WE ARE THE DAAAALEEEKS
TO-DAY WE WILL CE-LE-BRATE THE DAAAALEKS.
HY-PHENS WILL BE RE-QUI-RED.
WE WILL BE WATCHING.
YOU WILL O-BEY, OR YOU WILL BE EX-TER-MIN-A-TED.
Delicatessen Is Hard to Spell
Hi guys! It's the weekend, and I kind of want to go out and be wild and social. It's not something I'm very good at, so it's probably a good thing that this isn't happening and am kicking about being artsy/techy instead.
Saw this in the papers earlier this week, and couldn't help but think that it's something Inverness town centre could definitely use...
It's a mock-up store front used to hide ugly empty buildings and show potential buyers what the building could be capable of. A pretty snazzy advertising plan, in my opinion - especially compared to what was before.
A few weeks ago I would have said Nairn could have used some of these as well, but we recently got the real thing.
Been thinking about music a bit recently - nothing exactly philosophical, mind. After trying to talk music with some colleagues and tripping over myself going "b-but I'm known for having bad taste" and being told the bands I like are fine, I've twigged that I've been spending too much time worrying about who's going to yell at me for liking the wrong band. It's nice to stop caring and just enjoy my eceletic tastes.
Speaking of which, this weekend I've been head over heels for my new alt-rock favourites Ludo's concept album "Broken Bride" - have a listen here, where you can stream the whole thing. It's best listened to in order, but my favourite standalone track is "Part III: The Lamb and the Dragon" for it's almost metal-style riffs and darker redux of Part I's chorus.
It has a great storyline that strikes a few chords with me due to all the regret that's been gnawing at my thoughts lately. The main character "The Traveler" spends 15 years building a time machine so he can go back and save his girlfriend, who was killed in a car crash in May 1989. The machine malfunctions and sends him back to prehistoric times where he's attacked by Pterodactyls, before running past them to his machine and getting sent forward to the end of time, where the world has been hit by a zombie apocalypse and a Tyrant King resembling the Antichrist is summoning a Dragon to destroy the world!
It's silly, but with a sweetly romantic edge and a stand out ending. I enjoy it! Especially because it gives me a chance to sing: "I CRASHED BEFORE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, PTERODACTYLS SCREAMING."
Last but not least, a song I enjoy that's a bit out of my normal listening range...
TIGHT JEANS. DOUBLE DS. MAKING ME GO *WHOO WHOO*.
Best of 2009 – Part 2
Continuing with the second half of my personal picks of 2009...
Best Handheld Game of 2009
"The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks"
"Spirit Tracks" and all of The Legend of Zelda's "Windwaker"-style games make me happy. The style and stories make them an instant cure for a bad mood.
"The World Ends With You" was actually my utter favourite I played in 2009, but it was released in 2008. It still gets a sly mention, though.
Runners Up: "Professor Layton: Pandora's Box", "Persona DS"
Best PC/Console Game of 2009
"Batman: Arkham Asylum"
"The Secret of Monkey Island" remake could have won, except that up against TLoZ is feels a bit short. Sorry, Monkey Island - I still love you.
My gaming life tends to be a mix of playing games for myself, and watching games being played by others. I'm quite happy to sit and watch someone go through a good game - I've seen a lot of people playing through "Batman: Arkham Asylum" now and it hasn't gotten old. It's nothing to do with the brilliant Batman graphic novel of the same name, but still provides an excellent story and stays very true to the series.
Runners Up: "Assassin's Creed 2", "Plants Versus Zombies".
Best New Webcomic 2009
If you're a webcomic fan and haven't heard of HiNaBN yet, you're not trying hard-enough. This quirky story of a hyperactive paranormal investigator, narrated by the zombie following him around throughout it all.
Difficult to describe, just go read it. ;P Best typography since Sarah Zero and best layout work of any comic I've read.
Runner-Up: "The Meek". With smooth lineart and gorgeous artwork for the start coupled perfectly with a smart, planned plotline, the Meek is a professional, beautiful and funny work. I can't wait to see how it unfolds in 2010. (Contains stylised female nudity.)
Take some of the greatest rock classics ever recorded. Add pyrotechnics, PVC and vampires. The end result is "Vampires Rock", a tongue-in-cheek musical featuring songs by Meat Loaf, Rainbow, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Queen, White Snake, Bonnie Tyler and Cher.
