Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Argh matey! It be the Bickerin' Blogfest post.

So my lovely scalliwag of a friend, @kristenyard , has decided to host a super awesome blogfest. She be a grand mate o' mine on Twitter, she be. Yargh, a wonderful lass indeed.

For those of you who would like to see my fabulous co punk pirate's blog, it is http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/ -- Go read all of the other fantastic entries!

For the record - my scene, which is in the 2nd 'book' of a trilogy my friend and I are writing, isn't so much of a friendly bickering as a minor cat fight. (Caught your attention, didn't I?) But no, it's not that great (as in this one hasn't been edited/revised yet), but sadly, me forgetting about the blogfest made for fast action in remembering a good 'bickering' scene. (A warning for the many f-bombs dropped in this one. Lexi can be a little... Well, you'll see)

---------------------------------------------------------

Lexi sat in her parked, running Mustang as she smoked a cigarette and stared out the window. The only light cascading from the darkness was from the dim, overhead street lights. The silence of the night enveloped her; it was nearing 1am, but there was one thing she still needed to do.

The large white house was quiet and there was only one car parked in the driveway. There was no traffic on the street and for a second she worried that no one was home, but she could see the bright light on inside the house. She took one more drag on the cigarette and flicked it out the window before turning off the ignition and stepping out into the brisk air of the night. Standing for a moment and closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking up the sidewalk to the side door.

Raising her already clenched fist, she knocked loudly three times and began pacing as she waited. Faint footsteps were evident as they approached the door from the inside, then the lock sounded and the door swung open.

“What the hell are you doing here,” it came as an obvious statement opposed to a question from Allison as she stood on the other side of the door wearing pink pyjama pants and a matching tank top. Her hair was up in a messy pony tail, but Lexi could tell she hadn’t been sleeping.

Lexi stared at her for a moment before replying, “You know how much you fucked things up?” Lexi asked, her tone coming out unusually even, surprising even herself.

“Excuse me?” Allison replied with a frown as she placed one hand on her hip. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You fucked around with my friends and you don’t even care, do you?” Lexi asked incredulously and let out a low chuckle. “God, Allison I knew you were stupid, but fuck.”

Allison looked taken back by the comment, but glared at Lexi with venom. “Don’t call me stupid. You can get the hell out of here and take your ridiculous accusations with you.”

She began to close the door, but Lexi stepped forward and placed her hand on it to stop. “You screwed around with Reid and hurt him bad. And of course you had to fuck around with one of his best friends too, God Allison, you’re such a tramp! How could you do that to Reid?”

Allison stood shocked for a brief moment before she recovered and returned her iced expression.

“I’M the tramp? Geez Lexi, practice what you preach…” She laughed out loud as she brushed a strand of blonde hair from her face, obviously showing no remorse for any of it.

“You fucked with too many people, and now look what happened. Stay away from Reid or any of my friends or I swear to God I’ll hunt you down myself,” Lexi spat, staring Allison down while trying to control the clenching of her fists at her side.

Allison only laughed, unfazed by her words. “Is that a threat from little Lexi? Get the fuck off my property.”

“I mean it Allison, stay away from him. You’ve hurt him bad enough already, he sure as hell doesn’t deserve it. Ever since you came into the picture you messed everything up.” Lexi started to turn then, figuring that she had said all she came to say, but Allison replied back without missing a beat.

“Are you sure that was me? I think you’ve done all of that yourself Lexi. You’re the one who was hurting poor Reid, leading him on and messing with him. You think I really hurt him? You’ve been doing that all on your own because-“

Before Allison could finish, Lexi found herself lunging forward and throwing a punch right at the blonde’s face. It was done in a matter of seconds, but Lexi couldn’t even remember stepping foot inside the house until her mind came back to reality and Allison’s hands were up at her cheek. She cursed loudly while shoving Lexi back outside.

“Get the fuck out of here you stupid cunt! I’m going to call the cops on you and have you charged with assault!” Allison screamed at her from the threshold, but Lexi only frowned and shrugged carelessly as she began walking backwards towards her awaiting car.

