaves create spaceships. In ancient times, they were called “Space boats.” Anywho…

The fallen angels made their way here & appointed themselves as our leader. Why? Because earth is a freewill zone intergalactically. Earth is basically an intergalactic freewill living library, sort of speak. The fallen angels & their slave created race were very technologically advanced. When they came here, we were wowed by their advanced technologies. These Annunaki’s (space beings, fallen angels & their slave race beings) appointed themselves as our leaders. This is where we get the term King or Gods from. You will find this proof in the Tables of Sumer, the book called “The 12th Planet” by Zachariah Sitcum, & in ancient artifacts etc. of their existence. Remember the stories of creatures that were half animal & half human, these were the slave created races of the fallen angels. Today there are over 200 different species of “aliens.” So, don’t go thinking that all aliens are okay. Some are good, some are not. If you do not believe that “aliens” are real go to youtube & look up the military personal with top security clearance that are going to congress to testify that “aliens” do exist & the alien’s plan of depopulation in order to control us easier. (If you can’t find the video let me know. I’ll give you the link.)

Anyways… the reason I mentioned the Enoch story is to help you understand that the Bible has alot of contradictions. I’m in no way saying to stop believing in God & Jesus. Or to totally stop trusting the stories in the Bible. I’m saying to separate the real teachings of Jesus & God from the not true stories about God & Jesus. For example in scripture it says GE 4:15, DT 32:19-27, IS 34:8 God is a vengeful god. Yet the Bible states that God is love in scriptures 2CO 13:11, 14, 1JN 4:8, 16. And in GA 5:22-23 It states, “The fruit of the Spirit of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.

My point here is the fact that we know that God gave us freewill. He loves us. A control freak does not give freewill, he enslaves therefore is vengeful. So, vengefulness or jealousy is not in God’s nature. You may be wandering then, how can I tell the difference between what is true & what isn’t when it comes to the Bible?!

I will help teach you this. What you do with this information is up to you. I pray that you use it wisely & apply the teachings. I invite you to read all postings I give. I will start off slow so you can understand & keep up with the noise & haste schedule you have. I will help you to help yourself determine what is true & what isn’t when it comes to the Bible teachings. If you have any questions at any time on any of the posts, please feel free to leave your comments. I will answer them as quickly as I can. I do get very busy in the summer time. But I will return a response.

To get you started, I recommend you read the following books about our past:

1.) “The Forbidden Mysteries of Enoch” Fallen Angels & the Origins of Evil by Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

2.) “From the Tablets of Sumer” by Samuel Noah Kramer published by the Falcon’s Wing Press.

3.) “The 12th Planet” by Zachariah Sitcom

4.) “Holy Blood Holy Grail” by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, & Henry Lincoln

5.) “The Dead Sea Scrolls-The Untold Story” by Kenneth Hanson, Ph.D.

6.) “The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception” by Michael Baigent & Richard Leigh.

7.) “The Templar Revelation-Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ” by Lynn Picknett & Clive Prince.

8.) New York’s Bestseller “Misquoting Jesus” by Bart D. Ehrman.

9.) “The Nag Hammadi Library” by James M. Robinson.

10.) “The Gnostic Gospels” by Elaine Pagels.

11.) “Life Between Life” by Joel L. Whitton, M.D., Ph.D. & Joe Fisher author of the “Case for Reincarnation.”

12.) “Ultimate Journey” & “Far Journeys” by Robert A. Monroe.

13.) “Journey of Souls” by Michael Newton, Ph.D.

14.) “My Glimpse of Eternity” by Betty Malz. (A startling & unforgettable story of one woman’s short venture into the next world & how she was healed there in mind, body, & personality.

15.) “The First Coming-How the Kingdom of God Became Christianity” by Thomas Sheehan.

16.) “Cosmic Consciousness-One Man’s Search for God” by Mark L. Prophet & Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

17.) “The Lost Years of Jesus” by Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

18.) “The Lost Teachings of Jesus 2-Mysteries of the Higher Self” by Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

19.) “The Lost Teachings of Jesus 3-Masters & Disciples on the Path” by Mark L. Prophet.

20.) “The Lost Teachings of Jesus 4-Good & Evil: Atlantis Revisited” by Elizabeth Clare Prophet & Mark L. Prophet.

21.) “Reincarnation-The Missing Link in Christianity” by Elizabeth Clare Prophet & Erin L. Prophet.

These books should help you begin your journey of true knowledge within yourself in remembering who you really are. I will post more along these topics & many many others. In a nutshell, help you to help yourself balance all four areas of health: physically, mentally, emotionally, & spiritually. These are no easy picnics to balance. But this information gives practical tips that help your reactions to different situations to become more healthier & beneficial for you. Lots of Love to You, Michelle

1) Hyper Street Fighter II + Vampire Dark Stalkers (Value Pack)
2) Capcom vs SNK 2 + Street fighter III 3rd Strike (Value Pack)

The games will be selectable from a title menu with respective splash screens. Preorders are welcome to ship on September 18, 2008 at JPY2990 or US$28.90 each from NCS.