Happy Holidays!

Favorite Things about the Holidays - By Oru.

1.) Getting gag gifts for friends and watching them open them. (Normal gifts are fun to give too. I love the looks on their faces when it's something they actually want. Or at least enjoy.)

2.) The decorations. It must be something with my childhood, because I feel like a house decorated with candles, garland and all that fun stuff just makes a house warmer. Or maybe it's that inside squishy warm feeling that I like. Either way, there's something classy about white lights outside a house and garland draped over banisters. Fun stuff.

3.) The goofy Christmas Movies that have heartwarming endings. (I'm a girl. I'm sorry, I just like happy endings. And no movies have happier - if cheesier - endings then Christmas movies.)

4.) How nice people can be during the holidays. I'm not talking about those crazy shoppers that start riots over a pair of sneakers (did you hear about that? INSANITY.) I'm talking about that gas station attendant that smiles at you and offers you a free cup of coffee because you're sneezing and sniffling and freezing. Or those guests that leave tiny presents for the housekeepers when they check out. Or those guests that wish you happy holidays with a real actual smile. Or those clients/customers/whatever that will come in just to say hi and drop off baked goods and give you hugs. GOOD PEOPLE should show themselves more often. Really.

5.) The Food. Obviously. All the fantastic food that is made and eaten on the holidays is FANTASTIC I LOVE IT SO MUCH I FEEL FAT AFTERWARD. Best thing ever.

6.) Family gatherings. Game playing, movie watching, present opening, laughing, and finally peace.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. All that fun stuff!

-Oru

Conflicting Lives

Abashed as I am to say this - I feel so sorry for my favorite character.

It has been at least a week since my fabulous room mate has been around to settle in and story-tell his gripping tale. (Starring myself, my Love and my other room mate.) Since that chapter left off, hanging precariously in the balance of my imagination, I have felt rather bereft.

My character, as well as the others involved were so full of good intentions. We traveled for months and months to deliver relics of light to an angel so that we could stop the spread of evil, and eventually it turned into the task of sealing shut a doorway to hell.

However, all of us were summarily betrayed by that very same savior we delivered the sacred relics to. He destroyed a utopia of hope, and caused each of us in turn to unwittingly betray others we had met that were very dear to us. We are now hands in the cause of the cataclysm, and through our actions we caused the gate to hell to burst open and demons to spill forth onto our realm.

So now we wait in stunned silence to see what happens next.

Gripping stuff, people. Gripping stuff.

Oru

The Book!

Details are now available on Amazon.com if you would like to peruse my NaNoWriMo efforts!

To see the details, Click HERE!

Enjoy!

Oru

UPdates and Fill-ins

As I sit in my very own office, waiting for something to do at work, I am reminded of how much time I used to spend jotting down thoughts and inspirations in here.

I called this blog Oru's Infinite Characterization because I hoped to tell you about all the characters in my head - as well as flush out my own character. Once again, I think this purpose has started to flounder and dissolve.

So allow me to fill in some blanks.

Hurricane Irene was rough up here in Sunny Vermont. Weeks of renovations later and our first floor rooms were back in order (with very different, very... unique carpet.) Unfortunately, the Hurricane took Glenda the good Witch from me - my trusty purple cavalier. The muddy waters of the flooding filled up her circuitry and made her crazy, so unfortunately I had to send her away. But now I have 'The Boss' to take me to and from work, a dashing little ford Taurus wagon.

National Novel Writing Month was half a success for me, simply because I made the 50k quota. And nothing more, unfortunately. However, I am taking full advantage of the offers provided by their website, and hope to have 5 free copies of my Nano-ed material at my house by Christmas! (If only I could figure out how to make page numbers show up on the damn program without having to go through all 145 pages of it individually. *shudder*)

I am not so much choking in debt as much as carefully treading water, now. Which is good. Well, better! I replace one payment with another frequently, and not because I am a wasteful spender. I DID have to get a new car, after all.

My Tree is up in our apartment, and I have festive garland on my banister. Tomorrow I will be going and getting some adorable $1 decorations to further spruce up the joint. (I love Christmas decorations. Somehow, when done right, It just makes the place warmer, ya know what I mean?)

Sometimes I feel that I have been a neglectful friend and sister etc... but I content myself with the knowledge that had any one else been in my shoes, it would have been just the same. There is no ill-intent in my lack of calling or texting, there is just a monstrous lack of energy brought on by the inevitable drain of a poor-man's diet and lack of free time.

So bear with me everyone - Oru's going to be back online more frequently sometime, ok? I just can't seem to get there yet.

Oru

WINNER!

NaNoWriMo has been won!

I may not have made it to 65,000 this year (yet) BUT that does not mean I lost!

In fact, I accomplished a very reasonable goal - and better yet, I actually FINISHED something!!

w00t!

Countdown: Day 17

I broke 30,000 words!

Lets see if we can't knock it out of the park this time, eh?

Oru

Countdown: Day 14

Wow, I am starting out really slow.

I've got 14,589 words so far. Yikes.

Better get cracking then, right??

Oru

Na-No-Wri-Mo-With-Me!

It is NOVEMBER 4TH!

Na No Wri Mo HAS officially begun!

Oru has gotten to a bit of a slow star, with a whopping 876 words. However, her spirits are high, despite the demands of her schedule!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

Oru

p.s. Hey you! Yeah you, ALSO participating in this Novel-Writing-Marathon! Post your progress here, too! Those who see this through to the official 50,000 words will receive a modest but AWESOME Prize!!!!

Cheating

By cheating, I mean sneaking online at work. I am a bad person.

BUT I just remembered; (Thank you Petr) That NaNoWriMo is right around the corner.

For those of you unfamiliar, it is National Novel Writing Month. Last year I whipped out 60,000-some-odd words, but I did it in December because I was... late. Oops. THIS YEAR I will participate with all the greats and Dump out 65,000 words by the end of November!

You heard it here first, Oru-following wackos, The Oru is going to surpass her previous record, and go for 65,000 words in the month of November!!

Can she do it? Will she succeed?? What on earth will she write about? (hahaha)

Speculate all you want. But I am going to let that simmer on the back burners of my conscious, and I'm going to first fry up some Halloween shenanigans before I get dead serious about my writing.

mwhua ha ha.

Oru

Book Review: Cinderella; Ninja Warrior

I was browsing the Barnes & Noble website, perusing my options for a gift card I was splitting with a friend from work, when I came across this title. The search bar read, "Twisted Fairy Tales" and to my surprise, halfway down the page appeared:

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior

I purchased it for two reasons. The first; I couldn't think of any other book I wanted to get. My first option was "The Child Thief" by Brom. The second; C'mon. Cinderella: Ninja Warrior? How could it be bad?

I knew before it arrived that it was going to be a teen romance quasi-action packed adventure for twilight fans. (That was the assumption, anyway.) And when I finally got my hands on it, my assumptions were made fact. Everything from the size and shape of the book to the font screamed "I AM A TEEN NOVEL. BEWARE CHEESY LOVE SCENES." But - I took a chance on it. Sure, it was technically a free book because of the gift card... but it is still a book. And regardless of the subject matter or the author or the genre, I do have such a huge soft spot for books.

So I turned it over and read the back of it. And to my delight, I read the following sentence and it widened my eyes and twisted my mouth into a grin. A Big goofy grin.

"In a special twist, you will have the opportunity to make decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next - but no matter the choice, the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!"

Oh. My. God. I thought. I just happened across one of the newest CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE BOOKS EVER!

So naturally, I dove right in. I ate that whole book within the span of 6 hours. (Less, really.) The writing was for a younger audience, of course, but they had a lot of fun stuff going on - enough to hold my interest from choice to choice, which impressed me. Sure, it was a lot of laughs, and yes there were cheesy love scenes, but hey... I got to decide HOW she got to the ball! And of course, which part of the MAGIC TOURNAMENT she entered. (Oh yeah. New stuff. Not only is she a NINJA WARRIOR but she had inherited her mother's wizarding skills. W00t!)

All in all - if you enjoyed reading Harry Potter, and you liked the Choose your own Adventure books from your youth, this is a delightful combination of the two, with enough story wrapped up in it that the character you play isn't some random chick, but Cinderella, princess-to-be.

The author, Maureen McGowan has put out one more title in this little set. It is called "Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer."

It is next on my list.

Later. Hopefully sooner then the last time:

Oru

Hello from the Void!

*sneaks onto the internet*

Very subtle, no?

