tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77958880548487124372024-03-17T23:03:55.128-04:00R's LoftRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.comBlogger710125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-539149077243790872024-02-12T20:46:00.004-05:002024-02-12T20:46:53.035-05:00The Hidden Danger of "Girl"<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6016" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1srCp_LjQl_ybwNbBWNkirXU1Q02bFZAQep85N74Ltpg8zyVyaBtW0F5EcXow_7mRMIRFp7uQIf0mhNbd4YiQ0AhOGm5yIuw5C6GtAeyc_FxJ7uO6sPURODWJfQxhp87-TG48BNhQFDfd3Z0uEEe4yCvMSSN6uHlYF8PgfMmI6iHOGWFW9PJVxprKLD7/w640-h426/tamara-bellis-OMGeAs_4goY-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our culture, especially the crowd on Tiktok, is obsessed with the word "girl".</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Girl dinner.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Girl math.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Lazy girl.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Girl boss.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Girl measuring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The list goes on and on. You're probably thinking of a few right now. And while they may seem cute and fun, there's a hidden danger to them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All these "girl" trends are quietly working to help further the infantilization of women and eradicate the beauty of womanhood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It partially has to do with the obsession with staying young. Girls are young. They're fresh faced and innocent. They don't get gray hairs or wrinkles. They aren't married and don't have kids.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It also has to do with the pervasiveness of feminism in our culture. Feminist rage against everything that defines womanhood, from having a home and family to being mature and thoughtful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let's look a little more into a few of these trends to understand this better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Girl math started out innocent, being about how investing in quality things is good in the long run. But it's evolved into a way to justify bad money habits, because girls don't need to worry about things like good financial health.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sure, I also feel the urge to consider it free money when I return an item, but that's not true. I spent money, which has now been returned to me. If I turn around and spend that money on another item, I still spent the money. The item wasn't free.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Or what about girl dinners. They're all about not being "tied down" with a husband and kids who you "have to" cook a real dinner for. (Check out this <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/23831903/girl-dinner-tiktok-trends-hot-girl-walk">Vox article</a> to dive into this more.) There's nothing wrong with eating leftovers or not always cooking for yourself. But this trend implies that doing that eating leftovers on a pretty plate alone is better than taking time to cook a beautiful meal for your full family table.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I could keep going, but I think you see what I'm getting at. (Also, those are the two I really wanted to talk about.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Being a woman is not something to dread. It's the way God designed the world. It's insulting to call a man a boy, so why don't we feel the same way when we call women in their 30s and 40s girls?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We need to remember and celebrate the beauty of womanhood. Being a woman means maturity. It means understand yourself and having self-control. It often means enjoying the blessing of your own family.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The world is attempting to convince us that growing up and becoming women is the worst possible fate. That having a home, husband, and family is the lowest thing a woman can do.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We're no longer the girls too smart to fall out of their prams and end up in Neverland. We're throwing ourselves out of our baby carriages in order to stay in Neverland longer than anyone should.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Being a girl has its place in the world, just like boys do. But this world needs men and women more than ever.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It needs homemakers, quietly raising the next generation. It needs women to fight back against these "girl" trends by pointing out their flaws. And it needs women to stop labeling themselves as "girls" whey they aren't, just because it's fun.</span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-28130218689978510852024-02-06T18:33:00.000-05:002024-02-06T18:33:01.542-05:00Thoughts on Change and Moving On<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've never liked change. Even as a child, I hated things like moving or a change in schedule.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Change is scary. Change means my perfectly balanced life will need to be rebalanced. Change brings challenges and trials I don't want to face.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But change is a part of life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This year, big changes are coming for my family. My brother is getting married and moving out. I still can't believe it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I never would have thought my brother would meet a girl and marry her in a little over a year. But here we are. God has placed this change in our lives and all I can do is pray to Him for strength to handle it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hating change is one of the reasons I don't like the thought of moving on from things. Leaving things behind, especially things I once enjoyed, sounds like the worse thing in the world.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But like they say in Little Women, most things don't change overnight. They work slowly, like the tide going out. One day you look up and realize you haven't done that thing you once loved in a long time. It made you happy then, and it might be a sad realization, but it's just no longer something you want to do.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blogging is kind of one of those things. Now, I'm not going to be quitting blogging. I still have posts I'd like to write and thoughts I'd like to share.