For the Love of Buttons

Who can get stressed because of buttons?

The answer: me.

Why? Because i can't find the perfect buttons. When i find a close to ok one, she vetoes it.

What now? She wants me to find another way. How? Can't she tell me what exactly she wants?

I'm not exactly a mind reader. Being plus-sized does make me know her market instantly. I do want to be dressy and fashionable. SM market is boring and plain. i have to make shirts upon polo shirts. The most i can play with are buttons and she won't give me that.

What now?

If not button, embroidery or print. I need style. I'm ashamed to say one thing being my design when the sewers and her butchering it.

For more style guide, check out my multiply: http://figures.multiply.com

My new Multiply

I have a new multiply. I deleted my old one and made an entirely new one. it will be all about fashion and being a full-figured girl.
Please add me if you have multiply.

http://figures.multiply.com/

New Multiply

I deleted my multiply account today and made a new one.
My old one was just the same as this one and it made no sense retaining it. I wanted to put a different topic there and so I did.
I am going to post tips for big girls like me. Full-figured.

http://figures.multiply.com

Frustrated Designer

My boss told me yesterday that i had to stick to basic designs. Super Basics. As in no more ruffles, no more pleats here and folds there. This picture right up here is the epitome of her perfect design.
How am i supposed to put my personality into my creations?
For one thing, I pick out groovy prints. There are other of my groovy designs that sells. There are a handful which don't. My boss thinks the market is not ready to accept them yet. Being a full-figured, I design what i wish to wear. Stylish, faltering clothes.
Philippines isn't exactly a land where being big is being embraced. The markets is still scared of daring clothes. Not that ruffles and super puffs are daring enough. I sure hope I can tell these girls that men's shirt is not fashion AT ALL. Even a size 20 can get away with skinny jeans.
Carry lang, girl!

Dark Possession

My much awaited Carpathian is finally here! Yes, Manolito De La Cruz has his own book!. After being mentioned in a couple of books and being such a hero in Dark Celebration, he finally has a story of his own.

For a man who thinks his life is worthless, he sure is still bossy. Most Carpathians are, I'm afraid. Christine Feehan has added another facet to the world of the Carpathians. Her work is evolving and I'm loving every second of it.

In the last book, (my favorite Dark Celebration) Manolito discovers he is close to tuning vampire. He had to get away but then he hears something, senses light. He is drawn to Destiny's best friend, a human named MaryAnn Delaney. She is under Gregori and Nicolae's protection so he cannot touch her.

So, he bites her and erases the memory. Not too gentleman, huh? The guy was desperate. Then, he hinted to Rafael to invite MaryAnn to counsel Jasmine and Solange. MaryAnne is a Councilor for battered women. Jasmine and Solange, by the way, are Riordan De La Cruz's lifemate's family.

So, after the death of Manolito, Rafael and his brothers holds on to his soul and would not let go. They force it back to his body and Gregori sets to heal him.

Enter Dark Possession! Set in the thickness of the Amazon rain forest, MaryAnn searches where in the world did the De La Cruz brothers bury the tall dark stranger? She had to find him no matter what. Why? MaryAnn doesn't know.

But is MaryAnn who she really says she is? just a human councilor for battered women? How come she has a compulsion in her voice? She claims she is not psychic yet the animals and the wind follow her every call. What about Manolito? What is happening to him? He is stuck halfway between the land of the living and the dead. he knows only MaryAnn is his salvation... or destruction.

What of the Malinov Brothers? An Razvan and Xavier. Amidst coming to terms with his life mate, Manolito must also uncover a plot to assassinate the prince. A plot he though up of and now, the Malinov brothers are implementing. With two brothers dead, Kirja and Maxim, there are still three powerful Master Vampire and an army of undead to defeat. Not to mention the wizards and the Jaguar-men. So many things happening in so little time. The book is really action packed!

Spoilers: MaryAnn is a Lycan. Manolito becomes half Lycan by the end of the book. But all will end well.

Bookfair Book Bargains

Here's what I got in Bookfair. Some rare ones and very old ones too.

Bookfair

It's the bookfair again!
When: Aug 27 to Sept 2
Where: World Trade, Roxas Blvd.

What I got so far:

To Lead, A cultural Revival

To lead people is no easy task. I've been there. Seen how people just want their own way.

Pops wants to lead the people of Mindanao to think for themselves, to have a strong general will and a good motivation to better themselves.

We met with two sultans yesterday. Funny thing, I didn't know some of the Sultanates in the Philippines actually still survives. Popz said they do have loyal followers.

The two sultans want to modernize Mindanao but in a way that they do not culture shock themselves. Infrastructures and organizations needs putting up. They need help but as much as possible, not ask for government help. Too much red taping and corruption.

So, Popz agrees on the task to help the 16 Sultans and be their consultant.

Popz was non-stop last night. "I'm a consultant to a sultant" Whatever! Corny!

Anyways, what would this mean for us? For me? For the country?

If this pushes through, it will show Visayas and Luzon that the People's General Will can change a nation. It is a sot of economic people's power. The aim is to help yourself, help your neighbor and help the country. There will be organizations who will help but must be guaranteed of no corruption and no daya-an.

What would it mean for me? I want to help my country and guard culture. One of the aim of inter-Kultura was to remind the people that we still have culture and we are proud of it. That Filipinoness is diverse but unique.

Perhaps all is not lost.

Perhaps cultural revival can happen and it will happen in Mindanao.