We have settled in rather nicely! The appartment is up and running, though one of our A/C units is... not. Our fridge is stocked with easy-to-make food, and our laundryis piling up in a healthy fashion! The job is splendid, and the NA friends have been welcoming! (Except those who haven't seen my place yet, *coughcoughalexcoughcough*

I miss all my NY buddies, my old work pals, and my folks/brother/family as well. I wish I could write more to you fine folks, but know that the Oru DOES exist, and she is fighting for internet in her appartment, so I no longer have to sneak to and fro for the occasional flyby!

Hope everything is well!

Oru

The Countdown!

Schedule of Events:

Today: Packing the remains, dinner with My Love's Family.

Thursday: Work until 2, cash my check, Pack some more remains, 6pm=pack the 12x6 trailer. Pray that everything will fit in SOMEONE'S car. Maybe do some laundry. Maybe sleep over My Love's mom's house. Get Security Money Back.

Friday: Get up bright and early. Drive to MA. Sign lease and pay monies to nice landlady. Check out location of RMV in North Adams. Drive back home. Perhaps sleep over My Love's 'rents house. Perhaps laundry. Perhaps pick up anything we had to leave behind and shove it in my car.

Saturday: Bright and early awakening. Follow the loaded trailer and a train of cars (Or they follow me) up to the NEW PLACE. Unload. Take a breather. Get dressed. Go to the Prom.

Sunday: Unpack stuff. LOTS of stuff. Maybe re-arrange things.

Monday: First day at my new job!

No Pressure.

Wonky Hours

And again I receive the random 3-11 shift. Good news! I am with Pat Irish and we are doing another delightful art project!

No name for the work-in-progres yet, but so far it looks like a lot of fun. Abstract IS fun. YOU may not like it, but I totally dig it man.

So... I should all be over soon. The reign of terror. No further words necessary.

BUT In other news - That interview I had that I didn't tell you about up in North Adams? They have lots of other interviews to do, unfortunately, so they won't have word to me until Just after June 2nd. Unfortunate, but true. So my hunt continues. Other news, My room mates may have a job before I do - which is humors and a relief at the same time. How nice would it be for me to have a litte R&R? I could cook and actually enjoy it! :)

So my fingers are crossed, ladies and gentlemen. My eyes are peeled for that better future - but I can't do it alone. No one can. Stick by me, and I will do my best not to dissapoint!

Oru

Tickets, Tickets, Everyone!

I got a ticket this morning.

I was speeding. I was late for work. It was allright though, because he COULD have pinned me for having an expired inspection. Nice guy.

I sent it in as 'not guilty' and informed my parents that a ticket would be headed their way. Huzzah. :p.

I hope the officer has the kindness of heart not to show up on the day chosen for my court date. *grumble*

This does not delay my plans.

I have things to do!

1.) See my Brother whomp-ass in his boxing/fighting competition tomorrow! So excited to see him be bad-ass!

2.) Continuously check my e-mail and my phone for any and all updates of an employment or an appartment nature.

3.) Keep scouring for new a new job.

4.) Have some very rarely attained 'me' time. Like, all by myself. I could draw! I could write! I could nap! I could play video games! I could order a Pizza just for me! I could cook cheese! I could dance around in my undies! I could sing along to really bab pop music that I have hidden on my ipod!

*sigh* But then I'll have to go to sleep all lonely for the next few nights.

Boo.

Oru

A Random Moment

This may very well fall under the Category of a Rant. May I offer my sincerest appologies now.

I need a new job. The one I have now is run by a petulant little brat and her ex-con son. The employees here live in fear of losing their jobs at the drop of a hat or the climax of a mood swing. We all know how much poison runs through the veins of this place, but one of us at a time is unable to clean it out. I feel like I want to start a revolution. I want to rebel against this faux-matriarchy and strike down our oppressor! (Well to be perfectly honest, the only one I would want to strike down is the trailer-trash, excessively idiotic, chintzy-tattoo-wearing, thugged out and completely asinine sone of hers.)

I do not feel comfortable here. I feel over qualified and under paid. I feel used and taken advantage of. And if this was a fair and loving world, I could go up to her, tell her I quit and just LEAVE without a second glance. However, we all know that it doesn't work that way. The world is a cruel, mercilessp lace, and sorry to say, but WE made it that way. If I were to give her my 2 weeks notice, I would get an extra week and then be unemployed without pay. Because she is a horrible human being with the meat of her conscious being eaten slowly away by her own weakness.

She has to get rid of her son, find a new career, and leave our lives so that all of us poor idiots can finally take a deep breath and get on with our hopes and dreams.

Someone find me a new job before I tip over the edge?

Pretty please?

Oru

Transitions

Here we are, ladies and gentlemen. On the precipice. In the words of Flemeth, "You cannot be afraid to Leap!"

I remember moving up to North Adams the first time, my very first day away from the family and the familiarity. (It wasn't pretty. I was not happy.) I try to draw comparisons between then and now. I live on my own now, when before I had been surrounded by people. I could not bring anyone with me then, but now I can bring My Love along, as well as a comfortable group of friends. I was clueless and lost the first time, and now I will have my bearings, and readapt to the surroundings.

The other elements concern me, however. Moving from the comforts of a WELL KNOWN job, knowing the ins and outs... and going to nearly completely alien circumstances. A whole new work environment, new people to get to know, a new commute to get used to... Bigger paycheck to siphon out to the many different avenues that need financial filling in the money PIT OF HELL that is my life....

I have about 2 weeks if I get this job. 2 weeks to find a place. 2 weeks to move all my stuff. 2 weeks to party as hard as I can with all my buddies.

OH GOD WISH ME LUCK.

Oru

Day 9810 of my Life

Yay for math!

So how about that? 9,810 days I have been alive! Let's see how I can break this down...

4038 days of sleeping. (Approx. Maybe. I sleep in LATE when I can. Not so often recently, but ah well.)

5,200 days of daydreaming.

8,500 days of mild insecurity.

1,172 days of severe insecurity. (Approx. This also doubles as my self loathing time.)

2,000 days of being in love. (Approx.)

1,010 days of being loved.

720 days of having my own place.

1,745 days of maturity (In moderate doses.)

30 days of doing my own online comic.

740 days of having my own Blog.

12 days of complete sleep deprivation. (Approx.)

9,810 days of having no idea what to do with the rest of my life, and yet being both strangely content and utterly devastated with that drifting, listless freedom.

Oru

Count your days!

(Calculated by using 365 days in a year. Forget that leap year stuff. So yes, my math is wrong. :P )

Raining Again

Ok it is no longer April - It's time for those May flowers! Bring out the bouquets! Flourish little gardens!! I want to see vibrant, earthy greens and jubilant yellows, and chipper little purple crocus! Crocusts! Whichever! I want to go outside and take a nice deep breath of the smell of fresh cut grass! I want to be able to walk outside without a coat in the middle of the night!

GORW! Sun, SHINE!

SPRING, HO!

More later!

Oru

Zephyr IV

Witness the progress of the Zephyr IV as it travels through Border-Space! relive the events through the Travel Logs of Mission Specialist Nora Greene as she relays the happenings aboard the veteran vessel - The Zephyr IV!

Two entries are already up! Keep updated on the action!

Oru

Springtime

There's this one tree outside the hotel that always seems to catch my attention. It is at the end of a row of parking spaces, just as you leave the rear exit of the building. It is situated upon an island of green grass, beside a lamp-post that is just about the same height, if not a touch shorter at this point.

Usually, I look at this tree, and am reminded of the season approaching. Wenever I have an evening shift, and I walk outside to my car at the end of it, I can see the tree illuminated with a backdrop of lawn, trees and night sky. I chose to ignore the sounds of the highway as they blare by between trees and sky, and in my mind it looks almost perfect. Every winter the snow on it is a reflective diamond of facets, and every spring, the buds and tiny white petals are a fresh, clean reminder of warmer weather.

Durring the day, it is no less pretty, especially now with it's flowers blooming, tiny white petals shedding off and blanketing the grass and parking lot around it.

I am very happy.

Oru

Comic Update

The comic has been updated!

Also, Listen to the song 'Sail' by AWOLNATION. I thoroughly enjoy it.

The weather has been superb! I am more then grateful to have the past day off, busy as I was. At least there was time spent outside.

Here's hoping that you are also enjoying the hints of spring.

Oru

Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! Hope you gorge yourself on chocolate like I certainly plan to!

Now that we've gotten our pleasantries out of the way -

I have another project going. I call it "Zephyr IV: Travel Logs".