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It just doesn't bring me the same joy it once did. I realized late last year that getting a post out each week was more of a chore than a fun challenge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So I'm going to be stepping it back a bit. I won't have a schedule anymore. Instead, I'll throw up posts when I have something I want to say. I won't spend as much time on creating graphics or header images. I won't do my monthly recaps anymore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At one point, running this blog brought me a lot of joy. It's taught me a lot over the years. But it's no longer a part of my life and career like it was then. And I'm okay with that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So here's to a new season of life. I pray that it's a good one.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJuiWRakDIwvy7luJIbYvPQKol7ThhM4JpV0tVn4NDGXNrsWtXGg4yvqo2uZjYTpwuyf2sgcbkyHjqRDWQ8vTT26tQlxedmbQoZVELnd5bJnHRIfU8ARQsl3Nv0q9JfWX03P0El49XlasYiI_x-h0FJda8U5JFZnrpyEOBdk7VagIX9454ps8otRxnLqT/s318/3bf66ee5214cbd361855f0c79c1d7d8611-leo-toast-9.h473.w710.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="318" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJuiWRakDIwvy7luJIbYvPQKol7ThhM4JpV0tVn4NDGXNrsWtXGg4yvqo2uZjYTpwuyf2sgcbkyHjqRDWQ8vTT26tQlxedmbQoZVELnd5bJnHRIfU8ARQsl3Nv0q9JfWX03P0El49XlasYiI_x-h0FJda8U5JFZnrpyEOBdk7VagIX9454ps8otRxnLqT/w400-h268/3bf66ee5214cbd361855f0c79c1d7d8611-leo-toast-9.h473.w710.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-80043733462319060732023-12-27T18:38:00.003-05:002023-12-27T18:38:22.244-05:00December 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcZDV0Ls-5rAYQGLiqHNpJHUir7_uAWMG0BP9u_8kR9dsO0ZTh7JL6RjS665S6Ww86j6mNzBues8cRoQxagzOvgyP7jIGBDuV1u7mMl7QVs0IpqbLArs8zQPV0F9piIvPGXlxasDtH1kExnG-eCiCynHaODKZ3DsJhEjPKCzqTE7x1ctzG_PrbC7LmknN/s4032/December%202023%20Recap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcZDV0Ls-5rAYQGLiqHNpJHUir7_uAWMG0BP9u_8kR9dsO0ZTh7JL6RjS665S6Ww86j6mNzBues8cRoQxagzOvgyP7jIGBDuV1u7mMl7QVs0IpqbLArs8zQPV0F9piIvPGXlxasDtH1kExnG-eCiCynHaODKZ3DsJhEjPKCzqTE7x1ctzG_PrbC7LmknN/w480-h640/December%202023%20Recap.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We've somehow reached the end of 2023. It's not been a year I expected, but here we are. Let's recap the last month of the year.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, I plan to take a break from blogging in January. I'm not sure what the future of this blog is, so I want to take a month and think about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YBF8d8K5whcA1sp2qGtHiQ502En-g0CpDAslaMFkqj1rFFbE31Be0b7wgdPHqGc8oo8sCRVX0-uoeNhPE6GtiSfADpfHkrcl1K0nADAJvte8S6FWeZ3NjehEsfmh3UoFmi341fnoAl6O0KZeQkQcJPN-7KI4KMXMx8zoTJjxKtkZ9Rg5w3xn6_SXdX2K/s2000/my%20life%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YBF8d8K5whcA1sp2qGtHiQ502En-g0CpDAslaMFkqj1rFFbE31Be0b7wgdPHqGc8oo8sCRVX0-uoeNhPE6GtiSfADpfHkrcl1K0nADAJvte8S6FWeZ3NjehEsfmh3UoFmi341fnoAl6O0KZeQkQcJPN-7KI4KMXMx8zoTJjxKtkZ9Rg5w3xn6_SXdX2K/s320/my%20life%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Got to see the Nutcracker. It's been years since we went, and we found a local ballet school performing it for cheap. It was a lot of fun, even if it did make me a little anxious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Went caroling at a local nursing home with people from our church. It was fun for us and a blessing to the people there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I struggled a lot with Christmas this year. I felt sad a lot and just didn't want to do a lot of Christmas things. I'm not sure why. But in spite of that, Christmas Eve/Day were both good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SzEsy5klfAZOE9nE0nGIK13K87aufeJ-aicOBJNRkauhlso_5sYGyyDk7g4_YzK7a_gu1G8q9UBE-oieVxWn3yypviIYRC4Mv6CmpMV4sran2DqdEZ4s1vb-6KLec3_XDV36-grfOld-idM8Ey-8HosII-WnhZZL_9lKxDbRb8xxG0RtQOEZbidhIp6q/s2000/reading%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SzEsy5klfAZOE9nE0nGIK13K87aufeJ-aicOBJNRkauhlso_5sYGyyDk7g4_YzK7a_gu1G8q9UBE-oieVxWn3yypviIYRC4Mv6CmpMV4sran2DqdEZ4s1vb-6KLec3_XDV36-grfOld-idM8Ey-8HosII-WnhZZL_9lKxDbRb8xxG0RtQOEZbidhIp6q/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6007718894">Sister of the Bollywood Bride</a></i>- Nadini Bajpai (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5853012929">Ruth Through New Eyes: Under His Wings</a></i>- Rich Lusk (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3225970510">Majesty</a></i>- Katherine McGee (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6047143656">Komi Can't Communicate, Vol 6</a></i>- Tomohito Oda (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5951144680">Hey Whipple, Squeeze This</a></i>- Luke Sullivan (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5934183527">Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion</a></i>- Elizabeth Cline (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6059707699">Komi Can't Communicate, Vol 7</a></i>- Tomohito Oda (5 stars)</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6059710241">Komi Can't Communicate, Vol 8</a></i>- Tomohito Oda (4 stars)</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5614331518">The Paris Dressmaker</a></i>- Kristy Cambron (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6006798199">Rakkety Tam</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTcKUzsDCS2waRYN-XzOJhPKk8iKiUOorNRl-93kzmgEZ-jeAbC3UiINdYTEhBReTsBY2pCjdfdxWjeGFBLMFyaU7rkD3m0C3rVxQ1JrE3eHlkzev9ZakuTx-zfewXYkJ3cUFhzBZcZexM9Q5XVFkrAzkkdnmgl8rMSnbneFQy3Frc918u0tRUmZQ2GtR/s2000/movies%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTcKUzsDCS2waRYN-XzOJhPKk8iKiUOorNRl-93kzmgEZ-jeAbC3UiINdYTEhBReTsBY2pCjdfdxWjeGFBLMFyaU7rkD3m0C3rVxQ1JrE3eHlkzev9ZakuTx-zfewXYkJ3cUFhzBZcZexM9Q5XVFkrAzkkdnmgl8rMSnbneFQy3Frc918u0tRUmZQ2GtR/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Mad Max: Fury Road</i> (not what I expected)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>27 Dresses</i> (not spectacular, but fun)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Die Hard</i> (a Christmas classic)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Die Hard 2: Die Harder </i>(not as good as the first, but still fun)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Die Hard with a Vengeance</i> (almost as good as the original)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Phantom of the Opera</i> (I didn't cry watching it this time)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Vanilla Sky</i> (very odd)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>White Christmas</i> (doesn't get old)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Return of the King</i> (happy 20 years!