tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720916218641310072024-03-13T16:07:45.810-07:00Ramblings by AmberAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-89433580471302606882016-09-04T15:01:00.001-07:002016-09-04T15:01:54.675-07:00The Jersey Devil by Hunter Shea
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsp0G2YSorN2PNLtOKaPW8Gsl8XKE5x8W3UoJo3hrxEt39QqpRTIyIvv0OSQIGPTRKUESlcT1HDQLh2O89lz6FXPXM6JkNroc5mhru22nVAXK8RzqBCeTPCcOahezbHM8l3F5KGVayh1S/s1600/thejerseydevil.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsp0G2YSorN2PNLtOKaPW8Gsl8XKE5x8W3UoJo3hrxEt39QqpRTIyIvv0OSQIGPTRKUESlcT1HDQLh2O89lz6FXPXM6JkNroc5mhru22nVAXK8RzqBCeTPCcOahezbHM8l3F5KGVayh1S/s320/thejerseydevil.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I knew when I heard the title that I had to read this one. I
am a fan of the paranormal, whether ghosts or cryptids, haunted houses or urban
legends. The legend of the Jersey Devil has always been a popular one, and
being one of the bigger known cryptid there is much information to be found
about it.<span> </span>Still, it all boils down to a
story passed down along generations leaving us to tread in the murky waters of
its true origin. Author Hunter Shea takes this legend and breathes life into it
by way of tons of action, gore, lovable characters, the perfect setting, and a
story that won’t quit. In short, he gives us monster hunters what we want and
so much more.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This tale follows the Willet family and their connection to
the famed beast that spans generations. The elder patriarch has been waiting
for the chance to go head-to-head with the Jersey Devil, and the time has come.
He, along with his child and his grandchildren will venture into the Pine
Barrens in search of the monster to settle an old score, once and for all. Some
of the family members bear a strange symbol that connects them to the Devil
somehow.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>“<span style="font-size: large;">Even
if we do find it, do you think it’ll change anything?” Ben said.</span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>April
sidled next to him, lifting his shirt to expose his side. A bright red
birthmark marred his pale flesh. The mark was in the shape of a cloven hoof.
“You mean like make this go away?”</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>She
dropped his shirt, lifting her own, revealing an identical birthmark. Daryl did
the same.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>“I
don’t know,” Ben said. “At least we can find out what it means.”</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Their
father also bore the same mark. They hadn’t seen it since they were kids, but
they knew it was there – a brand that had haunted them all their lives. Ben
knew it was more than that. Much more. They all knew Boompa’s story by heart,
how their grandmother was the first to bear it. He’d suspected there had to be
more, but if the old man hadn’t seen fit to tell them, he must have had a damn
good reason.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Maybe
the answer was somewhere out there in the Pine Barrens. And maybe the only way
to find it was through the barrel of a gun.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Willets are driven to understand their curse and to
break it so that it no longer affects future generations. Others join in on the
adventure, and many, many more are unwitting victims as the Jersey Devil goes
on a murderous rampage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shea’s style fits this tale perfectly. He spins a tale that
grows bigger with each page, trailing along at speeds that seem to go faster,
never slowing. The cast of characters is huge, if you’re counting the victims
that the Devil piles up in droves. And believe it or not, in the midst of all
of this bloodshed, Shea manages to give the Devil himself his own type of
humanity. The best part is the unbelievable twist that Shea delivers. I won’t
say much more about it than that.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shea’s personal interest in the paranormal shines in the way
he tells the story. He has other novels that highlight different creatures such
as <i>The Montauk Monster</i><span> </span>and <i>The
Dover Demon</i>, and many others that contain monsters of his devising.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With each novel I’ve read by Mr. Shea, I have to say they’re
getting better and better. Die-hard fans of horror will rejoice with this
selection. The days of renting a good horror flick from the mom and pop video
store down the street are back – in print, that is. Grab a copy of <i>The Jersey Devil</i> today <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jersey-Devil-Hunter-Shea/dp/078603887X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473026238&sr=8-1&keywords=the+jersey+devil" target="_blank">at Amazon</a> for a fun and
filthy trip into the Barrens to meet the extraordinary beast. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-38028928244675084402015-11-01T08:49:00.000-08:002015-11-01T08:49:24.491-08:00Halloween is not over.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am sad waking up the morning after Halloween.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My email inbox is filled with Christmas ads and tree sales. The Hallmark channels were already playing non-stop Christmas movies since at least yesterday. YESTERDAY WAS HALLOWEEN!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HALLOWEEN NOT CHRISTMAS.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always play my own defiant card. I leave the decorations up for a few weeks. The pumpkins, even if they are rotting and full of mold, are too painful to throw away. My crepe paper decorations are hanging by a thread, sideways and mournful, but by gosh they're still there.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7-0asoKYjVtXLVgQsaaZN9dCqKNxRc-XwfdYOQskWAqSazCRd95Y5d36oGZ3XUu0wi_T6uS6e7UbsVphuDlWmo2XTBCQF2_KzK115hLVv5g8tctkJaXllh72VDEbtyt3t65_k4qRvZrM/s1600/IMG_6711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7-0asoKYjVtXLVgQsaaZN9dCqKNxRc-XwfdYOQskWAqSazCRd95Y5d36oGZ3XUu0wi_T6uS6e7UbsVphuDlWmo2XTBCQF2_KzK115hLVv5g8tctkJaXllh72VDEbtyt3t65_k4qRvZrM/s320/IMG_6711.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I watch all of the Halloween shows and movies I have recorded and refuse to erase. I play the Halloween stations on Pandora in the background.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HALLOWEEN IS NOT OVER.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nope.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I won't let it be.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUFapFW8fvrHVRt34CpxGsQ5UC7QUmowII7ZdzzgupQauNS6Okej41zbS4txlHeGBPFa15xPzvOqRDuWtzXYXMazU2O6r18PSKw7KodZGcpr8uYqEDhIC6Kc2c0K1TFTOGQ5tvCP2pH3j/s1600/IMG_6430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUFapFW8fvrHVRt34CpxGsQ5UC7QUmowII7ZdzzgupQauNS6Okej41zbS4txlHeGBPFa15xPzvOqRDuWtzXYXMazU2O6r18PSKw7KodZGcpr8uYqEDhIC6Kc2c0K1TFTOGQ5tvCP2pH3j/s320/IMG_6430.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-84835241102455863452015-10-30T20:32:00.000-07:002015-10-30T20:32:22.157-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDFQxAlufYrF8OluUi2ZqHc945rsixbiENhyI48RualNSEcasQ2iOhoMeWlXULM4_SuAZbG3cFhUNcvGscGEpsokRyAXuMt6CxBtu6bq9Fo88ogU4iSPbZsBxYRZa4U29uX09UcFFBxEW/s1600/heart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDFQxAlufYrF8OluUi2ZqHc945rsixbiENhyI48RualNSEcasQ2iOhoMeWlXULM4_SuAZbG3cFhUNcvGscGEpsokRyAXuMt6CxBtu6bq9Fo88ogU4iSPbZsBxYRZa4U29uX09UcFFBxEW/s1600/heart.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I titled this post "Life" because that's what I wanted to write about. Life can get in the way sometimes, and sometimes it's almost unnoticed. I mean we go about the motions, and if we're lucky it all keeps chugging along like a boat on a calm sea. But most of the time there are dips and swirls and merry-go-rounds that we learn to navigate as the years tick by. Maybe it's more faking it than being an expert, but it's all a part of the experience. I feel like some people handle life better than others. I wouldn't be included in that group, though. And it also seems like some people have a harder go of it than others. Like the cards they were dealt were kind of shitty to begin with. Their lives are not calm seas and cotton candy. They are weathering storm after storm.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That kind of life is what I've been dealing with.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I'm not trying to write a sob story or gain sympathy. In fact, this is cathartic, writing about troubles. It takes some balls to put it out here like this. I have no idea how this kind of post will be received, and I probably won't be advertising it. I may even end up hiding it at some point.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But today it is here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've always had health problems. Not giant, life-threatening health problems, usually, but I was frequently at the doctor as a kid and still am. So I go to my mammogram earlier this year and they see by my paperwork that I have a high family history of breast cancer. They offer a quick and easy genetic counseling session to rate my risk and I agree. The first stage is to answer some questions on paper. This netted me the highest risk they have. So now they encourage me to do a more thorough question and answer that will be plugged into some software. It tells me that my risk is something like 26% - again the highest this particular program will go. Now it's serious. Now they offer a DNA test.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is where it gets hard.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother died at 52 from breast cancer that metastasized. She has two sisters. One of them had breast cancer two separate times; the first in her 30s. The other sister has had numerous lumpectomies and a nipple removed. I lost touch with my mother's family after she died in 1998. This is what I know of up to that point. I did find out that the aunt that had cancer twice died a few months ago. I have to wonder if she had some other cancer in the end.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was told about a way to protect myself back in 1998 after mom died. They told me I could start taking Tamoxifen and have a radical mastectomy, after I had children and breast fed them. I had no children then and didn't seriously consider this at that time. This was overwhelming, but I kept it in the back of my head.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two years ago I faced my fear and tried to have the DNA test only to find out my insurance company wouldn't pay and I didn't have the thousands of dollars to cover it. That left me in a dark and angry place. Now I was looking into that same black cave.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I agreed to the DNA test and sat in a chair as they opened a fresh test kit. I swished Scope around my mouth for a set amount of time and spit it out into a jar over and over until I gave them the required amount. A week later I got a call from the lab that processes the test. My insurance wasn't paying. Again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I sat in my bathroom after that call and had a bit of a breakdown. I'm a mother of three children. They are 6, 8 and 15. They need me and they will continue to need me for many more years. I just turned 41. That's only 11 years from the time my mom died.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That wasn't long enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without giving myself enough time to doubt this I called my insurance company. I told my story, I cried, and I opened myself to them. The lady that answered my call just happened to be someone who cared. She went to bat for me and big time. She fought the company that paid her and she didn't stop until she got an approval. She told me that she wanted me to live for my children.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many more phone calls back and forth between the lab and the insurance company continued for a couple of weeks. The DNA would be viable for 30 days. On the 29th day I got a call from the lab and was told they got the approval. My DNA would be tested.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">About one week later I got another call. This one was from the local facility that did the test. They left me a voicemail that I got as I changed classes on campus. They wanted me to come in to their office to discuss the test results with a nurse and a radiologist.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew this wasn't good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found out I am positive for BRCA1. This is a breast and ovarian cancer gene. We suspected that it came from my mother's side of the family, given the history. My cancer risk was 87%. That's way too close to 100 for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-7mRN9Z0ZART2-1hHtgFjkNptz6kJUohTkri49nb0n7NmOwMpDrLFhphIlypgia7TIJl7VHRvHU_XwgUxIUhnqhTEDoTm_ihuCCmPSqw5kOElXMmjgRIPXIvWVH4_ySMPabTtiOh1FT-/s1600/brca1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-7mRN9Z0ZART2-1hHtgFjkNptz6kJUohTkri49nb0n7NmOwMpDrLFhphIlypgia7TIJl7VHRvHU_XwgUxIUhnqhTEDoTm_ihuCCmPSqw5kOElXMmjgRIPXIvWVH4_ySMPabTtiOh1FT-/s320/brca1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I quickly found out that when you are diagnosed with a cancer gene you get sent to a lot of doctors. A lot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Genetic counselors, surgeons, gynecologists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, nutritionists, menopause specialists, you name it. And because I have a connective tissue disorder, namely Ehlers-Danlos, along with other significant health problems, I wouldn't be able to go with a team of local doctors for the surgery. No one had worked with, or mostly even heard of Ehlers-Danlos. I would have to go to a bigger hub. The surgery would include a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and ovarian removal. I was given a few options, but I wasn't a candidate for the drugs because I have blood clotting disorders. I wasn't able to go with the monitor it every six months with a mammogram/breast MRI rotation because my vertigo doesn't allow me to lay flat back for the tests, and I didn't want to sit back and wait like a ticking time bomb. The other option was the radical surgery option. Once I remove the ovaries and the breasts, my risk is cut by 90%. NINETY percent. You can't deny those numbers. It was a no brainer.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything happens fast when you find out something like this. It was the first week of April when I got the diagnosis. In June I was going four hours away to Vanderbilt University Hospital to meet with a team of surgeons. An oncologist surgeon would do the mastectomy while a gynecologist would remove the ovaries, leaving a plastic surgeon to do the reconstruction. All three would work together on a 6+ hour surgery, I would stay in the hospital for one night, then I would be on my merry way home with a lovely 4 hour drive ahead of me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My surgery was on July 28.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It went ok, and I had severe vertigo as soon as I woke up that lasted over 12 hours. My pain was unreal. It hurt to breathe. I had been cut on from my shoulders to my groin. My chest was one large bandage and I was being held together by some hideous and ridiculous surgical bra. I had 4 drains, 2 on each side, that came out from between some ribs and hung about 2 feet outside of my body. They had to be stripped and drained at least twice a day. Thank goodness for my 15 year old daughter, who did all of my after care because my husband is crazy squeamish.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't able to tolerate the narcotics because of my vertigo and they upset my stomach, so I was left taking Advil. Regular old Advil. I did that for a week until I was told that nope I couldnt' take that because I was already on blood thinner shots in my stomach daily to keep from having a blood clot. That meant that all I could take was Tylenol. Oh, but I can have the extra strength kind they said. They did nothing. I cried.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I went without. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three days after surgery I started having hot flashes and didn't know at first what they were. I would cry out of nowhere, and I mean hard crying. The kind where you make noises. I wasn't depressed, I was just crying.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was menopause.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gynecolost told me at my post-op visit that women who have their ovaries removed and cannot take hormone replacement therapy go into menopause fast and furious. She wasn't kidding.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I forgot things. I was always forgetful, but now I have no memory of certain things. It's like they've been erased. I also can't multitask. At all. It's like that part of my brain has been turned off.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were some complications afterward with the reconstruction, but nothing too bad. I was given expanders that were sandwiched between the chest muscle. I would have to go back every week at first to get saline injections that would stretch the muscles and my chest, expanding my breasts outward. We had to take it slow and do a little at a time because my ribs were dislocating and my spine and shoulders couldn't take it. Ehlers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the middle of this I find out my thyroid is going nuts, and I was diagnosed with another connective tissue disorder on top of the Ehlers. Maybe even lupus. Who knows at this point.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am overwhelmed and I stopped talking on Twitter, my form of social media. I haven't really written since the surgery until this post. I guess you can tell because it's ended up being so long. Sorry guys. I guess I needed to talk after all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to write this before November because October is breast cancer awareness month. I felt I had an obligation to do so. I don't know how long I will keep this post up, and I will be amazed if anyone makes it to the end. Thank you, if you do. It means a lot to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPpK3ICZSNDmBGs3bxfSwTN1h5TCiN2gcaVBv5vE2uPBcQN52xtx7Vm-huuY-bpMCPcB248WnzM9Zj3yYT8_cAaQTjyVCBr3fl3jEMkyQ8ocvaiwRoj84-9utnnxThrIPkAsbh46ArRpZ/s1600/wecandoit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPpK3ICZSNDmBGs3bxfSwTN1h5TCiN2gcaVBv5vE2uPBcQN52xtx7Vm-huuY-bpMCPcB248WnzM9Zj3yYT8_cAaQTjyVCBr3fl3jEMkyQ8ocvaiwRoj84-9utnnxThrIPkAsbh46ArRpZ/s1600/wecandoit.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-32572793605638828572014-05-13T15:47:00.000-07:002014-05-13T15:47:06.880-07:00TORNADO<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I have a few strange interests, well, maybe more than a few, but storms are one of them. It's the big, bad thunderstorms that I like. The ones that turn the sky black with howling winds, rain and hail. Really, it's the prospect of a tornado that gets my gears turning. When I hear the siren, it's like a triple shot macchiato injected straight into my heart. At the start of a storm, I will be the one standing in the yard staring up at the sky. I've been this way since I was a kid. I don't know any defining moment that caused this, but there was a close call when I was about 3 that should probably be mentioned.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My mom had left me and my brother in the car to run into a grocery store. It was mid-afternoon, and within moments after she had disappeared through the doors, a storm approached. I can remember it in snippets, but my brother had better recollection (he was older than me). What I do remember is the strange noise the storm made, and the wind. I turned backward in my seat and watched a garbage can fly across the parking lot and heard distant screams from wayward shoppers unloading groceries. The winds quickly got worse, and garbage cans turned into stop signs and power lines snapping. I don't think I cried, I remember feeling like I was watching a movie.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">After the whole thing was over, which wasn't but a few minutes at the most, I remember wanting my mom real bad. My brother wouldn't let me out of the car, and when mom finally made it back to us, she told us they had locked everyone in and wouldn't let them leave because there had been a tornado. The tornado had went right by us and left considerable damage behind. A drive in theatre down the same stretch of road we had been on had been hit pretty hard, destroying the wooden screen tower. As an interesting side note, very close to this structure sits the famed Nascar track in Bristol. I don't believe it was hit.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDzYZplEm4uuKMOuIu0Lxx39Uaeute2z4ga0dk_omKKXud4vQM6xDFLBFIT5022vj4m5hxscWWTFHyONlrSAQV5jbKrDeMMiBkPtb_7I2fcb1vEr0mgqE3GtLUsnN6luFN437zW8SPouh/s1600/drivein.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDzYZplEm4uuKMOuIu0Lxx39Uaeute2z4ga0dk_omKKXud4vQM6xDFLBFIT5022vj4m5hxscWWTFHyONlrSAQV5jbKrDeMMiBkPtb_7I2fcb1vEr0mgqE3GtLUsnN6luFN437zW8SPouh/s1600/drivein.jpeg" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Twin City Drive-In October 1, 1977</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Around this area you could actually see the path the tornado had taken across the mountain. I remember that vividly. So please don't let anyone tell you that a tornado can't cross a mountain, or that living in them protects you. In fact, in the Super Outbreak of 1974, tornadoes were known to cross bodies of water and continue back on to land, and even go across ravines and continue. This particular tornado was on the ground for a bit, lifted, and came back down to do more damage. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">One of my cousins' homes had been hit (no injuries, thank goodness) and we all took a long car ride the next day to survey the damage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My dad liked to make pictures, and he made a lot that day. After all of these years, my parents' divorce, and many moves, unfortunately the pictures are gone. I looked back at them periodically, and remember the sheets of metal twisted into the barren trees, the lonesome tractor turned into a 'U', its back end facing the front, and my cousins' pool that had been lifted and thrown 300 yards out. This tornado ranked as an F1 on the Fujita scale, and there were 10 injuries reported, no fatalities.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So I guess maybe this experience had something to do with my fascination.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Years later a microburst picked up our small building at the bottom of our backyard and blew it apart as if it had been stuffed with dynamite. I watched that one from the safety of the picture window, eyes wide, tongue lolling, panting, I'm sure. For a kid who was nervous around loud noises, odd enough, I didn't mind the lightning and thunder.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Growing up in northeast Tennessee, you won't see many tornadoes, so any time there is a chance, most people take it seriously.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In April of 2011, we saw a few serious storms again. I live a few miles away from where I grew up, and on the afternoon of the 9th, a tornado touched down at our Veterans' Administration campus nearby. It tore through the scenic cemetery and continued across the campus ripping trees from the ground and stripping others until all that was left were large, pointed toothpicks in the ground. Several buildings suffered damage, and a roof had been peeled back on a local business. We had only recently acquired a warning system at the nearby university. When the alarm went off, a lot of people didn't know at first what to make of its eerie opening tones and the voice warning them that a tornado was on the ground. It was a fast process and the last announcement declared that all was safe.