The reason why the Spanish weren't able to conquer Mindanao was because:

1. They were mainly Muslim Territory. They had cannons and guns like the Spanish.
2. Most of the people of Mindanao were seafarers. They don't get lost in the sea.
3. Culture and religion was strong. Spanish forces weren't able to use the cross until the turn of the century.
4. Political will was strong. Especially for the warriors.

If... No... WHEN this thing pushes through, it will change a lot of things.

Change... What we need now.

If the government cannot do anything, then the people must move themselves.

Dark Series Ad

I looked at Christine Feehan's Website and found out a book ad. Yes, a book ad trailer. It must really click! They got models to enact bits of the book and make an ad!

See here:
Dark Possession
The story of Manolito De La Cruz, A Carpathian living in Brazil.



Dark Celebration
Before Dark Possession- The Prince gives a Christmas Celebration to strengthen the bonds of the Carpathian people and to welcome their human families.


Dark Demon
This is just before Dark Celebration- It's about Natalya Shonski and Vikirnoff Von Shreider. Vampires and Mages team up to get stronger.


Dark Destiny
The trailer looks nice. Don't have the book though.



Dark Melody
not much to my liking. Didn't receive good reviews as a book.


Dark Celebration Behind the Trailers

Flood! Flood! More Flood!

It seems to Flood on a Wednesday for two weeks in a row.
Last week, it flooded on Wednesday. Yesterday, it flooded again, Wednesday.
I was stuck in the car for 6 hours. No bathroom break because we were stuck!!!
8:45. Left the house to go to work. Stuck in Pasong Tamo area. After 10:30, dad said, we have to turn back and use another route. We went to Villamore and then to airport road. Passable until we went to Macapagal. Go stuck there until 11:30. Texted the office to say I can't make it.
Gotta pick up Jade coz she's out. Got stuck in Taft until 1.
Heading to Buendia to pick up Aki. Got stuck and called her we couldn't make it. Take the train.
We got stuck in Osmena highway in the floody waters. 3:40, we reached Shell Magallanes. I got to eat and releave myself. Whew!
4ish, got home. Sigh.
Typhoon Egay is not leaving til Saturday according to Pag-asa.

Dark Celebration Excerpts

Here's a funny Excerpts from Dark Celebration, A Carpathian Novel by Christine Feehan.

* You should know that Carpathians do not express emotions. They try to blend with humans but are very aloof and emotionless until they find their lifemates.

Chapter 17
Gregori and Savannah’s House in the Carpathian Mountain, Mikhail is injured and is being tended by the couple.

“I did not cry over it. I told you that.” She glared at him. Don’t tell my father that. He’ll tell my mother and she’ll fell bad. And stop giving me orders. I just don’t feel like putting up with it today.

Gregori caught both her arms and pulled her to the shelter of his embrace. “You are near tears again. What is wrong with you? Is it the baby?”

“Baby? What baby?” Mikhail asked, shifting his position so he could look at his daughter’s stomach. Savannah was small like her mother. Now that Gregori spilled the news, he could see that she was definitely thicker around the waist and he found himself smiling in spite of the pain.

She gasped and hit Gregori’s shoulder with her tight fist. “You weren’t supposed to tell. I was supposed to tell them!”

“What is wrong?” Gregori demanded, catching her fist and opening it, to place a kiss on the center of her palm. “I can always remove your father’s memories.”

“Oh, I’d like to see you try that.” Mikhail scoffed. “And if you’re making my baby girl cry, you’re going to see what a prince can do when he’s angry.

“I’m having twins.” Savannah announced. “Girls.”

“We only heard one heartbeat. Felt one life.” Gregori objected, giving her a narrow-eyed glance. “She’s having a baby, a boy.”

“The other one was there hiding behind her sister. There are two of them, both girls, and I’m going to be as big as a house. And you’re going to be just awful, ordering me around. If you think he’s bad giving you orders, papa, trust me, he’s worse with me.”

Gregori shook his head. “Not girls Savannah. We need sons. Warriors. Daratrazanoff guard the prince.”

Mikhail leaned back with a satisfied smirk on his face. “And you so deserve this, Gregori. You cannot imagine how I’m going to enjoy you survive not one, but two little daughters.”

Gregori simply stood there looking as shocked as he was capable of looking. “How could I not know? I examined you myself.”

“She hid.”

His brows drew together. “That is unacceptable.”

Mikhail laughed. “I’m sure your infant daughter will do exactly as you command, Gregori. And as toddlers, they will really listen to you.”

“Savannah, I am serious. You talk to them. I cannot have one hiding from me when I make certain they are healthy.”

“Your manner was gruff and you frighten her.”

“I’m her father and I shouldn’t frighten her.”

Mikhail sighed. “I’m bleeding and I have to be up and running in a few minutes so I suggest you get over your shock that the world doesn’t do everything you dictate and get on with healing me.”

Gregori swung around, all cool elegance and danger. “you put her up to this, didn’t you, Mikhail?”

“Put her up to giving me twin girls? If I had thought of it, I would have, but my imagination doesn’t stretch quite that far.” Mikhail shifted his leg and tried not to wince.

Dark Magic

By Christine Feehan

A little bit of Dark Magic is all it takes to bring down an overbearing man...

Well, nice title but Savannah Dubrinsky's magic is nothing but dark. She is the mistress of illusions performing nightly across the world. All she wants is smiles and love.

Five years ago, she left the safety of her father and mather, Mikhail and Raven Dubrinsky, and their Carpathian home. She wanted independence and time to grow. So, at 18, after her father gave her a debut party, Savannah left and went off on her own.

She thought she had her independence for a while but something lurks in the shadows. Soemthing Vampire and Carpathians alike fear...