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>While You Were Sleeping</i> (also not spectacular, but fine)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Holidate </i>(quite crass 😖)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKFxOuc0D0zjrlP-lu9BOqfUsQvLTeH-ij1L1Eko8fjNhKRFiH9oF40C6R-Pii8xDz23EQ9Rw0QyK3xD1kHF67t5PUooI_HlsK5_K3uGbBHYAAOK8T9myqbWKHGGOzhyphenhyphenWkfdjgqTBMQ4YcXP6SicabT3abkOd_X7KN4Tm0BKS-C1YEjIT_Lf42fOIoFfH/s2000/writing%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKFxOuc0D0zjrlP-lu9BOqfUsQvLTeH-ij1L1Eko8fjNhKRFiH9oF40C6R-Pii8xDz23EQ9Rw0QyK3xD1kHF67t5PUooI_HlsK5_K3uGbBHYAAOK8T9myqbWKHGGOzhyphenhyphenWkfdjgqTBMQ4YcXP6SicabT3abkOd_X7KN4Tm0BKS-C1YEjIT_Lf42fOIoFfH/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I finished updating my query materials. But since it was pretty much the holidays, I decided to delay querying any more until January.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I started a new short story to use as a newsletter lead magnet. It's being a bit difficult, but I'm enjoying writing it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsiQAbFDKquZgCXE2Q5D2Uxk-ZGLI8mvC7np94iZnC1FqKuRuTuxbxMypg36JteafwiofstfGGrlDBU4ITE0ZSbQC-opBlrRYlrq1eL0BJ3Xa-1wKuMiVYgnMLB-UzKvN71t87UC5HqxtIOwgW9-Y5M0V7Fk-jBWbwK7vTs4ic48lBRA3KHBRivSGuUAE/s2000/art%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsiQAbFDKquZgCXE2Q5D2Uxk-ZGLI8mvC7np94iZnC1FqKuRuTuxbxMypg36JteafwiofstfGGrlDBU4ITE0ZSbQC-opBlrRYlrq1eL0BJ3Xa-1wKuMiVYgnMLB-UzKvN71t87UC5HqxtIOwgW9-Y5M0V7Fk-jBWbwK7vTs4ic48lBRA3KHBRivSGuUAE/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's not exactly art, but here are a few of the Christmas projects I made.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcjyjRvMxY2ayWfDr8LukcX7-DEsusWxaF208kyeCBI_wal3cETGDRx80Fk9TSewJWD852KrcHLXOoDeXJFg7sfhOHMqbjpW7i9advrVmFn8v_LofJBDrRErdAC3Sha4tWZRsSMtffBXpJuv9CUze22JXMIv-wZeBq46mYEWGbqKdGYYqDY7GpB_CzICd/s4032/20231222_171838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcjyjRvMxY2ayWfDr8LukcX7-DEsusWxaF208kyeCBI_wal3cETGDRx80Fk9TSewJWD852KrcHLXOoDeXJFg7sfhOHMqbjpW7i9advrVmFn8v_LofJBDrRErdAC3Sha4tWZRsSMtffBXpJuv9CUze22JXMIv-wZeBq46mYEWGbqKdGYYqDY7GpB_CzICd/w300-h400/20231222_171838.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve the Goose</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpXK9BHcPOie_PMGze8mO3qN2CuG3d8NE7FAyr_J3M39j_fNF5_0ZbyuijEvpKClHyVmjQlGiFBPJqqpwP30dwobjuUDAufqtetk1JmtYCpgetu6QvwuHWs567bMazjoQgE6ePH2iykVNggKBedjqSjUd3T1Cbzto1mwhbcjLmSjcJHigMGkkMmDeOIPq/s4032/20231222_164100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpXK9BHcPOie_PMGze8mO3qN2CuG3d8NE7FAyr_J3M39j_fNF5_0ZbyuijEvpKClHyVmjQlGiFBPJqqpwP30dwobjuUDAufqtetk1JmtYCpgetu6QvwuHWs567bMazjoQgE6ePH2iykVNggKBedjqSjUd3T1Cbzto1mwhbcjLmSjcJHigMGkkMmDeOIPq/w300-h400/20231222_164100.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vest for my brother</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytArLbiuS3kMrr7Zn2We1WqvT1id8YG9Mb5p3F9HaPdxKIUcOcKENF7KB4JXXx_lvdMRd3I1Yq5LIXU6OCJj6WYHfnwwJ61TAufNS_bCBr8Xkd66sPb4JOM0eKZEa1kl0DoCiHIpOMpUL5TyePCeM1PuKq1A4XTFuMMtvsvZ6N2VIVyLb2ZwmvUdmI6ye/s4032/20231222_165133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytArLbiuS3kMrr7Zn2We1WqvT1id8YG9Mb5p3F9HaPdxKIUcOcKENF7KB4JXXx_lvdMRd3I1Yq5LIXU6OCJj6WYHfnwwJ61TAufNS_bCBr8Xkd66sPb4JOM0eKZEa1kl0DoCiHIpOMpUL5TyePCeM1PuKq1A4XTFuMMtvsvZ6N2VIVyLb2ZwmvUdmI6ye/w300-h400/20231222_165133.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A table runner for my mom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis43nts5Q857Rl9jyD3Vym9HFic092ahluho36eV2xdeAjInL-oVTWykx_eBXv8AaYh2QscBtHDjvylRN3HKEk1cLxET5pHmmi_gYNmU8hqn2LXt68PJK5uF7MqRjb1Gz4ohhAU2b_kJ_fnr99GKHReF50PiNU3VuUuMZymwWnaAFz5sdAYl5jUAf4zHxO/s4032/20231222_165953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis43nts5Q857Rl9jyD3Vym9HFic092ahluho36eV2xdeAjInL-oVTWykx_eBXv8AaYh2QscBtHDjvylRN3HKEk1cLxET5pHmmi_gYNmU8hqn2LXt68PJK5uF7MqRjb1Gz4ohhAU2b_kJ_fnr99GKHReF50PiNU3VuUuMZymwWnaAFz5sdAYl5jUAf4zHxO/w300-h400/20231222_165953.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flat cap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGUuuvtyen-peJnEeoWgeusxBNniat1KUgRqMIEmhlXQyMUj5wQ81BPEYq5syJVIQfonOl4zRfMQPUiBcAW4dL2RKTOduK9olmaveGXkRStkhQzVDvztgCEYWEfC0AydZy5cUal1-Zfb20JTu4J7CGIcLsnzmPn4Z8puh3h4v8TNdmnJfniAstXVE0rVI/s4032/20231222_171850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGUuuvtyen-peJnEeoWgeusxBNniat1KUgRqMIEmhlXQyMUj5wQ81BPEYq5syJVIQfonOl4zRfMQPUiBcAW4dL2RKTOduK9olmaveGXkRStkhQzVDvztgCEYWEfC0AydZy5cUal1-Zfb20JTu4J7CGIcLsnzmPn4Z8puh3h4v8TNdmnJfniAstXVE0rVI/w300-h400/20231222_171850.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pingu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyO9Kd3G4tRoiGGnhnCU-u28kb40TEnMh61JzS6gJ5uV7PJaYRNH8Hgk34qGsrnwhYXfJdni-cZt8kq9PWQCcejFX_LqDyie4vGMVPCb_dO9V3oShFblS9Jco6cEwFEMG0oETeQ7wEGc_ZIrqY9Ei63SXxDPGNX_VQRk3kEvDiK10yH3dueRqFNcmsZ4c/s2000/next%20month%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyO9Kd3G4tRoiGGnhnCU-u28kb40TEnMh61JzS6gJ5uV7PJaYRNH8Hgk34qGsrnwhYXfJdni-cZt8kq9PWQCcejFX_LqDyie4vGMVPCb_dO9V3oShFblS9Jco6cEwFEMG0oETeQ7wEGc_ZIrqY9Ei63SXxDPGNX_VQRk3kEvDiK10yH3dueRqFNcmsZ4c/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Work on creating new routines to help my life run smoother.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Finish writing my short story and return to the querying trenches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Take more time for things I enjoy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVeAyvZFc9cr8jo5Y3Poz_JydPww46C8JK8PgeC0Wu9UkhGhGAdeUlPvJoFbTWGdXlXDomhBZi7X8UaGm7VlAXczDOXRtsYx2gse9eOKZDyQKR_lIL6lt7S26YwCW3aJzzFXmY3VXQRqMWU9uuc4e9yjF83TzuVsBiuhPhwdItGTEmkckeQjYJK3Y1PII/w320-h183/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your December? Did you have a good Christmas? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-55544415448169673262023-12-14T14:58:00.004-05:002023-12-14T14:58:40.067-05:00If You Like... Christmas Edition<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="If You Like... Christmas Edition" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2330" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhKZL8fElQ_uSYZZ_IsS2jaFSfA4kfiBbh_wySz4I6ZMwJi2oTSz3JLRfofVjiZVxt11L1p7EfC25dnzPfledIDTOp2O-BedyuVMNkC6SIE1E_ghHmRPDE8ragy06cL1Ad-riXgh-wiu4aexS3ZokIfN-8iZWzg8Btguiih5cvfSnRvNitwyz_VryqSSy/w432-h640/If%20You%20Like...%20Christmas%20Edition.jpg" title="If You Like... Christmas Edition" width="432" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We all love a good Christmas movie. But what if I could give you a book recommendation similar to your favorite Christmas movie? Well, that's what I'm here to do today.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a disclaimer, the book recs won't all be Christmas-themed. I haven't actually read a lot of Christmas books. But they'll have a similar vibe.