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I did get some startling pictures and ominous videos of the sky before it hit. The sky was so calm and quiet before the storm. The clouds were amazing.The video doesn't do it much justice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPrTj8QlLQCpyEp7P891Fq0D-g-aLP37DVMbp2KYjGuTCzeNZmyFHT1lCMxSx9UmMZmtLr1fmBD8Y0Vo2LrQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> This was the first siren call. (That's my southern drawl there, y'all.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6uVBSTqBEuPxptUwFhhwI8Y-IOrzd9o6V-x-aIpf7Qe9THvJ9oskREwCc_bwAgdLcGQfMJA8h8kmO9MwufA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There's another pretty good video of the siren going off, informing everyone to get in their basements and stay away from their doors. I didn't post it because I am quite freaking out at that point, along with some dear family members who sound like straight up panicked hillbillies. Ahem.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As we were hearing the siren announcement, the tornado was hitting about a half mile away, in the direction I am pointing the camera. Here's some of the aftermath at the VA campus:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAg2UD75CypYFFsxNqXm1tfNWmg9z8-HfLCgZgTySQC_LMWp7xkubmkqajWFI-NIcHzMBOTr7LozlzoPtj01_cF2pdEEJk_fxwGfDyewS9-9FqPspDRtmIYnw5DX8QM0YiYBUyUA_-IYa/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAg2UD75CypYFFsxNqXm1tfNWmg9z8-HfLCgZgTySQC_LMWp7xkubmkqajWFI-NIcHzMBOTr7LozlzoPtj01_cF2pdEEJk_fxwGfDyewS9-9FqPspDRtmIYnw5DX8QM0YiYBUyUA_-IYa/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv9cnzBc2FUrNcXsZv455G2TA-5WSJb2RQtWyHqTsLY4yHckQh_GblgG-9UUgZ9VNezpuNKud3RnxZcPZz6FvfxG6Tf6oy5LNSgh0mvtiQJqT9JLp15sybWGOKElvsFOUphehPey9_MZ1/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv9cnzBc2FUrNcXsZv455G2TA-5WSJb2RQtWyHqTsLY4yHckQh_GblgG-9UUgZ9VNezpuNKud3RnxZcPZz6FvfxG6Tf6oy5LNSgh0mvtiQJqT9JLp15sybWGOKElvsFOUphehPey9_MZ1/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2vgm8BJEbLVn3Y1rbWUvUxIGeIX9I-Mg_pLzT-X7N5pphZxcIuBefYp3lc_okozEDI9GQias6jZEVl0P9KbIccLsXx0dl_DklXxihPW6PEIxTe9mvhZpps_ts-0ipKi1iHUR97NvSLrq/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2vgm8BJEbLVn3Y1rbWUvUxIGeIX9I-Mg_pLzT-X7N5pphZxcIuBefYp3lc_okozEDI9GQias6jZEVl0P9KbIccLsXx0dl_DklXxihPW6PEIxTe9mvhZpps_ts-0ipKi1iHUR97NvSLrq/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7f0nOO7kUN2hqch6MXxAy_eu-_yh8KzRxVFMjgiv9JuuZLTUMgdwk_a1f6ifOOBcjlHcZDCJerPmow5I3Ftfj3SSz9IeuApuyZpv-l3LbW35fgR_0OhwzJkfI-CpDuLIC-T2gay8JcAO/s1600/IMG_3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7f0nOO7kUN2hqch6MXxAy_eu-_yh8KzRxVFMjgiv9JuuZLTUMgdwk_a1f6ifOOBcjlHcZDCJerPmow5I3Ftfj3SSz9IeuApuyZpv-l3LbW35fgR_0OhwzJkfI-CpDuLIC-T2gay8JcAO/s1600/IMG_3309.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgb2Y4c6Y-sPfMUnZ5c6hGYa2Foc56FIQdORtMwLqUN4W1JkbYkwQoPFFJfpVUkiZXGoVwF-t2TjcXhrRxzYs0ZhJzNxlJhO1qWMlwLJlgDWizsF4KGUdn5I7NjghNVhfOXAurZhuRdeg/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgb2Y4c6Y-sPfMUnZ5c6hGYa2Foc56FIQdORtMwLqUN4W1JkbYkwQoPFFJfpVUkiZXGoVwF-t2TjcXhrRxzYs0ZhJzNxlJhO1qWMlwLJlgDWizsF4KGUdn5I7NjghNVhfOXAurZhuRdeg/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHM-8NV-9BuBe1dKsypbvLqSGykzoZ_vZBWy2BHSKkxJcgpSr2A4b6IC5grg46lPCdiwNXrmFo1COOJdf3LOlZMUwd6PpRdZCpJrE2V84bC-Yp5dSyAucRc_OFm1Y36Rdh85S3wBqazue/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHM-8NV-9BuBe1dKsypbvLqSGykzoZ_vZBWy2BHSKkxJcgpSr2A4b6IC5grg46lPCdiwNXrmFo1COOJdf3LOlZMUwd6PpRdZCpJrE2V84bC-Yp5dSyAucRc_OFm1Y36Rdh85S3wBqazue/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18aOcONMZOVjaaxfeh1cc6qutkuLl1M4pW4bWbT3D2jeUkPlS4ybZkCSvAhSrHKd5gtWB50VqgW6GwJCpZurhwvvzWx3AeFdxDFltaOjfr0XCcLIRjXmj6afC2UYTxyq0-vydbWv9Hegh/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18aOcONMZOVjaaxfeh1cc6qutkuLl1M4pW4bWbT3D2jeUkPlS4ybZkCSvAhSrHKd5gtWB50VqgW6GwJCpZurhwvvzWx3AeFdxDFltaOjfr0XCcLIRjXmj6afC2UYTxyq0-vydbWv9Hegh/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lTlgJnMIXwqHXcoNNdc3zQUpE-BF2aybkUIYIicsSW03hIhITF-fiFrDEbJKQmf3Uz-_GG3mE5RPU55RwnFwfhPfNf4QMAl2-91D61khCnctdJxAdgK2PgjU9d_TUppwtA-gbp621v_a/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lTlgJnMIXwqHXcoNNdc3zQUpE-BF2aybkUIYIicsSW03hIhITF-fiFrDEbJKQmf3Uz-_GG3mE5RPU55RwnFwfhPfNf4QMAl2-91D61khCnctdJxAdgK2PgjU9d_TUppwtA-gbp621v_a/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj66crcb7k2Xby3giBUDM1PO_ELtBSpHSvSJVxNqMaudAW9UUbYUzRD4UaFHV9wzvxctqI8hX8k0w0a7XUOGmFKCaSmHNcht7n7FTfm1Fh_pBId5LRwQw7p26OsadnbjrVR7U9CDo069i/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj66crcb7k2Xby3giBUDM1PO_ELtBSpHSvSJVxNqMaudAW9UUbYUzRD4UaFHV9wzvxctqI8hX8k0w0a7XUOGmFKCaSmHNcht7n7FTfm1Fh_pBId5LRwQw7p26OsadnbjrVR7U9CDo069i/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkkH2sApIzcUU-DYQWcy5nlGozgiJqt_ySnLB4X87qwefsBcyYd8DpcQQ8vCtiBjgF_8aNew7rT-uHweUnBzcTg275FYmR-SUbIexNZQU6loBxAWEwYmuRvuIHJ2zUCGpU3jpp60BdDHj/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkkH2sApIzcUU-DYQWcy5nlGozgiJqt_ySnLB4X87qwefsBcyYd8DpcQQ8vCtiBjgF_8aNew7rT-uHweUnBzcTg275FYmR-SUbIexNZQU6loBxAWEwYmuRvuIHJ2zUCGpU3jpp60BdDHj/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROqSAtgOjg0BBtj0CLLW8VsC5Fy9A53Bkak_J28B3vjAh26MjsNMFC3UqeEcIfJIBNwTr0KGH9CJXqnSRqdxj9FMHbjkNHz75vzT1nJP_oM1L-SIRVL_X62qgQjMiDR_662GotxYhblGA/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROqSAtgOjg0BBtj0CLLW8VsC5Fy9A53Bkak_J28B3vjAh26MjsNMFC3UqeEcIfJIBNwTr0KGH9CJXqnSRqdxj9FMHbjkNHz75vzT1nJP_oM1L-SIRVL_X62qgQjMiDR_662GotxYhblGA/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzkdk0byMuRUE1wO68AeVsE1V8jcduVZH1vUzZ_-YsLjdjr7qo8MDkArMZydawrf-0OJLyjdZ-G665RY7HkzZa74iZGjv_F7PBSZGVEO0teypczrpS9lHrdS-tqGuokOxI5M5UxTpNcOA/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzkdk0byMuRUE1wO68AeVsE1V8jcduVZH1vUzZ_-YsLjdjr7qo8MDkArMZydawrf-0OJLyjdZ-G665RY7HkzZa74iZGjv_F7PBSZGVEO0teypczrpS9lHrdS-tqGuokOxI5M5UxTpNcOA/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This was another F1.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A little later that year, in August, I caught this beauty on accident as I was out running errands. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz93P5Q0HK-hbdGj9jZtoz7GY8ISXs4e-7CHy0qeoLc6iNUT_vSSXVvdI6btKUdxt3y8Gupo6HxyG9d4a7ARA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I know now this scary looking UFO wannabe was a supercell silently gliding over my head.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I got in my car right after taking the above video, and I drove around to the back of the shopping center that you can see, and surprise SURPRISE...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxJAD21h7XxNVCrkuq-gs5M2FwnacOe2Yyhu2vS7TCyaQX3OhzTNrWim4rSA228LNpEGTK8_GRN6NrirutHKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here she was, about 100 feet from my hood. I didn't bother to cut my engine off (you can hear NIN singing on The Crow soundtrack in the background), I just jumped out and took this video, probably while holding my breath.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I followed it and watched it dissapate as it crossed the road.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGXyGoMgnDPS8ZxYRJfwTbr9-LZUzxcVWIRV3XBP1Kt6dIGHHmVkzieBCKwolyNX5SCGxbgCTUS80qMkCU31-yGHR-5zHLC8CEx4gOeVnHk6N-XwjrciNpYzlBZCI-OytwF9a3TC_icOZ/s1600/IMG_3916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGXyGoMgnDPS8ZxYRJfwTbr9-LZUzxcVWIRV3XBP1Kt6dIGHHmVkzieBCKwolyNX5SCGxbgCTUS80qMkCU31-yGHR-5zHLC8CEx4gOeVnHk6N-XwjrciNpYzlBZCI-OytwF9a3TC_icOZ/s1600/IMG_3916.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here's the tail end of the supercell with the storm following like skeletal fingers poking at the asphalt.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-9vgHc4F24gVUcPhDpsIZDOCXSWnWWS2gjQbNjxPptGDRfXLIVagB5ODDhmz8-e5vLIpPpsXu0UPW0RxO2gW3Qu6l24GF14Dri5iGP7Mj8BwRz68cK6QYz0ha5EGY2m1zE3nU6FY6XhV/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-9vgHc4F24gVUcPhDpsIZDOCXSWnWWS2gjQbNjxPptGDRfXLIVagB5ODDhmz8-e5vLIpPpsXu0UPW0RxO2gW3Qu6l24GF14Dri5iGP7Mj8BwRz68cK6QYz0ha5EGY2m1zE3nU6FY6XhV/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This has been the longest blog post I've ever written, but it also contains the most pictures or videos, too, so there's that.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We haven't had as active a storm season as 2011, but I keep hoping every time I see a lightning bolt in the forecast on my phone's weather app. That season inspired me to get trained through NOAA as an official storm spotter (yeah, I got a card ;).</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Have you been through a tornado or watched one from afar? Please feel free to share any stories you might have in the comments. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-58873808778155189232013-10-30T09:30:00.000-07:002013-10-30T09:30:49.578-07:00Truth or Dare<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been a long time since I've put a short story up here, and with Halloween coming tomorrow, I thought I would share this scary tale. I hope that you enjoy!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gWBr02RttaMfWh0s-Xko4v_WiAM-yFLqDW27gHlCRSdHl9Qw1T4H80FQjxClnPxConrakDgAWpdO1d-JUOfU9-qCMiQDXUOZMUD0hbHfs_Tv7O202fp2zqmcZtr5XJaxQaVEUd4x_LrD/s1600/2011-08-25+20.33.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gWBr02RttaMfWh0s-Xko4v_WiAM-yFLqDW27gHlCRSdHl9Qw1T4H80FQjxClnPxConrakDgAWpdO1d-JUOfU9-qCMiQDXUOZMUD0hbHfs_Tv7O202fp2zqmcZtr5XJaxQaVEUd4x_LrD/s320/2011-08-25+20.33.11.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TRUTH OR DARE</b></span></div>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Go on. You picked dare.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucifer, whose real name was Tony,
sneered and elbowed her lightly. He had insisted they pick new Goth names a few
weeks ago and Emily was having a hard time remembering to use them. Her own
moniker was Chaos. She had written it down on small pieces of paper that she
would throw away, trying to drill it into her brain.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Why here</i>, wondered Emily, <i>why
did he have to pick this place?</i> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The large gothic Victorian house stood in
front of them, owning the darkness. Spires tipped the corners, pointing to an
ebony sky, and sharp arches sliced through the night. Each window looked like a
set of empty eyes holding sentry to a tenebrous world that lie just behind the
glass. Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that the house knew they were there,
that it was watching them. The hairs on her neck stood in agreement. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The home was tall. Its shudders were
drooped, hanging idly from a few lazy bolts, the shingles sagged. The front
door looked like the crooked grin of an old man with the various small panes of
glass long ago shattered and broken leaving haphazard shards behind. The porch
boards were curled and nails had worked their way out of the wood, poking
upward in dangerous angles. No one knew the last time people had lived here. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily swallowed, her fear a hard lump in
her throat.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight, Emily had pushed her luck when
she had suggested they play Truth or Dare. Stephanie, now known as Paradox,
liked Lucifer, and Emily did, too. Emily had stood in the shadows for long
enough. Her timid demeanor put up against Paradox's bold self confidence was no
contest, but tonight Emily was determined to show Lucifer another side of
herself. She had never considered they would end up at this house tonight.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucifer and Paradox stood back,
uncharacteristically silent, taking in the house from the street. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily hesitated before she put one boot
in the yard. A small rush of wind blew her skirt around her and her hair into
her face, taking her breath. Tears formed, spilling over slightly, making her
thick eyeliner sting as it slid into her eyes. She briefly fought the urge to
turn and run, but with clenched fists, she stood still until it passed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With resolve and Lucifer foremost in her
mind, Emily started toward the house. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An ornate, clover shaped window on the
steeply pitched roof held beautiful stained glass. The vibrant colors were
muted by the darkness, but Emily found herself drawn to it, staring. From
behind her, Paradox began to giggle. Emily could only imagine how Paradox would
be flirting with Lucifer when she wasn’t around. She needed to get this over
with and send Paradox on a long dare herself. The thought made her smile. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily trudged on. The porch creaked and
sagged under her weight. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With a sudden sharp crack, Emily’s left
ankle fell through the boards. She started to shriek but stuffed her fist into
her mouth, effectively cutting it off. Dust plumed all around her, making her
cough. Thank goodness her boots went up to her knees, otherwise the jagged wood
would have cut into her leg as she yanked her foot free. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was shaking as she made her way to
the front door, the adrenalin still pumping through her. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The large front door stood sentinel for
the house, yet Emily only needed to push and it easily opened. She glanced back
at Lucifer and Paradox, who were still watching from the street. She noticed
Lucifer now had his arm around Paradox, who was leaning into him. A silent
scream ran through her mind as jealousy burned deep. Exhaling, Emily turned and
faced the darkness of the open door and stepped inside.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once inside, Emily waited for her eyes to
adjust to the darkness. The strong smell of mold caused her to wrinkle her
nose. She stumbled forward, sliding her feet instead of picking them up for
fear of falling over something. Finally she remembered she had her cell phone
in her pocket. She pulled it out and pressed a round button on the front,
turning it on. Dense blue light illuminated a path in front of her. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Holding the phone straight out ahead, she
opened her eyes wide to better see, blinking from the dust motes swirling in
the light. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was in what appeared to be a large
sitting room. Old furniture sat decaying and mildewing like the skeletons of
ancient creatures, tented with thick cobwebs that trailed from their corners to
the ground. The fabric was thin and split open with age. A tarnished mirror
hung in the large living room, reflecting a hazy, milky image. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thick dust covered the floor and there
were no footprints. It had been a long time since anyone had been in here.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily carefully made her way through the
large room. To her left was a staircase. Her phone did not allow her to see to
the top of the stairs, but she guessed from the way they curved, disappearing
into the darkness, that it was long. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was when she was standing at the
bottom of the stairs, looking up into the ebony nothingness, that she heard the
voice. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Emily</i>.” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was whispered, barely audible, and
after jumping, she blurted out her first reaction. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Guys, you know that’s not my name
anymore!” Emily figured it was her friends playing a trick on her.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It became quiet again.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily made her way to a window and looked
out. Paradox and Lucifer were still standing in the street, near the front
lawn. Now they stood side by side, playing with their cell phones.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A prickly feeling crawled across Emily’s
neck and down her back, leaving her hair standing on end.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She walked back to the staircase and once
again looked up. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Emily</i>.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the same as before. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The realization that it wasn't Lucifer or
Paradox fell over her. Her breath strangled in her tightened throat, her body
started to tremble. She couldn't run out, she couldn't let him see her scared.
She would have to face this, whatever was in the darkness. After a few
unsuccessful attempts, she finally squeaked out, “Who’s here?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was no reply.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The thought of them setting her up with
someone upstairs to mess with her gave her a burst of bravery. Emily exhaled
sharp and aimed her phone at the stairs. “Listen, I’ve got a knife. Be warned.”
She surprised herself with the confidence that came through.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remembering there had been no footprints
in the dust, fear mixed with curiosity, and a giggle from Paradox rode in on
the dank air, compelling her forward. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She put one foot on the first step and
pressed down. A slight groan came from the wood, but it held steady. Emily
slowly put her other foot down and waited. It seemed that it would be able to
hold her weight, even when she lightly bounced on it, so she began to climb the
steps.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Soon, something began to pull her along.
Her body went numb. It felt like a hand was reaching deep into her belly, its
fingers gripping her insides lightly, tugging her farther up the steps. It
tickled and despite the undercurrent of fear, Emily found herself nervously
laugh. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The stairs curved upward in a circle.
Emily didn’t know when they would ever end, but the pulling persisted and began
to feel like a cold breath that licked at her ears. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Emily</i>," the breathy voice
died in the distance.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She climbed ever further. The air
thickened the closer she was to the top. The distinct feeling of moisture clung
to her skin, leaving a sheen of slickness behind.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not able to tell from which direction the
voice came, she turned, going toward her right. There were three doors that
opened to reveal bedrooms with more decrepit furniture filling them. Going back
down the hall, she continued down the other side.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On this side there was another bedroom
and a small bathroom. The bathroom had a claw-footed bathtub that was filled
with gelatinous brown muck. The smell was so strong and pungent in here that it
burned her eyes. Emily backed out quickly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Feeling frustrated, Emily was about to go
back downstairs when she heard it again.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>This way</i>,” it breathed. The ‘s’
sound was elongated, mimicking a snake’s hiss.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was coming from behind her. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was a brief but strong primal
instinct that kicked in, urging her to leave right now, but her emotions
overpowered it, shoving the tiny voice away. With her head held high, she
turned to see a door that she hadn’t noticed before. When she opened it, there
was another smaller set of steps lying before her, wrapped in a strange silver
glow. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily pocketed her cell phone because the
light here was ample enough that she didn’t need it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The voice became louder and less breathy
as she climbed the steps with automatic movements.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Emily, come here</i>,” it beckoned.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A large attic space opened up. Lit with
the same silver glow as the steps. It housed many items such as a large,
decorative mirror, stacks of moldy books, a coatrack with an antique white lace
dress hanging in tatters from the edge, and framed portraits. Ladders were
angled against the wall, a steel tub had been filled with boxes and old hats
hung on pegs. Emily stared in wonder at the room. There was a dream-like
quality to the moment with its filtered appearance and her muffled thoughts;
her movements had slowed as if she were under water. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Emily</i>.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The voice was coming from a corner.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She followed it to find a large, black
trunk sitting up against a wall. Kneeling, Emily pushed the heavy lid up. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were stacks of books and old
photographs bundled with shiny ribbon. A pair of boots lined with tiny, round
buttons and a dry-rotted pinafore. She removed each item with ease, laying them
each on the floor beside her. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Near the bottom, there was an old
hairbrush, its bristles frail and brittle, and a matching hand mirror. They
used to be silver but were now tarnished so bad that they appeared mostly to be
a dull brown. She tried to look at herself in the glass. Still holding the
mirror, she noticed something glowing in the bottom of the trunk.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Picking up a small, wrapped bundle, Emily
began to unwind the gauze that covered it. The more she took off, the stronger
the glow became. With the last of it removed, she could see that it was a
necklace. A blue and white cameo; the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Carved into it was a child, his angelic face forever captured in pristine
innocence. His blue eyes shone and seemed to be looking right at her. A snake
that wound around his small legs and up his rounded belly to rest on his
shoulder, lovingly, encircled his swathed body. The child appeared to be
floating on a puffy cloud with stars lining the background, a small set of
wings sprouting from his back. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily rubbed her fingertip across the pendant;
each delicate score was painstakingly detailed. The blue was almost electric as
it glowed in her hand. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She bowed her head and lifted the
necklace, setting it in place around her throat.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instantly the room went black. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily snapped out of the dream-like
trance she was in and remembered where she was. Fear gripped every inch of her
and she opened her mouth to scream. Before any sound could escape, something
touched her neck.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A raspy voice hissed, “You have released
me. For this I thank you, but, please forgive me; I haven’t fed in centuries.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Searing pain blossomed from her throat as
something sliced into her soft flesh. Warm blood spilled onto the floor with a
heavy splash. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily clutched at her throat, gasping for
air that was bubbling in the gaping wound. As she fell to her knees, her body
was pulled from behind up into the air. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She managed one last scream that slashed
through the silent night with piercing clarity. Lucifer and Paradox‘s heads
snapped up at the sound. The two of them saw the glow coming from the stained
glass window that now blossomed with color, and ran toward the house.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A river of blood fell upon the floor, and
the necklace dropped beside it, the glow fading into the night.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Emily!” In their haste, nicknames were
forgotten. Their cries rang out as they clumsily made their way to the top
floor.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The attic had darkened. Lucifer aimed his
small penlight and saw that a large pool of blood covered the center of the
room.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucifer paced the area looking for Emily.