Gregori Daraztragonoff is a Carpathian male who is relentless as a hunter. He is known as The Dark One, the Bogeyman of the Carpathians.

Since conception, he knows Raven's child will be a girl and she will be life mate to him. So, he watched her carefully. He even became a wolf cub who was there during her lonely hours, playing with her and even saving her from her little accidents. Now, his time is nearly over. He must either face the dawn, take his life mate of risk turning into a vampire.

Savannah is reluctant to be Gregori's life mate but once she accepted it, she makes it a point that Gregori learns just what kind of woman she is.

She takes after her parents, regal, demanding but lovable.

Like her mother, she is repulsed to take blood from humans. Her mother fed her animal blood when she was young. now, she is grown, Gregori feeds her. In a way, she is partly human. She hates getting buried and hates biting.

Vampires and vampire hunters hunt Savannah. She is forced to retire from show business but not without taking vacation. Against Gregori's wishes, they travel to new Orleans to attend a Jazz festival and of course, take a vampire hunt. Ironic?

It is in New Orleans that Gregori meets his best friend, a human named Gary Jansen. They uncover a plot by the vampires that directs humans to think Carpathians are bad.

They also find out that a singer named Desari from the Dark Troubadours is a target of the vampire hunter. They send a hunter, Julian Savage, to rescue her. That would be another story.

Now, Gregori and Savannah takes on the vampire hunting society of New Orleans and take on a savage vampire too that's been in the swamp, masquerading as a legend known as Old Man Alligator.

Ending: What else! Savanna and Gregori kills the vampire. As for the Society, the Dark Series will battle them on through out.

I'm beginning to like this couple. My fave couple so far i the Dark series is Natalya Shonski and Vikirnoff Von Shreider. Dark Demon is their book. Vikirnoff dreams of a calm and tame woman but his destined life mate happens to be a badass chick named Natalya. He can't understand half of what she says. Natalya does nothing but quote old movies. She calls vampires as Troll king and Freddie. She associates herself with Xena Warrior Princess.

I want to buy more of this Dark series but maybe I should wait until Bookfair. Budget's kinda tight. Christine Feehan does have interesting ideas.

Flood

Yup, flood season again.
Wednesday, it sucks to wake up with wet floors.
We were prepared this year. All my stuffs are up bt still, my furniture can't be taken up.
Hhhhhh... (sigh)
When I move, I problably will leave all my furniture. I'll get a rooma nd a mess area that are upstairs.

The Carpathians

In Christine Feehan's Dark Series, there is a race of people known as the Carpathians. They look like humans and have existed since humans have. They were thought to be known as gypsies living in the mountains but actually, they grew more sophisticated.

For those who have not heard of Dark Series, it is a set of Paranormal Romance novels about the Carpathian Race. The Carpathians are similar to but not vampires. They can't exist in the day, they can only thrive at sun down. Blood is an essential part of living but sex with your food is taboo. Young Carpathians do take animal blood but that makes them weaker and unable to use their powers to the fullest.

They do have magic to a certain degree and have strong psychic abilities. Shape-shifting is also part of their abilities. They need soil to rest and heal. Psychic human females can be turned into Carpathians with ritual binding words and three blood exchanges.
Vampires are Carpathians who go over to the dark side. They turn ugly, bad and deranged. That is because a male Carpathian cannot survive so long without a life mate. A Life mate will bring color and emotions into their world and call them from the dark side. An instinctively, they will do everything to protect their life mates.

Dark Secret

I first encountered the Dark Series with Dark Secret. Modern day California, Colby never expected to get to know, much less sleep with a Carpathian Hunter. There is just something wicked but irresistible about the De La Cruz Brothers. The De La Cruz are supposedly from Brazil. They are protectors of the Chevez family and in turn, the Chevez protect their finances. Arrogant rich men huh? Colby Jansen is bastard but her mother's husband was fond of her. Just before she was 18, Armando Chevez died and left the ranch to Colby. None of the other Chevez family responded to her cry of help. So for 5 years, she ran her mother's ranch and took care of Paul and Ginny, her sibling (legitimate offspring of Armando and her moder). The head of the Chevez family didn't like Colby because of what she is. Now that the old Chevez is dead, Armando's brothers go to California to locate Paul and Ginny but Colby will not give them up.

Rafael's black and white world is suddenly invaded by colors and he is confused. Nicolas tells him that it means his life mate is near. It could only be Colby. so starts Rafael's seduction of Colby to try to take her with him.

Unknown to him, she was no ordinary psychic chick. She was from an ancient line called the Dragonseekers. now that Rafael won her heart and body, he wasn't going to contain her spirit especially if Rafael, Paul and Ginny were endangered by a vampire in the region.

At first I thought the rest of the Dark Series book will be about Carpathians finding their life mates then finds out they all have spunk and it would be a contest of wills between Carpathians wanting their women submissive so they can be easily protected and huge male ego blah, blah...

Well, it partly is.

Dark Demon

Next on the Dark Series I read was Dark Demon, the Sequel to Dark Secret. Vikirnoff von Shrieder gets a surprise to find his life mate is a Vampire Hunting mage named Natalya. Natalya was introduced in Dark Secret already. She has a smart-ass mouth and has major weapon issues. She actually ends up saving the day so Vikirnoff lets her do what she wants.

Dark Prince

Then I read Dark Prince. This is the first in the series. It is set about 50 years before Dark Demon. Mikhail Dubrinsky is the Prince of the Carpathian people. He has to protect the few people he has and the humans attached to them. He is a sad character in the beginning of the book but suddenly finds himself talking to a woman. Suddenly color floods in his vision. He had to find this voice.