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZamnShAFYkJxOVSU5m5pirGholWfu94v3HqYHw65bHOIdZtya6IpHECcxUBeIu43xzMmxZo6eU0PcJtJax3XrPKUVHb7XhZooGpneh6He9AB2lcnTAMZRIz-_0TKDbOr-TVIAaEUDgYdk071EgIJ39F18UnIWKjOxIgigb3DTxO95LSIYzJ9Zy82Wf15N/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSji1vGQbWLjiZ7u8OBFqfMlL21jxDQd8aRPaWqWrFfCJK1QkxbOyB2fQUOHr2RsCckez03QNFI8CAKZ5eJaw9lkVopUPNaUUbN8hDQVcvMuMjmaIpyHMLOifPL0Ty1eNn395IkbjJFU_A6f2xKuUINSwQN9ZwLhbQ8c8VTSOVlUEhfmXsj7va08HJIkj/w269-h400/MV5BMzUxNzkzMzQtYjIxZC00NzU0LThkYTQtZjNhNTljMTA1MDA1L2ltYWdlL2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMxODk2OTU@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" width="269" /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you like... <i>Elf</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="674" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHvxBjFpg1kzBTPs9Qi7hijIj_9BaSZX_vkA9ET2isq_b9yKcdpltC7jyvyOzsmgiHhMJoqmFHd2zllUecNl6A6LXFvja2woAb9YH95wwgymGjlXcr-_bDeRFIvVzUgdTPsT4bLNojJN1AjsTV-PFkoe_NGQq-txKfTwctY76pmexU_G2aYh2iwKjC-7w/w264-h400/36595887.jpg" width="264" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try... <i>Sal and Gabi Break the Universe</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Both of these are funny and irreverent, but underneath that, they're about characters trying to find their place in the world. One is about a human who thinks he's an elf and one is about an middle schooler who can open rifts to other universes, but other than that, they're pretty similar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWqBA3uonhoNi759GM2xjesM37TVvFFbolXEoavTj725anRLUY4HT3wYbURUTZcixcERa2Hs3c3yKHyIMbG4wTeVqtSxmmQyzxtqbkuuMG-7XzDyN4TIAQEZf-hjtFBNMyXpRY1g3ivgTw7ClWj3wX4lWA7_rmd5bBynFvph1shCYGbY8YKcKdeykA_hH/w270-h400/MV5BMWYwOThjM2ItZGYxNy00NTQwLWFlZWEtM2MzM2Q5MmY3NDU5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTkxNjUyNQ@@._V1_.jpg" width="270" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you like... <i>Klaus</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN53jf7WM8oD2y6_tGE0O_8MN-tIJRxsweU41LTeEu838mYWzIecJfUZYtNSFgcPYT3JfT2KZuVwwJNKQ8nOlg2xODzWfGsa3cuU7ftsSC8tw2PY_Ag7x5G34vWZdzf6AqeRpSdPZshWi7fKBub72UpmJ-3MgbLeSg0FK-m6bZ7yeyC6qH9DXvMBKQWZo/w265-h400/51QGMpNY-YL.jpg" width="265" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try... <i>Thornghost</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These books both have great, snowy vibes with a touch of danger and the supernatural. Thornghost is definitely more fantasy than Klaus, but they're both magical.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVx-v0-QPZBytrQPfdlpgSgZRPOzQ1P5YPO5_NZ1Ou3u2LWLegjhVNJ3tcA3u-tN-9D0vpgW3_31tzOVbFzjEYQAWyr951xOrZ_HGxIdHZTjdbDXOyrecR8cyU1ZUb1LERe5MC5P1ehMgx5eV3-lFN2ba_ynhWQ9JonxlXQN0oqiXoL0uMsIJeRm8Obte/w266-h400/MV5BZjRlNDUxZjAtOGQ4OC00OTNlLTgxNmQtYTBmMDgwZmNmNjkxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_.jpg" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you like... <i>Die Hard</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WTDYwJVUKhUXZlTeNS9zQqfTyuwmpoMD5FCYeiVmRvL5Wbq_TemPIIotWAbC9gMGtXdGb5FuECHKO5m-pqAfUA6dGWYIITKRnTgpgTrE_LT7nvID-JDHgpKjzLJtVXS3jPy2ZEDspkIqNrHnezr2S5H5TtN8xyhM_xnC2kFVWToPkD3k_yusKRJJBJ_X/w400-h400/GUEST_0310f99b-dee9-4f2d-a113-6bb91f9bc468.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try... <i>Batman: Nightwalker</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's hard to find a book as good as Die Hard. But this one comes close, with a gritty aesthetic, gangs of villains, and mystery to unravel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cfj0PqtW-IR_wcv0IqFgeKWs8hMEeIPADpPF1fxnck16J4-sy13WSphtVoIkHmozV9JeOhcfdI1XysQDxispeEooH3mmH2ClI-CHKFa3m35ICdwu3BHpDDT1D1SZtaVXinhyphenhyphenJtzrFk2g0SHwSYK2IkpLfayHMTLmI8yFhqCgzd1OgDVKXNu8V__Bas3f/w264-h400/MV5BYjI0ZTk0ZjQtZTMzOS00NDdmLTk0YzUtZTQ4NGRkNWFhZTkxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc1NTYyMjg@._V1_.jpg" width="264" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you like... <i>White Christmas</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIo_fseSiLDTnqbNyQFGL26wXUF3ppKVOwCv9lPTjvLPJIX4PYi2cYY_XjucF4edQF7xxOCF_Ktz6mlUY5GaFTLH89MlPP54H0n5qvK22B0emba6UQAatMst7yrJ8gd5UNHH-DyR0zk1FYJ8fN5W-E5rP32hS17Qc2ciDtPJf8i-csJpa0QQwuXNbRVTq/w265-h400/91QYCGTsqfL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="265" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try... <i>Jo and Laurie</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you like a happy ending after a long will-they-won't-they period, then you'll like Jo and Laurie. Plus, they're both historical love stories that fall under the swoon-worthy category.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98vZrAAdxHjFoSyXja7-Ucektc3HAmlVxcqMeQElOj0j106E0dHAvA3zVnKuV0SiTbECr0yhW3559E3FxvE_4ZaP1XlCSnT90tckkZZzG6IXYKm144RqBtMAFBOfPj7HK22jDFGE55tRPnMR97P6fsPcGF9St42x3jOWCrvrVP46K6zKgndFXg4VjMkr5/w266-h400/image_ed8d7a4e.jpeg" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you like... <i>Home Alone</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="423" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV1SqfiKs3oaOtyMaGsKMcmoaRVHVvOXINd9nonDlWg1l7SGRJVaqOzc-DN-cU6GI5ZjtivuaAb1uNE8sSckFLef7nW9wAEgswa3ADVJTlA_tGJdIFTYiXDZtHDNTZbHjgSSFC3SDN1wYm5r6f4lVaK7mCH9bE7RhxTgFSayr1T6DGvG-cg0WpqMe-g_q/w269-h400/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library-cover.jpg" width="269" /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try... <i>Escape from</i> <i>Mr. Lemoncello's Library</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Spunky boy protagonists. Puzzles, tricks, and games. They're both fun stories with lots of heart, even if one takes place at home and the other in a fantastical library.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYwRonfTVn4S2EXDwMacr6U1QCedtEELjq_Jfoh8q9EcSe-AoOKGE9ST0VCqiQ-E6SldLN0rVH5t98q_J2MAYe9WbbcPFMH8j0lvwAatxfJsIAbJWrldYXMjg5sX9aAoaxZuG9Wir-pCYo0TiqSWSH4R2bMZW5Zaj9c9-ocAMPfm9JqCSMHj0u6fcNmFe/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you seen or read any of these? Do you have any recs based on these movies? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-34113490942704556922023-12-06T16:56:00.000-05:002023-12-06T16:56:11.411-05:00My Top 10 Tangled: The Series Songs<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="My Top 10 Tangled: The Series Songs" border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzyXgGbe2oI9eyRUR2OHoDFPCNIn_j0ZuMeVZl3PDI5QK1sShbOd3dz2INmDIS7EgIPqc_1JXl6H94X0qNihC6-cL4CcMUD5eM157c3Iv7Vedz1D2u7SbCg54fzdGd91oci-rfMUZ_1_Y7ZpR1-tjp-wcg0FAjWC7BuMQTJ-RqDbmvxGiHswgOiEsEFor/w640-h360/My%20Top%2010%20Tangled_%20The%20Series%20Songs.jpg" title="My Top 10 Tangled: The Series Songs" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've talked about my love for Tangled: The Series before. (If you like Tangled, do yourself a favor and check it out.) One of my favorite things about the show is the music, written by the man, Alan Menkin himself.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Originally, I thought it would be fun to rank all the songs from the show. But since there are thirty-one songs over three seasons, I quickly decided against that. So, instead, I'm here to share my top ten songs from the show.