Paradox stared in shock at the blood.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A large drop of blood fell on Lucifer’s
shoulder. He stopped where he was and slowly looked up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the darkness he could make out the
edges of the eaves disappearing into inky blackness.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another drop of blood fell on his cheek.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Emily?” he asked in a weak voice.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the black came the sound of wings
beating followed by a harsh squeal. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A large creature emerged from the
darkness above, swooping down at Lucifer who shielded his face with his arms
and crouched, screaming.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The thing landed with a thud, its talons
clicking on the wood.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It stretched its arms wide, and opening
its chest, it leaned its head back and shrieked again, flexing large, veined
black wings. It had the head of a snake. A forked tongue flicked out of its
enormous mouth between long, sharp, red-stained fangs. Moist, bulbous eyes
contained pointed pupils.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Lucifer trembled in the floor, Paradox
stepped forward; her eyes open wide and fixed on the creature.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You are real,” she said softly. Lowering
her head, she dropped to one knee. “I bow before you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The creature tilted its head and ambled
its lanky form ahead.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It bent down and enveloped her with its
large wings. A loud crack and a quick squeal were all Lucifer heard as he sat
in the floor, rocking back and forth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paradox’s limp body fell to the side. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The giant creature lifted itself off the
ground with its wings. Wind swirled in the room kicking up papers, dust and
debris. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pointing a clawed finger at Lucifer it
said, “Tell them I have come.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucifer snapped out of it in time to see
the creature’s visage change from the beast that it had been to the form of the
small, beautiful child on the necklace. Bright blue eyes glowed in the
darkness. In an instant it morphed back into the beast.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With a powerful whoosh of its wings, it
propelled itself forward with great momentum, crashing through the stained
glass window and off into the night. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Its large black form was briefly
silhouetted against the bloated, full moon. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A shriek rendered the night alive.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-75270916422053493782013-08-28T16:27:00.000-07:002013-08-28T16:27:50.989-07:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb422xp9GBL5F2L4TyYMHjzQqwK-W_2thDQJQ4BIWy0I4D5WCRznAD62rMTrkh7gh1uaQPe-j-QFYdRLCuLsj6F95qRH-gA2VyHknNBu7Yc2p_Ujr8Q3pNz5bir7WnUJHc0mc8-7PtwUO/s1600/Bird_Cage_by_Farrago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb422xp9GBL5F2L4TyYMHjzQqwK-W_2thDQJQ4BIWy0I4D5WCRznAD62rMTrkh7gh1uaQPe-j-QFYdRLCuLsj6F95qRH-gA2VyHknNBu7Yc2p_Ujr8Q3pNz5bir7WnUJHc0mc8-7PtwUO/s320/Bird_Cage_by_Farrago.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://farrago.deviantart.com/art/Bird-Cage-11518991" target="_blank">http://farrago.deviantart.com/art/Bird-Cage-11518991</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am a bird in a cage.</span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-22684314953233005212013-08-08T11:38:00.000-07:002013-08-08T11:38:15.469-07:00Tom Vater on his new release, "The Cambodian Book of the Dead"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGpuz6khUewtZikud04_Gs17szfcFQXSWYULd6Uxw_i6StarpgPF6FyBdtsUFwbmT4Z1uOzphllDC0opheqTU6M3nn5suUetrHPExpTBMuE7I5UMtVBN4Eb477RlPzEdfkKb7l0wgbfeZ/s1600/TheCambodianBookOfTheDead-144dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGpuz6khUewtZikud04_Gs17szfcFQXSWYULd6Uxw_i6StarpgPF6FyBdtsUFwbmT4Z1uOzphllDC0opheqTU6M3nn5suUetrHPExpTBMuE7I5UMtVBN4Eb477RlPzEdfkKb7l0wgbfeZ/s320/TheCambodianBookOfTheDead-144dpi.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally I do a book review on the ol' blog here, and considering it's been awhile since I've put one up, I'm definitely overdue. Exhibit A, an imprint of Angry Robot, is an exciting new publisher of commercial crime fiction. I was lucky enough to be sent a couple of their newest releases, which I will be featuring here. I also write book reviews for another site called <a href="http://www.freshfiction.com/" target="_blank">Fresh Fiction</a> , and the official review for both of the books will be listed there. For now I have the following interview with Tom Vater, author of <i>The Cambodian Book of the Dead</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Read, enjoy, and by all means check out his intense thrill-ride of a book!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can you tell me a little about yourself so that new readers may have a chance to get to know Mr. Vater, uncut and uncensored, of course?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am</span></strong> a writer and publisher working
predominantly in Asia. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have published
two novels, <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Devils-Road-Kathmandu-Vater/dp/9881655676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375369190&sr=8-1&keywords=the+devil%27s+road+to+kathmandu">The
Devil’s Road to Kathmandu</a></span></strong>, currently available in English
and Spanish, and <strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://exhibitabooks.com/books/the-cambodian-book-of-the-dead-by-tom-vater/">The
Cambodian Book of the Dead</a></span></strong>, worldwide in July 1013 by <span style="color: black;"><span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Exhibit A</span></strong></span></span>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My third novel, <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Man with the Golden Mind</span></strong>, will
be out with Exhibit A in June 2014.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have worked as
a journalist in Asia for many years and have written for <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Wall Street Journal, The Times, The Guardian,
The Daily Telegraph, The South China Morning Post, Marie Claire, Geographical,
Penthouse</span></strong> and other publications.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have published
several non-fiction books, including the highly acclaimed <strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.sacredskinthailand.com/">Sacred Skin</a></span></strong><span style="color: black;"> </span>(with photographer <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Aroon Thaewchatturat</span></strong>) and the more recent <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Burmese Light</span></strong> with photographer <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hans Kemp</span></strong>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am the
co-author of several documentary screenplays, most notably <strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8cIki7awN8">The Most Secret Place on
Earth</a></span></strong><span style="color: black;">,</span> a feature on the
CIA’s covert war in 1960s Laos. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am the
co-owner of <span style="color: black;"><span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Crime Wave Press</span></strong></span>,</span> a
Hong Kong based English language crime fiction imprint.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my spare
time, I travel and play <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZVWuqadKK8">punk
rock</a>. </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What sparked your interest in writing this action-packed tale?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I worked in Cambodia, as a film maker,
guide book writer and print journalist for many years. I first visited the
country briefly in 1995 during the war, then more regularly from 2001 onwards.
Cambodia is beautiful, terrible and endlessly fascinating. An American writer
once said that Cambodia was one of the most dangerous countries in the world:
First one falls in love with it, then it breaks your heart. A pretty apt
description and a great incentive to set a novel there. The action came
naturally – Cambodia is a troubled, war torn society. The country is extremely
lawless (and was more so in 2001 when the story of <i>The Cambodian Book of the
Dead</i> takes place) and that definitely informs the story, the moral construct of
the narrative and the personality of Detective Maier.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Were there any real life inspirations for some of the characters in your book? Are the locations you mention in the book all real? For instance, the Bokor Casino. You painted such a vivid and haunting picture of it.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the characters in my books are
amalgamations of real people that I have met on the road. The locations in <i>The
Cambodian Book of the Dead</i> are real for the most part. Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.forteantimes.com/features/fortean_traveller/79/the_bokor_palace_cambodia.html">the
Bokor Casino</a> has recently been renovated and has lost its haunting quality.
The former French hill station is being redeveloped into a gambling destination
for Asian high rollers. The Heart of Darkness in Phnom Penh is now a brash
disco and no longer the dingy, rather outlandish club it once was. The temple
where the book’s final scenes take place is a figment of my imagination, based
on other remote temples I have visited in Cambodia.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can you tell me the most challenging and the most rewarding part of writing this book?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;} </style><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The most rewarding part is getting <i>The
Cambodian Book of the Dead</i> published. I have made my living from writing for
more than 15 years now and to have the book picked up by a UK publisher is
incredible. Of course I also enjoy writing the Maier novels immensely. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What was your favorite part(s) of the story?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if I have a favorite part. It's hard to say. I suppose the early scene in the Heart of Darkness makes for a great self-contained little story. The scenes between Maier and the White Spider, the story within the story also means a lot to me personally - the book's message, if there is such a thing, is found in those pages.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Knowing that you're a travel write, I would expect your job provides much inspiration in the way of fiction writing. Do you have any other exciting locations that you are planning to write about?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next Detective Maier title, <i>The Man with the Golden Mind</i>, out with Exhibit A in June 2014, will be set in Laos. The job as such provides no inspiration for fiction writing, but I have visited many places around Asia, the Middle East, the US and Europe on journalistic assignments, and for projects and books, and the impressions gathered on these journeys inform my fiction writing. My first novel, <i>The Devil's Road to Kathmandu</i>, was set on the hippy trail between London and Asia in the 1970s though I did not travel overland along the same route until 1998. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What would you present as the main theme of the book? What do you think readers will take away from it and talk about two weeks from now?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The main theme of the book is the nature of barbarity and genocide. Stands to reason when a German detective visits a country that has just emerged from complete social and cultural collapse and mass murder. That said, <i>The Cambodian Book of the Dead</i> is also an entertainment and I use Cambodia's freakishness and culture of impunity to drive the story forward. I guess the main theme of the book is the world's instability, and our tendency to deconstruct entire societies with the most violent means, whether for ideological or financial reasons. Open any half decent newspaper and you can read the same message between the lines on every page.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Will there be any more stories starring the German detective Maier?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Man with the Golden Mind</i>, the second Maier Mystery, is out with Exhibit A in June 2014. I am planning a third Maier at present, but it's too early to talk about it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hear that you are a punk rock player, making you a man with varied tastes and talents. Which bands were your biggest influences, and while I'm asking, who are your literary influences?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Music to die for: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roky Erickson, Townes Van Zandt, Charles Mingus, Captain Beefheart, The Rolling Stones, The Stooges, The MC5, CAN, Miles Davis, Betti Davis (wife of Miles), Black Flag, The Cramps, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The London Dirthole Company, Die Antwoord</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Literary heroes: Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, Raymond Chandler, William Burroughs, Paul Bowles, Patricia Highsmith, David Goodis, Jim Thompson, Charles Willeford, John D. MacDonald, Ross MacDonald, Mark Behm, Katherine Dunn, Massimo Carlotto, Philip Kerr</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What are the next projects you have coming up?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I have just
published <a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/book/344310/">Burmese
Light</a>, an illustrated book on Burma, with photographer Hans Kemp. <i>The Man
with the Golden Mind</i> will be my next fiction release and I am about to start
work on a stand-alone thriller set in the UK and South East Asia. A third
Detective Maier Mystery is also on the cards.</span></span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cordia New";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:222;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:16777217 0 0 0 65536 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom Vater: <a href="http://www.tomvater.com/" target="_blank">www.tomvater.com</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Cambodian Book of the Dead: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cambodian-Book-Dead-Detective-Maier/dp/1909223190/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375984540&sr=8-1&keywords=the+cambodian+book+of+the+dead" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cambodian-book-of-the-dead-tom-vater/1113823010?ean=9781909223196" target="_blank">B&N</a> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">There will be a guest post soon with one of Mr. Vater's Exhibit A colleagues, Karen Sandler. Please stop by and see what she's up to and find out about her release, <i>Clean Burn</i>. </span></span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-69111002175026327892013-04-03T20:04:00.002-07:002013-04-03T20:04:36.101-07:00Thoughts on Emerson
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_-g2ahoiXgnkLUEceUZjW5Al_vOkkrtysTX5kiNTdrWGsnLsu8ody9Mn0Fi_F9B6Aj2QkVVnrAVF7cVzujbDbwf0BKB0Mh0jfV-2nlGNYeIh3Aj2v33cKgNq2VYUyo-8gHzTR7BI7koM/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_-g2ahoiXgnkLUEceUZjW5Al_vOkkrtysTX5kiNTdrWGsnLsu8ody9Mn0Fi_F9B6Aj2QkVVnrAVF7cVzujbDbwf0BKB0Mh0jfV-2nlGNYeIh3Aj2v33cKgNq2VYUyo-8gHzTR7BI7koM/s320/IMG_6961.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found myself reading Ralph Waldo Emerson recently for an
assignment at school. Now, it has been a while since I’ve visited his works,
and to be honest I was looking forward to it. In the book that we use there are
small biographies before the author’s selected works. In Emerson’s biography,
something struck me and I immediately knew I wanted to talk about it. That’s
one great thing about having a blog. You can talk about, well, anything you
want to, but back to the point. In the biography, it is mentioned that
Emerson’s works are particularly demanding on readers. This wasn’t what grabbed
me. Anyone can read his writings and notice the complexity of thought and
matter and easily come to this conclusion. Instead, it was something else that
intrigued me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">“There is creative readings as well as creative writing.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t really tell you the punch the above sentence
delivered to me, but let’s just say it caused my gears to turn. Emerson is a
man who was so wrapped up in the notion of self and individualism that he
brought it to his writing in the sense of thinking of the reader. What I mean
is, he wants the reader to be individual, to have a separate experience, one
all their own, when they read his work. He’s all right with one reader feeling
a certain way about story A and another reader feeling completely different. If
the first person was taken to the distant reaches of the universe with the
story, and the second person was left leaning against the tree that held them
up as they read, again, he was fine with that. He respected the experience just
for the sake of having one.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The book went on to say, “Emerson’s language can be
elliptical and sometimes maddeningly abstract, but there is no American writer
who placed greater importance on the reader’s active interpretive role in
generating new meanings and ways of seeing the world” (The Norton Anthology of American
Literature, Eighth Edition, Volume B, 214).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a writer, I write stories that bend the rules as we know
them. I ask for the reader to willingly suspend their belief and enter the
worlds that I construct. Ultimately, I want them to experience what my
characters experience, to see them like I do, to make them as real to
themselves as I see them when I write, and I want them to feel the characters’ feelings
whether they are happy, sad, scared, what have you. As a reader I like the
stories that are able to invoke these emotions and put me in their worlds the
best. When you get lost in a story, that is a good sign of some great writing.
But for a writer to write specifically so that the reader would be able to
interpret the story and take from it an individual view takes it one step
further.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do most writers write with this in mind, or are they writing to hit
beats and plot points, conforming to a spreadsheet of moments, structure or events
they feel are necessary to take place? For genre fiction, I see more of this,
certainly<span style="font-size: large;">, <span style="font-size: large;">b</span></span>ut what if a genre fiction writer were to also employ this element
in their writing? I would think that the story would be richer, more robust.
This is not to say that some writers aren’t doing this already, only that I’m
curious to know what would happen if it were incorporated in a big way. This
would allow a reader to have their own experience, their own adventure. Up the
ante, if you will<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have we, as writers, lost our way? </span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-18906298678283248332013-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:002013-02-01T13:08:20.395-08:00Somewhere in the Shadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIUryrgK2dUXbufUgZKD0hyaYEnwGhJtSEMAqMP9-q-Ya3SyacUJ0rO-OYC2CKZXT-PULO7Hnuk3LTbUydObK_6RP_m3CnSwKpJkx1eqMAovQnuDyQUGLQZIZoWpk_J2RG3tn4yNni3av/s1600/Somewhere-in-the-Shadows-III-Sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIUryrgK2dUXbufUgZKD0hyaYEnwGhJtSEMAqMP9-q-Ya3SyacUJ0rO-OYC2CKZXT-PULO7Hnuk3LTbUydObK_6RP_m3CnSwKpJkx1eqMAovQnuDyQUGLQZIZoWpk_J2RG3tn4yNni3av/s320/Somewhere-in-the-Shadows-III-Sml.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of my latest releases, <i>Somewhere in the Shadows</i>, is part of an epic giveaway consisting of not just my books, but books from the other authors in the anthology, as well. Have I grabbed your attention? Let me sweeten the pot by telling you a little bit about <i>Somewhere in the Shadows</i> by way of a book description.<br />
<br />
"From the shadows of the night comes nine haunting stories from some of the most promising horror, science fiction, and thriller writers out there. Tales of vampires, werewolves, rogue A.I.s, bad roads, zombies, and even malicious words bring out the terror, suspense, gore, and even humor in modern horror. With an introduction by "The Imaginings" author Paul Dail and an eclectic variety of terror that has something for every kind of horror fan, this is one anthology sure to keep you up past dawn."<br />
<br />
The authors include: Jonathan D. Allen, Dean Giles, Craig Jones, Marissa Farrar, Andrez Bergen, Andrew Hudson, Dan H. Kind, C.M. Humphries and a foreword by Paul Dail.<br />
<br />
My story, "Blood Line", is about a man who doesn't know his true lineage, but finds out by way of a mysterious letter and the full moon. This is a collection full of wonderful and terrifying works.<br />
<br />
Check out the many ways to be entered to win a copy of Shadows and the other books - <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tweet the giveaway (one ticket) </li>
<li>Follow me on Twitter: @akeller9 (three tickets) </li>
<li>Check out my blog/site (two tickets)</li>
<li>RSS/Subscribe to my blog/site (ten tickets)</li>
<li>Post giveaway on blog/site (ten tickets)</li>
<li>Tweet about <i>Somewhere in the Shadows </i>(two tickets)</li>
</ul>
Go ahead and enter below. It can't hurt and you might win some awesome fiction. <br />
<br />
.
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b9c45a2/" id="rc-b9c45a2" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-13338649466067750822013-01-29T12:16:00.000-08:002013-01-29T12:16:11.112-08:005 am<span style="font-size: large;">It's amazing what I will think of at 5 am.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The house is quiet, dark and still, but my mind is like a computer spitting out 1s and 0s in a series of misfired, disjointed sequences. Random thoughts flit by, cruising at a pleasant speed, allowing me to grab any one freely, examine it, turn it around and solve its disparate Rubik's Cube, then letting it float back up into the ether where it's quickly replaced by another. Sometimes the thoughts are meaningless and inconsequential; others are heavy hitting, in your face subjects that are way too big to even think of solving. Really, it doesn't matter what the thoughts are, it's that my brain thinks, hey, this is a good time to spout off and send crap tons of information her way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> In another perspective, I've come up with some pretty good story ideas during this time, if I can manage to shovel away the heavy psychological compost. Or if I'm already working on something, and maybe I'm stuck or in a place where I need some more creativity, some more answers, this magical time can also supply me with these.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But where do they come from? Why don't they bombard me during the daytime when I'm fully awake and able to handle the barrage<span style="font-size: large;">?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a theory.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's because of the Thought Monster.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't know what that is? Well, I will tell you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a large invisible creature that tiptoes (Why does it tiptoe if you can't see it, I don't know. Monsters need manners, too.) into our homes and looks to see if anyone is awake. If it finds everyone sleeping, it simply goes away to look at your neighbors (Perv). But if someone is awake, it unstraps a sack from its massive body, takes one large and clawed hand and reaches down deep, taking out strings of words that dangle over its palm, threatening to spill out onto the floor, then dumps them on our head where they are instantly soaked up. Next the fucker smiles through black, filthy teeth because it knows what it has bestowed upon us. Sleepless, thought filled, pre-dawn mornings.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>hat's what I like to think about the whole process. Monsters soothe me. Don<span style="font-size: large;">'t judge.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know I'm not alone in this. I've talked to other people who complain about the same thing.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">During my latest thought fest,<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>I <span style="font-size: large;">decided to try and figure out the culprit and <span style="font-size: large;">that's what I came up with.</span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">D</span>on't like my Thought Monster? Add your own ideas below, if you dare.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-29694377079066721682012-10-13T08:19:00.001-07:002012-10-13T08:20:52.778-07:00Tarotsphere by Jeffery X Martin<span style="font-size: large;">I use my blog for many things. Book reviews, my insatiable, odd interests, writing about monsters, and also to help other writers by promoting their work, to name a few. This post is dedicated to the latter. My very good friend, Mr. Jeffery X Martin, has a fabulous new book release titled, <i>Tarotsphere</i>, which is an in-depth study of the Tarot, written in his infamous and entertaining style of prose. And did I mention there's a CONTEST? Read on to find out more about the man, the myth, the X...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am not Amber. My name is X. However, if you would like to
call me Amber, that will be an extra five dollars. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Real Amber (whose real name is not Amber, but oddly
enough, is also X) has let me commandeer her blog for a little minute so that I
may tell you a little about myself and my new book, <i>Tarotsphere</i>. There’s a contest, too, so make sure you’ve got your
decoder rings ready!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNewG4JgFkNBnytMzMTb1eyx-ZjMivDEBT_AF8Ob47tfRTeFACAJbDQOtRkkmtch5GdKF_6B33KonDtKFPb_z7E9g1vlbN0AnXHyM80YQmC3Jwu9VBkrWSdT13Rizptsidj6k7vROCR_F/s1600/Tarotsphere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNewG4JgFkNBnytMzMTb1eyx-ZjMivDEBT_AF8Ob47tfRTeFACAJbDQOtRkkmtch5GdKF_6B33KonDtKFPb_z7E9g1vlbN0AnXHyM80YQmC3Jwu9VBkrWSdT13Rizptsidj6k7vROCR_F/s1600/Tarotsphere.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tarotsphere-ebook/dp/B009OVDOFY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350141389&sr=8-1&keywords=tarotsphere" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Tarotsphere</i>
is a storybook for adults, an absurdist look at the Tarot deck people are
familiar with, in which I’ve given every single card its own back story. You’ll
meet characters like Tremulous, the Barber and Kimmy, the High Priestess. It’s
all in good fun, of course, but it isn’t disrespectful. There’s still enough
insight into the inherent wisdom of the cards themselves that you could
interpret a Tarot reading using the book. You’ll have to use your imagination.