“Go ahead. Won’t be around anyway,” she replied back just as Allison slammed the door shut. After inhaling a deep breath, Lexi walked briskly back to her Mustang, mildly satisfied with the small outcome.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

River Valley Funny

So, earlier the bf and I went for a nice long walk down in the River Valley. I had my camera to take pretty picture of things and stuff and at one point there was an elderly lady walking ever so slowly up the huge stairs. My initial plan: Take video of old lady walking and make something awesome when I get home. New plan: Fast jogger lady decided to storm the stairs like it was nobody's business. In my head I had a plan. And here I have showcased EXACTLY what was going on in my head at that exact moment.

For the record, I have no idea who any of these people are.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Team Lizash at the Ledge

My lovely Lizzie Bear and I hung out today at the legislature grounds, and had a fantastic time (I heart her). Here is a small taste of our awesomeness (go team Lizash). (Also, I have collaborated the video with fun music!)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Haunted - Kelley Armstrong (get 'er done, Ash)

It's all about procrastination, right? Enter random book post of my frustration.

First, let me say that I'm the type of person who goes through a HUGE reading binge (while procrastinating the writing), where I'll read nearly a book per day for about a week. Then the reading spurt subsides and off to writing frenzy it is. Actually, a couple weeks ago I read 4 books in 4 days (Rachel Vincent shifter series - amazing!). Anyways, seeing as this writing procrastination has been lasting a LOT longer than I could ever imagine (or want), I've been reading a ton. Now I'm stuck.

Second, I must say I love Kelley Armstrong's writing and Otherworld series. (The fact that she is Canadian makes her even better! Represent!) Anyways, a friend recommended Bitten a while ago (first book of this series). I was looking for good shifter books for inspiration and things. Anyways, FLEW through Bitten, instantly grabbed up Stolen and flew through that as well. Then with Dime Store Magic , I was a little leery because it switched narrators at this point. I'll admit, I'm not HUGE on the whole narrator switch (especially in the same book), and was a little dubious in the fact that this one was focusing on a witch's POV now. (I wanted shifters damnit. Bring back the werewolves!) But to my surprise I really enjoyed this book and also the next one, Industrial Magic. Then I got to Haunted...

Now, to be fair my friend who recommended the series WARNED me about this book and said I could borrow it instead of spending money to buy (if I like a book/series, I always buy it). She warned me this one was hard to get through and probably the worst one of the series. And I'm not huge on the whole 'ghosty/paranormally' novels. Then the lay offs happened (this friend is someone I had worked with) and haven't seen her since then so I DID buy it. Oy. I don't know if it's my non-interest in ghosty things or what, but I am STRUGGLING to get through this one. But it's one of those series where you NEED to read the book, because there will be things referenced in later ones. *Sigh*.

It's not that it's bad writing... Maybe it's hard for me to relate because the MC in this one is, I'm guessing in her 40s (I'm 23). Although, the male MC Kristof, well he's an alright vision in my head. It could be the whole fact that she's a ghost and it's all about HER on the "other side". There isn't a lot of action, mainly just a mission that keeps taking her in circles and blah blah.

Seriously struggling. I'm on page... *grabs book from coffee table to see*... 227/448. If I'm really into a book I will continue reading it until I'm DONE (one of those "can't put the book down" people). This one I've mainly been reading in the tub. I'm trying though. Really, I am! I can't WAIT to get to the next book (bring back the werewolves! YES. Can't wait.)

Although, I DO have to admit that there has been one exciting part in this book for me because it involved PIRATES. My reaction: YES!! And then the pirates were done and it's back to trudging through. I'm hoping the plot picks up or at LEAST gives me some action here.

Even with 'the dud', I HIGHLY recommend Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. (besides Haunted), her writing is fantastic, plot lines are great, and her characters are really well written (Gotta love Clay... *dreamy sigh*)

-A

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Twitterview #4 - @stygldpnyby

Well, it's about time I ventured back to the Twitterviews... I have to say that this one is one of my FAVORITE ladies, be that in Twitter OR in person, I <3 her. With that said, I'd like to introduce you all to:


@stygldpnyby















Q: How did you come about blessing the Twitter World with your presence? (AKA – When/Why did you start up a Twitter account?)
A: 
I started it up in February of 2009. I was just reading a lot about this Twitter site and decided to check it out. Pretty simple!