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8tJ0Z6Z9xHOwpKjw5IC5FPbHs-dW7VDk6EoXf1M-b17c8eesxSF2FItu6StF_z1_16f28QtQ1CZscMtPoOV_B2qZ1NMyvKd8y-6WdC00MR69pREhWeGOXYZSWthZKnuvIb8s2RIFtzv1qN5_26PMtQppK2Lvje_Kdm94RhkIo7494rosyuXRoe3MQM4S/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">10. Friendship Song</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This song is in a filler episode about Pascal and Rapunzel's relationship. While the episode is rather forgettable (and I don't generally like episodes focused on animal sidekicks) the song itself is adorable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zsZL6Qb6Ryg" width="320" youtube-src-id="zsZL6Qb6Ryg"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">9. With You By My Side</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Three. Part. Harmonies. Any song that includes them is immediately that much better in my book. Of course, this song comes in right before things go horribly wrong, but we won't think about that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RewtgEyEmsM" width="320" youtube-src-id="RewtgEyEmsM"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">8. Bigger Than That</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you want a song to bop out to, this is a great choice. It's about overcoming fear and it's sung by the amazing James Monroe Iglehart, who played the Genii in Aladdin on Broadway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VVok9tms2g" width="320" youtube-src-id="_VVok9tms2g"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">7. Buddy Song</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Eugene/Lance friendship song? Yes, yes, yes! It's such a bop and always makes me want to sing along. It's also hilarious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZNNz8vlNsXs" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZNNz8vlNsXs"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">6. Wind in My Hair</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is the title song, so I kind of have to be the mood to hear it, but at the same time, I love it. It's just such a hopeful song, sung beautifully by Mandy Moore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LsE8ACraYhY" width="320" youtube-src-id="LsE8ACraYhY"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">5. Let Me Make You Proud</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You'll probably notice a theme in my top five songs *cough*Jeremy Jordan*cough*. But how can I resist that man's amazing voice? This is the first song he sings in the show and it's amazing. I can never decide if I want to sing along or just bask in his singing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iF6SzWvggq0" width="320" youtube-src-id="iF6SzWvggq0"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">4. Next Stop Anywhere</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another bop. I like it so much, it's on my traveling playlist. It only has very brief three party harmony at the end, but all of the vocals throughout the song are great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z2Pj0NvuxkE" width="320" youtube-src-id="z2Pj0NvuxkE"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">3. Ready As I'll Ever Be</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This song always gives me chills. It's placed so well at such a dramatic moment at the end of season one. Plus, everyone sings in it, so I get all my favorite voices in one song. The harmonies? The lyrics? Amazing from beginning to end.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-PYYaoq0fY" width="320" youtube-src-id="r-PYYaoq0fY"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">2. Nothing Left to Lose</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It was a close pick between the top two songs. I love them both in different ways.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For example, sometimes I just watch this scene on YouTube because it's so good. Varian trying to convince Cass that being evil isn't worth it? It's so painful and so good and I don't have the words. It fills me with feelings. Listen to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hkZEpNsw6zA" width="320" youtube-src-id="hkZEpNsw6zA"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1. Waiting in the Wings</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Funny story with this song. I'd heard of it before watching the show, because everyone was talking about it. But when I heard it for the first time, I wasn't impressed. It took several listening for me to really love and appreciate this song.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's not amazingly sung and well-written, I relate to it on a more personal level. I often fill like I'm waiting in the wings for a cue that never comes, like Cass is in this song. I mean, "Some of us are stars, and some are just in the way"? I feel that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/87HAEkf_Li0" width="320" youtube-src-id="87HAEkf_Li0"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_NUQfTuDQkcOi9gwDpfFw6-65cfmdMaO90h5_GZa98GUY9k-KEhvBO4Te_yMNGuk5eaknAbPk0gcTDwy0DtlH-lH4dHyXJG1MerSQF2rQcJdGIG0LjNiqEP6spxVt3RjGpw1qXQVOeWdnHFOS6TgKpUem3k_5EmlzOPEoi7y8mNIksbG9LiGmXlZTihD/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you heard any of these songs? If you have, what's your top three? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-69465224920481631542023-11-28T18:27:00.003-05:002023-11-28T18:27:47.341-05:00November 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="November 2023 Recap" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAT7zPr4_X5iaLH7qJQaBdlMIEb1OanTGoIIPT10JcV1WhRxMVz2xVv5_i2TnIOqf3_NO6VrJbCNT2UaL_j12HNeZG4n-Zr8KRPY1lVIf2fR6oXzPnz6PwXirW9dTf9eq_xhRUE43dHcFuI7-VrZL4wI4H8lqcnLuv6sLOqjM5HyLZFXdAddbBZoA8CuK/w480-h640/November%202023%20Recap.jpg" title="November 2023 Recap" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Somehow, it's the end of November and Christmas season is almost upon us. How did that happen? I don't know either. Anyway, it's time for another monthly recap.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHhxr5oVGoWT8AwaqMdqlJQoCuijV2A2mPPjcw9D2IjNmf6IMfJQC5V53HKF1FMOnHe6g-G03uERaVMztMTc-HrwvBqHBK3G1QT9RJoFO1PPAhFDRMNrOlEfqJ1y3bgVNap8UG7rw9ws85jbMlI0flrNsGc0Hin3n-5OPuqX44sw8sHLg6_4L390i4scB/s320/my%20life%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• We had a good Thanksgiving with friends. I made mashed potatoes and cupcakes that didn't come out quite right. After dinner, we shot pumpkins and played Uno. It was fun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I got to go ice skating. I was curios to see if my roller skating skills would translate and they mostly did. I enjoyed myself quite a bit, even if the frictionless environment was a little scary.