A gallon of cheap red wine helps, too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Right now, Tarotsphere is available
in electronic form only. You can read it on your Kindle or your Nook. You can
download a free app from either Amazon or Barnes and Noble to read it on your
PC! We’ll think about physical copies if the demand for them is great enough. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh, the contest? Right. The contest.
I’m giving away three Tarot readings to be done over video Skype. All the
details are over at <a href="http://barbelith77.wordpress.com/">my blog</a>,
which I’m thinking about letting Amber run for me. You’ve got until Halloween
at midnight to enter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What else do I do? Well, I run <a href="http://www.bettergeekthannever.com/">a movie and music site</a> and I
write <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Now-Lay-Me-Down-Reap/dp/0615683339/ref=la_B0098BGCEA_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350058930&sr=1-1">scary
stories</a>. I’m currently working on a horror script for Bluetrane Productions
and developing a project that I can’t talk about yet. Except to say it’s
awesome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So now that you know a little about
me, I know you would like nothing better than to become one of my internet
stalkers. Let me give you the information to do precisely that. You’ve already got my website addresses… oh.
Here’s <a href="amazon.com:author:jefferyxmartin">my Amazon author page</a>.
You can buy my stuff from there. If you want to do it all for the Nook, here’s <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tarotsphere-jeffery-x-martin/1113441758?ean=2940015585094">the
link for that</a>. You might as well follow me on Twitter, too. I’m there a lot
and I’ll talk to you if you follow me and talk to me, unless you’re an asshole.
Find me: <a href="https://twitter.com/X_the_Unknown">@X_the_Unknown</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Buy my books! Be my Twitter friend!
Become a fan now, while interest rates are low and you can still get in on the
ground level!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ugh. Amber wants her blog back now.
Fine. Whatever. Anyway, thanks for your time and attention. I’m gonna go do
some stuff. Important stuff. Like, play <i>Bejeweled</i>
or something. For research.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">-X-</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you have any questions for X about the book or his writing, please use the comments below. Thank you for visiting! </span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-11622619780105139542012-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:002012-10-05T05:00:15.755-07:00Guest Post by Kathryn Meyer Griffith<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I would like to welcome guest and fellow horror author, Kathryn Meyer Griffith. She has a little tale to share, one of a Halloween from years passed. This is the perfect time of the year to snuggle up near a fire with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or apple cider and listen to ghost stories. Kathryn has just the tale for us. It's one of a Halloween from years passed. Without further ado, I give you Kathryn. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;">Halloween Memories</span></span></center>
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Treat or Treat, Robots and Candy Corn</b></span></center>
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-size: large;">By author Kathryn Meyer Griffith</span></center>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I believe I’m lucky. I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Halloween was so different back then. Simpler. More innocent. Exciting. A true holiday for children. And I have memories I’ll cherish my whole life.<br />My family was large. I had six siblings, three sisters and three brothers, and we never had much money. My dad was a salesman and my mother, like a lot of women during that time, didn’t work outside the home…she was busy enough raising seven children. We were the poor family down the street with too many kids living in the shabby two-story spooky looking house. Our neighbors shunned us or felt sorry for us. But I didn’t care, I had my family to love me. I had Grandmother Fehrt, my mother’s mother, to fill our bellies with food when the table was a little too bare. I had my ambitions and dreams, science fiction and scary library books to read and pictures to draw (I wanted to be an artist from the age of nine). I frolicked in the empty fields riddled with deep gullies beside our house with my brothers and sisters or ran the dark streets and woods playing hide-and-go-seek. Sang to the moon on our rusty swing set in the backyard with my brother, Jim. Or, on a black and white TV set, watched Zorro, the Twilight Zone or The Lone Ranger on swelteringly hot nights in a house with no air-conditioning. Sweet days and nights. Poignant memories now that many of my family are gone.<br />Halloween was my favorite holiday, next to Christmas. I remember one, when I was about ten or so, vividly. It was cold and raining, but nothing stopped us four older children (the rest were too young that year) from going out into the neighborhood and collecting big brown bags of free candy. No, not when candy was so rare for us. My parents could hardly keep enough food in the house, much less buy us sweets. So Halloween meant a windfall of treats. Nothing kept us home on that night. We’d quickly eat the bowls of chili Mom would insist we eat as the sun went down. Another tradition. So we had some real food in our stomachs before the glut of candy came.<br />My mother, money being sparse as always, dressed us two girls up as gypsies, using her old costume jewelry and tying bright scarfs around our heads and waists. My younger brother Jon, wore an old sheet with cut out eye slots. A ghost. My other brother, Jim, had outdone himself that year and, out of two cardboard boxes and paint, had fashioned himself a robot. Wasn’t bad for an eight year old, either. Made it hard for him to walk, though. He stumbled a lot.<br />That night we traipsed through the wet woods, a short cut, to the rich subdivision down the road that – oh, my – gave out those huge candy bars at each door, enormous homemade popcorn balls or bags of candy corn, my favorite. My grandmother had taught Jim and I a catchy song…G-i-n-g-a, G-i-n-g-a, G-i-n-g-a…Ginga was his name. Never understood that song but I think it was about a pet dog or something. Jim and I got so much good feedback, so many treats for belting it out, though, that at Christmas we were performing The Little Drummer Boy for anyone we could corner and sing to. The beginning of our later singing folk duo (so big in the 60’s) and then my short (my brother kept singing out as I began writing my novels) singing career, no doubt.<br />We had a great haul that night. Cold and rainy as it was. Frozen as our faces and fingers became. Maybe got even more goodies because it was so inclement. We went to all the houses, collected our booty, and ecstatic at our bulging bags, at the end of the night, ran through the trees toward home. Trying to beat the rain, which had become a deluge, worst of the night. With noisy thunder, and spectacular lightning. It was sooo spooky. In the spirit of the night, we were sure something bad was following us. We ran faster. Our paper bags getting soaked as we cradled them against our shivering bodies.<br />Then, clumsy in his robot disguise (he kept bumping into trees because he couldn’t see) Jim fell over a tree limb and spilled his candy everywhere. As he cried, we scurried around trying to salvage what we could. Didn’t do much good. Too dark. The rain was too heavy. So the three of us promised to share our booty with him and we led him home.<br />As we were drying off and warming up, Mom and Dad smiled at our stories of singing for our candy and all the strange ghouls and monsters we’d met on the way; laughed over Jim’s mishap and gave us hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows to drink.<br />Then there was a knock at the front door and when we looked, there was Grandma Fehrt, dressed as a wicked witch, complete with tall black hat and long dress, cackling at us. Trying to fool us. But we all knew it was her. She dressed up every year and knocked at our door. Always a witch.<br />We kids hugged her and laughed, then sat at the table counting out (and oohing and aahing with glee) over our candy haul. We shared it with Jim, of course.<br />To this day I remember that Halloween with a wistful smile. Such good times from so long ago. I see my brothers and sisters young faces through the mists of time, remember the thrill of singing with my brother for the first time and the delight of the people giving us the candy in exchange for the song. I remember my parents and the love in that drafty old house we scampered back to. I remember my grandmother with her smiling witch eyes and painted face. Remember going to bed with a stomach ache because I’d eaten too much candy. Heck, I always did. And I remember those no longer with us. My father, my mother, one of my brothers and all of my grandparents.<br />My childhood, when I think of nights like that, is just a moment away. The dead are with me again. Ah, I’d give anything to go back in time and be with all of them once more. The way we were. Young and hopeful and with our lives ahead of us. Enjoying each other’s company…and all that good candy. <br />Anything.</span><br />
***************************************************************************<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVDwhCE1UNPrm0PyVmMHPESsxHV9kMI-IzrRhpIm3EPuG2x5rzg3INuUhLAgwvj9A4_bZ2xMYOnBRwV8NL3i5pfQKmzq_sUZZjaLRPZitKeB52DxPmuo5gsjsIl_X8DWmWoBdcuaJbJJX/s1600/Ghostbrother_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVDwhCE1UNPrm0PyVmMHPESsxHV9kMI-IzrRhpIm3EPuG2x5rzg3INuUhLAgwvj9A4_bZ2xMYOnBRwV8NL3i5pfQKmzq_sUZZjaLRPZitKeB52DxPmuo5gsjsIl_X8DWmWoBdcuaJbJJX/s320/Ghostbrother_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00997JT1G#_" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOHF_N9yMg2qLwYG1W0ItFH42Qh39mNCLaJHxR1k8726BY0P2NDM1uNfmoEvDI-Z6LJ-QIpV7nk6ts-AhQt19et2N2dGtuuPEO8xFfC3B8P47ZN3nvEUQW7yNTZaCnO7PuVV70Z_gIDde/s1600/RunningWiththeTrain_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOHF_N9yMg2qLwYG1W0ItFH42Qh39mNCLaJHxR1k8726BY0P2NDM1uNfmoEvDI-Z6LJ-QIpV7nk6ts-AhQt19et2N2dGtuuPEO8xFfC3B8P47ZN3nvEUQW7yNTZaCnO7PuVV70Z_gIDde/s320/RunningWiththeTrain_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00999IWMQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7czCQEDlFYLrBa95Tzbc3mWQXLkp2UyUZS40im5uqWsvQfoIm6faL0HazptnVfBaVhb1WZlvRT5cmUmw1Y6Y1Psvfu-HGr_1z13HMq3e0nHMDdrYygZ6RKB6kuOiYLl6Xcoq-HVW2OwkR/s1600/TheBansheeandtheWitch_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7czCQEDlFYLrBa95Tzbc3mWQXLkp2UyUZS40im5uqWsvQfoIm6faL0HazptnVfBaVhb1WZlvRT5cmUmw1Y6Y1Psvfu-HGr_1z13HMq3e0nHMDdrYygZ6RKB6kuOiYLl6Xcoq-HVW2OwkR/s320/TheBansheeandtheWitch_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099781WE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLBLEISY1vVxjMvHA3H4GjpRygcnd5JYIntGG4t3ka5SZr0LbOhTTRQ78rt3oxNXFo5XadIDJDDT2R1ReqCCeE57mENsnZdk-FDeIyNufUjWyt-wATHXxXreUaklbk9wI8lfNsPkVGZ_Z/s1600/TooClosetotheEdge_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLBLEISY1vVxjMvHA3H4GjpRygcnd5JYIntGG4t3ka5SZr0LbOhTTRQ78rt3oxNXFo5XadIDJDDT2R1ReqCCeE57mENsnZdk-FDeIyNufUjWyt-wATHXxXreUaklbk9wI8lfNsPkVGZ_Z/s320/TooClosetotheEdge_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00998TJ9M#_" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>About Kathryn Meyer Griffith...</b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Since childhood I’ve always been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. I began writing novels at 21, over forty years ago now, and have had sixteen (nine romantic horror, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel and two murder mysteries) previous novels and eight short stories published from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books and Eternal Press.<br />I’ve been married to Russell for thirty-four years; have a son, James, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois called Columbia, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis, Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha, live cats Cleo and Sasha (Too), and the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.<br />All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s Books available at Amazon.com here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathryn+Meyer+Griffith" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathryn+Meyer+Griffith</a> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJEgrpLEuloDOMhyphenhyphenSCA4EgIAL4g02kZgy6TYMWz1pQdSsbZZ0XZwPY_Ppe3qeJl2zPF9hT1kRHr1Up99TyHLDpftybHgx5LuOPuWFKs-MqbSJ4QkM8XIRlEa2-Jxh7o1XPtR5PDf5MzMO/s1600/KMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJEgrpLEuloDOMhyphenhyphenSCA4EgIAL4g02kZgy6TYMWz1pQdSsbZZ0XZwPY_Ppe3qeJl2zPF9hT1kRHr1Up99TyHLDpftybHgx5LuOPuWFKs-MqbSJ4QkM8XIRlEa2-Jxh7o1XPtR5PDf5MzMO/s320/KMG.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:<br />
Evil Stalks the Night (Leisure, 1984; Damnation Books, 2012)<br />
The Heart of the Rose (Leisure, 1985; Eternal Press Author’s Revised Edition 2010) Eternal Press Buy Link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722327">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722327</a><a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722327" target="_blank">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722327</a><br />
Blood Forge (Leisure, 1989; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2012) <br />
Vampire Blood (Zebra, 1991; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011)<br />
Damnation Books Buy Link: <a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724253">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724253</a><a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724253" target="_blank">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724253</a><br />
The Last Vampire (Zebra, 1992; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition 2010) Damnation Books Buy Link: <a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722075">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722075</a><a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722075" target="_blank">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722075</a><br />
You Tube Book Trailer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8</a><br />
Witches (Zebra, 1993; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition 2011)<br />
Damnation Books Buy Link: <a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615723553">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615723553</a><br />
The Nameless One (short story in 1993 Zebra Anthology Dark Seductions; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011) Damnation Books Buy Link: <a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615723201">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615723201</a><br />
The Calling (Zebra, 1994; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011)<br />
Damnation Books Buy Link: <a href="http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615725007">http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615725007</a><br />
Scraps of Paper (Avalon Books Murder Mystery, 2003…soon to be an Amazon Kindle Direct ebook)<br />
All Things Slip Away (Avalon Books Murder Mystery, 2006…soon an Amazon Kindle Direct ebook)<br />
Egyptian Heart (The Wild Rose Press, 2007; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) Eternal Press buy link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724437">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724437</a> My self-made<br />
You Tube Book Trailer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogCNYKzPqc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogCNYKzPqc</a><br />
Winter’s Journey (The Wild Rose Press, 2008; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) Eternal Press Buy Link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724604)">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724604)</a><br />
You Tube Book Trailer address: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYCs2DVhHg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYCs2DVhHg</a><br />
The Ice Bridge (The Wild Rose Press, 2008; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011)<br />
Eternal Press Buy Link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725182">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725182</a><br />
You Tube Book Trailer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HZqu-my1g">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HZqu-my1g</a><br />
Don’t Look Back, Agnes novella & bonus short story: In This House (2008; ghostly romantic short story out; Eternal Press 2012)<br />
You Tube Book Trailer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3q9rZryFMo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3q9rZryFMo</a><br />
Eternal Press Buy Link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=422">http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=422</a><br />
BEFORE THE END: A Time of Demons (Damnation Books 2010) <br />
Damnation Books buy link: <a href="httphttp://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615721313">httphttp://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615721313</a><br />
You Tube self-made Book trailer with original song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-U9c2Lwfo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-U9c2Lwfo</a><br />
The Woman in Crimson (Damnation Books 2010)<br />
Eternal Press Buy Link: <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615721979">http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615721979</a><br />
You Tube Book Trailer Link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRBvDI5G4Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRBvDI5G4Y</a><br />
The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Fiction: Volume 1 (I did the Introduction)<br />
Dinosaur Lake (from Amazon Kindle Direct 2012)<br />
4 SPOOKY SHORT STORIES (Amazon Kindle 2012) <br />
<br />
My Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith%20(to%20see%20all%20my%20book%20trailers%20with%20original%20music%20by%20my%20singer/songwriter%20brother%20JS%20Meyer)" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith (to see all my book trailers with original music by my singer/songwriter brother JS Meyer)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG" target="_blank">http://www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG </a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1019954486" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1019954486 </a><br />
<a href="http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith" target="_blank">http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith </a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith</a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-81860161783338130532012-06-19T09:00:00.000-07:002012-06-19T09:00:03.598-07:00Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wBjKNzsYCEYUDflkDDZxEzWabettGlQlDSOSIHJBxnochcbxispSJRu5Zbii3NLypmeBHI8HRRjkWFIQdyUs2y5ijuXwL9IUgQ2UBZ5hnNDEitEDvwg3rqN_nLQw5c5yYyNLQgUXOMOm/s1600/MandMFrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wBjKNzsYCEYUDflkDDZxEzWabettGlQlDSOSIHJBxnochcbxispSJRu5Zbii3NLypmeBHI8HRRjkWFIQdyUs2y5ijuXwL9IUgQ2UBZ5hnNDEitEDvwg3rqN_nLQw5c5yYyNLQgUXOMOm/s320/MandMFrontCover.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Twisted Realities: Of
Myth and Monstrosity from Sirens Call Publications…</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Ever wonder
how the ancient myths would unfold if set against the backdrop of modern day?
Would monsters still hold the populace in an icy grasp of fear? Twelve talented
authors took on that challenge, crafting tales of horror and intrigue mixed
with the lore has withstood infinite retellings.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Myth or reality…</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Explore the twelve tales of horror
and intrigue in Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity and ask
yourself, what would you consider a fair price to pay for life immortal... or
the chance of life at all?</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Would a young woman pass up a shiny
bauble if she believed it to be nothing more than a harmless trinket? What
transpires once a year in a peaceful and remote village that no one will ever
speak of? What better way for a broken man to honor a crippled existence than
with a memorial of blood and vengeance? How could a disfigured woman ever dream
of chancing across an object that would restore her beauty - and at what cost?</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Follow the twists and turns of each
writer as they delve into the legends of days gone by, as well as the
consequences that are wrought when myths and monstrosities collide with our
world.</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Contributing Authors include:</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thomas James Brown, Nina D'Arcangela,
K. Trap Jones, Amber Keller, Lisamarie Lamb, Edward Lorn, Alexa Muir, Kate
Monroe, Joseph A. Pinto, J. Marie Ravenshaw, Julianne Snow, and Jonathan
Templar</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">These modern myths from Twisted Realities: Of
Myth and Monstrosity are available from:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Print: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Realities-Of-Myth-Monstrosity/dp/1477502157/ref=tmm_pap_title_0"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3883727"><span style="line-height: 115%;">CreateSpace</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">eBook: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008679MW6/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twisted-Realities-Myth-Monstrosity-ebook/dp/B008679MW6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339091346&sr=1-1"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon.uk</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Twisted-Realities-Myth-Monstrosity-ebook/dp/B008679MW6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339091422&sr=1-3"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon.de</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Twisted-Realities-Myth-Monstrosity-ebook/dp/B008679MW6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339091435&sr=1-3"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon.fr</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.it/Twisted-Realities-Myth-Monstrosity-ebook/dp/B008679MW6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339091452&sr=1-3"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon.it</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.es/Twisted-Realities-Myth-Monstrosity-ebook/dp/B008679MW6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339091466&sr=1-3"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon.es</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164555"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Smashwords</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (Nook, Kobo, Sony and Kindle eReaders)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">A selection of three superbly
crafted tales of mythological horror from the twelve contained within Twisted
Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity. For a preview of all 12 stories, please go
to </span></b><a href="http://www.sirenscallpublications.com/"><b><span lang="EN-CA">SirensCallPublications.com</span></b></a><b><span lang="EN-CA"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hades and the Hydra – Amber Keller</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">It was business as usual. The day had started like any other. New
York City was bustling with the normal activity of the big city at dawn. People
already crowded the streets, business owners were busy with opening the many
stores, and the street was filled with a never-ending stream of taxis and other
vehicles. The cornucopia of smells that completed the city wafted in on a cool
breeze. There was nothing different, as far as anyone knew. But in truth there
was a sinister plan nearing fruition underneath the unsuspecting city.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">In the depths of the Underworld, Hades sat in the vast expanse of
a large, dark, cavernous room, on a throne built of obsidian bones. Cerberus,
the three-headed dog, lay at his feet. snoring.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Persephone, come to me.” Hades cracked his knuckles as he issued
the command.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Persephone glided into the room, her head down. She crossed the
expanse and knelt beside him.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Today is the day that I shall finally have some fun,” he said as
he stroked her silken hair.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Keine Solche Sache – Edward Lorn</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); line-height: 115%;">"Parthenogenesis
is a dream. Or a nightmare, depending on who you are talking to." Johan
Schmidt said. "Christians call this The
Immaculate Conception. They believe that Mary, the mother of the baby
Jesus, had never known the internal touch
of a man. I believe the lady just cheated on her husband."</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); line-height: 115%;">The
hotel banquet hall livened with short bursts of nervous laughter. Johan waited
for them to subside before continuing.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); line-height: 115%;">"No
other religion has this belief. Allah didn't impregnate some unknowing woman.