Raven Whitney works for the FBI as a sort of consultant. With her psychic powers, she tracks down killers. Of course it takes up too much of her strength and energy so she thought a vacation int he Carpathian mountains, away from civilization, will do her good.

Until Mikhail sweeps her off her feet and into his antique palatial home, into his bedroom, into his heart then into his life.

Think she's tough. Yeah she is. She offers everything to Mikhail though because of her powerful abilities that shames the Carpathian men. Mikhail on the other hand wants to keep her in his house and away from danger. She soon lets him find out just what she can do!

Of course when she gets converted, she still has major issues human face; like drinking blood and sleeping buried under ground.

It is actually a lively series about not just a group of people or a species separate from humans. The Carpathians, their life mates and the humans attached to them are a society. They have norms, code of honors and daily struggles.

Coelacanth Fish

400 Million Year Old Fish was found in Sulawesi recently.

The fish was thought to be extinct 65 Million years ago but apparently, people are discovering that the fish has been around for quite a while. 1938, it was caught in Tanzania. After that, 30 have been found since.

Now, it was found in Sulawesi. Closer to the Philippines.

Nobody ever caught one alive. When they catch one, it dies. It was too evolve and too suited to its natural surrounding that taking it out of it will kill the fish.

Why am I interested in a fish?

First of all, I am a Pisces Child. Naturally, I'm curios about fishes and what goes on in the deep blue yonder. Second of all, I love to learn about dinosaurs. If my parents let me, I would have studied Paleontology instead. Third, it is a living dinosaur fish. Combination of my first two reasons.

A funny thing occurred to me when I saw that Coelacanth documentary in Discovery Channel. I looks like a giant Tilapia (Mud Fish of the Philippines). Apart from its enormous size and six fins, it could actually be a mama Tilapia. That got my interest going. Tilapias taste good fried or sauteed in swet sour sauce.

What if the Tilapia branched out of the Coelacanth Millions of years ago and moved to the sunny waters of the Orient Pearl. The Philippines isn't a very old country. It's less than a million year old, built by land bridges and volcanic activity. What if the Coelacanth, who lives in deep waters, ventured closer to the land. It shrunk as food became scarce and since it didn't need too much fins, it shed it off. It became the modern Tilapia of today.

It's a theory!

See articels on:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070731/sc_afp/indonesiaenvironment_070731174437
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90781/6216302.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22154993-663,00.html?from=public_rss

Evensong by Candace Camp

Aline is no whore but dancing can scarcely draw the thin line. It was the only way to making money and helping her parents. Now enter James Norwen. He was rude and an arrogant bastard.

A duke proposes that she help him scheme Sir James of Norwen to his downfall. Arrogant James didn't know he married a commoner dancer instead of a spoiled rich dowered lady. The Duke made it look like Aline was Lady Clarissa, his wealthy niece. At first, it was a battle of wills not to fall in Love with each other. Aline makes sure she was so annoying. James, finds he loved the feisty feline and beds her. Man, she didn't even resist!

When she confesses the duke's plan, he was already falling in love with Aline. Aline thwarts the Duke's schemes but James in not convinced her love is not an act too until he gets kidnapped and tortured. Aline saves him and proves her love ten times over.

I want to bash two men in this book: one is James the other is the Duke. Aline has fought for money, pride then love. What woman in the medieval ages is stronger than that?

I could read in this book that during this era, common born women were property and they had no say if a noble man beds them. Aline fought long and hard to preserve her honor. Everyone called her a whore yet she was a virgin and protected her maidenhead til the bastard James Norwen seduced her.

No wonder it was called Dark Ages. It was the Dark Ages for Women who were ahead of their time in thoughts and ways.

Knights Divided by Suzanne Barkley

Not such a great title for the book is you ask me! It should be "Woman who divides the knights" or "The Apothecary Girl" corny but I can't seem to think of a good title for it.

Medieval Romance is very brutal and blunt. Men are streightforward with what they want and women are usually the strong ones who will not yeild their dignity for ntohing less that true love.

No knights get divided in this book.

A Rogue Heir might be accused of treason but to murder an innocent girl? Emmeline kidnaps Sir Jamie Harcourte but finds herself falling for the rogue. A mangled body but a heart-throbbing smiles fascinates her. This man must be her sister's killer but then how could he have killed her sister yet spare her and even to the point of protecting her?

Emma is plain as her sister is beautiful. She is a bastard, the minstrel's daughter to a women he didn't wed. Her mother died leaving her the Apothecary shop to manage all on her own. Her lecherous father comes and goes only to ask for money. Her life was hard and wouldn't go any lower so why not capture the murdering pirate Jamie Harcourte?

He sets the table turning and has her as captive. Now, with treasonous plot around him, the king and the Duke of Lancaster, he pushes her away. But Emma keeps coming back to him and saves him.

Imprisoned and to be hanged for treason by the Earl of Oxford, Jamie is tells his Friends to keep Emma safe. Emma on the other hand has ideas of her own. Didn't she kidnap the rogue once? Surely another time wouldn't be so hard, especially if she gets help. Help she does get when she boldly introduces herself to Jamie's parents. The Harcourt and Somervilles accepts her readily which brings tears to Emma's eyes for she had not very good experience with her parents. They all schemes and planned one of the greatest escapes London will ever know.

Eventually, Jamie accepts the lesson that the Somerville men of Harcourte know: Never mess with their women, they are always right and stronger that the men. Which was true.