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Honestly, I'm not sure where the time went this month. I don't feel like I did anything, yet the month flew by and felt rather busy. I guess I did a lot of Christmas prep, which took up extra time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HTKetJ5taTrjmtsyxzLT1Ity7n27072aVCn2JbnGirxE-uMyivXcyj9SImwXFsCLVGlDal2I0vLgSn_gFu-1q2xO3II15O7lcKUdjeRY2F2S7WID7dn-DgQ1QbR1XIYf5JYT0n0aKAy_kty4CN58vxcLtqEJvSta6h6InCWHI-2QIErQuxLOYQhiYBKj/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5931737029">Murder for the Modern Girl</a></i>- Kendall Kulper (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5922338978">Tilly in Technicolor</a></i>- Mazey Eddings (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5914399432">Taggerung</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5964769367">Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol 6</a></i>- Alyssa Wong (2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5951143361">Glitter</a></i>- Aprilynne Pike (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5974120388">One Piece, Vol 1: Romance Dawn</a></i>- Eiichiro </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oda (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5958703184">Triss</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5995234457">Komi Can't Communicate, Vol 4</a></i>- Tomohito Oda (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5995236509">Komi Can't Communicate, Vol 5</a></i>- Tomohito Oda (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5990946167">Loamhedge</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVA1Dryt6qpRoiNCOFFbG-0-1zOyJRUZLO6JLzUrmz62u9Hym8QAvGbvbcSfRZuSRZD2zfOdKUymHscr_xjRooNoWXP7437q5OEYea0uuRkJMDg6Rh77UQCWLkSQXAVABrUHw4NYsR3-L7tWZ4BF9mbBP7HBHOQqpBU620sWyllLZxhz7ZvHWZ0d9L_8g/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>An American in Paris</i> (Gene Kelly is a joy to watch)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning </i>(still amazing)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>The Blob</i> (felt like an old Doctor Who episode, in a good way)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Hocus Pocus </i>(a Halloween classic)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Cellular</i> (not perfect, but fun)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Inside Out</i> (I didn't cry watching it this time!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Edge of Tomorrow</i> (I'm still thinking about this one)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Knight and Day</i> (Mission Impossible if it was from the POV of someone who stumbled into a mission by mistake)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>My Big Fat Greek Wedding </i>(fun, but could be better)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Casino Royale </i>(one of my favorite Bond films)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpKOYAy9dJHR0I-fgFKuzAtouqr0p2iCQrmPJChWFygchueDicjEbZLSdnraUBRI0pw7eTFLn2IjAOdSJh6zyapbWNxL9LJ_FszzrBr-cThVNJxbOG6zcWJRGA__SjqYcaXmJcB2yy-EgbApGu2WaWsf3dZ9kmN5dQGF61Q65BQvlQpoUTi_bBbbBrVJF/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I finished my edits on New Magic! My novel is now a whopping 91k words and I somehow have to make books two and three at least that big. I'm quite proud of myself for finishing it and I think it's a stronger novel now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So now I'm working on updating my query materials. I don't plan to start querying again until January, because it's too close to the holidays, but I want to have everything ready by then. I'm making good progress so far.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsgtSS5k9zIr7MkIIdARw6eV09VjiKozUJtAXt_tAMITgQ7qaME6SLMx1G6qyYRcHs_8oWSjjiQkGgZ5ilfu4gE14sGpa69b97jOi44EqL3cdpIxRQEzSBAIrakZIrJ1cezg0bbswQGmArO6IeZL506Rb2tpMJw4iU1qYBQhvevnoxBi5BvCt6mMuERD_/s320/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/11/inktober-2023-recap.html">Inktober 2023 Recap</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/11/ranking-every-season-of-ninjago.html">Ranking Every Season of Ninjago</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/11/my-favorite-parts-of-writing-process.html">My Favorite Parts of the Writing Process</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMZuh4Yt0Xw5c14_lcaqrsp_Vd5W9eGKf-zgT2PWGBXtcfHLyIXtOqKewFUPBNsTsoRahatGp_Xms2jaQSrx9T62glZEkYNJun8kJm0SRtKDdky9NoxIwaau0sWSmMLzDHpdXXDrsCPRHOPvAZ2yYqKYNMapmHQir4qEMN_L5Aw1zfKdaj6vKa2fP2fmv/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't finish any art in November. I started a new piece, but had to take a break to work on Christmas gifts. My goal is to make all the main gifts I'm giving by hand, so I'm working hard on that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rgssXkAR9uhdZgPBfdxcJucyZm20BWzkqLsLnL4y25spArKieSeRBuNeB1WD00sNQ637bKZ2KNxWaNoXsji0X4b-IaiS0mldOLyEW2wviqTcOwGQHa4gNDJYihz_mMfgvXbSo6IxDMI3QTrJLTVk80ppK60LBTsalsrtXPDecLUNDoyTeZ56Z96zO0J8/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Write a new short story for my newsletter freebie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Have a good Christmas with family, friends, and more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Time to start 2024 planning, baby!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQY-9feywKaLq5s9iBZx6QshDGLlTfyuaXdbqCqMdyFBbdnG5I85sRiF41e7YUSLs7UUCLTtA3KdcTXwS15lQw0jq-oHPVYdPMP4pVGfRXLOkrUghzmyu3sVTl91sSNiEW2PO1gTgLogfN6oxaj6pHHM-d5R4BhVaShmUXu2IlHQPI5PAisLXK_GwdKvHi/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your November? Do you feel like the time flew by or dragged? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-49831246755700802052023-11-21T19:19:00.002-05:002023-11-21T19:19:46.960-05:00My Favorite Parts of the Writing Process<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkjbInhEiRuq59VLbO4XLlNYhe9DU0nwkei9Okw2A3XOBUPhBd2BWfWbXhd1jWneTKwyX4iWIHgRlG9fGyA2Zle49vbj0WH4KPMZFgKDzWJCruTMWLyrMi20aVGnGUAUb46IABjIS454s-q-3AFJOA5zU06U4q9b6tTPb07AYr-n0sX07e5L_2dQRa_d-/w426-h640/My%20Favorite%20Parts%20of%20the%20Writing%20Process.jpg" width="426" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Writing a book is a long process, taking years for some people (like me). But thankfully, that process involves a lot of different steps, so (most of the time) things don't get boring.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm sharing my favorite parts of the writing process with you. And later, I'll probably do a least favorite parts follow up. Because, believe me, I have parts I don't enjoy very much.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwWwMaEVGNBSkF5BnLCxLK9TUx8ZzqcJjgbNcpMK-vaEjOoMwdH27aEzhlgMcPd0yZOLQf8eZc_nfRNhdZqJ29P6s4BY7k0FRtbFkJSU0hyphenhyphenogEyyc9knaMlvgGV3W9MgMyiU2QcmDWzis1_EiCPabiDbLtbB8DlMzGDsFPQHGL8ZR82kb72_tWLXyuk9S/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Idea Stage</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is the stage even before pre-writing. Where all you have is an idea, two characters, and a pocket-full of vibes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I love this stage because at this point, your story could be anything. It could have any combo of characters you want. You could create a new world or set it in history. The options are endless.