Buddha didn't tiptoe through the tulips to drops seed in some impoverished
house wife. And don't get me started on Shiva! The Jewish community doesn’t
even believe Jesus was the son of God. So, if you're hearing this, and you are,
in fact, Jewish, you think Mary was an unfaithful wife, too. Don't you? That's
what I thought."</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); line-height: 115%;">More
sporadic laughter.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); line-height: 115%;">"I
may be German, but even you must admit I have a point. The Nazis - and yes, my
family tree does contain one or two - researched the possibility of this Parthenogenesis. They wanted to make
the super soldier, as it were. A cloned man, or woman - they were not sexist -
with infinite powers. They theorized that if they could map and control the
human genome, then they could unlock the ninety percent of the brain us normal
bipedals could not."</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A Fair Price – Alexa Muir</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">A splash sounded to Hannah’s left. She
swung her head, her copper hair cascading over her neck, but saw only ripples
in the water by the side of the pool. Puzzled, she got up from her comfortable
perch and walked over to the pool’s edge. Though she peered intently into the
pool’s depths, she saw nothing; the water was clear and sparkling all the way
to the mosaic bottom. With an internal shrug, she decided to seek out Matt for herself.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Studying her nails as she wandered past
the lounger, Hannah reached down one handed to pick up her book, only for her
fingers to meet the wooden tabletop with a scrape. It wasn’t there. Grumbling,
she went onto one knee and peered under the table, and then under the lounger.
Still no book. She could have sworn she put it there. A little worm of unease
slinked into her guts, but she decided to ignore it and continued her way
around the house. She could hear Matt laughing and knew that Jess would be the
source of the amusement.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Jess, stop, get off, stop it!” The
words came fractured between Matt’s laughter, and when Hannah came round the
corner she saw that he was having a tug of war with Jess for the hose he’d been
washing the paving with. It looked like Jess was winning.</span></i></span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-22957106507111169562012-06-12T18:55:00.001-07:002012-06-12T18:55:59.345-07:00Of Mice and Minotaurs...<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I really never jump on here and just talk. With the title of my blog, I thought it was fitting that I put up this post on, well, some late night ramblings. And so it begins...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgI0J4sRPsqxlJcUSW_NPMfrAyBIlASr9BuOqYWNVO5qbApRvzAi0qsiHSor9toGwIABy6VkexPoI1mYEsjkYX81054-jt8l6qhHsrj4yug_EdchK60iZHxXLWLgUaFvfumD5RQ5rRBxm/s1600/220px-Yggdrasil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgI0J4sRPsqxlJcUSW_NPMfrAyBIlASr9BuOqYWNVO5qbApRvzAi0qsiHSor9toGwIABy6VkexPoI1mYEsjkYX81054-jt8l6qhHsrj4yug_EdchK60iZHxXLWLgUaFvfumD5RQ5rRBxm/s1600/220px-Yggdrasil.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_life" target="_blank">Photo found here.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Every decision we make takes us to a different path, a
different place. We are faced with these decisions every day, sometimes many
times a day. The big decisions, the ones that are significant life markers, or
changers if you will, will set us on a bigger branch that has many smaller
branches, an infinite number of them, coming off either sides for its duration.
The bigger branches are sometimes there, and sometimes they can simply appear.
It all depends on the choices we make each time we are faced with a decision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A
decision can be one as small as “what do I want to eat?” because in this choice
we may have to, for instance, leave our destination to go forth and find food.
If this happens, there is the possibility that circumstances out of our control
can occur, which could alter the path and potential decisions we would be faced
with hereupon. To see this is to envision an endless, complex system of networks of
branches. It is ever changing, never static; a dynamic flow of roads and
networks that are shifting and turning like a Rubik’s Cube of life. We play the
part of a wizard, or a marionette handler, in this case. We have the ability to
make these decisions, and cause the changes that will occur from then forward.
The mere fact that we have memory, the ability to recall our past experiences,
and to apply this knowledge so that we may make a more educated choice, is
fascinating. However, there are those who do not seem to be able to, or use
this applied knowledge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Why is that? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you can harken back to a time, an experience,
that may have even the smallest degree of similarity or parallel, you could use
that information to make a better informed decision. Although, there are those,
the dreamers if you will, that live life in a constant newness, as if each
experience, each decision, each choice they are faced with, is a new one, never
before experienced, not needing or perhaps wanting to apply any learned
behaviors or experiences to any choices they may have in the future, or maybe
not even aware this is an option, or let’s even say that they may not have been
given the ability to do this at all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Again I have to ask, why is that? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">These
(poor ? - you decide) individuals could save themselves much pain and suffering, potentially,
by utilizing this most basic of human ability. Or maybe that is all a part of
their life plan, their path, but to think of their path in this unknown, is a
bit confusing and muddles the mind. Maybe they simply aren’t meant to. In order
for us, as a species, to have a rich, mixed and complex race, we would need to
have all representation of all gamut’s, correct? If so, then that would mean
that, unfortunately, there would be some individuals who would not have the
means to use this method. These people, would their lives be harder, filled
with more tribulations, more failures, repeated failures even, necessarily? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Or, would their lives be filled with richness…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfjBnEl1R3AghGMohY_QgwHag-7ViWWoCCGMKz3Nq8bWDOtVQbQmKQjn2tLEPobS8CSGr5Qz09jUxzfLnK5fcCbuh5pQYbV2zX1HfU7tJd3sXlujnXruPXB2-55j5fXQr4K8nHxHcSf7Q/s1600/220px-Theseus_Minotaur_Ramey_Tuileries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfjBnEl1R3AghGMohY_QgwHag-7ViWWoCCGMKz3Nq8bWDOtVQbQmKQjn2tLEPobS8CSGr5Qz09jUxzfLnK5fcCbuh5pQYbV2zX1HfU7tJd3sXlujnXruPXB2-55j5fXQr4K8nHxHcSf7Q/s1600/220px-Theseus_Minotaur_Ramey_Tuileries.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur" target="_blank">Photo found here.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I kind of think of life like the great labyrinth in Crete
with its vast twists and turns, dark corners and endless maze, and lest we not
forget the epic minotaur who resides in the center, waiting for someone to
stumble upon him and be his next sacrifice. Theseus slayed the Minotaur, and
followed the string he had left behind him back to the entrance. In life, we
face our own Minotaur. Some may have more than one, some just the one. Whether
we win the fight is up to many variables. If we do not win, do we die? I don’t
think so, necessarily. It may hinder a part of us; render it inert, if you
will. Maybe a certain area of us will be crippled. Maybe it will be become
unusable. Maybe it gets buried deep down inside of our innermost recesses,
hidden in the dark folds of our gray matter itself, locked away in a box. Who’s
to say? But if we are victorious, it would give us strength and cunning,
agility and temperament. The ability to fight another day and use the new found
skills to enhance our lives. Maybe. Or maybe we go on to another day as if it’s
completely new, and face the next Minotaur with a clean slate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBF4iq3uZikXKXRiBhDIy7GRJmNoCOEXpNmlxvJukHRQP729LPS-BXFgnQ-hRZ0osm9pEoe_BRYfNrrGKaLV9JapKWijT8y9Zrg21KP8quopGUWXEkDR6EVh0u5rISy9ZnkyhhprfOcIB/s1600/220px-Minotaurus.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBF4iq3uZikXKXRiBhDIy7GRJmNoCOEXpNmlxvJukHRQP729LPS-BXFgnQ-hRZ0osm9pEoe_BRYfNrrGKaLV9JapKWijT8y9Zrg21KP8quopGUWXEkDR6EVh0u5rISy9ZnkyhhprfOcIB/s1600/220px-Minotaurus.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur" target="_blank">Photo found here. </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is life, then, an endless torrent of fights and challenges?
If we look at it that way it’s enough to exhaust and wear down the spirit. Well, let's not.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So which one fares better - the one who learns and applies that knowledge or the dreamer? </span></span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-44362081413373859142012-05-22T09:00:00.000-07:002012-05-30T15:26:13.042-07:00Childhood Nightmares: Under the Bed<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1593833729 1073750107 16 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aparajita;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:32771 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:.5in .5in .5in .5in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sirens Call Publications has recently released their
first Anthology titled</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">“Childhood
Nightmares: Under the Bed”</span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Childhood Nightmares is a collection of twelve tales of youthful terror
spun by twelve different authors recounting the horrors that creep and crawl
through a child’s imagination in the darkest hours of the night. Or is it?
Perhaps one of these so called ‘imagined’ tales is similar to one of your very
own. Has an unwitting author inadvertently tapped into your psyche without you
knowing it? You’ll have to read the stories to find out…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitHJE5YVJtYixlgYaqmxyu-M455e1r53SZDRlC9UkY_pCkCefkuFkOzSET-PTImHDTfumHVdKiGY9ucnMJ9O4oIrR9rVAZQPaUBh_9mZ2ZuivPnd4x20HMEsIDLao4Y0cGZaHaADquAyU/s1600/CN_UTB_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitHJE5YVJtYixlgYaqmxyu-M455e1r53SZDRlC9UkY_pCkCefkuFkOzSET-PTImHDTfumHVdKiGY9ucnMJ9O4oIrR9rVAZQPaUBh_9mZ2ZuivPnd4x20HMEsIDLao4Y0cGZaHaADquAyU/s320/CN_UTB_Cover.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Those whispered tales of monsters hiding under the bed, or of the demons lurking in the shadowy corner where we dare not glance for fear that seeing them will make them all too real. Oh, how the innocent landscape of a child’s imagination lends fertile soil to horrors ready to be sown on the slightest of sounds; the tales and the terror they wreak on our youthful minds never quite leaves us.<br /><br /><br />We asked the authors in this collection to reach into the forgotten recesses of their twisted minds and share with us the tales of nightmares that can only thrive in the hidden corners of a child’s imaginings; the bogeyman under the bed, the outlandishly fiendish creature lurking in the dark, the slight murmur of sound coming from the hall… did you close the door completely?<br /><br /><br />Explore the myriad terrors that only a child can twist from nothing into some ‘thing’ in the span of a single rapid breath. Do you dare delve into your own memories? Perhaps you’ll start sleeping with the lights on again...<br /><br /><br />Tell us, who is Under the Bed?</i></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contributing Authors: Colin F. Barnes, Nina D'Arcangela, Phil
Hickes, Amber Keller, </span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kim Krodel, Lisamarie Lamb,
John McIlveen, Kate Monroe, Brandon Scott, </span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joshua Skye, Julianne Snow,
and Jack Wallen</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pick up a copy of Childhood Nightmares: Under the Bed as either an
eBook or in print format from:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">eBook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.com</a>,
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.uk</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.de</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.fr</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.es/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.es</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.it/dp/B007VONDPM">Amazon.it</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/153016">Samshwords.com</a> (Kindle,
Nook, Kobo, Sony, PDF)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Print: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1470118815/">Amazon.com</a>, <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3805387">CreatSpace.com</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=472091621864131007"><span style="font-family: Cambria; line-height: 115%;">www.SirensCallPublications.com</span></a></span></div>
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="0" width="12"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: large;"><img height="5" src="file://localhost/Users/newuser/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image003.gif" width="512" /></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>An excerpt from each of the stories in “</b><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Childhood Nightmares: Under the Bed</span></i></b><b>”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> ‘Madeleine’
- Julianne Snow</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Mommy.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nothing.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Mommy?”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Still nothing. No tell-tale shuffling sound of socked feet on the
hardwood floor.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“MOMMY!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nothing… Where was she? How could she have not heard?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“MMOOOMMMMMYY!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>With tears streaming down her cherubic face, Stella wondered if her
dream had come true. As she debated running the short distance over the oaken
surface to her parent’s room, she listened intently for the sounds of her
mother’s imminent stirring.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Finally.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stella heard the soft sounds of her mother’s footfalls in the
hallway. She was coming.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>More tears welled up in her young throat.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As her door burst open, she was surprised to see the form of her
sister in the light of the hallway, a smell pervading the room unlike anything
she had ever smelled before. Burnt. Wet…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> ‘Telling
Tales’ - Phil Hickes</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“She’s here for yet another visit with her cat, Demdike. None of
which sounds too bad, you say? Lots of young boys have stuffy old grandmothers
and aunties that they have to put up with. And cats are cute and fluffy. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But Peter’s Aunt Alice scares him. In fact, she frightens him to
death. And her cat is just as bad, with fur as black as its soul. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>That’s why he’s reluctant to go upstairs; because soon, Aunt Alice
will be up to tell him a bedtime story. It’s become something of a custom.
Peter was delighted when she first offered to come and tuck him in. Despite
feeling a little nervous in her presence, and a tiny bit afraid of her pinched,
lined face, white hair and bony limbs, she was a welcome female presence. For
the first few minutes it had been enjoyable too. She wrapped the sheets tightly
around him, clicked off the overhead light and turned on the lamp. He felt warm
and snug…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But then she began to tell him the stories…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Excess Baggage’ - Lisamarie Lamb</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“And now Nigel could see someone. A small, round man in a pair of
white trousers and a deep blue shirt, sweat circles staining his underarms, his
stomach straining the buttons running down his chest, down his stomach. The
man’s curly dark hair rippled in the sunlight as he bobbed his head up and
down. He was peering out of a small gap between two houses. He was smiling,
beckoning to Nigel; and when Nigel moved towards him his smile began a grin,
all teeth and harmless joviality. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nigel went to the man against his better judgment. He went against
his worst judgment, feeling strangely calm about it all, despite thinking he
had wandered far too far, into a bad area. Into the sort of area a tourist
shouldn’t go. And he had been caught. He felt rather stupid about the whole
thing, and rather sad about leaving Maggie and Bob. But there was a certain
inevitability about it all. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Even if Nigel couldn’t quite remember why…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Timothy’ - Joshua Skye</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“</i><i><span lang="EN-GB">Quivering from fear, her teeth rattling in
her little head, hands trembling, she stared into the deep darkness to catch
any movement; the twinkling of an eye perhaps. Anything to let her know where
he was, out there in the darkness. There was nothing for a long time.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">“Where are you?” she muttered in a squeaky
voice. Something moved in her peripheral vision. She turned. Fast, but not fast
enough. Perhaps it was nothing more than a shadow that had just blended with
the dark. “Timothy, you stop it. You stop it right now.” She tried to sound
like her mother, to mimic her authoritative tone, but it hadn’t worked. Her
voice had cracked and it trembled with her apprehension. “I know it’s you,” she
whispered, more to herself than to him.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">She started to cry, she couldn’t help it.
Her tears streamed down her tiny face and there was a lump forming in her
throat. She had to fight to swallow; she had to fight to breathe.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Timothy began to mock her. “Timothy, please.
Stop it, Timothy! Go away, Timothy.” The sinister, scratchy voice seemed to
come from everywhere, the shadows, the darkness, under the desk, from behind
the stuffed animals, under the bed…”</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Show and
Tell’ - Kate Monroe</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">“</span></i><i>He belatedly realized that tonight, there had
still been no answer, no response. He leaned over the edge of the bed and
cautiously lifted the sheets.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Are you there?”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A blast of fetid air; putrid, repellent.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Satisfied, Tommy continued.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“I wish they’d bloody die.” Awestruck by his bravery in making the
grand pronouncement, he allowed himself a few moments in which to savor the
forbidden words on his tongue before he spoke again. “Yeah, I do. I wish they’d
both just shut up and die.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A sigh, no stronger than the breeze outside, lifted up the bed
sheets and danced around Tommy’s bare feet, curling up his toes as he pursed
his thin lips. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“What do you think, then?”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Before any answer could come from under the bed, shuffling footsteps
announced his great-aunt’s arrival in his room…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘The Confession of a Confirmed Has-Been’ - John
McIlveen</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“I behaved for the first three months. I simply observed the
Hansons’ way of life, as I had with the two previous families. In my condition
I witness traits and habits often unnoticed by people in a more physical state,
like Scott's insistent nose picking and compulsion to wipe his findings on my
fireplace, or Bruce’s fixation with himself. If he spent any more time flexing
in front of a mirror, I fear he'd get himself pregnant.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I do grant people the privacy of their bedrooms and the facilities,
I’m not immoral - though discovering that Karen roams the house in nature's
garb when alone was pleasing. I may be dead, but I’m still a man.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>My condition is also what allows me to view Kimberly with utmost
anonymity. In my spectral cloak, I track Kimberly about the house, watching as
she involved herself in childhood fantasies, oblivious to all else. I walked
with her through the garden, rejoiced with her, celebrating each discovery with
open-eyed wonder. I wallowed in that beautiful youthfulness that fades as we
become involved in the trivialities of adulthood…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Seeing is Believing’ - Amber Keller</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“At supper no one mentioned what had happened, and that was fine
with Timothy. It was strange, but he felt like if he talked about it, it would
make it more real. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>When his parents went to bed, he stayed on the couch, saying he
would go up to bed soon, that he wanted to finish this television show first.
It was an easy lie, and they seemed to be happy that he wasn’t bringing the rat
back up, so they allowed it.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>He went to the closet in the hall and scooped up a blanket and extra
pillow to take back to the couch when he noticed his bedroom door was shut. It
had been open when he went to the bathroom after supper. Looking back he paused
before going back to the living room.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From sitting on the couch, Timothy had a view of his bedroom door in
his peripheral vision. He couldn’t help but be aware of the door since it was
odd that it was shut…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Bent Metal’ - Nina D’Arcangela</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“I’m now in full blown panic mode racing down the stairs to the
echoing sound of the police dispatcher screaming into the phone “stay in the
house - don’t go near the corner!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I hit the front hall and see that the door is wide open… oh, God
please, oh please, oh no… don’t let Alan
be out there, please let the door be open for some other reason – maybe mom or
dad went out to help, please let that be it.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I’m only three houses from the corner; three houses from the
wreckage in the street; three houses from my own sanity shattering…. The second
my bare foot leaves the safety of the house and hits the front porch I know
something is horribly wrong. Somehow I know its Alan, and he’s in trouble.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The dread that overcomes me is suffocating. I can hardly breathe as
I try to run towards the street… but my legs feel like I’m running in quick
sand. I’m moving as hard and as fast as I can, but the corner may as well be a
mile away in my distorted perception.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oh God! My head is spinning as fast as my legs are churning, someone
is screaming – I think it might be me! Finally I make it to the corner and see
what an unholy mess of tangled metal the two vehicles that couldn’t avoid each
other have become…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Shades of Red’ - Colin F. Barnes</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Two thuds come from beyond the door. Probably just his mother
falling, dropping the bottle. Hollow
rasps come from the corner of Mitchell’s dark bedroom: between the old, rickety
wardrobe that creaks if you walk too close to it, and the dresser with the
broken drawer front. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mitchell conjures images of Scamp, their pet dog: a mongrel of
various terriers and common working dogs. He pictures his little whiskery face,
his excited panting. Anything to stop thinking about…the Shade. But it won’t go
away. It’s stuck in his mind like a leech. Growing fat on the fear.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Is it darker in that corner than normal? Is that an outline of
something…is it…moving?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mitchell whirls away and pulls the duvet over his face. Sweat forms
quickly on his forehead as he breathes hot air under the stifling cover. It’s
not real, just your imagination. It’s not—</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A quiet laughter. The voice muffled as if obstructed. Mitchell
raises the duvet slightly. Just enough so he can peer out and check that corner
again. He wishes he hadn’t. A pair of red orbs float in the gap. He screams for
his mother. No answer…”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Socks’ - Brandon Scott</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“A dull thump came from across the room. Arthur's eyes shifted from the empty cup to
the dresser standing against the far wall.
He swallowed the water in his mouth; it felt like a brick sliding down
his dry throat. He was feebly attempting
to put the glass back on the nightstand when the thump came again. The cup slipped from his fingers and tumbled
to the carpet below. A barely audible
thunk filled his ears as the carpet cradled the falling glass. He peered over the edge of the bed to confirm
the glass hadn't broken but, didn't bother picking it up.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>His eyes returned immediately to the drawer across the room. When his grandfather had given him the
dresser, it came with strict instructions that the drawer in the upper right
hand corner was to be used for socks and socks alone, and was never to be
empty. A minimum of one sock was to be
kept in the drawer at all times. The
other five drawers could house anything Arthur's heart desired, but that drawer
was to hold only socks. His grandfather
made him promise that he would abide by the one and only regulation before
unloading the dresser from his truck.