Emma was determined. She was brave and strong and she got her happy ending.

Of course, we must never discount family. The Somervilles have been notorious for having such a strong family bond. Now, she belonged to that bond.

Potterwatch spoilers

I won't put the spoiler here. I want to tell you all little tidbits about the book but not the whole book. You read the details yourself. It is a heavy read, not much witty puns and a lot of death. My sis describes the book as a bloody massacre. So, what are the Horcruxe? What are the Deathly Hollows? (The title Duh? Joke) Who are the Death toll. Mind, people keep saying there are 2 significant people who dies. For me it was 10. But of course there were more that Voldemort kills because he can.

To see some spoilers go to my other blog page:

http://mermaidarium.blogs.friendster.com/ictus

I put the pictures in an album. There are 7 I scanned from the book. I is located at the side panel.

http://mermaidarium.blogs.friendster.com/photos/potterwatch/index.html

Potterwatch!

Saturday, 7am. I was in Powerbooks Greenbelt lining up for a Harry Potter.

It is the only book so far who sold 8 million copies in the 1st 24 hours. book 5 only got 850,000 copies 24 hours.

Whoa.

About the book, not yet done but few chapters left.

Things to look forward to:

• Neville steps up. From dork in the background to leader of Hogwarts rebellion
• The Life and Lies and Albus Dumbledore
• Harry is angry all the time. Will this ruin his friendship with his other chums?
• What is the deathly hollows?
• Who's side is Snape really on?

I shan't say anymore lest it be a spoiler!

Grab a book and read!!!

Talecraft at Rockwell

Another event, another Talecrafting. I was put in charge of selling so I couldn't hear the stories the players made. Sounds interesting because all of them were laughing and having such a good time.

I'm glad Talecraft brought people together.

Here it is, two pictures from Rockwell Archeology hall with Sci-fi dudes in costumes and people who love table top games come by to test stuffs.

I like sessions like these, if they don't kill your legs first.

http://talecraft.komikasi.com

To Uncle Bill

Dear Bill,
Since it's hard to attach to your mail, I posted it here.

Tis is ALonzo. Pissed as usual. But if I'm sad, he rubs himself on me and smiles. Cute.
This is Oliver. He is retarded. Thinks of nothing but food.
Oliver again with Morning Stars in his eyes.
He's twice fatter today. This was taken last month. Mind, only the tummy expanded. He still has small legs.

Babies no more...

I usually say "Let's head over to the babies' house."

That was way back when Gab and I were bored and hung out with the "Babies." Well, they are babies no more.

The "Babies" as we referred to them are Natalie, Stephanie and Sasha. They used to be half me size... THEN! Now, Natalie is taller than Jade. Aprox 5'2. Steph and Sash are adorable as ever and not the gullible little girls that they once were. No, these girls are smart and with a very good reading ability too. I love readers. Always can relate to them.

I will miss the good time when thy were "Babies" and I was always their big Ate Maita. In a few years, I think the trio will grow even bigger than me. Big Ate Maita will be Little Ate Maits.

Death of Kittens

Friday, Salsa died when I reached home but Taco was still fighting. I tried to feed him but he doesn't want to drink milk. He soon grew tired. Aki cradled him as he slept then, he never woke up again. He just slept... forever.

It was a heartbreaking moment.

Such a small kitten, so unloved by his mother. I hope in that brief three days of his life, he felt loved t least by us humans. He did try to love him.

 

But i the end, it was not enough.

He needed his mother.

---

Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://ph.mail.yahoo.com

Death of Two

Blindy is so confused. I think it is because her mother never set a good example for her. She was abandoned. It took all of us to make sure she survives. She gave birth to 4 ribby little cubs 3 days ago. She was so confused, she ran away. Mom say Postpartum depression.

McCormic died last night. This morning, Nan died in Diki's arms.

This shows that cats don't have natural instincts all the time. She was abandoned and that's what Blindy did to her children. She was so confused she herself was crying with her cubs. Turtle seems more motherly. Turtle was not abandoned by Le Comptess de Grey.

Dealing with Dragons

By Patricia C. Wrede

When princesses are being stereotyped, Cymorene says no.

She wants to be a dragon's princess but she doesn't want to be rescued. In this strange fairytale world, princess are supposed to look good and act pretty. They are often expected to scream their heads off. Sense is not a requirement. But Cymorene goes beyond her etiquette and dance lessons. She takes up a bit of magic lessons, philosophy, politics, magic, fencing and cooking! Who ever heard of dragons snacking on chocolate mousse and cherries jubilee?

Cymorene is modern princess trapped in a very traditional world. Just because it's not done, doesn't means it can't be done.

This is a fun and wholesome book for all readers! Dragons are depicted to be always so witty and proper too!

Blindy Gave Birth

Diki's little cat gave birth. She is small and has only one eye. Blindy is Earl Grey's daughter and she gave birth the other day.

Now, Blindy looks all confused. Her 4 little babies look like hamsters.

They are so small and cute!

Transformers

I watched Transformers last weekend. It was a good movie if you want to relax and have some fun.