Q: What consists of an average day in the life of Liz?
A:
Average day of the jobless wonder would consist of waking up (hopefully) early (meaning no later than 9:30), treadmilling it up, working on Physics by correspondence, eating at some point, usually running a couple errands, getting distracted countless times, and usually hanging out with someone in the evening.

Q: What is the last movie you rented and what did you think about it?
A:
Tristan and I watched this Korean film called ‘Biyeolhan Geori’, translated into ‘A Dirty Carnival’. It was great. I really enjoy foreign films. I find them to be… I don’t know… less about the gimmicks and explosions and poo jokes and more about the story, characters, character development, etc.


Q: You look up at the clock and, yikes! It’s lunch time! What are you craving?
A: Hmm. Well, it doesn’t matter what I’m craving because I usually just end up eating leftovers! Ideally though, I’d eat Subway every day.

Q: If there was a type of person that could be wiped from this world, what type would you want it to be?
A: Very good question! I would say… hm. small-minded people. Those who are unwilling to open their minds and learn about and potentially even accept things that are different from what they’re used to. Like, somebody just having the mentality that ‘You’re wrong, I’m right, and since I’m right, I don’t even want to hear what you have to say.’. Those kinds of people are extremely frustrating to deal with.

Q: It’s 10.00pm on a Thursday night. What are you doing?
A: Let me check back on my 5 year journal and let you know what I typically do on Thursday nights… June 10th: nothing, apparently. I did a physics experiment on waves. June 3rd: Was at Tristan’s at 10pm. May 27th: Hung out with Tristan. Conclusion: usually, I am with Tristan on a Thursday at 10pm.

Q: If you had to describe yourself (and you do) in 3 words, what would they be?
A: Gypsy Punk Revolution!

Q: What is your least favorite household chore and why?
A: Vacuuming because it’s too loud, and because I have a hard time spelling vaccum. vaccuum. Vacuum? Ah, yes.

Q: You’re sitting around, playing on Twitter and suddenly you smell smoke. Oh no! The bathroom has suddenly caught fire! What 3 things would you be most upset about losing?
A: I’d be upset about losing my wonderful MacBook, (so very clichéd, but true for this next one) my countless photo albums and photos, and lastly, I’d be upset about losing Quatchi! He’s very special to me.

Q: Phew! It turns out the bathroom fire was only a dream. You wake up in a cold sweat from the horrific nightmare. What do you do?
A: Go pee, have a drink of water, and go back to sleep.

Q: If there was one animal you could have and train to be your own personal minion, what would it be and why?
A: “minion: a follower or underling of a powerful person, esp. a servile or unimportant one.”
Yes, I had to look that up (I do that with words that I sometimes need clarification on). Well I guess it’d have to be a Dik Dik. David Attenborough introduced me to them while I was watching Life of Mammals. They’re these adorable deer-like animals, but they are extremely small. Like, they only come up 40 cm, max. I’m pretty sure @steenyweeny was talking about them a while ago.  I’d want a Dik Dik specifically because they’re damn cute and I’m sure it’d let me cuddle with it or something. I would name it Popcorn. Yes.

Q: Say something in Ukrainian.
A: This will be difficult because we use a different alphabet, which I don’t have on my compy, so here goes using English letters:
Koly ya bula mala divchyna, Ya bavylysya z robotim tsiloho den.
(When I was a little girl, I played with robots all day long.)

Q: Ok, so that last one wasn’t a question. What foreign language is the sexiest in your eyes (ears)?
A: I don’t think I’ve ever really thought of that. I guess Spanish. I took it when I briefly was at Grant MacEwan in the Fall of ’07, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing it all around me when I was in Mexico last month.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve (or one of them)?
A: Wet. Socks. Ugh.

Q: Is there anything you would like to share with the rest of the class?
A: Umm. *slouches into desk*. Nope.