When the boy asked why this was his grandfather had replied with the
simple phrase, "because that drawer is for Socks." Arthur didn't know it at the time but, his
grandfather was referring to the creature, not the item of clothing that shared
the same name…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Forgotten’ - Jack Wallen</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-CA">“</span></i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>haunting</i><i> </i><i>started</i><i> </i><i>just</i><i> </i><i>a</i><i> </i><i>few</i><i> </i><i>days</i><i> </i><i>ago.</i><i> </i><i>It</i><i> </i><i>was</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>evening</i><i> </i><i>of</i><i> </i><i>June</i><i> </i><i>sixth</i><i> </i><i>...</i><i> </i><i>Dylan's</i><i> </i><i>sixth</i><i> </i><i>birthday.</i><i> </i><i>His</i><i> </i><i>mother</i><i> </i><i>had</i><i> </i><i>made</i><i> </i><i>his</i><i> </i><i>dreams</i><i> </i><i>come</i><i> </i><i>true</i><i> </i><i>and</i><i> </i><i>allowed</i><i> </i><i>him</i><i> </i><i>to</i><i> </i><i>invite</i><i> </i><i>his</i><i> </i><i>best</i><i> </i><i>of</i><i> </i><i>friends</i><i> </i><i>over</i><i> </i><i>for</i><i> </i><i>a</i><i> </i><i>slumber</i><i> </i><i>party.</i><i> </i><i>To</i><i> </i><i>that</i><i> </i><i>day,</i><i> </i><i>sleepovers</i><i> </i><i>were</i><i> </i><i>forbidden.</i><i> </i><i>That</i><i> </i><i>was</i><i> </i><i>before</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>boy's</i><i> </i><i>father</i><i> </i><i>had</i><i> </i><i>left.</i><i> </i><i>Since</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>departure,</i><i> </i><i>everything</i><i> </i><i>seemed</i><i> </i><i>so</i><i> </i><i>much</i><i> </i><i>easier.</i><i> </i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>yelling</i><i> </i><i>ceased.</i><i> </i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>crying</i><i> </i><i>stopped.</i><i> </i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>bruises</i><i> </i><i>healed.</i><i> </i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>night</i><i> </i><i>of</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>slumber</i><i> </i><i>party,</i><i> </i><i>Dylan</i><i> </i><i>heard</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>first</i><i> </i><i>gentle</i><i> </i><i>whispers.</i><i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The</i><i> </i><i>other</i><i> </i><i>boys</i><i> </i><i>were</i><i> </i><i>fast</i><i> </i><i>asleep,</i><i> </i><i>after</i><i> </i><i>too</i><i> </i><i>much</i><i> </i><i>candy</i><i> </i><i>and</i><i> </i><i>too</i><i> </i><i>little</i><i> </i><i>control.</i><i> </i><i>They</i><i> </i><i>had</i><i> </i><i>enjoyed</i><i> </i><i>cartoons,</i><i> </i><i>video</i><i> </i><i>games,</i><i> </i><i>and</i><i> </i><i>shrieks</i><i> </i><i>of</i><i> </i><i>laughter</i><i> </i><i>only</i><i> </i><i>young</i><i> </i><i>boys</i><i> </i><i>could</i><i> </i><i>produce.</i><i> </i><i>But</i><i> </i><i>once</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>celebration</i><i> </i><i>was</i><i> </i><i>little</i><i> </i><i>more</i><i> </i><i>than</i><i> </i><i>a</i><i> </i><i>fading</i><i> </i><i>memory,</i><i> </i><i>some</i><i> </i><i>other</i><i> </i><i>joy</i><i> </i><i>came</i><i> </i><i>out</i><i> </i><i>to</i><i> </i><i>play.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The</i><i> </i><i>sound</i><i> </i><i>was</i><i> </i><i>little</i><i> </i><i>more</i><i> </i><i>than</i><i> </i><i>a</i><i> </i><i>soft</i><i> </i><i>wind</i><i> </i><i>breezing</i><i> </i><i>underneath</i><i> </i><i>his</i><i> </i><i>closet</i><i> </i><i>door.</i><i> </i><i>The</i><i> </i><i>melody</i><i> </i><i>of</i><i> </i><i>a</i><i> </i><i>light</i><i> </i><i>wind</i><i> </i><i>buzzing</i><i> </i><i>through</i><i> </i><i>Halloween</i><i> </i><i>trees</i><i> </i><i>or</i><i> </i><i>winter</i><i> </i><i>snowscapes.</i><i> </i><i>His</i><i> </i><i>ears</i><i> </i><i>were</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>only</i><i> </i><i>ones</i><i> </i><i>to</i><i> </i><i>take</i><i> </i><i>notice.</i><i> </i><i>No</i><i> </i><i>other</i><i> </i><i>sleep</i><i> </i><i>was</i><i> </i><i>threatened</i><i> </i><i>by</i><i> </i><i>the</i><i> </i><i>soft</i><i> </i><i>sound…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">‘Baby Teeth’
- Kim Krodel</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<i>She
adds every tooth she gets to her disgusting smile. But the screws keep growing out of her
gums. She never runs out of space for
more teeth.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Why does she want them?”
Brian’s voice was small. His eyes
bugged, as if the skeletons stacked in God’s closet were tumbling out at his
feet.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“For biting, Dummy. She likes
to eat little kids.” Cal grinned as he
spoke. "If she bites you with her
screws, your skin gets stuck to 'em, so she likes teeth better; so she doesn't
have to floss so much."</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“No, she doesn’t. She’s
nice—she gives presents! Mom said!”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“That’s what Mom wants you to think.
Otherwise you’d freak out about it.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brian blinked, staring and processing; weighing his brother’s words
against those he had gathered from adults.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“See this?” Cal rolled up a
pant leg to reveal a jagged run of lumpy, silver skin. “She bit me hard the first tooth I lost
‘cause I didn’t know what was coming.
Now I’m big enough to fight her off.”
Calvin posed like a weight-lifter</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please
visit the </b><a href="http://www.sirenscallpublications.com/"><b>Sirens Call Publications</b></a><b> web site for an extended preview available
for download.</b></span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-63692108657289179642012-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-30T09:00:04.936-07:00Z<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">This is the last post of the April A to Z blog challenge. It's been a ton of fun, and even more work, but very much worth it. I hope you've all enjoyed my posts on horror and science fiction films. If I've spurred just one person to watch something new, I'm satisfied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being that this entry is for Z, I had to go with a cult fave. Enjoy and please stop back in to see what I'm writing about next.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64FtXI1xCdSPHvyXxEzPXtJ6LaOV0FzNXl8dyRaHT82m1xjnK1VocC4_C0W63n365g8PEsqMrT-fSRp4BAEEr_9R35xKFZpTXZxKlruIWzujYjf_YusRVjL-bja-n79S2idsPODfioJet/s1600/220px-Zombie_Flesh_eaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64FtXI1xCdSPHvyXxEzPXtJ6LaOV0FzNXl8dyRaHT82m1xjnK1VocC4_C0W63n365g8PEsqMrT-fSRp4BAEEr_9R35xKFZpTXZxKlruIWzujYjf_YusRVjL-bja-n79S2idsPODfioJet/s320/220px-Zombie_Flesh_eaters.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombi_2" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Zombie</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">An Italian horror classic released in 1979, <i>Zombie</i> was directed by Lucio Fulci, who
is now known for this film in particular. There are other titles in connection
with the movie such as <i>Zombi 2</i>, <i>Island of the Living Dead</i>, <i>Zombie Island</i>, <i>Woodoo</i> and <i>Zombie Flesh
Eaters</i>. Known for its extreme gore, the movie is about a tropical island
where the dead walk and eat the living. <span> </span>The
movie was banned in several countries because of the gore. Even with the
resistance, it grew a huge fan following, and spawned one official sequel and
several others. There is no link to the George A. Romero zombie films and <i>Zombie</i>. One of the many memorable scenes
involves a zombie taking on a shark under water. Fulci cemented his status in
the horror genre with this film.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I will leave you with the above mentioned scene...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uOSN2s8FY8Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-9954523150339592162012-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-28T09:00:00.154-07:00Y<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDlg7fvFB_WKxBv75bjpZjJiLf3AA5TMd8Z7XMMRuZ4rwnM1tx8iCju97ykuxOQaPb8QKI4VkVllTsKln_7aONo4hz7W3CGJUWr4ChvXlec_XfSL0yd-gqZYomei1Jm7m-dOtIlUAFxlu/s1600/220px-ChristmasEvilDVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDlg7fvFB_WKxBv75bjpZjJiLf3AA5TMd8Z7XMMRuZ4rwnM1tx8iCju97ykuxOQaPb8QKI4VkVllTsKln_7aONo4hz7W3CGJUWr4ChvXlec_XfSL0yd-gqZYomei1Jm7m-dOtIlUAFxlu/s1600/220px-ChristmasEvilDVD.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Evil" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">You Better Watch Out</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A lesser-known slasher film, <i>You Better Watch Out</i> may also be known as <i>Christmas Evil</i> and <i>Terror in
Toyland</i>. It was released in 1980 and directed by Lewis Jackson. Harry had a
traumatizing childhood experience one Christmas. As an adult, Harry works in a
toy factory and takes extreme care in his job and he has an obsession with
Santa Claus and Christmas. Believing himself to be Santa, he watches the
neighborhood children to see if they’re being good or bad. One night Harry
loses his mind and truly becomes Santa. He builds toys and begins to drop them
off for children, breaking into homes sometimes to do so, and shows a homicidal
side that seeks revenge on coworkers and others who have done him wrong
resulting in a killing spree. The movie has gained a cult following over the
years, and director John Waters is an enthusiastic fan. <b>Factoid</b>: If you watch the credits to the end, you will hear the
filmmakers yell “Merry Christmas”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-90961234289734137072012-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-27T09:00:03.671-07:00X<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnKi747uEKxZJpxk5IRAaz3u16zmpUaWrCKr04rc0cCRkyi9t8AYYrbDQKfL-vBaMt9RRF1YxKEYIcCpVmI803vlUQYPtX0HXV5-YO4KQ5Lq0SmHULMxHkbRBQ6lza5x84ldkztEFyLYa/s1600/Thexfiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnKi747uEKxZJpxk5IRAaz3u16zmpUaWrCKr04rc0cCRkyi9t8AYYrbDQKfL-vBaMt9RRF1YxKEYIcCpVmI803vlUQYPtX0HXV5-YO4KQ5Lq0SmHULMxHkbRBQ6lza5x84ldkztEFyLYa/s1600/Thexfiles.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Files" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The X-Files</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Originally the pilot episode of <i>The</i> <i>X-Files</i> episode aired
September 10, 1993 on the Fox network. The show was a creation from
screenwriter Chris Carter, who envisioned the two main characters, Fox Mulder
and Dana Scully, as being the two voices inside himself that represented his
skepticism and faith. Mulder and Scully are FBI special agents who have been
put together to work as investigators of the X-Files, unsolved cases involved
with paranormal phenomena. Mulder is a believer whereas Scully is a physician,
and remains skeptic and true to her scientific background, always searching for
a logical reason behind the phenomena. Over the course of the nine seasons, sexual
tensions between Mulder and Scully build and they become romantically involved.
<i>The X-Files</i> gained a huge fan
following and cult status quickly, basing many of the episodes on what is
termed the mythology of <i>The X-Files.</i> Some
of these mythologies include the “Monster-of-the-Week” and government
conspiracies. Carter’s influences for the show were <i>Kolchak: The Night Stalker</i>, <i>Alfred
Hitchcock Presents</i>, <i>The Twilight Zone</i>
and <i>Tales From the Darkside</i> to name a
few. Some of the influences from the producers and writers were <i>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</i>, <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i> and <i>Silence of the Lambs</i>. The last episode
aired on May 19, 2002. There have been two films in conjunction with the
series, and a spinoff series briefly aired titled, <i>The Lone Gunmen</i>. The opening sequence along with the theme song, many different slogans including "The Truth Is Out There" and the prolific characters have become an important part of pop culture over the years. The series won many awards over the years and
generally has high respect from the industry for its influence on television.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVXh4UvhbeKmCDlcwvt30SNUTSHElSK6fxc61JuXKmbWSbNCQUkPR73HXFVP5x078g8cxKO3GJGsPGn79DK4zZmTQbZd6-wHA7yLZIierTX-JbfmvJEdW8zbQjGiBhLYJo4arbttpBksC/s1600/220px-X-RayEyes_Rep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVXh4UvhbeKmCDlcwvt30SNUTSHElSK6fxc61JuXKmbWSbNCQUkPR73HXFVP5x078g8cxKO3GJGsPGn79DK4zZmTQbZd6-wHA7yLZIierTX-JbfmvJEdW8zbQjGiBhLYJo4arbttpBksC/s320/220px-X-RayEyes_Rep.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_%281963_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">X</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A 1963 horror film, <i>X</i>
was directed and produced by Roger Corman. Dr. Xavier, a scientist, is
experimenting with enhancing the range of vision by formulating a special eye
drop. He finally tests the eye drops on himself. The longer he uses them, the
bigger the effect is. At first he can see through clothing and bodies to the
skeletal structure, and later he sees only forms of light and texture. Dr.
Xavier ends up on the run after an accident and not only is his vision changed,
but also the outward appearance of his eyes, going eventually to an all black
look. He struggles with his vision and what he sees as it continues to enhance.
The movie was made on a small budget and filmed in only three weeks. The
special effects used to show what Dr. Xavier can see have made the film
memorable over the years. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-26065628766372882202012-04-26T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-26T09:00:02.525-07:00W<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EdtmJvhmHDQIhOFWRnI_zD1lR_gAZyvBj22pAQYi23o2DbTPQVIVY4f8h9JGoVX0y_2_AKVeXln4ul1xPwZ6w9ToEa61-JxKEILRlr6yC4IBPuea9AgR7j5QNb1MD4V19bTZ7gG3PdCK/s1600/220px-Film_poster_The_War_of_the_Worlds_1953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EdtmJvhmHDQIhOFWRnI_zD1lR_gAZyvBj22pAQYi23o2DbTPQVIVY4f8h9JGoVX0y_2_AKVeXln4ul1xPwZ6w9ToEa61-JxKEILRlr6yC4IBPuea9AgR7j5QNb1MD4V19bTZ7gG3PdCK/s320/220px-Film_poster_The_War_of_the_Worlds_1953.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_%281953_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The War of the Worlds</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Released in 1953, the first theatrical film based on H. G.
Wells novel, <i>The War of the Worlds</i>,
became an instant hit. The movie was directed by Byron Haskin, produced by
George Pal and Barre Lyndon provided the script. When aliens visit Earth, they
do not come in peace. They begin by shooting heat-rays that vaporized the humans
immediately. Dr. Forrester is witness to one of the first alien attacks, and is
later able to obtain a blood sample from an alien he kills, along with a piece
of their technology. The military soon drops an atomic bomb on the aliens, but
they have no effect of the machines, leaving a grim outlook. Originally, the
last one-third of the film was supposed to be shot in 3D, but the budget did
not allow for it. They wanted to avoid the cliché look of UFOs in the 50s, and
came up with the design for the ships that resembled a manta ray. The iconic
electronic eye that was attached to the ships has been emulated many times in
films since. The movie was met with positive reviews and was a box office
success grossing $2 million. <i>The War of
the Worlds</i> won an Academy Award for Special Effects. In 2011, the movie was
selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, and is considered one
of the best science fiction movies of its time, as well as becoming a
classic.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBac_PlPKISb96mriuRnTjJ0dmc6ySkOdGtXjLfZUskd2FZ7s7CwP4DphL1qr73VI5MZdyD02DWRoT7CRto9V2MMM8ROK_VJYVXsWVjo8PjGi78K4fMC80Dr_YNwB5NDaoGJFE1CtOXKj/s1600/220px-Whenastrangercallsoriginal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBac_PlPKISb96mriuRnTjJ0dmc6ySkOdGtXjLfZUskd2FZ7s7CwP4DphL1qr73VI5MZdyD02DWRoT7CRto9V2MMM8ROK_VJYVXsWVjo8PjGi78K4fMC80Dr_YNwB5NDaoGJFE1CtOXKj/s320/220px-Whenastrangercallsoriginal.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_a_Stranger_Calls_%281979_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When A Stranger Calls</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Producer Steve Feke and director Fred Walton penned the
screenplay for When A Stranger Calls with inspiration from a folk legend titled
“The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs”. It is the tale of a young woman, Jill
Johnson, portrayed by Carol Kane, who is babysitting a pair of children. She
begins receiving distressing phone calls from a mystery man and when she alerts
the police, they are finally able to trace the phone call back to inside the
house. The police arrive and Jill is saved, however, the children were murdered
upstairs as they slept. The film then goes forward seven years, showing that
the murderer has escaped from an institution. Officer John Clifford, played by
Charles Durning, had worked the case with Jill before, and the dead children’s
father hires the now private investigator Clifford to track down the murderer. The
murderer finds Jill who is now married with her own children and stalks her. Clifford
must stop him before he kills Jill. The movie had a budget of $740,000 and
grossed <span> </span>$21 million in the theatres when
it was released in 1979. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL6w34RFiTzLQKeo4-C44TNnWrQ0eFBz9rUlG1HEctgUQyS8iMaN_lR70QvCY0rGB3n3lGuDaFp6Z2A6K2EMW9BALWmyvKjHpt_TcaTQ_kHySz1lsWVfgCl4WdCQ8NsXxzxAFU0hIFlpG/s1600/225px-Poster_-_White_Zombie_01_Crisco_restoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL6w34RFiTzLQKeo4-C44TNnWrQ0eFBz9rUlG1HEctgUQyS8iMaN_lR70QvCY0rGB3n3lGuDaFp6Z2A6K2EMW9BALWmyvKjHpt_TcaTQ_kHySz1lsWVfgCl4WdCQ8NsXxzxAFU0hIFlpG/s320/225px-Poster_-_White_Zombie_01_Crisco_restoration.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Zombie_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">White Zombie</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Made in 1932, <i>White
Zombie</i> was the first film to feature zombies. Bela Lugosi starred in this
film following the successful 1931 movie, <i>Dracula</i>.
Set in Haiti, the story follows Madeleine and Neil, who are to be married.
Throw in an evil voodoo priest, Murder Legendre (Lugosi) and Charles Beaumont,
who wants Madeleine for himself, and you have some conflict. Murder Legendre
turns Madeleine into a zombie in order to make her do his bidding when Beaumont
asks Murder Legendre for his help in winning her over. She dies and is brought
back as a zombie. When Neil finds out that Murder Legendre has a slew of
zombies that are under his control, he goes to rescue Madeleine. Shooting on the film was completed in eleven days. The reviews
when the movie released were poor, criticizing the acting and outrageous
storyline. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIJQYOxi5xhnCcqq70G5W8DLYTBwwjPaXw_1eCAjF6nNl2pncBGcJu5U62QgBfMLT9Q-8wOCVr7Wwc2zgBVCdMGTWARByW9678X_25a0zTOjqqlwHdFZpqeIn2yFNms4o58l-sD0kdTDQ/s1600/220px-The-wolfman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIJQYOxi5xhnCcqq70G5W8DLYTBwwjPaXw_1eCAjF6nNl2pncBGcJu5U62QgBfMLT9Q-8wOCVr7Wwc2zgBVCdMGTWARByW9678X_25a0zTOjqqlwHdFZpqeIn2yFNms4o58l-sD0kdTDQ/s320/220px-The-wolfman.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wolf_Man_%281941_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Wolf Man</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Starring Lon Chaney Jr., <i>The
Wolf Man</i> was a Universal Pictures film that was released in 1941. George
Waggner directed and produced the film, while Curt Siodmak provided the
screenplay. Larry Talbot, played by Lon Chaney Jr., returns to his small
village after his brother passes away. While there he meets and becomes
interested in Gwen, purchasing a walking stick with a silver wolf on the
handle. She tells him about werewolves, which he had never heard of previously.