(Spoilers Below)
The movie was different from the series. Based on the 1980's toys and animated series, there were few characters remaining but the storyline changed for good.
The set is in present-day Earth with the usual traffic, war on Iraq and the likes...
A boy named Sam gets to have his first car. It turned out to be Bumblebee. Of Course, when Bumblebee goes to an excursion and contacts the rest of his team, Sam freaks out.
But when the Decepticons tried to get Sam, Bumblebee saves him and the love interest he's with.
The Autobots come and introduce themselves. They take the shape of vehicles they first encounter. Optimus becomes an 18-Wheeler, Jazz is a Pontiac and Ironhide and the rest take the form from whatever they see fit.
The War seems to have 3 sides: Autobots, Decepticons and Humans.
They all want the All-Spark which was with the human side. In fact, Megatron is captured by humans and is hidden underneath a dam.
There's some kinda "National Treasure" feel at this point. Secret sectors like Sector 7 who kept things under wraps about aliens. Secretive sides of the Gov't nobody knows, so National Treasure! Anyways, the Decepticon attacks the dam. Bumblebee and Sam take the All-Spark and runs.

After Megatron is revived, all transformers break loose for a game of tag. Whatever city they encountered gets wrekked but in the end, the day is saved by Sam.

The Autobots hide in Earth for there was no way to repair Cybertron now. They become the trucks and cars. Meanwhile Sam and girlfriend makes out on top of Bumblebee. Eew!

Regarding the Robots, there wasn't much personality in them. The only one that they gave a lot of character to was Bumblebee and that CD player. Perhaps there's a part 2 and the robots will get more cover and more personality.

For now, they wait among us...

I found this thing in YouTube

I saw it first in Diko's Indian Movie Collections. Hehehe. It's so nice. Diki, Achi La and I were trying to do the dance moves.
Ahia Ian said the old man looks like Mitra. Hehehehe.

A tribute to Sir George Fox-Selwyn

The Third Instalment of Eleanor Updale's Montmorency ends with the death of several friends and among them, Sir George Fox-Selwyn.

He was a courageous man. He loved justice and above all his family. Killed while doing what he did best, search for the bad guys.

He was betrayed by a bad man who introduced himself as a friend. And George being trusting, thought a game of chess and a few drinks would be alright.

Poor Montmorency gets a shock of his life when a friend for 25 years was delivered to him in a vat of formalin with several gun shot wound to the heart.

George, you will be missed.

Especially by me who could always relate to the character.

George was a plum and happy man. Unlike his best friend Montmorency, who has a shady characteristic, George is always happy, makes sure others are happy too. It's hard not to like them man.

Time and again I kept telling myself that he is a fictional character. No record of George existed but the writer was good and I was able to meld my heart to the adventures and the jokes they crack until it end ubruptly with tragedy over tragedy.

Nobody was prepared for it. not Sir Gus, his twin. Not Montmorency. Not Marquess Alexander nor Sir Francis Fox-Selwyn. Not Doctor Robert Farcett. Not Vi and Tom.

Not even me...

Freedom and her First First

Anne McCaffrey has a set of books about a ship called Freedom. There's a game calle FREEDOM's First Resitance.
I have the book Freedom's Challenge. I haven't read it yet though. I did read about the Catteni in Get Off The Unicorn. It wasn't ver wholesome, though. hihihi.
Anyways, the Catteni are the bad guys. They are some sort of heavyworlder super power who plays for keeps.

200th Post

I bought a book called Get Off the Unicorn.

I bought it only because it had a story I want. This book is an anthology of collected woks from various Anne McCaffrey stories. There's a story about The Rowan and Damia. I really wanted to know Weyrleader K'van's story. The Smallest Dragonboy is one of the many stories in the book and I love it to the max.

The simple story of a boy who wanted to have a life-long companion, he was injured and hurting but he reached the hatching grounds. There, bronze Heth came to find him and the bond between them was created. Heth is one of the many memorable Dragons of Pern. Apart from being sired by Mnementh and mothered by the Largest queen Ramoth, Heth is a compassionate bronze. He's ready to help anytime.

Get Off the Unicorn was supposed to be entitled Get of the Unicorn. It got typo-ed and they went along with it anyways. Title no relation the stories, as I found out.

ToyCon and Talecraft

Thanks for all those who went to the Toycon! Lost of people! A lot are shy about playing Talecraft. Let your creativity flow! Tell your tale, master your craft!

Nice of Hero TV to cover us even for a short time!

I love these CosPlayers! They are some Lone Civil war peeps and some Katipuneros. Good to know there are a lot of very Makabayan people!

Why Try?

Who cares for diet? Being forced to take a diet makes you feel there's something wrong with you. I was always comfy with my own body. I have no FAT issues that some people I know. So, why am I being pressured to diet?
I *+@#$ fine!
I'm fine with my weight. If I wasn't, then its my own problem. I'll lessen my intake when I want. For crying out loud for a stupid glass of milk! wait, I7m the one crying. C'mmon! I can't deprive myself. I'm a happy person because I'm fine. It's the people who pressure me that has issues.

I'm big. bold and beautiful. Got a problem?

I don't, do you?

It sucks when they make fun of big people. They may be cautious not to make fun of me but making fun of others that I feel are like me hurts too. These fat issues might be fun or trivia to one end but to the one on the other end is hurting.

Talecraft at Toycon

Talecraft will be on Toycon this weekend!

Lots of freebies if you play!

Buy a deck and master the craft! Talecraft!

http://talecraft.komikasi.com

Wire in the Blood

By Val McDermind

I thought Watching Wire in the Blood in the Telly was disturbing. Read words can affect more. The descritive murders doen't leave much to the imagination. It is very disturbing to the last drop.

Yet, it challenges. Can serial killers be one of us? The common walking masses?

In this case, he is deceptive and plays several roles at the same time. you may never know the person you admire, one you thought was so perfect was the man who murdered dozens of women for his pleasure.

As Dr. Hill puts it, it is the process that excites them more than the elimination of the victim itself.