I wrote a short story many years ago. It was one of my very first attempts at Science Fiction. I wrote it in the form of a Crew member's travel logs, and it outlines a journey across outer space in a small shipping vessell. In the original story something goes terribly awry, and some sort of space-illness breaks out on the ship. Since I was very young, this was before I knew the Glory of 'firefly' so I only now make the connection between my fictional Illness and the Reavers from the show.

So My project entails afresh start to this attempt, inspired by E O Hatterpol and his tales on the Flybrary (Godspeed, my friend!). Mine will be a fictional enterprise, much akin tot he Tales of Therusia, however, I will be exercising my Infinite Characterization to embody a crewmember and write log entries on her behalf.

The beginning stage is at approximately 57% completion, so I will keep you posted. :)

Happy Easter Again! Cheers to new projects!

Oru

Haircuts Part II

Another thing about haircuts, before I continue my work shift:

I love people's reactions to said haurcut. We get all types, don't we? You get that one friend who has a bit of a lip crinkle and says, "oh. You got a haircut." Luckily, I have not received that yet. (Here's hoping.)

We also get those reactions fro people you didn't think would notice. Allow me to explain.

I work in Housekeeping. I know all of my housekeepers by name, and on occasion we BS a bit together, complaining about the job, laughing about how messy peoploe are, that sort of thing. I got into work just as they were finishing up, and on their departure - Not a one of them noticed my hair - or they just thought it was someone else. That didn't bother me a bit. In fact, the other Housekeepign Supervisor (My new superior) noticed, thinking it was a new girl at the desk. We had a laugh about that afterwards.

In housekeeping there are also two other sections we run. Laundry and Houseperson. (houseperson is the one who looks over the cleanliness of all the hotel common areas and offices. Vaccuming, general dusting, etc...) The Laundry man is a doll. A Complete Doll. He will do his laundry to the tunes of Dean Martin mixed with cha cha mixed with Spanish crooners and then back to Sinatra.

Well this man comes to the front desk to get himself a soda for the ride home, and he gives me a genuine double take as he hands me his $1.50. Then he goes, "WAOW, Yessica! WAOW!" And yes, the 'A' in there is a necessity.

He gives me two big thumbs up and a great little smile and waves as he leaves.

And as direct contrast and just as delightful, My co-worker comes in for his shift, looks at my hair and says, "what happened to your head?"

My response was a Lawnmower.

It got him to smile.

Oru

:)

Haircuts

Something about haircuts brightens my day.

It's like shedding an old skin - peeling off the old persona and taking on a new one. I feel like cutting off the tips takes with it a bit of sickness that may have lingered there - like pot, I guess, how it lingers in your hair after it's already left most of your system. I also translate it to pulling some weight off of your shoulders. Prepping for a big show, Setting out on a new road. The vibe of a fresh step.

I won't say a fresh 'start' because I already feel like I've set out on this fresh voyage. But this haircut is just another step in my travels, some more scales I'm shedding. Leaving a trail of my old insecurities behind me as I stride forward.

Ever forward.

Oru

Comic Review: Phoenix Requiem

The Phoenix Requiem is a completed Webcomic written and illustrated by Sarah Ellerton.

The Phoenix Requiem is a Victorian-inspired supernatural fantasy story about faith, love, death, and the things we believe in.

On a cold December night, a gentleman stumbles into the town of Esk, gunshot wounds leaving a trail of blood in the snow behind him. Despite making a full recovery at the hands of an inexperienced nurse - and deciding to make a new life for himself in the town - he is unable to escape the supernatural beings, both good and bad, that seem to follow him like shadows.

As they try to discover why, the nurse must question her beliefs and risk her own life in order to protect her family, her friends, and those that she loves.

I was first introduced to this writer/artist through her first Comic project, "Inverloch" which can be reached through Sarah Ellerton's main comic portal, HERE. I have read both of these comics all the way through and loved them both is also startign a new comic series in conjunction with another artist, which is certainly worth checking out!



Sarah is a very gifted artist, and One thing I love about her work is the detail. I think she may be my very favorite for backgrounds and perception work. She does quite a few interesting angles - up above, down and to the side, landscapes, up close... And always there is a distinct level of detail; that doesn't leave you wondering if you've switched locations between frames.

Also, it's fun to watch all the tiny things that develop within her style as she's crafting the comic. This next picture is comprised of 2 images - the one on the left is Anya, the main character from the first chapter, and the one on the right is a picture of her later on in the series. (I don't want to give away any details!)



The comic can get very intense, and has a fantastic air of deep myth behind the historical-fiction-esque vibe. Another thing I like? It's Victorian fiction without being Steam Punk. Now I love Steam Punk - but I like to see the era be used for something else, too.

And yes, it has it's dramatic moments - which is what gives the story such a wonderful wirhcness and depth - but like any good comic, it has those moments to significantly lighten the mood.



ENJOY!

Oru

Comic Review: Fey Winds

Fey Winds, written and Illustrated by the Fantabulous Nicole Chartrand.

It is Fantasy based, following a band of misfit adventurers - an elven woman named Larina who is sporting a magic gem in her forehead that allows spirits to temporarily possess her; A Mercenary named Nigel with spiffy scars and seemingly endless patience for; a girl who is part fox, who was enchanted to be thus by a crazy witch, who is still getting a grip on some human social queues. Later on they gain the company of a dorky princeling who changes into a Dragon when he gets scared, (Syd), and a back-stabbing, gutless Faun-like-demon guy named Zeph.

Their adventures uncover the mysteries behind a legendary hero named The Sylphe, and another dark evil whp has a surprisingly hilarious band of minions called (you guessed it) 'The Minionz'.


The Art is well done and very engaging.

Ms. Chartrand is particularly skilled with expressions. For a few examples:



As hilarious as it starts out in the first chapter, it develops over time into a delightfully spirited (pun intended) romp in a thorughly fleshed out world. One of my favorite parts is the interactive map that she provides!

The updates are dependable, and the bonus material for voting for her comic is always a treat. I am a constant reader, and I feel like any of those who dabble in the reading of fantasy (Or perhaps MTG or comics, or RPG, etc...) will also find this comic set fantastic. GO!

Not only this, but she dabbles in both the Chibi adorableness and the serious epic brutality that some online comics boast about!! Both heart wrenching and HILARIOUS! In her own words:

Fey Winds is a stark, brutal portrayal of the heartbreak caused by pet
dander -- no wait --
Fey Winds is a silly fantasy webcomic thats halfway between spoof and epic
adventure.

Book Guide

The Elegant Witch - By Robert Neill

This book was purchased On my Birthday, April 2nd 2011 up in North Adams MA. The store is called Sanford & Kid, and this particular book was thrown in with a group of other misfits on the first floor.

It took me about ten perusal minutes to find it among the others. You see, I have a knack for looking at the books whose titles and bindings are too hard to read from the outside. I like having to open them and look - it gives you an idea of their flavor. How does it smell? Old and unused? If that is the case, then I feel the need to try and read it! Does it smell of some woman's perfume? Then it was loved already, and probably needs a bit of a rest before I crack the binding again. Does it have those NEW page smells? The processed paper with the glossy cover and the flimsy sheets? Because sometimes I just want something that smells old.

'The Elegant Witch' was one such as that. So I purchased it for about 4 dollars (What a steal! Hard cover and in excellent shape as well!) and took it home - along with a comic book about a squirrell samurai. (Story for another time.)

I have just finished the first few chapters. And as opposed to being a dry, humorless tome filled with advanced vocabulary just for the sake of HAVING advanced vocabulary, I can actually understand more then half of the things described therein! Of course, certain older items of clothing and their descriptions are lost on me, but that is what an imagination is for. It takes place in Early 17th Century England, and from what I read of the reviews (Which were few and far between, may I add) It noted that it was based upon the Pendle Witch Trials. (Of which, I would very much like to learn more.)

The Main Character is Margery Whitaker, a 16 year old girl raised in a Puritan household - though not conforming to it's dry, bitter ways. She delights in bright clothing, and smiling at boys, and using the wit God gave her. She is decidedly charming. Her family - siblings because her parents both passed on - cannot decide on what to do with her. Eventualy they decide it would be best just to marry her off; but first, they need a dowery so they can finally be free of her. Assuming of course no one would marry her otherwise, Margery is shipped off to her cousin, because none of her immediate family is willing to give a dowery to such an 'unwieldly' young lady.