The villagers all recite the same cryptic poem when spoken to about werewolves:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Even a man who is
pure in heart</span></i><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>and says his prayers
by night</span></i><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>may become a wolf
when the wolfbane blooms</span></i><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>and the autumn moon
is bright.</span></i><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later on, Larry gets attacked by a werewolf played by Bela
Lugosi and consequently turns into a werewolf. The screenwriter Siodmak wrote
the poem that was recited in the film. Chaney’s makeup as the wolf man was
heavy and and uncomfortable. Chaney was the only actor to play the Universal
monster, and he played the wolf man in four more films due to the positive
reception of the film. In 2010 Universal Pictures produced a remake starring
Benicio del Toro. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILAV5o3QU1B4bEMD0PeBQ_-fNEpKGxlVdt3P-2zS8vgCP0_kjxAID77MYNWylbB6Ky4muOmwAIfYVMsmkWO0Ekc7EaVsW1L02ixgbsQqwdxapjcf73nUXq3wrVIUaG3YXNlPvlLcdnUPV/s1600/220px-Wolfen_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILAV5o3QU1B4bEMD0PeBQ_-fNEpKGxlVdt3P-2zS8vgCP0_kjxAID77MYNWylbB6Ky4muOmwAIfYVMsmkWO0Ekc7EaVsW1L02ixgbsQqwdxapjcf73nUXq3wrVIUaG3YXNlPvlLcdnUPV/s320/220px-Wolfen_1981.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfen_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wolfen</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whitley Strieber’s 1978 novel, <i>The Wolfen,</i> was brought to the silver screen in 1981 by director
Michael Wadleigh.<span> </span>Following brutal
murders, NYPD Captain Dewey Wilson, played by Albert Finney, is on the case to
find the killer. A coroner, Whittington, played by Gregory Hines, finds strange
hairs on the corpses and teams up with Ferguson, a zoologist, who believes them
to be from an unknown species of wolf. Wilson consults a Native American and
later finds out that he believes the killer to be a Wolfen, or a wolf spirit. A
special technique was used during the filming of the movie to portray certain
scenes as seen through the eyes of the wolf. <i>Wolfen</i> grossed $10 million in the theatres. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-49453231420277757492012-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-25T09:00:02.644-07:00V<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC36jIxPQbUjrisrQNlhudtrzBTWR8uvrJoux4BCabX7aM5eQUKZA3TtQexf3Kpk5tn7bRuRQEo9MCKnSV7tw9gogjN_FJEl6bJljbMRvUyJP350aYNQHJ4FG2tQrzfyR7angCvpyLTDyk/s1600/220px-Videodromeposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC36jIxPQbUjrisrQNlhudtrzBTWR8uvrJoux4BCabX7aM5eQUKZA3TtQexf3Kpk5tn7bRuRQEo9MCKnSV7tw9gogjN_FJEl6bJljbMRvUyJP350aYNQHJ4FG2tQrzfyR7angCvpyLTDyk/s320/220px-Videodromeposter.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videodrome" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Videodrome</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A surrealist science fiction horror film, <i>Videodrome</i> released in 1983. When Max
Renn, the president of a Canadian UHF tv station is told to pirate a new show
that features torture and apparent murder that is broadcast on a signal from
Malaysia, he becomes involved in a war that is fought to control people’s
minds. A strange philosopher who is only seen on tv shows Max a tape that
causes him to have hallucinations afterward. The hallucinations are revealed to
be due to a brain tumor that is attributed to the signal. The movie performed
poorly in theatres, but was met with positive reviews and won various awards at
the time of its release. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbypfNhtLo9H0IEIn8b6Q2thaQBUbv_AlkeELT9EBRkPeB4kDueUCRacxE-z2xYZ6vRKQCRW6fGO0-Aw21acVQvP4Wf8ES65nfLY2jrZZdxMZoVADlHf7i6dONJxYnSi3L4l89rbfMzWQ/s1600/220px-Villageofthedamned1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbypfNhtLo9H0IEIn8b6Q2thaQBUbv_AlkeELT9EBRkPeB4kDueUCRacxE-z2xYZ6vRKQCRW6fGO0-Aw21acVQvP4Wf8ES65nfLY2jrZZdxMZoVADlHf7i6dONJxYnSi3L4l89rbfMzWQ/s320/220px-Villageofthedamned1960.jpg" width="205" /><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Village of the Damned</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Adapted from the novel <i>The
Midwich Cuckoos</i> written by John Wyndham, the original 1960 version of <i>Village of the Damned</i> was directed by
Wolf Rilla. In a small village, everyone is rendered unconscious, even the
animals. No scientific explanations were found and once the villagers woke up,
life resumed as normal. Until two months later when all women and girls in
childbearing age were found to be pregnant. The babies, all born on the same
day, grew at an enormous rate and were all born similar in appearance, white
hair and commanding eyes. They communicated telepathically and could cause
events to happen, including harm against other people. A professor who lived in
the village and had a son that was one of the children born that day began to
work in conjunction with the government concerning the children, finding out
sinister information about the possibility of others like them. The film
received positive reviews and has since seen a sequel and a remake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQjoRQ2QoGZ65w4LuoOCyYcVYEz26-clSX8NJxyGKJSA_uCDLHXfAmCPI26wrgca0URJrEZMMaf5iXCp34p2ytvB_KQfMkaIENqY7LhMK8moc6leXuO3p_SDyns239ypLUITV8wzgKoXj/s1600/220px-V-2001DVDcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQjoRQ2QoGZ65w4LuoOCyYcVYEz26-clSX8NJxyGKJSA_uCDLHXfAmCPI26wrgca0URJrEZMMaf5iXCp34p2ytvB_KQfMkaIENqY7LhMK8moc6leXuO3p_SDyns239ypLUITV8wzgKoXj/s1600/220px-V-2001DVDcover.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_%281983_miniseries%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">V</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Kenneth Johnson wrote the screenplay and directed the
two-part television miniseries <i>V,</i>
which premiered in 1983. It was the story of a race of aliens, known as the
Visitors, who play nice with the authorities, claiming to need assistance for
their dying planet and promising in return to share their advanced technology
with us. A journalist boards one of their ships and finds out that the Visitors
are actually meat-eating reptilian aliens. Soon a resistance movement gathers
to try and make known the Visitors true desires, to take all of Earth’s water
and harvest humans for food. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The familiar red, spray-painted V that was seen on
promotional material and throughout the series on posters that promoted
the Visitors in a good light was a symbol that stood for "victory",
painted on by the resistance. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Johnson had originally written a script based on
an anti-fascist novel, <i>It Can’t Happen
Here</i> by Sinclair Lewis, but changed the fascists to the malicious aliens in
order to sell the script. A sequel followed the successful miniseries, and a
weekly tv series. Johnson left during the sequel, and has since tried to
campaign for a theatrical remake of the original miniseries. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-81950186647030633522012-04-24T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-24T09:00:09.501-07:00U<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44gRCx-YeZAUPtOfzOql2jbI99BBCi3X3yY4MqNCrhzyptEnUi5uhQR6lrmkrDa4Tzc2WX5HXXvuuyYra35GSVrKo7WjXagZgICjS4N84z5s65JqYwVnzNVNPysahWGEIoAc3uxjRHY0y/s1600/220px-Underworld_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44gRCx-YeZAUPtOfzOql2jbI99BBCi3X3yY4MqNCrhzyptEnUi5uhQR6lrmkrDa4Tzc2WX5HXXvuuyYra35GSVrKo7WjXagZgICjS4N84z5s65JqYwVnzNVNPysahWGEIoAc3uxjRHY0y/s320/220px-Underworld_poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld_%282003_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Underworld</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Len Wiseman directed Underworld in 2003. Len Wiseman, Kevin
Grevioux and Danny McBride wrote the story, and Danny McBride adapted the
screenplay. The vampires are mortal enemies of the Lycans (werewolves), and
Selene, a vampire Death Dealer portrayed by Kate Beckinsale, is dispatched to
kill any the werewolves. Selene rescues a human who the Lycans have an interest
in, Michael, but he’s bitten by the werewolves. Selene and Michael soon develop
feelings for each other. She wrestles with her orders to kill him. It is soon
revealed that the Lycans are attempting to combine the two species and create a
hybrid. With a budget of $22 million, the movie fared well bringing in over $95
million at the box office. A copyright infringement lawsuit was filed saying
the movie was similar to various games and novels. There was a confidential
settlement in the matter. Underworld received largely negative reviews.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2asis-lTcbkd1HtawnJLIrb2RYDyBdqXYVYC1DIWTZA_q9sHtnaca0QbdE2ka0KwhfwI2f3FZgclD_iBNCqc8sEU51VIi2IwIBk-pGwtaeg-33Eie5hbxi4tHCw20DVbRBTbYIEIlFHb/s1600/215px-Uninvitedposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2asis-lTcbkd1HtawnJLIrb2RYDyBdqXYVYC1DIWTZA_q9sHtnaca0QbdE2ka0KwhfwI2f3FZgclD_iBNCqc8sEU51VIi2IwIBk-pGwtaeg-33Eie5hbxi4tHCw20DVbRBTbYIEIlFHb/s1600/215px-Uninvitedposter.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Uninvited_%282009_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Uninvited</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A remake of a 2003 South Korean horror film titled <i>A Tale of Two Sisters</i>, <i>The Uninvited</i> was released in 2009 and was
the first feature film directed by The Guard Brothers. Producers Walter F.
Parkes and Laurie MacDonald had produced <i>The
Ring</i> and <i>The Ring Two</i>, and began
looking for another project. <i>A Tale of
Two Sisters</i> looked to be lucrative, and the Guard Brothers acquired remake
rights. Craig Rosenberg, Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard wrote the screenplay. The
film is about Anna, who has recently been released from a psychiatric hospital
after she attempted suicide following a boathouse fire where her mother
perished. Going home with her father, Anna and her older sister, Alex begins to
conspire against their father’s girlfriend, Rachel. It is after a series of
deadly events that the movie provides the real twist. The movie was not
received well by critics, but grossed $40 million at the box office.</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-8674923695071969022012-04-23T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-23T09:00:14.095-07:00T<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy9acvYdAYY9khuhMqR2cvrenKoYbZfZD-h78JfvWGKsq-tppSzw0udOheRkguUe1ndJTAUhyy0lXvjLbWmyTAhSm0-kNJdoWZm6q9r-OoMgyU8TglTb6iqeqP2k6Kr4LyvsDPrW-L7dA/s1600/220px-Tales_from_the_crypt_film_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy9acvYdAYY9khuhMqR2cvrenKoYbZfZD-h78JfvWGKsq-tppSzw0udOheRkguUe1ndJTAUhyy0lXvjLbWmyTAhSm0-kNJdoWZm6q9r-OoMgyU8TglTb6iqeqP2k6Kr4LyvsDPrW-L7dA/s320/220px-Tales_from_the_crypt_film_poster.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_Crypt_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tales from the Crypt</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A 1972 British horror film, <i>Tales from the Crypt</i> was an adaptation of stories from EC Comics.
Directed by Freddie Francis, the film consists of five segments: “…And All
Through the House”, “Reflection of Death”, “Poetic Justice”, “Wish You Were
Here” and “Blind Alleys”. Milton Subotsky penned the screenplay from two
paperback reprints that had been given to him by Russ Jones, <i>The Vault of Horror</i> and <i>Tales from the Crypt</i>. The cast included
Joan Collins and Peter Cushing, with Ralph Richardson playing the Crypt Keeper.
The next year saw a sequel titled, <i>The
Vault of Horror. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV6TO94bucBFFkhypLAqJrTnHSosttVIgDDEvWRQ7wLUrzOw95Q5wcycd6vxxY5gUYbkUUBfVRd7cqUvLl4afoIXWr445QhgZV6rft7wtHmgJYGp15goiABJS3i47Pllaymm8U376v1MQ/s1600/220px-TheTexasChainSawMassacre-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV6TO94bucBFFkhypLAqJrTnHSosttVIgDDEvWRQ7wLUrzOw95Q5wcycd6vxxY5gUYbkUUBfVRd7cqUvLl4afoIXWr445QhgZV6rft7wtHmgJYGp15goiABJS3i47Pllaymm8U376v1MQ/s320/220px-TheTexasChainSawMassacre-poster.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Texas_Chain_Saw_Massacre" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Considered to be one of the
most controversial horror films, <i>The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i> made its way into theatres on October 1, 1974,
premiering in Austin, TX. The story of a girl, Sally, and her invalid,
wheelchair-bound brother, and three of their friends going to see the grave of
Sally’s grandfather. What they find instead is an old house filled with a
terrifying history. Leatherface, a large man that wears a mask made of human
skin and carries a chainsaw, lives in the gore-filled house along with his
cannibalistic family members. The group of kids is killed, one by one, in
various, gruesome ways. Directed by Tobe Hooper, who also directed <i>Salem’s Lot</i>
and <i>Poltergeist</i>, came up with the idea for the film when he was working as an
assistant film director and by using similarities based on the real-life killer
Ed Gein. Hooper along with Kim Henkel wrote the screenplay, then set about
acquiring the funding necessary to produce the film. There are various
estimates on the final budget, ranging from $93,000 - $300,000. Hiring unknown,
local actors, and filming seven days a week, sometimes sixteen hours a day cut
costs. The Leatherface character is credited with starting the large, no face
killer theme that is present in many horror films following <i>The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre</i>. Over the years, the movie saw a return of over $30 million. It has
spawned two sequels, a remake and a prequel. The film, due to its graphic
nature and the themes present, has been banned in many countries and was met
with some resistance. Needless to say, <i>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i> gave a fresh
view to the slasher film sub-genre of horror films. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3qg_jvrGCP4meNWOwjnzyiW2CgWVKA6wwMW0JYpW9kudDcF0JPxzvixhDr9WkEFAPXbgg7Em068hpF6d3VBzjN2BIpbRHJ2fNTg9BCrLt7S-slEDdm1PoOiRp5JLvIygEi2o9Wl5iwmN/s1600/215px-ThingPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3qg_jvrGCP4meNWOwjnzyiW2CgWVKA6wwMW0JYpW9kudDcF0JPxzvixhDr9WkEFAPXbgg7Em068hpF6d3VBzjN2BIpbRHJ2fNTg9BCrLt7S-slEDdm1PoOiRp5JLvIygEi2o9Wl5iwmN/s320/215px-ThingPoster.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_%281982_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Thing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In
1951, a filmed titled <i>The Thing From
Another World</i> was inspired by the novella <i>Who Goes There?</i> written by John W. Campbell, Jr. Later, in 1982,
director John Carpenter decided to adapt a movie on the novella, which would
follow the premise more closely. This film became <i>The Thing</i>. The Thing was an alien life form that would take a host
and transform into it and imitate it. Set in an Arctic research station, the
crew become victims to The Thing, creating paranoia and fear as they do not
know who’s been afflicted. Kurt Russell starred as MacReady. When the movie
released, it was up against the box office blockbuster, <i>E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial</i>, which depicted aliens in a good light.
This, along with opening on the same day as <i>Blade
Runner</i>, contributed to <i>The Thing</i>’s
poor box office performance. At first it saw mixed reviews, but as time passed,
they became more favorable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fPLQ-3Y61xdwx6E0u95qbNUqNU6dOTKspuOR_k8oZvm6lEZpVPG3_d7SZdDNyusXCXsH8sFM-SDhsoV7k_jUL1OfpmukNkLsnpGg9cQtBSshBiX9Ikl2MHr1A4fHkv6JARAlS02tgFsj/s1600/215px-Trick_r_treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fPLQ-3Y61xdwx6E0u95qbNUqNU6dOTKspuOR_k8oZvm6lEZpVPG3_d7SZdDNyusXCXsH8sFM-SDhsoV7k_jUL1OfpmukNkLsnpGg9cQtBSshBiX9Ikl2MHr1A4fHkv6JARAlS02tgFsj/s320/215px-Trick_r_treat.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_%27r_Treat" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Trick ‘R Treat</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Screenwriter Michael Dougherty wrote and directed the movie <i>Trick ‘R Treat</i> based on his own short animated
film <i>Season’s Greetings</i> (1996). The
main character, a small boy named Sam who wears orange footie pajamas and a
burlap sack over his head, is a central theme in the movie that contains four
short stories all relating to Halloween. The segments are titled: “The
Principal”, “The School Bus Massacre Revisited”, “Surprise Party” and “Meet
Sam”. The movie was given only a select limited public screening, and was
released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2009. Reviews for the film are generally very
positive. It won two awards and saw an adaptation as a graphic novel. Here is
the original animated short that inspired the movie, <i>Season’s Greetings</i>: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HVtqW4vdA6I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIDQEDVezlcORaRbR0hN4NHkmeZxAQlHw7ziCPr7NV_TXAk255cdvNe8ZPKV9Dya-ivHRIk9E1IUWm8hss9SirojZsfPhtgHK5lbb8RnUrttVe1yARnCBZrhba5fGswXmQA8JIUwhJuAw/s1600/220px-TwilightZoneMovePoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIDQEDVezlcORaRbR0hN4NHkmeZxAQlHw7ziCPr7NV_TXAk255cdvNe8ZPKV9Dya-ivHRIk9E1IUWm8hss9SirojZsfPhtgHK5lbb8RnUrttVe1yARnCBZrhba5fGswXmQA8JIUwhJuAw/s320/220px-TwilightZoneMovePoster.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_Zone:_The_Movie" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Twilight Zone: The Movie</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Steven Spielberg and John Landis teamed up to produce <i>Twilight Zone: The Movie</i>, a theatrical version
of Rod Serling’s television show, <i>The
Twilight Zone</i>. With John Landis directing the prologue and segment 1,
Steven Spielberg directing segment 2, Joe Dante directing segment 3, and George
Miller directing segment 4 and the epilogue, three of the segments were remade
from the original television series, while one was an original story. The
segments are as follows, in the order they appear in the film: “Time Out”
(which was the one original), “Kick the Can”, “It’s a Good Life” and “Nightmare
at 20,000 Feet”. The screenplay was written by Rod Serling, John Landis
(segment 1), George Clayton Johnson, Richard Matheson, Melissa Mathison and
Jerome Bixby. Burgess Meredith, who had starred in four of the television
episodes, served as narrator. During the filming of segment 1, “Time Out”,
actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen were
involved in an on-set accident involving a helicopter crash which claimed all 3
lives. This garnered much media attention for the then yet-released film and
resulted in a court case that lasted almost a decade. The film received mixed
reviews and grossed $29 million, recouping the $10 million budget. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSA6bxFRLdUi2AkzIEbTuDklEZlRBbjldQfZTdsGsxhEyFtOyv1a8DDBZukr7otouQiGGyLFyVCg6YAWAAltQ-YZOMXbK9GC3r0DEkpmG2Fm9rv7lpLlHnZagPd0SBq95Kd53s09ayg2c/s1600/1988They_Live_poster300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSA6bxFRLdUi2AkzIEbTuDklEZlRBbjldQfZTdsGsxhEyFtOyv1a8DDBZukr7otouQiGGyLFyVCg6YAWAAltQ-YZOMXbK9GC3r0DEkpmG2Fm9rv7lpLlHnZagPd0SBq95Kd53s09ayg2c/s1600/1988They_Live_poster300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Live" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">They Live</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">John Carpenter’s 1988 homage to consumerism, <i>They Live</i> brought elements of 1950s
B-movie sci-fi flicks and combined it with the current economic crisis of the
day. Carpenter wrote the screenplay, basing it on two stories, “Eight O’Clock
in the Morning” by Ray Nelson, and “Nada” from an <i>Alien Encounters</i> comic book, although the end result was based more
heavily on Nelson’s story. Carpenter threw in his own aversion to the
commercialization in culture and politics that was present in the 80s.