This book follows the TV series Wire in the Blood staring Robson Green as famed psychoprofiler Dr. Tony Hill. He is joined by DCI Carol Jordan and a handful of determined newbies.

Inspired Lang

http://ictuarium.deviantart.com

Silhouettes

Jane Eyre and Baggage

What does extra baggage mean?
When you say that person has etra baggage, it means s/he is feeding a family member, paying child support, or spousal suppot (for separated/divorce cases).
Now in the case of Bronte's Jane Eyre, she was hired to take care of somebody's extra baggage. As she and her employee develops, she finds out about a crazy wife locked up in the atic. By the way, the kid she was hired as governess, is not the wife's child. It belongs to some obscure moneyless girlfriend. Now, she leaves. A missionary wanted to marry her and take her to India. Jane realizes she loves her ex-employer and returns only to find that the house burned and the man is blinded in the process of rescuing the wife.
Now, the guy is not only handling an extra baggage, he becomes a baggage himself!
Man, I think he's balik bayan box compared to a baggage.
But of course, Jane still marries him. What a sucker!

Revolving Fashion

Fashion is a cycles. What was in before may be in tomorrow. The retro is comming back. Nope, not old style but old school. Things have new names lately.

I think the secret to it is how you carry.

So, look in Granny's baul and see if you can find a nice new vintage dress.

Meowy Bully

Cats can be big bullies. You think dogs scare cats? na. It's how they were raised. Nature VS nurture. I know my cats are bullies.

I saw this in yahoo. Sooooooooooooooo funny.

Talecraft at Toycon

Talecraft will be at the annual ToyCon.

June 16, 17, 2007 at Mega Tradehall in Mega Mall, Ortigas.

Please support us!

http://talecraft.komikasi.com

Dinosaur Planet Survivors

Kai awakes and find out he slept for 43 years in Ireta. What a case of Ripvanwinkle! He wakes his companions, Varian, Lunzie, Protegin and Triv to Dinosaur Planet.

A novel by Anne McCaffrey. It is very much connected to Sassinak. You will meet her in the end of the book. If you read "Sassinak", you will encounter Ireta on the end of the book.

An EEC Exploration team was sent to Ireta, a supposed unexplored Planet. A mutiny of the human sect called Heavyworlders sets back the exploration team. To escape with their lives, the remaining humans hid in a cave and put themselves into coldsleep. 43 years later, Ireta is still as hostile as when they first slept. To add to their troubles, the mutineers has produced to a second generation and is expecting a colony ship in which more heavyworlders will come and colonize Ireta.

On the other hand, there are others who want to claim the hostile planet. The bird-like Ryxi is light years away and wishes a stake. The Thek, a stone-like creature who are a law unto themselves, claim that Ireta was their long time ago. Now, only a FSP Fleet can help them.

When things might go wrong, enter FSP Fleet Cruiser Zaid-Dayan 43. Led by Commander Sassinak, they were able to stop the piratical colony ship and aid Kai and his team. The FSP decided to encarcerate the surviving mutineer and let the two other generation stay only in the plateau which they have held for years. The Thek decided to be kind to Kai and his team noting that the trouble was not their fault and they have lost 3 years in the process. They gave Kai and his team rights to sell ores and other resources while his team lives.

Lunzie goes with Commander Sassinak with the Zaid-Dayan to fight the menace of Planet Pirates.

It is when the Thek reveals that Ireta was a world created by the Thek as a zoo. Millenias ago, the thek visited Mesozoic Earth and found the Dinosaurs. They took some and sent them to Ireta because they knew Earth was rapidly changing and Ireta would not. Ireta is a zoo for the Thek, a zoo to preserve the wondrous reptilian beasts that was once the mighty dinosaurs.

Attack of the Planet Pirates

I've just read Anne McCaffrey's Sassinak. A book from her Planet Pirates Series.

Sassinak was thirteen when slavers kidnapped her and sold her twice for cheap labor. A Fleet officer befriended her and taught her what he knew. When she had the chance to be rescued, she in turn rescued the Fleet officer, Abe. Having no more family left (the pirate slavers killed them all), Sassinak was adopted by Abe and sent to Fleet school. The night of her graduation, Abe was killed.

It was on her first mission that she discovered Abe's killer and sent him to justice. She later finds out a hunch Abe told her long ago. There were insiders in the Fleet in league with the Planet Pirates. Sassinak vowed to find them and destroy them like they destroyed her world and her childhood.

At 40, she was now commander and captain of her own Fleet vessel, the Zaid-Dayan. With it, she was able to rescue one group of slaved colony. But it wasn't enough, not for Sassinak. She was led to Ireta, the mysterious Dinosaur Planet. There, she was reunited with Lunzie, her great-great grandmother who was younger than her. Together, they formed a team who vowed to eradicate the menace called Planet Pirates.

How was she able to be older than her great-great grandmother? Sassinak aged accordingly while Lunzie entered coldsleep one too many times. Coldsleep is a state you can put yourself in space so you won't age while you sleep for months and even years. Lunzie has two previous adventures giving her extra long life. Sassinak finds her at 36 while she at 46.

• On the way to Pern, the humans put themselves into a 15 year coldsleep to conserve resources and space during the trip to Pern.

Horses

Two writers have given me lots of insights about horses. Tamora Peirce and her Tortall Stories and Anne McCaffrey. Terms i have not heard of for horses were made clearer when searched in Wikipedia.

Funny, it seems horses take a lot of time caring for. I remember dad used to raise horses in the farm. Now, no more horses. Too much work, he says. Horses is not indigenous to the Philippines so they are not the best kind. Perhaps it is the hot weather.