I don't want to give away too much more. She and her cousin end up getting along very well. The style has a certain, 'I-was-written-in-a-very-stuffy-society' lilt to it, where sentences happen to drag on, and large words are inserted at strategically awkward locations in the sentence, if only to prove a pont, however little the worth of the point may end up being....

o.O

However, It is also a very witty book, with a main character that I actually feel that I can relate to and engage with. And I LOVE her cousin. LOVE. I LOVE ROGER NOWELL. (Her cousin.)

It opened a little slow, however I was able to eat it up after a few pages. At present, I feel that the pace is very healthy, and I'm not being left too far behind. I think the only thing legitimately tripping me up is his enthusiastic, (and I hear, very accurate,) descriptions of period items and clothing. I really don't have any idea what half the things that Margery is wearing actually are. But hey, I am assured that they look lovely on her, and I trust Mr. Neill so far!

It's OTHER/Original title is "Mist over Pendle" which is what it was called when it was released in Europe. Not sure why they changed it to the Elegant Witch, but ah well, there you go.

Spring Decorations

Here at the hotel, one thing we don't skimp as much on is decorations. (However, that could be argued, considering most of the times it's the dollar store, or someone's hand-me-downs. But I digress.)

After Thanksgiving, and I mean immediately, Christmas decorations had taken their place. After New Years, those were torn down and relpaced with tacky red hearts and pinkand purple flowers. As soon as it was February 15th, they came down and the cheesy Easter colors came out.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE flowers. I honestly do, I think they are beautiful and unique. And it's even better when they smell good, of course. But We have over 2 dozen little pots of Tulips slowly decaying all over the lobby areas now. If she had ever gardened in her life, she would probably have realized that this whole NO UV in the crappy lighting would drain them dry eventually. The windows are big, but despite the weather being recently crappy, there is also the issue of keeping the blinds down to we don't blind ourselves at the desk.

The purple tulipd were the first to go. Now all that's in those purple pots are long empty stems and slowly curling leaves. The next ones, only now starting to show signs of wear are the white ones. The yellow ones are holding up nicely, and I'm cheering for them...

So it's not the flowers I'm calling 'cheesy easter decorations.' Dollar store pop-open plastic eggs, wooden, poorly painted easter bunnies, cardboard cut-outs of easter eggs and baskets taped to the breakfast buffet and the ceiling....

Now I say go for it. decorate if you want to. But we're corporate, here. If we're oing to decorate for YOUR favorite holiday, you damn well better cater to all of them!

Now for the kicker -

Did you know my boss refused to decorate for Halloween? Called it a waste of time.

Oru

Feel my pain!

Idea Stretch

Sometimes you will have a mind-blowing idea. Something that you dream up that is original and sparkling in it's newness. And you will grab at this idea and take in all the possibilities, like a drunk with a bottle of expensive booze.

But ... what to Do with it?

I had a dream last night, (my love will attest to this) that totally rocked my braincells. I was tense and breathing funny, I would struggle and groan in discomfort, but when I awoke, it was with a sense of awe and inspiration!

The things I had seen - starlit seas where I could not gain my bearings, for they were so clear! Mountainsides lush with the greenest and most curious plants! Flying creatures that looked like miniature galaxies and celestial bodies, singing strange songs in my ears and asking me to follow them...

Forgive me, by the way, for the comic. I have the page, I just have yet to scan it, actually. *blush* My mistake.

But anyway...

I feel that I am on to something here. I have thought about it all day, trying to recall the slightest details, the tiniest fragments, and even now something is brewing in my mind. I positively ACHE to tell it so someone. To tell it wo the world! To have others see the madness and wonder that I have seen!

Wistfully yours,

Oru

Why, exactly?

No one has asked this, save for myself. Then again, I guess I ask it enough of myself so that no one else really has to.

Why do I do this? Write on this blog and do that silly comic, and throw out my opinions all the time?

It's not as if I think people are going to become fantastically inspired and change the world becasue of what I'm saying - though that would be awesome, won't lie to you there. I don't think that THIS is the medium where I will (If I am destined to) become renowned for my wit and craftiness. I do not see myself as the present day Shakespeare and I don't flatter myself to think that my writing is the end-all be-all of epic fantasy and fiction.

Come on now. That's just silly.

So why do I do it?

At first I think it may have been about my ego. Which is funny, considering that I'm not the most self-confident person out there. I have my insecurities. And then I think it was the novel idea of strangers reading and enjoying what I write. The idea that I could bring a grin to someone's face or touch them in some way with my words made me so... euphoric. Like a good drug, really. I think it may have happened a few times.

Now? Well, it gets me writing. It is ever important to keep writing. No matter the mood, no matter the content - just write. Write to live. I feel like journals are intrical. If you cannot express yourself, how would you be able to express dozens of characters that you made up? Certainly not accurately.

So maybe I just see it as an exercise. Or maybe I am validating my feelings where I can have some possible viable witnesses to see it.

But whatever the reason, if you are reading or not, I think I'll keep going. Who knows - maybe I'll figure stuff out. Or maybe this will be worth something someday.

Thanks for reading

Oru

To: The World

My dearest friend,

Lately I feel like things have been a bit strained between us. I'm sorry if I have been stand-offish, or rude, and I know I may have acted spitefully on several occasions... but I suppose I was just hurt by your behavior towards me.

We used to be such great friends! Thoroughly enjoying each other company, going on adventures, relaxing, taking in the sights and sounds and feelings of our youth...

What happened to you?

I remember a world that would not suffer fools, wouldn't take crap from anyone, and sought vengeance for any wrongs done to her. For a while there you really had me scared. I saw all the crap that people do to you and it makes me so sad. And watching this... seeing you just sit there and take it, well, I found it hard to respect you. So I got angry, because I still loved you.

And as you got more and more wounded, I got more and more angry, and I knew there was nothing I could do for you except do a lot of talking. But you're my friend. I want to do more.

I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you. So I wanted to say I'm sorry that I judge you so harshly... but I can tell that you're trying to make things right. In your own twisted little ways, you're trying. I can't say that I approve of your methods... but hey, thats why I'm writing this.

I hate that I can't get away from you no matter how hard I try. You're everywhere around me, and all I want to be is unseen. You think I'M a harsh judge? That's another thing, World, you are a far harsher judge than I, I don't care who says what. I am not my own worst critic. Not by a long shot.

Which I could never understand... You're sitting there bleeding out, drugged and busted, and you're giving ME the eye? How dare you.

But... Enough of that. We both have to move on and survive. It will hurt, granted, but we have to. What other choice to we have, World? You can't die, and I don't want to. So suffering our own existances will have to suffice for now.

Good Luck, World.

Oru

New Goals!

Greetings followers of the Oru!

Let me just say how much I enjoyed doing that free stuff give-away. I like giving things to people - thats my favorite part of most holidays, in fact.

However It's not as fun when there aren't a bajillion people with their hands raised, clamoring for the random items that could go to THEIR doorstep! Don't get me wrong, I love each and every one of you who applied for this thingie, and I managed to put all the entries into a rocks glass and shake it up real good... but I have to admit...

I KNOW That you guys love me - even YOU. The one who secretly looks at my blog without signing up for the following and the contests and the things. Don't be afraid - I'm not going to bite you! Come out! I would love to meet you!

SO. Here's the rub. I will accumulate a ton of fun stuff - Oru approved Items - until the day that we (The BLOG) reaches 50 FOLLOWERS.

On that day I will announce another give-away, of epic proportions!

Ready yourselves, readers! Spread the good word of fun times and wierd blogging! go forth and accumulate followers!

Until Then - If My ORU page on Facebook gets to 50 followers - There will be ANOTHER opportunity for free stuff!

GO!

Oru

The Mannabird

Time moves very slowly for the Mannabird. She gazes with a strange yearning at the slow-moving clouds, tiny puffs of wintery chill issuing from her mouth. To say that her feathers are ruffled would be an understatement - one can tell from the way her collar twists by the nape of her neck, or how the hem of her jacket is tucked behind her wrist, hand thrust into her pocket.

The Mannabird no longer displays her flashy single feathers. She has chosen herself a mate - and the mature, office-lounging persona suits her plumage just fine. The Mannabird is content with her nest and her pack - but something is not sitting right with her.

Perhaps it is the climate.

Her habitat is failing on her. Pieces of her domicile are wearing thin, and she does not like the way she can see through some of the threadbare parts.

So the Mannabird casts her eyes to the sky. Where would be suitable for her pack? For her and her mate? Where can she spread her feathers, show off her new plumage and be appreciated for the last of her kind?