Q: Lastly, who is the last person you @ replied to on Twitter and why should we follow them?
A: That would be @cfskinner and he’s a self-described ‘traditional skin’. He’s incredibly nice, knows so so much about GOOD music (we had a great little discussion about Desmond Dekker last week), and he’s located right here in jolly old #yeg. So… follow him!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Playlists4Writing - Talkin' bout ROMANCE (ish)

So, seeing as Twitter is broken (SERIOUSLY broken, I give up!), I decided I would run up a post.

I'm pretty sure all you writers out there are like me in the sense that music is a good helper/inspirer for you and your WiPs (no matter how small the music plays a part). I think I will do a blog post every now and then with a list of songs related to a certain mood/genre/action, etc, for any of y'all who would like to cruise on by and see if any of them strike your fancy. I know I LOVE finding new songs that click something in the back of my head and makes me go "OH. I can use this. I think a scene is beginning to form for later use... Muahaha!"

Anyways, tonight's topic of choice is *gasp* ROMANCE (or... more physical forms of such things). Here are a few to get you going (heh. Not literally, perverts!)

1) Roads - Portishead (I've said it before, and I will include this bloody song in any playlist! Fantastic.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQYsGWh_vpE

2) Playground Love - Air (You may recognize this song from the Virgin Suicides. Very slow, sweet, something that can be applied to multiple scenes.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgX1jO3No0

3) Crazy on You - Heart (Ok, so Heart is one of my fav bands, and this song just proves why. Faster for those more intense romantic, passionate type scenes.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZuW6BH_Vak

4) Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event (How can you not love this song. It's just so cute. True story - inspired a scene I otherwise wouldn't have thought of for one of my WiPs.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJi2z3tGKIg

5) How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Al Green (Confession: I hardly listen to this song. But came across it on my iTunes. I hear Al Green is pretty good when talking about this genre.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO6Rknx5xyI

6) Colorblind - Counting Crows (This, by far, has got to be one of my favorite ever 'slower' songs for the... more 'physical' (GENTLE physical, not.. sigh.. anyways,) romantic dealings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0s7ycdUcHk

7) I Will Follow You into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie (This song is just so overly cute, I had to include it.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6XZsau7CSk

8) Lucky You - Deftones (Ok, strangely enough, YES this did inspire a physically enhanced {perhaps not as 'romantic'} scene for a WiP of mine, though it may have been a drug induced-like scene. Nonetheless, I couldn't have a playlist without including Deftones.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80wz3_CAlg4

9) Ride A White Horse - Goldfrapp (Ok, confession again, yes I have used this scene in the mood of choice. Hey, I'm going for variety, ok?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8Qw8gN4uag

10) Iris - Goo Goo Dolls (What can I say... A cute classic.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-scESgTnoUM

11) Wicked Game - Chris Isaak (Another slow, lovely song. Though I do like HIM's rocked out version better, figured this one would apply more for the post.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaHHrNQVrg

12) Fade into You - Mazzy Star (Mazzy Star is another main one for me and writing. This song has also inspired me for a scene. A great, slow one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF0lRYhhiwI

13) Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers (What can I say, I love this song. Though, I do have to point out that it MAY possibly be because of the spoof in Naked Gun 2 1/2.....)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6xb_ddP4nM

14) Paint the Silence - South (Suuuuuuch a cute song. I absolutely love this one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIyUpCPVkI&feature=related


I think that's enough for now. What do you guys think? Should I do up a specified playslist post every now and then? Any specific mood/genre anyone is looking for? Let me know!

Happy writing :)
-A

Friday, June 11, 2010

Can't sleep. Late night musings.

Day: Friday.. or is it Thursday..? June.. the.. something... *heavy sigh* I'm so unemployed...
Time: Well, according to the little clock on the bottom right, it's 1.25am.
Current Mood: Le sigh.

Well, it's been happening all too much lately - I can't sleep. Not even my beloved make-me-fall-asleep-listening-no-matter-what playlist can't help me tonight. The song that never fails to put this little chickadee in slumber's eye isn't even doing it's job. (Into Dust by Mazzy Star). All I can think about the lyrics.