Anyways, here are some terms I encountered and will explain just in case you will see them in books that don't have explanations.



Stallion- A male horse, not castrated. They have a fiery temper.

Mare- Female horse.

Gelding- A castrated horse. They are able to work in groups and are more softer in nature.

Roan- A color in a horse. The base color is white with another color mixed into them.

Earl Grey

Let me tell you about Earl Grey, a cat who lives at our backyard.

Earl Grey is a handsome young cat about three years of age. He is quite fetching in his grey and white fur and he looks like he has black eyeliner all the time. Me and my sis describes him as a rake. He loves to flirt with women and women cats. Cute Earl.

One thing though, he seems very afraid of his ex-wife every time she comes for a visit. The Countess of Grey or ex-countess now, is a vindictive cat who loves to pick fights. It's Don Alonzo Cattywampus who she picks the fight with. And he's willing to fight! She and her now lover Bob, a Yankee bob-tailed cat go off into he night loving the brawling life.

The ex Comtess de Grey has a lot of children. From her marriage with Earl Grey, she produced five children. She shunned Turtle, his eldest, because of his gender confusion. Blindy and mouse, she left for dead. Mouse died but Blindy survived and is the youngest child so far. Blindy is now living with her father and is very happy.

The Duc D'Orange (we call his Duky or Orange) is the Earl's long time friend and is quite in the late 7th of his years. Strangely, he proposed and married Blindy. Blindy is not yet 1 but is already close and fostered the relationship wit the Duke. She is now Dutches of Orange, much to her mothers surprise.

Earl Grey's ex still visits only to get something to bite now and then. She doesn't seem to genuinely like the Earl other than for providence.

Earl Grey and I are good Friends. Alonzo doesn't seem to mind our friendship. he and Earl protect Blindy from her vindictive mother and lover.

The Lady

I tried to read a Romance novel by Anne McCaffrey. Yes, the same writer of The Dragonriders of Pern Series.

The Lady has a different style from her Sci-fi Genre but deffinately Anne. Is is about Three people and lots of horses. The Carradynes have been breeding Horses in Cornanagh for more than 200 years. Captain Micheal Carradyne sees potential in his youngest daughter at an early stage. But Catriona Carradyne's mother forbids her. Catriona blames herself for the marital trouble and the eventual death of her mother due to over fasting. Lady Selina Healey is a client of the Carradynes. She absolutely adores Catriona and puts it upon herself to guide the child after her mother's loss. Selina falls in love with Cornanagh, Catriona and of course, Micheal whom she launches an affair with. Little did Micheal know about marital trouble Selina is experiencing. David Healey, a banker, neglects his wife and when he comes home, he beats and rapes her.
Selina finds solace in Cornanagh, the people and the horses. In the end, she files separation from David and lives with Micheal.

All's well that ends well. Everyone in Cornanagh gets what they want in the end. Yeah fine, Selina and Micheal are having an affaire but then you just want to forvige her because of David. Selina really loves Catriona too.

Romance stories are supposed to have a happy ending. Micheal and Selina are together and Catriona will continue Horse Shows and will soon run Cornanagh. Though most of her family leaves within the story to find a better life in the US, Catriona is adamant to stay and Selina, not a part of Cornanagh, will stay with her forever.

One song comes into my head the whole time I read this:

Wild Horses by Natasha Beddingfeild

Alonzo Moods

I don't know why but Alonzo is in a grouchy mood lately. He doesn't want a scratching. he doesn't want to make lambing. Not even a nice chin rub!

What's the matter, catty?

He's so down and bored. He doesn't want to eat on my hands. He doesn't want a nice cuddle wuddle. He seems depressed.

Is there any prozac for cats? I know I got rid of his colds, it came back and he's quite cured the other day. Now, he is a mood.

Now what, wampy catty?

Maxine Boutique Now Open

Our Maxine Boutique opened yesterday at TriNoma mall in QC. Whew. It was hard effort opening it. We all stayed in the wee hours just to finish.

The trinoma mall is big but not all stores are open yet. Hopefully, there will be good transportation system. For now, bus, MRT and Taxi are the ways to commute there. I was hoping they would have some FX that would go down south.
Things in that mall are certainly priced higher than normal stores. For one thing, they want it high end. Ayala said they want a Glorietta meets Greenbelt mall. Saw some of the shops. Yes it is.
I am beginning to see how inflation works.
For now, yey, we're open!

Maxine Pictorials

Yey! Our photoshoot!

Meow...

In my role playing blog, the characters I used are parallel to my real life. Like Alonzo.

Alonzo is my big, heavy but not fat, lazy (Bum-ass!) Cat.

For Aki's blue, Oliver is her cat thus Oliver is her fire-lizard.

There is still some question of Oliver's fraternity. Though he looks like Alonzo, his build is nothing like Alonzo's. For my bronze champion is brave (though lazy) and affectionate. His physical characteristics are big boned and long torso. His hair is smooth and thick stranded.

Oliver is fat, short and thin boned. He is a mojor coward and does nothing but eat!

So what do you think? Anak ni Lonzo? Mana sa ina?

Not related? Distantly related?

Summer heat

I've heard that the heat has reached 38 degrees. High fever heat. Yesterday, I just ddropped in bed and with the aircon on and the fan directed at me. Still warm. Not even showering lowered the temp.

Talecraft is Out!

Talecraft is now out. It is available in Booktopia!
Yey!
Hopefully, the other bookstores will agree to sell our cards too!
Yey! Please support us!
http://talecraft.komikasi.com