She casts her eyes to the North, a land of mountains and snow, a land of collegic endeavors, a land where stories had taken first root in her mind, and she smiles. She snorts one last plume of the chill night air, and heads back inside, coat flapping behind her like tailfeathers.

The MannaBird is going back to Massachusetts.

Oru

Congrats to ...

MICA!

You have won the Oru Give-Away! I'll send you an e-mail so you can reply with your mailing address, and your goodies will be sent forthwith to your residence!

Thank you again, all six of you for playing!

:)

Oru

Last Day!

It is the LAST DAY of the Oru GIVE-away!

Remember - I have set aside some handy books for writing, good reads, stationary, paper products and things, pens, etc...! Don't miss out on the excitement!

I have four entries so far - And REMEMBER!! You get to post One entry per medium you follow me: I.E. If you read my blog, and watch for updates on either my Oru group page or the new page I put up yesterday for Me, Oru, you get to put up TWO entries. One for each site - same format, in two different places. :)

Double your chances now!

Because I am going away to visit some of my favorite people this weekend - The winner will be revealed Monday Morning.

Enjoy!

Supervisors

I have heard the phrase, "The Ebb and flow of Time." I think I actually used it once too, in something or other. I understood it to mean the constant, synchronized shifts that occur naturally through time. The progression of time. The slow, onward trudge of time.

But time, at least the increments of, have been manufactured by scientists to put limits on the insubstantial concept of 'time.' They move uniformly through space like invisible supervisors, numbly ticking off the checkmarks on their tidy little clip boards. It is unfeeling and pratical, and always goes by just as we thought it would.

I don't see time like that, though. Perhaps i'm not the only one to notice that when life is good - time is fast. Things are going by lightning fast, whirring in a happy little tornado around you. That is of course, until it stops. You see, when that torrent of happy time supervisors throws their clipboards to the wind and joins you - they loose track of time. So, In the process of picking up the loose, flapping papers, straightening their ties and trying to fill in all the checks they missed - it's only natural that they make some mistakes.

And of course, correcting anything is droll and time consuming. So instead of watching you have a crappy day, they turn their attention to whiting out the incorrect check marks, conversing and comparing observations they may have missed, and changing out of the shirt whose pen exploded in it's little time-supervisor pocket.

Which makes everything crawl by like years for you, because they have to re-align the universe. That sort of thing takes time. But eventually, time will level out again, and those supervisors will tuck in their shirts, and pack their papers and pull out a fresh pen, and everything with return to normal.

Oru

This is a Test - The Oru Give-away!

This is a tip-of-the-hat to my fellow Blogger, the Lovely Lila Inglima of Young, Broke, and Married! She had the splendid idea of doing a Give-Away for her fans, and thus I think I shall do the same! For 3 reasons:

1.) I am curious as to see how many people follow my ramblings, adn I think this is a way to both test that number, and perhaps improve upon it!

2.) I like giving stuff away!

3.) I think celebrating 140 posts is a nice little mile-marker, don't you?

The Give-Away is going to be a Writing Cornucopia; a collection of books, poems, pens, and some writing and creative essentials! Because this is my first go at it, It won't be a big thing, but it will be something fun to receive in the mail, don't you think?

I will also immitate (Becasue that is the greatest form of flattery) Lila's method of entry: Please comment with your name, Your favorite entry, and your e-mail address!

You have until Friday, April 1st at MIDNIGHT to reply.

Sincerely Yours,
Oru!

Tired

I am so tired.

I am tired of owing money for some immaterial experiences. We learn for free every day of our lives. What makes higher education so much more expensive? Is our society just THAT exclusive? Are we trying to hoarde knowledge to ourselves - or to the select few who have the money to buy it? Perhaps not even that, it sounds too dramatic.... I am aware that it costs money to DO ANYTHING here. On Earth. But it boggles me, I don't think I've ever understood the 'why' of all this financial hell we tolerate. Why, if I own a house, do I have to pay for school taxes when I have no children? Why do I have to pay taxes on something that is never going to move? Why do I have to pay extra because I want to eat? Drive? LIVE?

I am tired of my own insignificance. We are each swallowed by the great mass of the whole, the writhing hive of humanity that selfishly takes over every inch of liveable space. The nations that war for the decomposed remains of ancient beasts and the people that breed and breed and breed and breed with no concern for if they can feed their spawn once they are born. The people that once had pride and dignity, honor and loyalty now dwindling to the peasant hoarde that picks off the bones of our self-riteous government. I am tired of having to pretend I give a damn about politics and religion and money and power. Bowing to the whims of those who think they are above me, those to get off on the idea that they can do and will do whatever they damn well please because I am too insignificant to matter, and too small in this pond to effect any real change.

I am tired of having to MAKE-UP my perfect world and fill it with perfect heroes and perfect villains. I am tired of triumphing over imaginary adversity. I am tired of having pride in a pretend character's achievements and adventures because I have none of my own to feel proud of. I am tired of believing that there is a God that loves us all and yet allows us to ruin ourselves. I am tired of taking crap from idiots because they are labeled 'boss'. I am tired of being unable to follow my right to The Pursuit of Happiness because apparently it's not as important as paying the great educational prostitute of the world, that figurative hooker on the corner, marketingh erself as the catch of a lifetime who ends up laughing in the dark at your inadequacy, getting you infected with a rare breed of depression, and then charging you out the ass for services that weren't what you were expecting.

I am tired.

Oru

The Grand Design

One of the greatest challenges I find when I am writing, is the part where I play God. Meaning - when I create a life. Make a character. Flesh them out and let them loose.

The first thing to remember is that you have to be careful when you mold your characters. Every event you throw at them will twist and shape them throughout the story - too hard and they will become cold. Too soft, and they will become snivelers. If you make their past too traumatic, they will become catatonic and socially unacceptable. If you make their past too happy and too perfect, they will become naive children who will be so easily harmed.

This applies to many things - Role Playing games as well as stories. Anything where it requires you to fashion someone from thin air.

I have most certainly thrown characters together on a whim - on occasion they become amazing. In fact, a select few of my favorites were done just like that. I was given 5 minutes, a character sheet, and they said 'go.'

The main thing I have trouble with is refusing my own influence to bleed into the person I have just created. Granted, there are just certain situations where I have NO IDEA how I would, personally, react. But in normal, every-day events it is the hardest. what if the character is a smoker and you are not? You would refuse a cigarette if offered, however, your character would most likely accept. Or let's get even more basic. Your character is not as intelligent as you are.

That's a doosie.

YOU know exactly what happens if you piss on an electric fence. Your character however...?

You know I think I started this post out very differently in my head. So I'll end it with something random.

Writing prompt Idea:

Look through your character's desk drawer. Create knick-nacks and throw-away items they possess. Craft a short piece based on them cleaning the desk drawer out and what they find. You can tell a lot about a person by how neat or messy their drawers are, not to mention what is inside them.

Oru

Reality or Fiction?

Now I don't usually do this...

All right that's a lie. I have been known to get sucked into a book or a game because of the compelling storylines. What can I say? If the dialogue is good enough for me to spend hours of my life intently watching the screen, listening to countless side stories and back stories, waiting for my chance to respond in a fashion that I believe my character would in the given situation.... It certainly must be worth it, right?

The idea of a choose your own adventure, mixed with button mashing fun, as well as a stunning story-line (That I am stunned and horrified to find others skipping and blurring through) fascinates me. I can get people to hate me or love me, I can side with whomever I want, and Hey, I can wield a sword.

And why shouldn't I be enthralled by this? I don't give two rats for the level-up, Yeah sure it's cool I can do a spiffy new spell, but I don't want to go through the games with a cheat code that gets me infinite money and exp. Naw, I'm in it for the story. The story that countless programmers, scripters, voice actors, digital artists and creators spent countless hours working out in their heads. I am in awe by how MUCH goes into just the dialogue alone. For any question there are at the very least three responses, ALSO depending on what class you started as, who you like and dislike....

I could go on, but the point is this...

I can create whomever I want, in the likeness of how I (possibly) wish myself to be. How I dream myself as a hero. How I wish I could react and be reacted to. I can shed this frail, gutless thing and become the Champion of Kirkwall or the Warden of Ferelden. (Yes. I know. Sod off.) I can pretend for a few hours out of my measly, pointless little life that I am important to the wellbeing of another world.

And you know what? It makes me happy.

Yes. I admit my own nerdiness. And no, I am not ashamed.

Oru

Painting

The Arts are a double edged blade. At least to me.

