What I Really Love About America (No Joke)

Here is your promised post. Proof that I’m not as cynical as I sometimes appear.

Iced tea, and iced drinks in general

Men who dressed well–and sacrificed themselves for our country

A homeschool education

Panera Bread

Air conditioning

Pizza that tastes every last bit as good as pizza is supposed to taste

The original four American Girls as I knew them in the early 90′s**

Freedom of religion

And yeah, Electric Lights Orchestra is a British band. SO WHAT!? The U.S. gave them a far warmer reception than the U.K. in the first place. Something America did right.

**Didn’t meant to exclude Addy! I loved her books! But I didn’t appreciate Josefina or anyone that followed. Too many changes. Too many new girls. Then they discontinued Felicity and Samantha for them. That was not okay. Not okay at all. Childhood killers. Why don’t you go and cancel Barney while you’re at it!?

The 7×7 Award

Right when I thought I could catch up on the writing challenge…

I don’t think people are aware of how long a single post takes me to write up. Especially when it involves so much linking-to-others and thinking.

.:.S7V7N rules as I gathered (and not necessarily official–they’re more like guidelines).:.

1. Honour (with the British spelling so it’s more meaningful) 7 fantastic bloggers with this award by linking back to a favourite (also British spelling) post of theirs.

2. Share 7 of your own posts in accordance with the themes set out below.

3. Buy me this book.

4. Find the seven differences between this sentence and the next.

5. Fine 7 differences between this sentences, and the previous!

6. Tell him anything (but not that I love him)

7. List 7 reasons why the person who nominated you is the bees knees. (For example, if I linked to your posts you’re welcome to say I’m awesome for using old fashioned terms like ‘the bees knees.’)

There needed to be seven rules for this to work.

.:.S7V7N nominations.:.

1. A Confederacy of Spinsters
-Grace, Kate, & Mae, are three charming twenty-something year olds who host this blog, delving into the hard hitting issues single women (or is it girls?) care deeply about. Such as men who wear sweaters and the right we have to adore wedding shows. I loved them at once for their kindred-spiritness.

2. Girl on the Contrary
-Oh, Girl on the Contrary. You make me laugh, and think, and snort drinks out my nose, and every time I see the fishies on your page, I smile. Linkage will take you to a post that reminds me of my own life happenings. Only she saved the world!

3. The Creative Juicer
- It was extremely difficult deciding on which of the “Gentlemen” pieces to link to, but I think this might just be my favourite. I do insist that you read them all. Timotheous has them in their own category to make it easier on you. So there are no excuses!! READ THEM!!

4. Eccentric Owl
-Everyone may know how fond I am of Mara. In fact, if I was not so fond of her I’d be hatefully jealous of the fact that she recently got herself a nice man to take pictures with. (That’s not all they do–take pictures–but it’s one cute activity in a multitude of cute activities.) Her posts about him made me squee. It’s like reading a sweet, sweet fairy tale happening in real life!

5. Angels and Wrong Theories
-Bandit is always decidedly groovy, but this post especially struck a chord with me. Anyone who ever goes out to dinner, the store, or anywhere that means interaction with people in the workforce who are serving/assisting them needs to read this. Basically, it applies to everyone. It’s sad that common courtesy isn’t so common anymore.

6. Spoonlighting
-So this is mostly about food: making special gluten-free food, eating food, liking food, pictures of food… What’s not to love already?? But if the fabulous culinary efforts going on in this blog aren’t enough to make you drool, the constant referrals to Downton Abbey most certainly will. That’s why I read it. I want to torture myself whilst looking at cream cheese brownies and learning about other Downton fans.

7. The Middlest Sister

-I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve seen this blog! It’s enchanting! Adorable! Whimsical! Fantastic! I’m the oldest of ten, so although I don’t suffer the sorrows of a middle child, I know how true it is that they often get passed over. Sometimes–I admit–I kind of forget about our middle one. His name is Austin. He’s some age between boy and man-boy.

And now back to me, Dave.

.:.S7V7N of my own.:.

1. Most Beautiful Piece: A Man With a Nose – ;D Because it is.

2. Most Helpful: How To Write Like a Pro -That’s right, fellow writers. This advice is priceless.

3. Most Popular: A Tangled Review -Aww, that’s so sweet, you guys! I haven’t done but one movie review and it’s the most popular post! (Is that a sign?)

4. Most Surprisingly Successful: Evolution of a One-Shot -I am positively floored by the reviews on this. I mean, I thought “Emma Browne” was good, but to have it confirmed in such absolute fashion by such lovely people who know their stuff–it’s something else. It makes me quite flushed with pride! I wish there was a blushing emoticon for WordPress!

5. Most Controversial: Dear So Not Dear -I am aware that there are people who enjoy Love Never Dies as a thing. (Somewhere. Hidden deep in the recesses of the earth.) So I suppose this is controversial. I just… I don’t understand why anyone would not agree with this. But… yeah.