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Daydreaming and allowing my mind to run wild with possibilities is so fun for me. I love exploring the different story paths and figuring out which one is best. Then you have to actually pin down the story and start making decisions. Which is important and fun too, but it lacks that shiny soap bubble of a fresh new idea with no substance yet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Drafting</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some people love editing, while others prefer drafting. I'm the latter. I'd rather write new material all day than edit it into something presentable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When writing, I can let the ideas flow. I'm pretty good at turning off my inner editor and just letting myself write during drafting. (My inner critic comes back with a vengeance during editing.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Every day isn't a great writing day during drafting. But with a strong outline at my back, I can sit back and follow the path I've set up like sending a marble down a run.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Outlining</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is when I finally get to see what kind of story this is going to be. I'm a thorough outliner who covers every scene in my novel in detail. My outlines can be thousands of works long, but like I said in the drafting section, this frees up my mind to just write when it comes time. I don't have to worry about what needs to happen in this scene because I already know.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've especially enjoyed using scene cards lately. They don't only cover what happens in the scene, but things like the point of the scene, what changes for the character, and how that affects the next scene.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During the outlining phase, I take all the ideas I've curated so far and assemble them into the rough sketch of what my story will become. My ideas change as I write and edit, but this gives me a strong foundation to stand on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you can tell, I prefer the stages where my imagination gets to play. I know editing is important, but it's much harder for me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlwW_nZkHT07lLKhID0cEGh2P_WO3L27fb3LskUw6osLOJAwKlhvczrLIERctmpQKLbAvtD_EYpZfRnHOIbPp6GTBoama_CZbKrTgVjfnd5OIsJ1xqFuA2GfE5oBX0wlHHpTDaWzBY2WEhtUL1tUJE_Tj1HbBi1Qy5fHgVaw2i9F_85FoV2mjnlrQPc9U/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>What are your favorite parts of the writing process? Do we share any? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-21898356453397946172023-11-14T12:04:00.000-05:002023-11-14T12:04:40.973-05:00Ranking Every Season of Ninjago<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ranking Every Season of Ninjago" border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="734" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkvNe-iWheVD2vzCIeF-bFEV_U4Y0MDYLibasQ_0SJfPZfSACHYgaeV4AH8705trzEncLM4JMjoc-5NvCU3uRq4rzHEmpuHtigJB0PH1I7APrDISETDSmnLWYS-ViH4NcM9V5P7wKZayI3bzsLtD0zGstTZzrl0_9qLKlkK4KBcRqw3Mt0-aLN71exc8N/w640-h360/Ranking%20Every%20Season%20on%20Ninjago.jpg" title="Ranking Every Season of Ninjago" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm 26 years old and I love an animated kids show about Lego ninjas. I have no regrets.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But truly, Ninjago is an excellent show, no matter how old you are. It's not childish, it has great characters, a fun world, and ninjas! What more could you want? (And you can stream it on Netflix.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So today, I thought it would be fun to do a ranking of every season of Ninjago. Which is fifteen, apparently, is fifteen. Plus the four pilot episodes, one special, and one miniseries. All of which I will be including. So strap in and let's get ranking.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, as a note, just because a season is ranked lower here, doesn't mean I don't like it. I love pretty much the whole show, and every season has its good parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSopWuCulwmdquCUQ1Zh_2mh6nf0xOKncxSkw09cc0u-gvqejjNIUWRGjy1wx-TnbtXgghGkEhYp8JI0nYN9BMF67ezJ1HlbHKaOKvKJlrDmK6LWm937z63RzyBOlB2e0eZTU02VM8O9tQXOYH-DI5fLwxwMFxW0PGIvqejm4Gnc6tKGVpXQ0VEMEBA2gF/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz0tJmtuCoosmKLZZFIuPuQ6ipWeLLwUU5-JocE2mU1OnoFamHB3eTGI3cj7xug1mlqH11L8h0m_wa4aPSwLXbTiIrM1oek3n80VvmbTahV_GXsz0wXdPNZFrUeLIrPaLBWt4OGrOx9VCon1jk81r3clrdk3y861MCTTJEYJ-gMeyc2tXCPFvQYlQ14iu/w400-h225/LAND_16_9.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#18: The Island</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is a four episode miniseries with almost no relevance to the main plot. The biggest thing it does is introduce us to a legend that becomes important in the next season, but you could honestly skip this and have no problems. That's why I place it last, even though it has some good parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="667" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dQvQlYi7nQrACUB9QKwzchwyKaljlEpB3QMbY9r2tNqKelpwRhV__p43A0q16L0V8x7Nu07iJl1a2YlSWp_dCybpXepc7ROi-JPesDhJ5ej9513H4TNkyBv_3QT2zNmbV0aJEVkQsHnEvno4WB2nVhsJ1749HemZtinoP-Xpw-ryvSqFyCqG2e194DWv/w400-h225/80241c127bd2b10ad3219075bdf32cc6b4b7a23dae0815625f73c7c218e8c644._UY500_UX667_RI_TTW_.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#17: Prime Empire</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm normally a huge fan of anything video game themed. But this season was a little disappointing in it's execution of that concept. There's some fun stuff, but most of it is repetitive of previous (better) seasons. I also think the villain was rather disappointing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4328" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmW7G_hBi0MYfTgOzyRlAAGZjaCuLM1MpOw1TKMTss89cavVlEgcHu8w5-hllrCkq1L1fb4PPcg5CosyjClLfieKYDl7yVjFLe2LzZcJV65uuSVPFglHAyfCByCshzw4i96aRyXNDgl8luYR5N_7yqSqHBSj7lIjAoGIbXgDDKqyHp_VJr-c-yJ4IacHo/w278-h400/Ninjago_Season_6_Promotional_Poster.jpg" width="278" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#16: Skybound</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The ending ruins this whole season. Until that point, this is was probably one of the most hard-hitting seasons of the whole show. But they backed themselves into a corner and had to use the ol' time reversal card. (Also, Kai, my favorite character, barely features in this season.