It was exactly as much fun as it sounds (meaning very fun). Steve Steinman is an incredibly funny and charismatic bloke who constantly banters with the crowd. Once the crowd starting getting involved it became a great fun night, and a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Runner Up: Circus of Horrors
. . .
No TV Show of the Year this time round - nothing that really stuck out for me. Being Human wasn't on this year (though it may end up my show of 2010) and Mock the Week, while and integral part of my evening, is mid-series and not new at all.
Still, this was a fun excercise in picking out what stood out for me. This year I'll be aiming to add in a bit more live shows, a console GOTY that I've actually played instead of just watched, and a 'Graphic Novel of the Year'. That, and read some new books other than the ones sent to me by publishers to review. Good times. =)
Blog Post To A Haggis
It's Burns Night, a night when Scots young and auld sit down for a proper Burns supper of haggis, 'neeps and tatties; whiskey and a recital of some of the bard's famous works.
Well, we had haggis. One out of three isn't so bad, right? ...Right?
Came home for work and bought a haggis for Dave to cook for dinner, after haggling over what kind of tatties we were having (no 'neeps, Dave isn't too keen on turnips). He was surprised that I bought a real haggis instead of a tinned one. I'm not entirely sure why anyone would eat haggis out of a tin, the squishy meat-bag in the fun part.
Tastes better than you'd think
We had it with some Pimms & lemonade, played video games, watched TV, washed the dishes, and made Rocky Road. It wasn't exactly traditional, but it was delicious.
Now I'm checking up the Wikipedia page on Burns Suppers, getting excited about the 'Address to a Haggis' and regretting not reading it. Then I try to read it and get horribly self-conscious about how ridiculously Scottish I'm sounding, and keep interrupting my own reading going 'What...?' and 'I don't know what that means...' before trailing off confused and defeated.
I think next year I might do it properly, complete with embarrassing poetry readings, a messed-up Toast to the Lassies because Dave will no doubt have made the meal again, and maybe even a fair share of whiskey.
I love To A Mouse, and not just because I went through a fangirl stage for Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men".
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!Still thou are blest, compared wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!
...It's because we all guess an' fear sometimes.
Now, I've got some Rocky Road to nom on.
Love,
E.Maree
xoxo
Happy Twenty-Ten!
Happy New Year, everyone. The holidays are over, and it's back to work for me come morning. My sleep cycle hasn't really taken this into account.
Had a good holiday with the family and fiance - we watched the Doctor Who holiday special (hopefully I'll get a review up on this soon), watched Ice Age 3 and messed about on the Wii. I got Wii Fit+ for Christmas, and it's much more fun than I thought it would be. I still think the gym is better for pure calorie burning, but it's a nice relaxed way of getting in your daily exercise or for when the weather's too awful to even think of leaving the house.
2009 has been a mixed bag - while most of the time things have been good and time has gone quickly, when it went bad it really went bad. I'm still reeling from some of the worst moments.
2010 will hopefully be happier. =) We're in a much better financial situation this time round - we've just bought a new TV, and my next big purchases are planned to be a digital SLR camera and driving lessons for Dave.
I'm not one for resolutions really, but I've set a few rough guidelines.
- Finish my manuscript, "The Network". This has been really difficult... after what happened with "Dragon Tamers", "The Network" is very difficult to work on. Once it's done, my secondary project "Saint" should be a lot easier. It's just a matter of getting it written and then I can move on. Now that I've (kind of) adjusted to working full-time I'm hoping I'll be able to find the time to write more.
- Get more toned. I'm at a healthy weight, so it's not about shedding the pounds - it's just about toning up so I can feel better about how I look. I guess I'll have to get that gym membership I resolved to get last year.
Aside from that, the future is just a bunch of plans that may or may not happen. Getting a car would be nice, but I'm quite terrified of driving so I'll just let that happen when I'm ready for it. Travelling is also on the agenda so once Dave and I decide on a band we both enjoy we'll hopefully go see a gig. That all depends on what's going on at work, though.
I hope everyone has a good year. What are your resolutions?
Fallen Competitions
What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours?
After the mysterious fire, 17 year-old Luce's parents send her away to reform school. The grim, harsh, run-down Sword and Cross is a world away from her previous wealthy school, full of high-flyers & socialites.
Luce finds herself instantly & inexplicably drawn to Daniel - gorgeous and intelligent - but she can't help thinking he hates her half the time. Meanwhile there's the charming Cam, who can't do enough for her...