6. Most Underrated: 2010 in Books-I took like, a long, long time to make this enormous post and I guess I’m disappointed that no one ever comments. It’s not as if I desire a badge of honour for undertaking the great task of reviewing all these books! (Or do I?) But I’d love to hear the opinions–whether similar or differing–of others who’ve read them. Or maybe hear sometime, “Oh, hey! I read such and such a book because you recommended it!” (Avra already does this because she’s a darling.) I like to talk about books, okay!? That’s all! *weeps*

7. Most Pride Worthy: The Journey of a Black Hat -Since it can’t all be about writing. Or it can, but I wanted you to be aware of my love for Panera. Does everyone get that? I love Panera. I haven’t worked since Friday and I feel sort of lazy! AAAAHH!! I MISS EVERYONE!!

.:.S7V7N reasons Timlet is awesomesauce.:.

1. He keeps nominating me for these so I can increase my award collection.

2. We met on Neopets. (Come on, that’s pretty ridiculous… ridiculously AWESOME!)

3. He started me on my writing ventures.

4. I can never remember his middle name. (Why this makes him awesome, I don’t know. But it amuses me.)

5. He makes me (sometimes) enjoy poetry. That’s more than I can say for most “poets.”

6. His Elvish name (which I took from a generator) is Orophin Cúthalion. Which reminds me of dolphins and cutlery. Like… a dolphin sushi master.

7. Read the “Gentlemen” posts.

What I Love About America

Oh beautiful for spacious guys

For Amber waives her grain

For purple mountain majesties 

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good

With brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

-x-

Sorry, guys. I know this one’s a downer. It was intended to be lighthearted humor and then morphed into bitter irony. Before anyone spazzes over this, I do love my country! (sometimes) I just hate the stupid things we do under the delusion of entitlement and the idea that there’s no comeuppance. Let me tell you, there will be comeuppance. I know about this stuff because I read books. (And write them, kind of.)

To atone for so much negativity tonight, I’ll probably follow up with a post about the things I really do love about America. Or BBC period dramas. Does that not count? *sigh* Fine.

‘Tis Saturday and I’m Chillaxin

As I sit here looking forward to my three-day weekend, (and drooling like a mad dog over a recipe for French Toast Stars) I take the time to enjoy the finer things in life.

Behold!

Go My Son

Go, my son, go and climb the ladder! …Make your people proud of yoouuuuhoooohooo!!

Indoors

Almost the polar opposite of the last song, but equally inspiring.

Never Say No

Aw, this is horribly funny! I laugh until my sides ache every time!

 

And in celebration of my weekend, I’ve saved the best for last!!!

A Downton Weekend

30 Days of Writing: Day 8

Challenge #8: What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

Allow me to answer the reading question with a list. This is the list of books I am currently reading. There are eight of them in all.

1. A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin (Fantasy)

2. Temple of the Winds – Terry Goodkind (Fantasy)

3. Troll Fell – Katherine Langrish (YA/Fantasy)

4. Book of a Thousand Days – Shannon Hale (YA/Princess Fiction*)

5. Aurelia – Anne Osterlund (YA/Princess Fiction)

6. Gideon the Cutpurse – Linda Buckley-Archer (YA/Historical Fiction/Fantasy)

7. The Moonstone – Wilkie Collins (Classic/Mystery)

8. The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde (Classic/Supernatural)

*Yes, Princess stories get their own category.

Anyone see a pattern, here? You say, “fantasy,” I say, “give me the title.” Sci-fi and supernatural; really anything that goes beyond the mundane. I like trolls, and goblins, and fairies, and magic handlers, and missing princesses, and crazed scientists, and clones; enchantments, and kingdoms warring, experiments that turn into mutants, and impossible feats of chivalry. If there’s no supernatural draw, it best have Victorian or Colonial elements. A book that’s devoid of mechanical limbs or magic portals had better make up for it with grand balls and bustles, swooning ladies and pistol-wielding gentlemen.

I take the advice of Toni Morrison, whose books I have never read. ““If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I do. Not that there isn’t a vast number of wonderful fantasy and supernatural books already out there, (as evidenced by my list) but I do have specific characters whose stories need telling. And its the nature of their strange and enchanting worlds I find most satisfying to write.

It must be the fact that I’m describing something new. Working with a fantasy world means opening the eyes of others to a personal landscape. It means showing them what you see in a way that makes the extraordinary both familiar and captivating. Robin McKinley does this best.

Honourable mention must go to dystopian novels. I haven’t tried my hand at writing one yet, but by gum, I love to read them!

Featured Snippet

Groaning, for his bruises had stiffened during the night, Tobin unwrapped his wet cloak. The chain rattled as it slid off his shoulders. The pit was roughly circular, about eight feet across and twelve feet deep. The floor was littered with fallen debris.

The air, heavy with the scent of fresh rain and damp earth, woke a raging thirst. Several nearby rocks had puddles in the hollows. Tobin rose to go to the closest, but as soon as he stood waves of pain shot from his left ankle, and his vision darkened.

The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell

I recall that this book was magical and made me want to write similar stories. I would read it again but for the workload I’ve placed upon myself. Perhaps after the England tour!

I should point out that I chose a snippet about the male character when the majority of the book focuses on the heroine, Makenna. It is also now a trilogy and I’ve not read but the first. *is heartbroken* So I really need to get on that.

Featured Image

The Goblin Wood

One of those special covers that captured the book’s contents properly and got me interested in reading it. I tried finding the artist to credit but have had no such luck.

~B~

P.S. Darn that Phil for making me hungry with his sushi pictures. *sniffles* I don’t even really like sushi.