I can look at art for hours and admire the intricacies or simplicities of it, the flow of color, the lights and shadow (Virisimilitude I believe?), and I can doodle till my little heart is content, however at the same time I get so disheartened.

I was painting yesterday - and it's not as impressive as you think - and there were two schools of thought in my mind. The first, (as I stared down at the potential cover for chapter 1 of Tales of Therusia,) was that "Hey, thats not so bad for a hobbyist." I took a fraction of pride in my work, and I even attempted to do that strange and alien concept: 'shading'.

However, the second train of thought rolls it's eyes and crosses it's arms and just lays into my about "if you can SEE it just fine when you start, why can't you get your dumb hands to just copy it down? Is there something wrong with your synapses? THAT doesn't look ANYTHING like you want it to look. Fail."

Or maybe I'm just too hard on myself.

Either way I have to put the project aside and keep telling myself that it's just a hobby, and my delicate little ego can relax and stop twitching. Nothing is going to crack it over the head. This is just for fun. Deep, Soothing Breaths.

Oru

What I like in a Kiss

My mood today has me blue. I've been sick, and therefore, unable to kiss my love for fear of spreading the plague to him. It is quite unfair. So instead of trying not to thinkabout it until I get better, I will torment myself with thoughts of his kisses. And I'm going to share them here. Becasue I can. So there.

What I like in a kiss....

I like certainty. The look in the eyes before the cards are even played that sayd "Yes, I am going to kiss you." The confidence behind eac hword leading to that point. The tilt of the head as if curious. The slow catlike grace in that step.

I like to feel the hand on my cheek before the kiss too, the fishing line that reels me in. That is very nice. Perhaps slipping back into my hair as well - soothing almost.

And then of course there has got to be passion. Don't give me any of those dry, flavorless kisses, those colorless pecks, those eyes-open duds that mean nothing. Give me a fire spark, a furnace, a tempest roaring in an instant. I need to know that I am loved just as much as I love. I need to have my own passion reflected back at me, otherwise it's just a sinkhole.

*sigh*

I wanna kiss my love now.

rasinfrackinmumblegrumble

Oru

No Title

That Comic Thing

Mission: Ongoing

It is so easy to fail.

All it needs to start outweighing your victory is the barest thought; the notion that you will not succeed. The vague idea that you will not make it through, or that you have made a mistake. As the most contagious and potentially deadly thing on the planet, Ideas can make or break you, make you grow or whither you.

And it is so hard to tell which ideas are which. You start them as tiny seeds planted in your heart, and you watch them grow into concepts, and then into revelations and then into plans and ideas like a doting parent, nurturing it with your contemplation.

It is when those ideas uproot themselves to leave the nest. There is no knowing which direction this may take you - will this idea be a bad egg? A black sheep? Will it bring shame to your name? Will it make enemies? Or perhaps it will be proud and strong, make allies where there were none, and pave a way to a brighter future?

I feel like I have a full nest of chirping ideas begging for food. I have fed them, dropping bodies of thought into their midst and allowing them to scrabble for it... but should I be a more attentive mother, and take the time for each of them? I do not want to risk the death of an idea that could so move the world as to make me a better part of it... but I also do not want to raise a miscreant who will time and time again turn against me.

Both of these have been in my past, and I still can't tell them apart - like ill-fated twins.

Ugh. Ideas.

Oru

Rain

I am like the rain
I start as one,
falling
falling
weaving through the air
as dancers do
falling
falling
gaining my shape
forming my thoughts
falling
falling
and landing amid a heap
and now a puddle
conforming
running
running
with a million others
running
running
blurring my dreams
to fit the gutter
I run into
running
running
and drifting in a pool
floating
floating
until the heat
carries me off
floating
floating
rising above the
swells of millions
floating
floating
until I am once again
like the rain
falling
falling

The Comic Endeavor

Decided to upload comics when I knew I would be near a computer - Thursdays.

Hope it's acceptable, if not simply entertaining so far!

Oru

Tales of Therusia

A Work in Progress.

Tales of Therusia.

A little Distracted...

I find myself breaking into a few rather distinct Facets recently. No, I am not having a break down, but I do feel as if I am beginning to break down, i.e. disentigrate into my baser components (As opposed to mental relapse, etc...)

I have been throwing around deadlines like it's My JOB... I have the zombie apocalypse side of me, who would like nothing more then wreak havok and kill undead-jerk-faces. I have the quasi-intelligent, mildly ambitious side of me who is looking out for places to showcase her new one act play. And there is the wildly romantic, flighty, and often scatterbrained side of me who is on-agan, off-again writing a bajillion words of fantasy/epic fiction.

So why not throw in another one?

I... well I was in Barnes and Noble, minding my ownbusiness, when I spotted the comic section. And whaddayaknow, right next to that was the HOW to MAKE a comic section, and twenty minutes later I had picked out two how-to-draw books, and was driving home with this giddy feeling in my chest and a stupid, goofy grin on my face. And you know what i did? I went home and tried to draw, and I drew for a while! And I came up with four pages of a comic!

:) Still deciding whether or not I will be posting those... a little less sure of my skills there, haha.

Vote?

Oru

New Goals

So now is when i admit to the world that I feel far more comfortable with my writing within the confines of a deadline.

I have not written much on that rather large piece I did in December SINCE December. I felt particularly guilty at that notion, and decided it would be healthier if I just set another flippin deadline for myself.

Not that I like doing projects or anything.*

In any case, I have thusly updated my Countdown side-board thing-a-majigger to expand upon the vague basis I have given you! Huzzah!

I am also thinking of recording episode 3 of the Daphne Zombie Journal this evening after I get out of work. Hmm. Decisions Decisions.

Oru

*Oru Is subconsciously trying to mirror College because if she's still PAYING for it, why the heck not!?*

EEP!

So...

I was bored so I went onto Amazon.com.... And discovered that...

MY BOOK IS NOW LISTED!

Go here!

*Happy Victory Dance!*

Oru

Episode 2

Episode 2 is up and running. This was fun to do, even more-so than the first one. Which is probably why it's so freakin long. It runs 2 seconds past 10 minutes, and there's blood in it.

MWHUAHAHA costume blood! So much fun!

Now this one is just the clip, no little end snippet, and Yes the sound is still messed up. I did my best.

PS - Yes. The Oru is fully aware that it's garbage - BUT IT WAS FUN GARBAGE!

*wicked grin* stay tuned!

Oru

The Walker Journals

And here I explain my inspiration.

The Walker Journals were done by a friend of mine. Currently, there are 5 episodes circling the youtube universe, and you can find them all HERE.

The first one, like many firsts, is where he's gettign his bearings. Getting used to the camera, the props, the environment, working out his own inner scripting. It's still very good - but just WAIT until you get to number 3 - Gearing Up, it is both dark and has moments of hilarity.

Any gamers in the house? THAT will be your favorite episode. He even goes so far as to not shave his face, to give us a nice little view of a sleep deprived, near-starved survivor, who is way too on edge to be putting any sharp objects near his own face.

One of my favorites was Episode 4: titled "Zombie Sweet Spots". As opposed to the light hearted and near jovial tone of the 3rd one, this one takes me for a spin. He actually demonstrates impressive emotion as he tells his audience about another survivor he stumbled across. Broke my friggin heart.

Give credit where Credit is due, I say! And if it hadn't been for this man and his awesomeness, I would not have made my crappy little 6 minute video about the end of the world. :)

Oru

Meet Daphne

Meet Daphne. She has just unwittingly survived the initial freak-out of the zombie apocalypse! Conrats to her!

See her first journal entry here!

And enjoy the Hilarity of Oru making a butt of herself!

Oru

Projects...

THIS IS WHAT I GET FOR NOT SAVING A POST BEFORE I SEND IT.

I hate it when that happens.
See originally, this post was quite long and started very differently, but because SOME computers are DUMB...

*grumble*

1.) One act play. Had a reading with my parents that went very well, and I got some embarrassing errors out of the way. huzzah! I just want to adjust the ending. See I had 2 endings put on there, and the one with the happy-goodness is in the lead for votes. I'm still torn. Hmm. (<-nutshell summary.)

2.) I role play on line in the 'play-by-post' style. I find it refreshing that everyone else involved in this interactive environment of joint storytelling is unpredictable in their character movement. I find it helpful to test-drive my characters in such a setting. I can produce many pages of writing in a single good day using that medium. So yes, I am still writing. Also, I am writing this RIGHT NOW which should also give you an indication. (<-Another nutshell summary.)