Without realising, Luce is being lured into grave danger. She has no idea of the world which exists in parallel to her own, but is about to find out...
After the mysterious fire, 17 year-old Luce's parents send her away to reform school. The grim, harsh, run-down Sword and Cross is a world away from her previous wealthy school, full of high-flyers & socialites.
Luce finds herself instantly & inexplicably drawn to Daniel - gorgeous and intelligent - but she can't help thinking he hates her half the time. Meanwhile there's the charming Cam, who can't do enough for her...
Without realising, Luce is being lured into grave danger. She has no idea of the world which exists in parallel to her own, but is about to find out...
SOME ANGELS ARE DESTINED TO FALL
In 6 days, Lauren Kate's "Fallen" is released in the UK. E.Maree on Writing will be reviewing it in time for release, to let you know what I think about the new novel often called "Twilight with fallen angels". Alongside Becca Fitzpatrick's "Hush, Hush", the new fallen angel theme doesn't seem to be a fad that's going away.
As a fan of the tragic fallen, whose own in-progress work Saint deals with them in a less romantic light, this is probably a good thing - and on the plus side, fallen angels don't sparkle.
Liking the sound of it so far? If you're interested in a copy. the Fallen website lists a whole host of opportunities to read it for yourself before release. Their Facebook page is another competition hotspot, with competitions ongoing. Right now the main competition seems to be posting on their discussion board with your views on why angels are better than vampires.
You can also read an extract from the story here, and join in a web chat with the author on Facebook this Thursday.
Disclaimer: A review copy and promotional info for the work have been provided for free by Random House.
Time For Some Techy-Speak
We're back in business!
That feels like a lot longer than it was.
"E.Maree On Writing" disappeared for a little while there in one very messy weekend. While struck down by some demon hybrid flu bug that turned my stomach into corrosive acid, I clicked onto Twitter (to tweet about how I was dying horribly, probably) and saw a trending (popular) topic about a security issue with WordPress.
I dash over to check my blog is on the newest version of WordPress (as it were, it was on 2.8.2 instead of 2.8.4, which isn't a huge difference) and get greeted with a lovely fatal error letting me know the blog was dead.
I stared stunned, quivering and whispering dramatically "I...I think my blog's been hacked" to anyone nearby. This was Dave, who was horrified at the loss of the swine flu pig image, and his little brother - who decided I had gained all my knowledge of FTP usage and website making in Computing class, and asked if I was having fun.
I'm gonna cut this short because what happened after was complicated - I realised my blog database was missing, was confused at to how hackers managed to do that, got an e-mail from my host saying 'Hi there! We moved your site!', sent off an e-mail to Support and got a lovely and prompt reply saying the server had been lost in the move and was now back where it belonged.
They also gave some advice to fix WordPress, which was still looking fishy - but after looking into it I think this is to due with new version changes, which has some oddly named directories - a 'pomo' directy looks mighty odd when there have been hackers loose.
Thanks also go to MyNairn's Brian Turner, who offered some help sorting the site out. I managed to get things back up with a little help from Google, but it was nice to have help offered (especially when no one else understood what my distraught ranting was about ).
Oh, while all this was going on, Nairn also flooded:
Pic from A Gurn From Nairn - click for more!
...Lovely.
So in short: we're back, I learn far too much via Twitter, and Dreamhost support are lovely. <3
Just getting back into gear after all that chaos - I haven't done any proper writing in long enough for it to bother me, and I've still got plenty of freelance website work to keep me busy. =)
Until then,
E.Maree
xoxo
Heaven is a Top Ten Rock Song
In my day-to-day browsing of the news, I chance across interesting articles once a while.
Today, I found a good article about how book covers can be misleading or inaccurate.
A great article, though it did have the hilarious lines:
"I still remember the shock I got at the age of seven, when my largely second-hand book collection gained a new copy of one of Enid Blyton’s much-loved Famous Five series. Dick, incredibly, seemed to be sporting an earring, and tomboy George was wearing copious amounts of hair gel. Even Timmy the dog looked faintly
disreputable."The design was presumably attempting to appeal to a more modern audience, but children aren’t stupid, and I could never quite trust the Five again after that. They looked more likely to mug me than invite me to share their ginger beer."