Still... fallinggggg.
Breathless and on again.
Inside todayyy

Inside me todayyy
Arounddd brokennn in two


I went to bed an hour ago. Laid in the dark, waiting for the playlist to do its job while forcing my eyes closed. Nothing. Zip. Nada. So up I got, stumbling blindly into the living room to get some water, then out to the balcony for a smoke. Now I'm sitting in my all-too-dark (*cough* creepy *cough*) living room, laptop screen GLARING oh, so brightly in my face, while the ipod sings in my ear (yes, still have that 'sleepy time/inspire for writing' playlist going. Maybe it will kick in soon...). Even with the music blaring in my ears, I can still hear our beloved annoying kitchen clock ticking ever so loudly. Has it always been this loud!? Dear god.

*turns volume up on ipod*

So, to be honest, I don't even know where I'm going with this post. I'm being honest, alright?? (2 points for honesty). I can't sleep. My eyelids are so heavy, yet my mind won't shut off. I could write in the WiP, but I'm afraid it won't make any sense (much like this blog post I presume), and when I wake up in the morning I'll smack myself and delete.

Phew! I must say, thank god for @nataliexmurphy . She's still up and we're tweeting loopy nonsense to each other. Must be an Albertan insomnia wave. Hey, at least we have each other. If you want to see her super awesome, random, loopy blogpost of the middle of the night, check it out here: http://bit.ly/a5If89

Do any of you ever have so much flowing through your mind at mach 1 that it just will NOT shut up to let you sleep? The mind, our greatest friend, our greatest foe. Usually the music will help for me. If I can't sleep I let the ipod play and after a few songs I catch myself waking up to something playing 10 songs later. "Umm.. I guess I fell asleep...?" Most of the time I will nudge myself awake somehow so I can pull out the earphones and sleep safely (there may have been a time or two.. or more.. where I have fallen asleep with music playing and woke up to the headphone cord wrapped around my neck. I know, I know, *bad Ashley!!*)

Sometimes tea helps. I have a cupboard STOCKED full of tea (I'm worse than an 80 yr old woman, I swear). Amongst that stock is my beloved Sleepy Time tea, which sometimes actually does help (not lately).

Alcohol is a no-brainer "sleep aid", but we're trying to stay away from doing that anymore.

I won't take sleeping pills. I had before when I was going through some things and had some SERIOUS insomnia action going on, but then you can become reliant on them. I don't like taking pills if I don't have to.

What else...? What are YOUR helpful tips for getting to sleep?

Ok, better end here before I start talkin' crazy (a tired, sleep-lacking Ash is one who confuses many). Plus I'm REALLY starting to get creeped out by the fact that the only light in this whole place is coming from my laptop screen and I can't see anything in the darkness surrounding me...

Now where's that gnome with the magic sleepy dust?

-A

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

When it rains, it pours.

So I'm really, really bad at taking my own advice. Like, really bad. I've always been good for those inspirational, sympathetic, comforting words when someone is down. I can whip a frown upside down in seconds (usually), make someone laugh when they're about to cry, pick someone up when they're falling.

But what am I supposed to do with myself? It's not like I can hold myself up (literally), or look into the mirror and make stupid faces until I start giggling (ok, maybe I can, and/or have, but it's besides the point).

I'm quite an introverted person when it comes to dealing with my own issues. I don't like to bother others with my own problems or make them worry about me. I mean, come on. Goofy, fun-loving, joke-cracking, perverted Ash? No, no. I can't let THAT rep. fall, are you kidding me?

It's not a bad thing. I will deal with things eventually, within time. Everything will be ok in the end and all that jazz.

I feel with like how the weather has been lately, it's really matching my mood. I used to always joke that my mood controls the weather, because whenever I would be in a crappy place it would rain and storm and be all gloomy. I'm really starting to believe it! (Ok, I know what y'all or thinking - my mood is probably because of the weather, not the other way around. Hey, let me at least THINK I have some kind of supernatural powers! Please? Humor me, folks.)

For me, it always feels like when it rains, it pours (speaking metaphorically now). Usually I can just ignore it when I sense it happening and be on my merry way. But sometimes those sneaky clouds just come in too fast.


When things get like this I tend to hermit up, act like nothing is wrong, and deal with it myself. Sometimes you can just wait for the clouds to start clearing.