3.) I will take more time to elaborate on this project. FIRST you will have to visit THIS:

Zombie Journal #1 - Brought to you by the Canadian Sensation, The North-Bound Giant, The Character Craftman Extraodinaire, The one and Only Ray King AKA Gigantor.

After this episode there are 4 more, and if my plans for tomorrow go awry, you will see them all before I get a chance to (Due to my flakey internet access.) Watch them, share them, and enjoy them. Because I have spoken with the Diety of the Demented, the God of the Grusome, the Spirit of the Suspenseful, and he hath given me the 'ok' to do my own responses to his project. And thus his audience will be mine, and mine will be his.

And so, The Oru hath obtained for herself a webcam. And the youtube sensation has begun.

Dun dun dun!

Oru

Alaric Kaine

AKA - "Dark"

I met this guy while at a gathering of all of his siblings. Naturally - he wasn't there. He's that elusive oldest brother - the one to leave the nest first, as soon as the next oldest is fit enough to look after the rest. With a family of 10, thats's a big responsibility to leave behind, right?

Anyway, I imagined him wearing all black with gold trim - something very nice but not too terribly ostentatious. He's proud of his perfect smile and straight hair, and pale features. He likes to think that he is very symetrical, and in symetry there is a sense of perfection. Sometimes, I think, when I look at him that he's trying too hard to be even. He's trying to betoo human, which is where his inhumanity shows.

He seems perfectly normal - save for the inadequacy within social situations that no hermit or touched individual could rival. Where we have filters and switches for what not to say and what is ok, his are in a perpetual state of 'blunt'. He does not do this out of malice or anger, however - in fact he is the calmest person you will ever meet. He usually goes around asking obvious or overly intimite questions of people with a friendly smile on his face, and to his credit he usually gets answers.

But none of these answers are the ones he seeks.

He has been told why a man loves a particular woman - why a woman scolds her children in such a manner - why this child chose one candy over another - why that man was better in bed then that man - why one man will not pursue another woman - why do this? Why do that? But the one question that burns in his chest that he cannot ask, and fears to ask is far more personal. Too personal to bear in a truly feeling body of flesh and bone.

Why did you people kill my family?

Ah Out-Sourcing!

I am mildly put-out.

A great corporation, world-wide in it's fame, with a proud and strong heritage, has dissapointed me. And no, it isn't just my own management that irritates me at the present - we've been through that several times, and I'm sure it bores you.

This goes beyond irresponsible and unprofessional management.

"The Hotel" has a help desk and suport system to help fix problems with their reservation system! A few WEEKS ago, our computer fails. And the system is all inclusive, our passwords to get into ther windows networks also gets us into the reservation system. The reservation system links via internet to databases, etc...

This computer is still inopetrative. It is online yet possesses neither basic microsoft software nor the actual reservation system. The help desk has not been helpful. In fact, this is the point that upsets me -

"The Hotel" corporate outsources their help. Outsources. As in the Help Desk is not employed in America. Where millions, (literally MILLIONS) of people are unemployed, "The Hotel" a company that BEGAN and FLOURISHED in America - outsources to India.

And of course, this is where they have no idea what they are doing. Several times they said, "you can take it from here" or "we'll call you back" when it involves actually linking into the system from an outside source to find and install our very vital systems.

Hm. Maybe we should boycott "The Hotel" until they find a suport team of specialists WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

Just an Idea.

Oru

Top 10 Things...

...for a Storyteller to do to Her Gamers.

Please, take into account that this means 'top ten things that would make the story THAT much juicier.' Or eve, 'top ten things that will really send the characters out of their element to see if they can adapt and change like real people.' These are not necessarily NICE things. Be warned.

Yes, I have been known to do these things on occasion.

10.) Dump a rediculous sum of money in their laps.
They will either a.) flaunt it, spend it everywhere, make bad decisions, drink ale, have sex, do illegal things and then eventually be broke, or; b.) they will be come the most frightening things int he game. Experienced, and well financed adventurers who can buy pretty much anything they want. Daunting and unfortunate. This can help to pull into focus the character's flaws - how greedy are they? Or perhaps, it can alight on how charitable they are. These small details make a character truly real.

9.) Introduce them to a really cool NPC [non-player character. i.e. one that I make up.]
This can go down any number of ways. I have experienced my players instant attachment to them, and I have also seen them immediately attempt to dispatch, destroy, lose, or ditch said character. In any case, t his character should be side-plot specific, with lots of fun history to explore, and really REALLY useful tricks up their sleeves. This will inevitably make them invaluable to the players, as well as endear the characters to them. It can also explore character development in regards to friendships.

8.) Give them a fun pet.
Most of the times this would be a horse - useful and practical, able to carry them and their scant belongings. it also increases their travel time, which is very important so as to keep the interest of your players. You can still keep the realism of travel time as long as you assure them that every moment of every day will NOT have to be played out. But back tot he point - give them a pet. How they treat that pet will also give the story teller a very good idea of what kind of character they are - and perhaps what soft spots they have.

7.) Make them stumble upon a curious item.
This can be used as a plot hook, a device to further your own storyline, or some sort of golden thread to lead the players to whichever direction you chose. This can be a golden scepter, a small wooden music box, a book, a quill set, a molten and damaged statuette, a cloak, a shoe, a cannonball, anything you can think of. Just give it a touch of significance, and they will take it and most likely run. (This is especially funny when you give them something sharp.) This will reveal to you some of their inner workings. Will they try to pawn it imemdiately? Will they ask others about it? Will they obssess about it? Will they totally ignore it?

6.) Introduce the misfortune of a Player's NPC.
many players will come up with their own back-story. This means they have created their own relationships between the character and their family and close friends. You, as the storyteller, can do with these as you will. One thing that will trigger a variety of juicy and heart-wrenching responses is to kill one of these side-characters off. And if you aren't as cold hearted as I, simply injur them. Perhaps kidknap them! Or have them run out of town! This can also spark a sense of obligation in your character, which can then be used to fuel the story-line you have taken ages to create.

5.) Introduce a Villain.
One would think this would have been earlier on - but I like to make my players wait for their villain. I let them hear snippets of them, sneak a bit of information in here and there, and then I like to slap it on them as hard as I can. it is this power of surprise that keeps your players interested! Anyway - Villains are delicate work. You must be very cautious to keep yourself as a person as far away from this character as possible. Not only may it effect your general mental health, having to pretend to be this raging psychotic - but you may lose a great deal of fun if you get too lost in those darker, mor eunfriendly urges. In other news, Villains can cause a group to band together - or split appart. This is a good time to see how united your players are, and how genuine it seems to be.

4.) Place restrictions on character creation. :)
This is not a frequent flier in my book, but I do like to tip the tables away from the players every now and again. Most recently, my stipulation was HUMANS ONLY. It strips away the possibiity for any one character to be more powerful than the other. It keeps them on level ground from the get go, at least in regards to getting struck by lightning or assassinated. This will also give the story teller a nice foreboding on the character's goals and ambitions. It will give the players the chance to build those as they explore the options of what they can become.

5.) Random Acts of Natural Catastrophe.
A tornado. Hurricane. Storm at sea. Flood. Drought. Famine. Earthquake. Hailstorm. Snow. Blizzards. Icey rain. Monsoon. Tidal waves! Your players will have no choice but to react - none can control the unadultered power of the Earth in all it's fury! This will give you a glimpse as to the player's panic-points. what happens to them if they have no options? How good of a sport ARE they in dire situations? And their characters?

4.) Take them to New Lands.
Pick them up and take them to a fresh page in your imagination. Draw up secret maps. Knock the characters unconscious, and have them wake up in the middle of no where, without a clue as to where they are going. See which one becomes the party leader, and pick out ways that you could bring him down. Does he care for his companions, or is he using them? Does he fear these circumstances or revel int he challenge? The barrier presented by language differences AND cultural differences is SO FUN to play. Nothing like yacking in gibbeldy-goop to your players and watching their faces screw up in confusion. Love it.

3.) Put them in a Risque Brothel.
...Oh come on, that's just funny.

2.) Kill the afore-mentioned Cool NPC.
This has to be done after a great deal of interaction, after the players have become accustomed to his/her presence. They must realize that the character is away, and when they discover what happened to said NPC... what happens next? Do they swear vengeance against the fiend that had slain them? Or do they hoold vigils all night without eating or sleeping? This can also let you see if they, the players, liked your character to begin with. it is inevitable - one cannot truly separate yourself from your character, and if the player liked him/her, then the character somewhere, will appreciate him/her.