I also found a not-so-good article on how emo kids believe they will go to the Black Parade when they die. Pushing aside the cult thing and hilarious phrasing (sweatbands are called 'emo bracelets'), it turns the overplayed My Chemical Romance single "Welcome to the Black Parade" into a religion.
"She had secretly chatted to “emo” followers online all over the world, talking about death and the glamorisation of hanging and speaking about “the black parade” - a place where “emos” believe they go after they die. "
"In a tribute book dedicated to Hannah at her school, one of her friends wrote, “I hope you enjoy the black parade”"
I dunno about you guys, but if I was choosing any song for my religious aftermath, I'd go for OPM's 'Heaven is a Halfpipe'. 'Cos they got no gates at all, yo.
This mish-mash conversation ensued:
MacArthur, David [12:06]:
I'LL NEVER TRUST THE FAMOUS FIVE AGAIN!!!!
Urquhart, Emma [12:06]:
THEY CHANGED
Urquhart, Emma [12:06]:
GOT A FRIGGIN EARRING
Urquhart, Emma [12:06]:
GONNA MUG ME
MacArthur, David [12:07]:
THERE GOING TO JOIN THE BLACK PARADE
Urquhart, Emma [12:07]:
WHEN I WAS
Urquhart, Emma [12:07]:
A YOUNG BOY
Urquhart, Emma [12:07]:
MY FATHER
MacArthur, David [12:07]:
I WAS IN THE FAMOUS FIVE
Urquhart, Emma [12:07]:
FAIL AT SPEED
MacArthur, David [12:07]:
FAIL AT WINNING
Urquhart, Emma [12:07]:
YOU CAN'T 4CHAN IF YOU'RE SLOCHAN
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-26
- you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you # - Morning from hell. I want to say 'never again' but it's not over till I find my key. On the bright side... bathroom window. #
- My bowl is back, though. That's pretty cool. Guessing someone put it in the dishwasher. WE SHALL NEVER PART AGAIN, MY CERAMIC LOVE. <3 #
- I just confused RSP and ISP. RSP is Rail Service Plan, ISP is Internet Service Provider. SUDDENLY, RETAIL SERVICE PROVIDER IS BORN. =O #
- Om nom nom carrots. Cutting down on the chocolate and upping the excercise to shed some podge gained over the ever-so-sugary Easter season. #
- I remember now, @Falken1 lives near Shoebox Zoo town! Place of awesome accents & school uniforms. Edinburgh can be a kink if I want it to be #
- Fighting to resist the allure of the chocolate in the vending machine. What's really going to be hell is when I get home, though. D= #
- Dan and I made pizza & chips/fish & chips respectively and talked about zombie invasions. House is quiet now... Might go shopping. #
- Tried out the pen tool. I understand it a lot more, but it's still such a pain remembering all the shortcuts and fiddling, for a _line_ #
- Dim firelight, a cup of tea, and some time to spend writing. ...Wish Dave was here, but he'll be home soon. =] #
- Wrists hurting so much atm. I'm getting wrist pains so much more often now... #
- Talked with Cat on the phone for 30mins, 1st time in ages, met Dave for a drink in the cafe. Great lunch, tho my sammich feels neglected. #
- My phone died a death while I was discussing the news with Dave. The news about dead polo ponies. 21 of them work £69k each, oh my! #
- Some guys in Forres have come up with a sweet idea that lets you draw light over a partner's body from far away. http://tinyurl.com/c2xte4 #
- EMaree@markinscotland @Falken1 Pervs. =P @Falken1 I think it's creeping up on me. Think it has been for a while. But I can be neurotic. #
- Dan showed me the secrets behind "Titch's Special". It involved something white and creamy so I wasn't too interested. #
- Muffins are ridiculously difficult to make and my attempts can only end horribly. #
- Fantastic morning, sunshine galore. =D Woke up at varying points in the mornignwhich means I felt like I've had a lie in, and that's awesome #
- EA are making a video game adaption of Dante's Inferno. I sort of wish it was just the name for the next Devil May Cry... #
- RT @mashable Was The Pirate Bay Judge Biased? - http://bit.ly/WdYdl #
- Oh my god.... Stationcat. D= http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1176144 R.I.P. Diesel. #
- Myself and @Daveface have plans for the gym after work. I'm a little worn out, but it's still kind of exciting. =D #
- Seems like @Daveface is still asleep. I hope he's recovering okay. Might get an empire biscuit on the way home. =D #