No matter what though, the sun will always find it's way to sneak through the clouds, no matter how dark they may seem. You just have to hang in there and soon enough you'll see a sliver of sun starting to stick through the darkness.



If you're lucky, and you're in the right spirits you may even get something like this:
 
 
Or even this:



I guess what I'm trying to say, is that no matter how down you feel, no matter how far deep you think you have dug underground, no matter how dark the world may seem, that sun will always shine through. Just hang in there and in the end, there will be nothing but blue skies again.


(All photos are that of my own and the trusty BB)



-A

Monday, June 7, 2010

Robot Short Story - This'll show him.

So, earlier this morning I had tweeted that I was up and doing some early morning writing. I was ready, I had my coffee, and I was so ready to tackle some scenes in my WiP. Then, the little shit (@TysonDueck , if you want to know) decided to tweet something in reply saying, and I quote,

"TysonDueck : @AshleyTenille Write me a short story. Preferrably one about a robot that falls in love. And I want a twist ending!"

So, instead of replying to his smart ass reply with my own smart ass reply, I decided to show him up. Ditching the writing I SHOULD have been working on, I opened up a new word doc and spit this little number out in about 15 mins. 

This will teach you to mess with me Tyson! Didn't think I would, did ya?

----

“Please… Don’t… leave… me…”

It could talk. She didn’t know how, she didn’t know why, but it could talk.

Her head whipped around so fast she felt a bone crack in the side of her neck, but she ignored the brief pain and stared at it with wide eyes.

“You… you… But you’re just a bunch of metal and screws… It’s not possible…” she stammered, eyeing up the intricate parts that had been put together specifically to make this life sized robot. Sure it could move; its job was to deactivate bombs and pick up hard to reach items. But its makeshift eyes were unblinking, it had no heart to beat or to feel, and it had no lips to speak.

“Anything. is. possible. Sharon. You. of. all. people. should. know. that. by. now.”

Its voice was quiet and spoke on one computer-like level. Its metallic jaw moved slightly as it spoke.

“…How?” Sharon fell to her knees from weakness, only a few feet away from the mangled robot. She wiped a hand across her brow, smudged with black from the recent explosion. As she took in their surroundings, the broken structures that had once been a building, she felt like she was in a dream world.

“Just. because. I. have. no. heart. does. not. mean. I. cannot. feel,” the robot continued, snapping her attention back to the pile of metal. The shine was dulled by the soot marks, and she knew it was missing one of its specially designed arms that was created to pick apart the smallest of wires and was even equipped with a small camera on the end of its fingers.

This wasn’t possible. She must be delirious from the explosion.

“You’re… you’re just a bunch of parts… You can’t talk…” she sputtered and felt her shoulders slump.

The robot’s head twitched to the side and a red light started blinking sporadically on its chest.

“I.... Feel.” Its monotone voice continued as its right arm moved at an odd angle.

The red light started blinking faster.

“It. is. why. I. have. to. do. this. It. is. the. only. way. It. is. what. I. have. been. programmed. to. do. in. this. situation. I. am. beyond. repair. I. know. that.”

A frown flickered across Sharon’s face as the realization hit her. Her eyes focused on the rapid flicker of the red light and she began to feel her eyes well up. A large tear fell and slid down her cheek.

“No…” she whispered and began crawling towards the robot, ignoring the piercing pain in her injured shoulder. He couldn’t do it, she couldn’t let him…

Its right arm twitched again, but this time it didn’t stop jerking from side to side. “I cannot.. stop it. It is what.. I am programmed.. to do. Farewell Sharon. Thank you. For. Showing. A. Robot. How to… Love.”

At that moment the blinking stopped and shone a solid red. Sharon’s eyes widened and her hand gripped around one of the robot’s cool, metal legs. A shrill beeping sounded from the complicated pile of masterfully designed parts, a creation that had taken years to master before it could be put in the field. 

The robot blew up in a loud, ear-splitting self destruction. The engineers had created the robot to do exactly that when it was damaged beyond repair so that the enemies couldn’t steal any of their workmanship.

The last thing Sharon heard was the nearly human, screaming sound come from the robot before she was blown to pieces by the robot's self destruction.