1.) Whatever you gave them? Take it away.
This is where my players usually say I'm mean. In more colorful terms, hehehe. That large sum of money you had? Mine now. That item that glowed blue sometimes, that you were oments from figuring out? Oh, that's mine too. How about your pet? whoops, look at me taking your stuff! Fling them into action by a violent and abrupt means and it will force your players to react faster. Enforting turn length also helps, but don't be a pain. If they had a clever one liner ... lined up... they should be able to say it. But try to keep it fresh. Take the item/person/idea in a vio,lent means, and you will be met with violence. In a stealthy means, perhaps they will brood. But either way, the players may or may not reveal how comfortable they are with each other through out play.

My eyes are starting to close, unforutnately. My sincerest apologies.

I hope that was the tiniest bit entertaining! Adios amigos!

Oru

ps - spell check is So not happening right now.

Immeasurable

There are so many rare and beautiful things in the world. Flora, expressions, experiences, objects, ideas, scenes, moments, microcosms of time...

These may be the ramblings of an over-tired mind, but I have a beautiful life. i truly do! Regardless of the illusory pit I have dug myself with money that was never really physical to begin with, over the purchase of an immaterial thing such as education.... I am in a rare state.

I have love, I have happiness, I have my health, my home, my family and friends. I could go on, but I am honestly not in the mood to talk all rainbows and butterflies and crap. Which is funny, because I actually am in a pretty good mood. Maybe it is because I am delerious with sleep deprivation - for such a good reason.

I love telling stories. I love it. I love roping players into my mind and letting them loose on the terrifying wonders that lay there hidden. I love watching their expressions when they meet new and bold imaginary faces, and when they fight horrible foes and triumph. I love throwing a wrench into their plans, spicing it up with dversity, stirring in a touch of humanity in the stew of sword and sorcery.

Yes, I said sword and sorcery. But let me make one thing perfectly clear, all right? YES I am a total nerd. I role play with my friends while drinking mountain dew and eating chips and candy bars. I made up my own world, continents, capitols, rivers, cities, peoples, cultures, myths, religions, politics..... I even draw my own damn maps.

But I am NOT a number crunching, power-grinding idiot that tallies up experience and dishes them out to make the uber master character of doom. I like to think of myself as far more creative than that.

I do it for the story. That's it.

Annnnnd, I think my rant is over now. remind me later to tell you about a man named Alaric Kaine.

Oru

One Act Play

So I have finished a One Act Play.

It is approximately 28 pages long, and I think it could fit comfortably in the minute-a-page bracket, though wavering from time to time. A lot of it is stage direction, and in places I feel like I'm leading my actor's around by the hand, but... there it is. The barebones.

Now, who want's to take part in a reading of it? I have 6 characters. 4 of which can double up when needed.

Any takers?

Oru

New Update

The Countdown page has been adjusted to mark the progress of a one act play I am writing. It involves an elevator and the interactions therein, with one underlying slightly fanciful theme.

Time Travel. Mwhuahaha.

So far, I have completed 14 pages of formatted text. I'm hoping to double that and it wouldbe complete, because this is an exercise more in succint content and not length. So. As opposed to pumping out a sheer volume of words this month, my attempt will be to try to be subtle with dialogue, make easy blocking and stage direction, and keep everything neatly formatted for submission into contests that I find.

Wish me luck! Your support in December pushed me through! Your belief in me made ME believe!

Oru

Friends

It is always when you are at your worst that your friends show you that they are the best. They make you laugh, feed you, cheer you up and throw you into that pleasant warmth of nostalgia. They remind you that things wil and can only get better from here on in, and they remind you that they will be there to lend a hand if they can. Even if they cannot be your crutch, they will be your constant cheerleader, rooting for you through the harsh little microcosmic shit-holes you have dug for yourself!

So raise a glass, cup of coffee, mug of tea, flute of champagne or can of soda to all of those people who have been there for you. Give a toast to yur dearest friends, and smile. Because it can only go up from here.

Sugar Coated

Allow me to clarify something.

I do not want to be here. At this point in my life. I have dissapointed myself due to the fact that I had imagined so many greater things for myself: a high paying job, a few publications, far more ambitious (although no less difficult) goals that 60,000 words in a month. Financially speaking, yes I am in a bit of a hole. I imagine that story would change depending on whom you spoke to. I have unwittingly garnered the distaste of my family because I chose to indulge in the time-honored phrase, "follow your heart." My body aches because of a cheap Walmart Futon we call a bed, and our delightful, harmless, playful lizard died because it is impossible to keep the appartment any single temperature.

A moment of silence for that delightful CHinese Water Dragon, please. Navvy will be missed.

...

...

Thank you.

This is where you should really start paying attention.

I have also come quite a long way from 'abstinence girl' and that quiet mousy girl in the corner who never spoke. I have developed my own opinions on things, I have spoken about them, and though I would not (by ANY stretch of the imagination) hold myself to a debate about them, I still believe them with a near fanatic fervor. I have my own place! I have rekindled the love and desire I once had for writing, determined to get someone out there in the wide world to like it and publish it! I have discovered the truth in friendship, and I have knowledge now of who those true friends are, and I cherish all of them, gems that they are.

I am very aware of myself and my likes and dislikes, I am happy to be alive, and I am in love.

SO tell me, what is possibly wrong with my life?

Oru

No - Return Policy

What would I do if my College Education had a Refund Policy?

I paid for room, board, and the Education. I imagine that there is no true way to 'return' the room a board, so that's fair... but what if I walked into the Dean's office, placed my Diploma on her desk and said, "Hey listen, I haven't used this since I left here, so I'm returning this and I would like a refund. You see, your education didn't do me a damn bit of good, so you cane take it back and stick it where the sun don't shine for all I care. I want my money back."

?

I imagine I would be escorted off the premesis by some security guards, and asked never to return... But think about it. How many financial aid institutions are making graduates' lives miserable today? How many jack up the interest rate, apply fines, and then demand we pay them back when we simply can't? How many don't help AT ALL when you call them to ask for it? What sense does it make, anyway, when they KNOW you cannot pay and yet add more fines? How is that going to help them get their money back? Who came up with this system!?

I think we should all band together and sue for Emotional Distress. Becasue some of us may actually go mental. Or better yet - sue them for denying our rights, namely: The Persuit of Happiness. You cannot eat if you have no money because you have to pay this bill because if you don't they will take your car which will mean you cannot get to work which means you cannot pay your bills, which means either way you don't eat, which means you are most definately not happy.

Follow me?

Oru

2011

Hello 2011, please allow me to introduce myself.

I am a college graduate with a bucketload of debt and stress. Regardless of my efforts, no one seems to be hiring, and my current employers can't seem to pay me enough. I have my share of personal problems, issues and baggage, and I do tend to complain on occasion. I enjoy a good rant about how unfair life is, and how things would be so much better if people just cared. I worry far too much for someone my age, and conveniently hide it behind a facade of pleasantries.

However, I count myself among the lucky. Here is why:

I have been lucky enough to find love, and not only that, but wholehearted and requited love. I am lucky enough to have reignited a passion for writing that had been lying comatose in 2010, which fills me with a sense of hope for my future. I am lucky enough to have parents who love me enough to worry ceaselessly about me, and a brother who is THE Big Brother. I am lucky enough to find encouragement and loyalty in my friends, and a good laugh when we are all together. I am lucky enough to appreciate the little things in my life, like good food, cheap bargains, a letter in the mail, and the 15 minute break I am using to write this entry. I am lucky enough to realize that i have unexercised talents that I can stretch and limber up for you, 2011.

But that is just the surface of me, 2011. I hope, throughout your existance we can become friends. I hope that you will learn even more about my quirkiness and my slightly bizarre mind set. I hope that you can bring people together and if needs be push them apart. I hope that you and I can celebrate in your final days with happy tears in our eyes, raise a glass to our success, and send you out to sea on a flaming vessel with a bang.

Welcome to my life, 2011. It was a pleasure to finally meet you.

Oru

Mission: Accomplished

It was 9:35 New Years Eve.

There I was, separated from the festivities in the other room, ear-buds equipped and fingers tapping. I was recalling details in my mind about the dramas I would put my selected characters through, and how I would weasel in the important information.

As I took a breath, flexing the out-of-shape muscles in my wrist and hands, I decided to check my word count.

I released a jmubilant shout as I read the number aloud to the good friends and wonderful people in the next room.

60,785 words.

Mission: Accomplished.

Happy New Year everyone. May this one be filled with many good words.

Oru