- I think I'm going to have to lecture Dan on how a mixing bowl is not what you eat microwave meals out of. It's all stained, bleh. =P #
- GET WITH THE PROGRAM GUYS. We have more than one shiny black hard drive. #
- COOKIE DOUGH. <3 Oh man, Ben & Jerrys' Cookie Dough ice cream is paradise. I am so hyper off the DELICIOUS TASTE. =D #
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-19
- Writing/Scripting/Drinking tea. Boys are playing the XBox. Making up lost time on #Scriptfrenzy. #
- While the Doc Who love is running high, take a look at this adorable piece of art: http://tinyurl.com/cj95ss #
- A hilariously literal version of "Take On Me" (the music vid with 80s comic-book styling): http://tinyurl.com/d5upvm #
- Just realising how badly my Scriptfrenzy page count has been hit by the writing I lost. Graaaaaahhh. #
- Took a break from writing, watched Skins. s01e06 is a slash fan's heaven. Tony creeps me out a lot. #
- Fitful, messed-up dreams. Was woken from them by Dave bringing me breakfast. =] Bacon omnomnomlette. I'm lucky. #
- Something crawled out at me last night. Was scared it was a spider, but it was a beetle. I called it Jeremy and everything was OK. #
- I am an astronaut. GROUUUUUND CONTROL. *pokes Dave* GROUUUND CONTROL. *pokepokepoke* #
- Dave got a work trial! Eeeeeeeeeee! =D #
- Dreading returning to work, simply because i will miss Dave like whoa. I'MMA MAKE COOKIES. =D THEY WILL BE SHAPED LIKE BUNNIES. #
- The cookie making got... very out of hand. There shall be blogs. Blogs with pictures. #
- When I had my lunch (Dave made it <3) the Creame Egg he packed me rolled across this floor. Somehow, this was hillarious. Stifling laughs. #
- Guess who just got us an iMac? =D Is it @daveface? Spoiler: YES IT IS. And yes he is amazing. <333333 I am so tired but so happy. #
- Heading into Inverness after work (finished 3.30. GUYS DON'T GET IT WRONG. I WOULD.) with Falken 'n Dave ('n Alex?). Excited. =D #
- starbucks. #
- MORNINGS ARE COLD. D= It was weird having Dave leave for work. Miss him, but I know he'll do great. #
- Really going to miss things when @Falken1 leaves. Adventures, alcohol, music & an open road - I love it. *angsts* I really need to get a car #
- Dave not having his mobile with him is a pain. I want to know how work is doing. Waiting to find out? It's like living in the stone age! #
- Finally rediscovered the greatest My Chemical Romance fanfic ever - "The Scene Is Dead". Nostalgia... http://tinyurl.com/czc4y6 #
- Lulz. RT @petewentz Patrick "u see fat is like reverb. Its real easy to add but once its there its hard to take off." #
- I feel all jittery I feel all jittery and caffineated, like I should be nervous and jumpy - but my hands are steady & I've only had tea. #
- Think I'm just happy after talking to @Daveface (and @Falken1). It has clearly been too long. Withdrawal symptoms! #
- Sleeping soon. Did some ballpoint pen inking practice, went well. Drive save, @Falken1 #
- Can not be bothered with my boring sandwiches. SUDDENLY, A CAN OF SOUP APPEARS. #
- Been listening to hold music far too much today. One had ned dance beats going on. I was all YEAH RAVE in my office chair. #
- What is this rubbish? http://twitshirt.com/ It steals peoples tweets, then asks for passwords of those who choose to opt out? D: #
- My spoon and bowl has dissapeared during the night. D: I want cereal! And that bowl was part of a matching set! D'= #
- Phone has started acting up spectacularly. Doesn't look like I'll be able to phone @daveface and that makes me a sad panda. #
- Sandwiches taste weird. Got some random cereal bar instead. Phone still broke. D= #
- The Pirate Bay were found guilty. A year in jail each and $3.6 mill. D= Things might change, but still... Sucks. #
- Eaten junk today. Might see if Dave and/or Dan are up for a gym trip tonight. #
- Herbal tea! I usually stick to breakfast tea, but had a ginger and lemon infusion that was quite nice. Need to get used to infusions, tho. #
- Dave's been accepted onto the rota for his job. =D I <3 how concerned he was about needing to cut his hair, because I prefer long hair. xD #
- Dan's also just up. Guess watching Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back (in Japanese subbed, no less) with me took a lot out of him. =P #
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