The end.
-I also have to mention that this was all just for fun. I'm not expanding on this or anything, just proving a point! :P

Friday, June 4, 2010

Dream Scene Blogfest!

Confession: This is my first EVER blogfest submission, thanks to my lovely CP @CourtneyReese86 whose raving about them convinced me to give 'er a go. I also have to thank @kristenyard for "guiding" me this morning in posting, since I'm such a blogfest virgin. Arrr ye always have me back, mate!

What this one is about: Congrats @AmaliaTd , for being the one who caught my eye and drove me to sign up! Her fantastic idea for a Dream Scene blogfest is what got me to sign up. Check out her awesome blog (and all of the other great writers who signed up for this at http://hellia.blogspot.com/ .!

Ok, just smidgen of info for my submission - it's a scene in a 3rd novel of a 'trilogy' my friend and I have been collaborating on back and forth through email for the past three years or so. This series started out as something to pass the time (we did the same back in high school, passing a binder back and forth between classes, collaborating on stories), and now it's turned into 3 joined stories.

Fact: I was actually going to use a different scene for this, but this morning I woke up and decided to go with this one instead. Not sure why... maybe because it's the reference of 'zombies'.

Without further ado, here's my scene:

     “Reid! Reid, help! …You have to help me!”
      Reid’s attention snapped to his left, struggling to focus on the irregular, matching faces of the crowded club. Everyone looked the same; everyone had the similar meaningless expressions on their face as they danced to the wonky, disruptive rhythm of the music pouring from the speakers surrounding them all in the high energy club.
      He could hear her. He couldn’t recognize the stuttering, fuzzy sound beating all around him, or the loud, screaming noises of the waves of people in front, behind and beside him. But he could hear her. She was calling for him.
      “Lexi! Lexi, where are you? I can’t see you!” He heard himself shouting back frantically, but he couldn’t feel his lips moving. He frowned at the realization in the back of his head, but disregarded it as his eyes flew over the zombie-like bodies moving at odd angles to the music.
      “REID.” Her voice sounded to his immediate right, as if she were right beside him. His head snapped towards her in an instant, and he just caught a glimpse of the back of her head, with her long flowing dark hair before she disappeared among the multiple expressionless zombies.
      “Lexi!” Reid called again, spinning around in a circle while frowning to himself at what was happening.       The music changed beat and seemed to be melting through the speakers and the bodies surrounding him immediately slowed to match the beat, moving in wave-like motions that almost hypnotized him on the spot.
      “Reid, over here!” He heard Lexi’s voice again, behind him now, and he spun around to see her. He actually spotted her, only a few feet away. She looked frightened. Her face was unnaturally pale and she was staring at him with worried eyes.
      “Lexi! Hang on,” Reid called and moved to take a step towards her, but as soon as he did a large group of people, the lookalike zombies, materialized out of nowhere and walked in front of him, separating him from getting to Lexi. He struggled to push past them, shouting and shoving, but it was almost like they were made of cement and didn’t even bat an eye toward him at his motions.
      “Help me, Reid!”
      He could hear her, further away this time. When he spun ninety degrees to the left, he spotted her across the dance floor, across the huge mob of dancing...things. How did she get over there so fast? What was happening?
      Reid’s mind was numb of the answers, but he was about to dive into the mob of people to get to her. They seemed to be multiplying in the hot, crowded club. The strobe lights going off made it hard to see and when he glanced back to judge his movements, Lexi was gone.
      “Reid, please… help. You have to help me,” her voice seemed to echo so clearly, as if only her hushed were were audible to him and the blaring music was only mindless background noise.
      “Where are you? Lexi, I can’t… I can’t see you, just please, tell me where you are,” Reid pleaded out loud, desperate as his eyes flew over the pale faces surrounding him. They all looked so similar... None acknowledging anything around them, only swaying with blank expressions on their faces.
      “Reid,” her voice whispered from behind, her lips only a breath away from his ear. He reached out before he even turned around, and grabbed onto her. When he spun around to face her, before his eyes could confirm her presence, finally with him, a sharp pain dug into his right shoulder, knocking Lexi from his grasp.
      “Reid!”