Carpenter’s reasoning for making the true appearance of the aliens so grotesque
was that, “The creatures are corrupting us, so they, themselves, are
corruptions of human beings."<sup> </sup>The story goes that a man named
Nada, played by wrestler Roddy Piper, stumbles upon a church that houses a
resistance group concerned with waking up everyone. Nada finds a box full of
sunglasses that when worn allow you to see the truth. Advertisements and media
all have subliminal messages contained within. Some of the messages are:
“Obey”, “Consume” and “No Independent Thought”. But that’s not all that he’s
able to see. Some humans are actually aliens in disguise. Through the glasses,
Nada can see their hideous, skeleton faces. Nada, along with another man, Frank
(Keith David), try to join forces with the resistance group in order to reveal
to the rest of the world the truth. The budget was roughly $3 million, and the
movie grossed $13 million in the theatres. <b>Geek
Fact</b>: some of the alien troops use a communication device that was actually
the PKE meter (Egon’s handheld) prop from the film <i>Ghostbusters</i>. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-9451468921424479202012-04-21T12:37:00.000-07:002012-04-21T12:37:39.185-07:00S<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3f-0lLQYJ7_HPDAoZ2EVzY9bDvftAfy3mctuP0erkh9uN3UBR-_duXb7iPmx6RTEg8h29INtQm04XZilj7FPFphbDAPqCgcIgFIL7cxh8aucMWEMvziEUmMpLXnBcxTSN0XrIlvZWhzC/s1600/225px-Salemslotthemovie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3f-0lLQYJ7_HPDAoZ2EVzY9bDvftAfy3mctuP0erkh9uN3UBR-_duXb7iPmx6RTEg8h29INtQm04XZilj7FPFphbDAPqCgcIgFIL7cxh8aucMWEMvziEUmMpLXnBcxTSN0XrIlvZWhzC/s1600/225px-Salemslotthemovie.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem%27s_Lot_%281979_TV_miniseries%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Salem’s Lot</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, <i>Salem’s Lot</i> was produced in 1979 as a television miniseries. Tobe
Hooper, director of such films as <i>The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i> and <i>Poltergeist</i>,
took the helm and delivered the story of Ben Mears, a writer returning to his hometown
in order to pen a novel about a local haunted house. When he goes to rent the
haunted house, he finds that it has been sold to a strange man who sets up an
antique shop locally. Along with the man there is a mysterious business
partner, Barlow, who begins to garner attention when the townspeople start to
disappear or die. Mears teams up with a local teenager, Mark, and the two of
them find out that Barlow is really a vampire. The two of them try to save the
town and kill Barlow. Barlow’s character was changed from the sophisticated man
he was in King’s novel to a creature similar to the vampire in the film <i>Nosferatu</i>. There was a theatrical
release produced for Europe that allowed more violence. The miniseries was met
with generally positive reviews and was nominated for several awards. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMwKS2Qx1_2uvxw4LXiRyTbq5hVuELX7Bt5TzuObb6h4-KvmQovVO93YELkWeecKv4j0RAA-IBHAsO5bNZcOH_vTBHYJulkSfvGIfNqtrMOcJBIvzAvkq0wSUzQJpzIbYoSZ6grCAj88e/s1600/220px-Seven_(movie)_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMwKS2Qx1_2uvxw4LXiRyTbq5hVuELX7Bt5TzuObb6h4-KvmQovVO93YELkWeecKv4j0RAA-IBHAsO5bNZcOH_vTBHYJulkSfvGIfNqtrMOcJBIvzAvkq0wSUzQJpzIbYoSZ6grCAj88e/s320/220px-Seven_(movie)_poster.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Se7en</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Two police detectives, one an older, seasoned veteran of the
force, William Somerset, who is in place to retire, and the other a young,
green rookie, David Mills, who is set to take his place are both put to the
test when a serial killer menaces the city. The killer is basing his murders on
the seven Catholic deadly sins. Morgan Freeman played Somerset with a quiet,
wise and brilliant performance, while Brad Pitt portrayed Mills, younger,
hotheaded and passionate to the cause. The killer, Kevin Spacey, leads them on
a chase, which has them racing to solve the next murder, only missing him by
seconds sometimes. The film carried a dreary, foreboding atmosphere due to the
atmosphere that director David Fincher created with much success. <i>Se7en</i> was a box office success grossing
$327.3 million worldwide during its release in 1995. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_IMb1O4BvxrgUgkbSDhkPWOTfiTmUUf2UpxlgvydP7eufjC13r3tpG6Py3Klefx4nIu3hEG0HjfggLPuMDFTLOYNSs2_g8Vk5PB1TNXT0Yl9-frZcZ_4W_G0fC8NKDmTVCWU375XShnJ/s1600/220px-Serpentandtherainbow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_IMb1O4BvxrgUgkbSDhkPWOTfiTmUUf2UpxlgvydP7eufjC13r3tpG6Py3Klefx4nIu3hEG0HjfggLPuMDFTLOYNSs2_g8Vk5PB1TNXT0Yl9-frZcZ_4W_G0fC8NKDmTVCWU375XShnJ/s320/220px-Serpentandtherainbow.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Serpent_and_the_Rainbow_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Serpent and the Rainbow</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The film, based loosely on a real encounter chronicled into
a non-fiction novel by the same name, it tells of an ethnobotanist, Dennis
Alan, played by Bill Pullman, who travels to Haiti in order to find a reported
drug that is used in voodoo to bring it back so that it may be formulated into
anesthesia. Alan runs into trouble with the Haitian authorities, but refuses to
give in. After two arrests, torture, and being framed for murder, Alan returns
home only to go back to Haiti where he is buried alive. The movie released in
1988 and brought in over $19 million at the box office with a budget of $7
million. Wes Craven, from <i>A Nightmare on
Elm Street </i>fame, directed the movie. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh87-D-bIFbtMek981Uh6QZDfMJzhvWoAGKh4FNdNWgxnBuJAUJSnowx0jrXVnQymtuwYo_NjHstKQZRfm-oaoz-VM_PaGpU2zFlR6MW3DwKmc1v6ciy8cE0BjiWqD2sWAZxHAb1QrYbh/s1600/220px-Session_nine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh87-D-bIFbtMek981Uh6QZDfMJzhvWoAGKh4FNdNWgxnBuJAUJSnowx0jrXVnQymtuwYo_NjHstKQZRfm-oaoz-VM_PaGpU2zFlR6MW3DwKmc1v6ciy8cE0BjiWqD2sWAZxHAb1QrYbh/s320/220px-Session_nine.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_9" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Session 9</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Directed by Brad Anderson in 2001, <i>Session 9</i> is a film about
the large, abandoned Gothic inspired Danvers State Mental Hospital in Danvers,
Massachusetts. Gordon Fleming owns a small asbestos removing company and finds
out that the hospital is need of renovations. He is looking for the job because
him and his wife have recently had a baby and need the money. Fleming brings in
his team to work on the hospital. One of the crew finds some old tapes that are
recordings of a former patient and her multiple personalities. There is tension
and conflict between some of the team members, and Fleming is starting to be
affected by the hospital’s menacing atmosphere. Strange events begin to take
place and the movie spirals into a shocking conclusion. <i>Session 9</i> forgoes
shocks and gore to bring the viewer fear with the mounting tension and surreal
quality that builds. The movie is an underrated, spooky and terrifying piece of
horror that shouldn’t be missed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIW_9rgufVa_b95Vnirh-pqV5P4AMfG1eZWqNX8N36l6NeFw12maqLXwzzZJSC4JdTvfAHvqC57ryQhc6Wio72GWEMaGT0uO7ByW5C0P77MvtHa5uNp_TpQZ-D0StNF2vFDEUYOGTKhHi/s1600/220px-Shining-kubrik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIW_9rgufVa_b95Vnirh-pqV5P4AMfG1eZWqNX8N36l6NeFw12maqLXwzzZJSC4JdTvfAHvqC57ryQhc6Wio72GWEMaGT0uO7ByW5C0P77MvtHa5uNp_TpQZ-D0StNF2vFDEUYOGTKhHi/s320/220px-Shining-kubrik.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shining_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Shining</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another Stephen King adaptation, <i>The Shining</i> is a 1980
horror movie directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick co-wrote the
script with Diane Johnson. The main character, Jack Torrance, played by Jack
Nicholson, and his wife and son go to the Overlook Hotel, a large hotel set in
the Rocky Mountains, in order to become caretaker over the winter months when
the hotel is not open for business. Jack, a writer, becomes irritated and angry
with the isolation and his family. He begins to see apparitions. His son,
Danny, has ESP, and meets the chef, played by Scatman Crothers, at the hotel
who also has the ability, which he calls “shining”. As the days pass, Jack’s
anger and hostility grows. The film received a cooler response at first, but
over they years has garnered acceptance and praise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8R_d5kwJ0qCDkZjXOWeT8Pra85NvEgtWpNWsm8II9WJ9OlRIV17NGCxfGt4syg6IAGsc3TN4aOaUoUvQ0MT_tCedghMxzzrBgD27tIy7TPUMRUbQrYjuX6QigKuqTpLYx9vvVEgcCO2j/s1600/Silver_bullet_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8R_d5kwJ0qCDkZjXOWeT8Pra85NvEgtWpNWsm8II9WJ9OlRIV17NGCxfGt4syg6IAGsc3TN4aOaUoUvQ0MT_tCedghMxzzrBgD27tIy7TPUMRUbQrYjuX6QigKuqTpLYx9vvVEgcCO2j/s1600/Silver_bullet_poster.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bullet_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Silver Bullet</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Reverend Lowe is more than meets the eye. In the small town
of Tarker’s Mills, Maine, a werewolf is killing people. One boy, Marty, played
by a young Corey Haim, a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair, his older sister,
Jane, and their drunken Uncle Red, portrayed by Gary Busey, must face the
werewolf and stop him from killing again. Released in 1985, directed by Dan Attias,
produced by Dino De Laurentiis, and based on the Stephen King novella <i>Cycle of the Werewolf</i>, the movie
performed poor at the theatres and saw mixed reviews. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACSYzzOct-mP__ChZrfbsv4_QpWVabJp3UuznT5-IAh7WHJNnUZCYA8bS2JDzJSGdRknJ9-M1bY4SU5pXDS5s6t3CoBIE0BHRcgZ7SFcS5gayAiGTZanUgecv-glyXG0ExfynteTNeTBr/s1600/220px-SomethingWicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACSYzzOct-mP__ChZrfbsv4_QpWVabJp3UuznT5-IAh7WHJNnUZCYA8bS2JDzJSGdRknJ9-M1bY4SU5pXDS5s6t3CoBIE0BHRcgZ7SFcS5gayAiGTZanUgecv-glyXG0ExfynteTNeTBr/s320/220px-SomethingWicked.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_Wicked_This_Way_Comes_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Something Wicked This Way Comes</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Walt Disney Studios brought Ray Bradbury’s novel <i>Something Wicked This Way Comes</i> to the
screen in 1983. Jack Clayton directed the film, and Ray Bradbury provided the
screenplay. A menacing carnival arrives in town, and two young friends, Will
and Jim, decide to have a closer look. Mr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) is the owner
and operator of the carnival, and he’s on the lookout for anyone in town with
an unfulfilled wish. Once he grants them, they become a part of the carnival
forever. Will’s father, Charles Halloway (Jason Robards) becomes involved when
the boys tell him what they have seen. The town must be saved from the evil
influence of the carnival and Mr. Dark. Walt Disney Studios desired to change
their animation/family friendly image by acquiring the rights to the novel.
Conflicts between Bradbury and Clayton caused delays, and the script was
revised by John Mortimer (uncredited). In order to cut costs, Pryce, a relative
unknown at the time, was hired to play the sinister Mr. Dark. Both Jonathan
Pryce and Jason Robards gave a stellar performance, making the film one to be
remembered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H8EPInoSJQFMHCWlUYRG6fjaZ-80z8-OpaTPIYijs6Nr5AyZYS03Esd3p7bVVrIWYZhMNf9FovngG7G-XXSEp4u-clTFyctut9bdselcZUOFSLCYJpYzcC_XryjtBObYiOvL30GTyL3Z/s1600/250px-Stargateposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H8EPInoSJQFMHCWlUYRG6fjaZ-80z8-OpaTPIYijs6Nr5AyZYS03Esd3p7bVVrIWYZhMNf9FovngG7G-XXSEp4u-clTFyctut9bdselcZUOFSLCYJpYzcC_XryjtBObYiOvL30GTyL3Z/s320/250px-Stargateposter.jpg" width="206" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stargate</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In 1994, Roland Emmerich directed <i>Stargate,</i> a film about a large device, the Stargate, which would
allow people to travel through a wormhole into other dimensions where another
Stargate would allow for an exit. Centered around Egyptology and aliens, <i>Stargate </i>was a hit with audiences,
bringing in over $196 million worldwide. It was nominated for and won several
awards, but critics gave the film mixed reviews. The screenplay was written by
Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, and came from two separate stories from Devlin
and Emmerich, which were combined to make the script. The Stargate itself was
made by a team of 40 special effects crew, spanned 15 feet across and weighed
64,000 pounds, requiring the largest set to house it. <i>Stargate </i>has gathered a large cult following, and in 1997, <i>Stargate SG-1</i> became a sequel in the
form of a television series. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-77271788416583385572012-04-20T09:00:00.001-07:002012-04-20T09:00:28.713-07:00R<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFBk56RGP9Ei8zLcUix48EM89CpAKRKK_RtGNpwumpDOCZHOOPAuARRupMsYmPhPpqmC2Z2OVwd3VPUuqrbtjV5zmM_iHdzrckCP4LTRSjO7NAox5HXuZYvQ3JalXmW8IsNsldfJCdQ4V/s1600/220px-Rosemarys_baby_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFBk56RGP9Ei8zLcUix48EM89CpAKRKK_RtGNpwumpDOCZHOOPAuARRupMsYmPhPpqmC2Z2OVwd3VPUuqrbtjV5zmM_iHdzrckCP4LTRSjO7NAox5HXuZYvQ3JalXmW8IsNsldfJCdQ4V/s320/220px-Rosemarys_baby_poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary%27s_Baby_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rosemary’s Baby</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Ira Levin’s 1967 bestselling novel was adapted for the screen and directed by Roman Polanski the very next year. Rosemary, a young housewife, and her husband Guy live in an old Gothic apartment building in New York City. Guy’s struggling actor career suddenly becomes successful as he becomes closer to their strange elderly neighbors. Rosemary and Guy decide to start their family soon after, and Rosemary has a frightening experience on the night of conception. Her pregnancy is filled with pain and strange cravings, and as her health declines, the baby grows. Rosemary finds out that the neighbors worship Satan, and she fears for her baby and her life. Director Polanski made his American debut with this film. The stellar casting proved to be a hit, with Mia Farrow’s performance as Rosemary standing out. Today the film is regarded as a classic in the horror genre, and at the time of its release, saw a return of over $33 million. Rosemary’s Baby was nominated for and won many awards. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6M2AHcZ76p0cEpv9EXzp2wvoP_XqSKbfLeGbPO7qEnqkc9jH1okoQAUZ70UDx82JZFBypOJSB5x_JkePmYxRhAsAZG23JGLbafPbQFsTpHQN32XvsWasvvB_BUVc8II2RyAT-BIQSpqz/s1600/215px-Reanimator_poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6M2AHcZ76p0cEpv9EXzp2wvoP_XqSKbfLeGbPO7qEnqkc9jH1okoQAUZ70UDx82JZFBypOJSB5x_JkePmYxRhAsAZG23JGLbafPbQFsTpHQN32XvsWasvvB_BUVc8II2RyAT-BIQSpqz/s320/215px-Reanimator_poster.png" width="209" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Re-Animator" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Re-Animator</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Based on H. P. Lovecraft’s story, “Herbert West – Reanimator”, the film Re-Animator became the first film in a series of three. Stuart Gordon directed the film and also wrote the screenplay along with William J. Norris and Dennis Paoli. Originally it was conceived to be a half-hour television pilot, but producer Brian Yuzna convinced Gordon to turn it into a movie shot in Hollywood due to the special effects that were necessary. Filled with gore and the intensity that actor Jeffrey Combs brings as Herbert West, it has become a cult classic with a huge following. The film met mainly positive criticism and made more than the budget during its theatrical run.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qm6qgYqlgsoyIz1is8-SDjdUicXMu7jk4BBQ-AH4hobYfkK2CeyTVnv6HNdcMhgSlkLX6vlHY_Ptth8rCia23yLF5K76ujdZcnUF2mgOiLsCjG3z3fGyC75QfYuqYe6wNn_D0_uMn4Pj/s1600/Resident_evil_ver4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qm6qgYqlgsoyIz1is8-SDjdUicXMu7jk4BBQ-AH4hobYfkK2CeyTVnv6HNdcMhgSlkLX6vlHY_Ptth8rCia23yLF5K76ujdZcnUF2mgOiLsCjG3z3fGyC75QfYuqYe6wNn_D0_uMn4Pj/s1600/Resident_evil_ver4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Resident Evil</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Resident Evil</i> was written based on the popular Capcom video game series of the same name. Combining elements from both the first and second games in the series, Paul W.S. Anderson wrote and directed the film which was released in 2002. At a secret underground facility, the Hive, the deadly T-virus is released. The virus causes people to turn into zombies. Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, and a group of commandos from the Umbrella Corporation are suffering from amnesia, and are sent into the Hive to find out what has happened in hopes of isolating the infection. The facility’s artificial intelligence, named the Red Queen, has sealed the Hive. When the commandos disable the Red Queen, the zombies are released and they must fight their way back out and try to locate an anti-virus, while trying to contain the disease. George A. Romero had originally been signed to direct and pen the screenplay, but Capcom didn’t like the script that Romero turned in, so he was passed up in favor of Anderson’s contribution. Upon release, Resident Evil received poor reviews, but audiences loved it as shown in the $102 million worldwide that it grossed. There have been four sequels to date.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv-ZZHLIbITtLCwBOYoyl3UAxoRcHUV6Yb2uXSet7Oqb2z1LLgn8tb1K7xC7WHfVzIGEtmlZMQG9LL1hID49SNNG7j16_draXvstDBMnWZWEtsRdHsdyXbk7t0Nctz3HDjzO08byssyC1/s1600/220px-Return_of_the_living_deadposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv-ZZHLIbITtLCwBOYoyl3UAxoRcHUV6Yb2uXSet7Oqb2z1LLgn8tb1K7xC7WHfVzIGEtmlZMQG9LL1hID49SNNG7j16_draXvstDBMnWZWEtsRdHsdyXbk7t0Nctz3HDjzO08byssyC1/s320/220px-Return_of_the_living_deadposter.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Living_Dead" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Return of the Living Dead</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Return of the Living Dead</i>, released in 1985, was the first in a series of five films. Based on a novel by John Russo, who co-wrote <i>Night of the Living Dead</i> with George A. Romero, but director Dan O’Bannon polished the script and added more comedy and nudity in comparison to Romero’s film, in order to individualize it. Two men working in a Louisville, KY medical supply warehouse mess with some government issues barrels. Gas is accidentally released from one, and a corpse is reanimated. After dismembering it with no success, they carry it to a mortuary to have it cremated. The fumes are released into the air causing rain that carries the contaminated gas to fall. A group of punk kids that are friends of one of the warehouse workers have come to see him, and get caught up in reanimating corpses in the nearby cemetery. Things quickly get out of hand and the two warehouse workers that were exposed to the gas that leaked in the beginning start to turn into zombies. It was pretty successful when released in theatres, grossing $14 million, and was nominated for quite a few awards. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJTNoSrrOYWKO1GwACpeFatpVf006sHWczJjhCTe18EG5I9xT-3WPMWSf0b2PuVKfmQ31q6TD4EB-0OH5PCyoAHSau-phJ5jaUl7GYY_Yk_UYFt66DPdua-G1RE7AjmL2MnpdE5e_GEu2/s1600/220px-Theringpostere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJTNoSrrOYWKO1GwACpeFatpVf006sHWczJjhCTe18EG5I9xT-3WPMWSf0b2PuVKfmQ31q6TD4EB-0OH5PCyoAHSau-phJ5jaUl7GYY_Yk_UYFt66DPdua-G1RE7AjmL2MnpdE5e_GEu2/s320/220px-Theringpostere.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ring_%282002_film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Ring</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ring, released in 2002, was based on Koji Suzuki’s novel Ring, and a remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film of the same name. Directed by Gore Verbinski, and produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, the film was wildly successful making $249 million. The storyline tells about a mysterious and cursed videotape that when watched follows with a creepy phone call where a girl tells you that you will die in seven days. The movie relied on creepy visual effects to instill fear and tension in the audience, along with a fair amount of twists. The movie won several awards and has one sequel that was released in 2005, with another that is rumored to be releasing this year. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472091621864131007.post-90386628599099885222012-04-19T23:55:00.001-07:002012-04-19T23:55:00.088-07:00Q<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5doLz62PJLAXGTom85HSAG9xfBBmumsQy7CjNd0vD7lkjRoAx2bsgvN1rAAPhYVGhvJ_fu27MeheJClbEBLEdNOfb_3uURKaxmNBxUw-H4e05JKtceKRGvL1r89Z3py3hc__tabyW5g03/s1600/220px-Qfilmposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5doLz62PJLAXGTom85HSAG9xfBBmumsQy7CjNd0vD7lkjRoAx2bsgvN1rAAPhYVGhvJ_fu27MeheJClbEBLEdNOfb_3uURKaxmNBxUw-H4e05JKtceKRGvL1r89Z3py3hc__tabyW5g03/s320/220px-Qfilmposter.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Written, directed and produced by Larry Cohen, Q was a movie about the ancient Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl. You can read more about Quetzalcoatl in my <a href="http://adiaryofawriter.blogspot.com/2011/04/q.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> from the challenge last year. The winged serpent has been resurrected in New York City by a cult. Now it’s flying around the city, taking people from the roofs of skyscrapers and it must be stopped. It was filmed in the Chrysler Building. The movie performed poorly in the theatres. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmbZrK2x2LzEM4Ig4xYq2pb2_7D1ZzJl0inMPdHz_3K1bCAfV3oUUY9R__pytAjmMDY3Bu1_lR8TW7_T987NS5_-f2lYPdmb881gytHk3hNbOI6vL8nMp4sCBVxoxtv26QnAe9RV8vqdn/s1600/215px-Queen_of_the_Damned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmbZrK2x2LzEM4Ig4xYq2pb2_7D1ZzJl0inMPdHz_3K1bCAfV3oUUY9R__pytAjmMDY3Bu1_lR8TW7_T987NS5_-f2lYPdmb881gytHk3hNbOI6vL8nMp4sCBVxoxtv26QnAe9RV8vqdn/s1600/215px-Queen_of_the_Damned.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_the_Damned_%28film%29" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Queen of the Damned</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anne Rice has written <i>The Vampire Chronicles</i> series, and one of the books in the series is titled <i>The Queen of the Damned</i>. With Warner Bros. having acquired the rights to the first three books in The Vampire Chronicles series, and the rights scheduled to revert back to Anne Rice at the end of 2000, they wanted to produce another work following their movie <i>Interview with the Vampire</i> in 1994. Scott Abbott and Michael Petroni were hired to write the screenplay and Michael Rymer would direct the film. Petroni and Abbott made the script a very loose version of the book <i>The Queen of the Damned</i> with elements taken from Rice’s book <i>The Vampire Lestat.</i> Anne Rice was not consulted during the filming, and has expressed her dissatisfaction with the film after it released. Despite receiving negative reviews, the movie fared well at the box office. The film was released six months after the tragic death of its star Aaliyah and was dedicated to her memory. </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680301449552220649noreply@blogger.com0