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6Z8H7kpZg_ILVpSRaJFLRQEXzC2WiPAHyv9KwmKo7Nc7Y9AIGHZ7fZaRqhtJjGujvBFbiP4xv4NkXOIUFzfMo2xUCerYVTKK_rHdveojTQFiOYd5W4p4EtuVqpsO3SC9mH6wCD4TQEFMIO-P9UAzJJGLgEtgkg9Qc6pVH9A6unn6F1tmfzZQ8sqg8bqM/w266-h400/Screenshot%202023-11-14%20114939.png" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#15: Legacy of the Green Ninja</span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This season is kind of forgettable and repetitive. Garmadon tries to stop the ninja, he fails, we all crack a joke. It has a pretty solid ending, but it's just okay otherwise.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kT6huzLe_CLc7KGjkACQFAE6WB-V0y0J-MhLwnYQRafYz7hUFJibLdE2DaDy6uoq4T9y142QB7XMH8Er2bqfYOsxycmNOwzipmf3O__H_FqZurx2o8lQxjNJbYKDScfS1kDMNE660jdSkrmbttnecwhyphenhyphenj_eWYS2ZMrfUP5lMibO8mmI_lY7Kw__5JFQI/w400-h225/LEGO-ninjago-crystalized-featured.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#14: Crystalized</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sadly, the final season of Ninjago proper wasn't the best by far. It was fairly mediocre. They tried to make it cool by having the Ninja face a bunch of their old enemies, but most of it fell short. I also <b>hate</b> when the characters we love are overshadowed by new, young upstarts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5LHvwt7R-SRCuHgMCPCZf9GcPT1V9txPJ_p92VaJHbDCu-9oNPfgNP_GbV9BWQ-1SqMonk4-XRWqpGq1ELZo-bb8QmmXNa-y4CQCNfrgIs0eKqVXzr6tmxML_j94IGBNaOUIJbkqxkTY0o4qWmlameRRnMFRI3tyoqoJJi6rwX_48E36en7lAg8KvfHq/w400-h300/p15029856_v_h9_aa.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#13: Day of the Departed</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is a special focusing on Cole no longer being a ghost. That part of the special is interesting. But the rest is more of a recap of past villains and adventures, which is kind of boring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1810" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92hE9mvLlbue1vxRjcnxUCjWoabqhgOPeEX9tNFtEN-FIX7K3hbb5hucxdmWKhhYB0zRL1N8KJwxOpsHh0naUJobAI4txRIUefsLhcb86WdkFy9MFsoVrYCk2Ojk032TYpWXZHIzPhP3vBH96v0zUJc6n8loN2Sx0YG18trneb1hki-tYHCiorSlZZlyT/w283-h400/MarchOfTheOniPoster.jpg" width="283" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#12: March of the Oni</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is Ninjago's shortest real season (only four episodes), and it shows. The story is fine, but super underdeveloped. They tried to make it serious and scary, but we don't have time to feel it. Plus, they tried to give us a cop out death which really didn't work. The whole season could have easily been doubled and been much better for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H76uhsQoh3E0CQ8Pzh-DIXSTNoHUKj8BZe86NauN2o9iZLm6k3DAGGrt_ZflykVukI706jol2cokqSIZQ22rcl68o3tY3Hjj-n60bdUAlzOBcAPaG6d1VtUCxbxgX5Rhh70uCyCk50-lMB8rwLQ0bbREwluu9-6l8f6mg5x2SKjlM14OrTEzNPeIMXJ6/w283-h400/SotFSFire&IcePoster.jpg" width="283" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#11: Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When Ninjago moved to Netflix, they changed the animation style. This is the first season with that style, which is a bit of a jarring change. The story is fine, but it's honestly a bit predictable and I don't like the way it's divided into two parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuay1_WBtDEpCdBfcb4l4p4W1Um1EzUNTtsFuxhqUZOzYp1FHhEwSG_hNk0DpiTKf76keB8NahaMm9ujfGqmq0ukkQHL9dnHlaZE07a0WpQSt5PeDx1AwHst7O2VifVy90THL9tSy3fQcNFXhkUCa5gTXm9RQw8HNAR7AM3zwRDF-XuxcD__A_-WIG1cnr/w400-h225/p15794009_b_h8_aa.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#10: Hunted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are cool parts of this season, like the Mad Max style world some of the Ninja are trapped in. But the rest of it is fairly forgettable. The only reason it's this high on the list is because I don't have any big issues with it like some of the previous ones.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrDwiu-NsAfq5tuMjw015GGLr6x1CefkR15UosA5cR2GN0FUWryDi_pDBWUOn2OUjeDwQ_BJo1N1VeShtv0Zf5mSNWVWJQclyO-rVs9upuzge8u-RvSDnGjabm2AF6YWgV1bSrZARQwwR8bB4-FOZf4fybKIVPn3yUtznQGjqwOuna3fa2Pzlc15T7CUB/w266-h400/Screenshot%202023-11-14%20115618.png" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#9: Rise of the Snakes</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now we're getting into the season I really, really love. This is the first full season of Ninjago, which allowed us to start exploring the characters and the world more fully. We get to meet the Ninja's parents and learn their backstories. It's fun and colorful and makes me nostalgic.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP3WLanl6Dk2TCFtthOF5fEwS5wPbaZ856jxadmVaCzNizkbnG4Gu0q3DR4zH-6qmHCIxb4AzYYKP0VRZT7oK1W0vHt3tPCPgE2K9fcVdiwCifRFgLYtQjkLVntaNEhp0eWBAeid7DxWTM4icwvJ6KsFjTGBtg2SAZcrfwAFp4SEcPRI4mm7VLpYmdQFu/w284-h400/Seabound_poster.jpg" width="284" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#8: Seabound</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seabound has the honor of being one of two seasons that made me cry. Nya's sacrifice and Jay's anguish at the end made me bawl far more than one should over animated Lego figures. Nya's a bit annoying in this season (as is her mother), but it does have some pretty solid parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6A8BCbqiYgOb-avy2ZojkAhYbf7JqNe_OttXFYCgxYjNuUxmx_UA7-uu6XUwdRK5Ff2Toeds007mgEXuNkkoI6RmGdNK7CqkUwkMCZMY1-RF5ud8nHpD3XRHAquIeIE5jYkxK69l_gMzofzOrvjM-_wOEXOkDSQeuCnrUwcBJEwUpRwt4fEWgCzHxGsu/w299-h400/MotM_Choose.jpg" width="299" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#7: Master of the Mountain</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cole doesn't get enough seasons focused on him, which is why this season is so nice. We get a bit of a love interest for him, as well as a chance for him to develop his powers further. The world is quite cool and there's a lot of fun characters, even if the story feels a bit like it's going nowhere at times.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniSgc9dbFvFZPH3Z8kQnUrhkwAxXorJw7-e1cZITMLrZInlWjjQKkavx_wD5Y-8aA7ZBtikZTA6nEM_FxkD2kHUIpOL4V1NR78jldO9ZG8fixMvdnFwg6ztZpAFt0C51E5pDAYMP66_Lgm4qOoHAk83iLa_f-P9yZ2ZGjuFkojImLEnKMdGlWMpjchlwi/w400-h225/MV5BNjc0OTM3OTQyMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMTU4NzUyMjE@._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,47,500,281_.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#6: Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I watched these first four episodes of Ninjago far too many times. But it's all we had for a while. Even though the pilots are short, the animation quality is a bit weird, and not much happens, it made me fall in love with these characters. I was hooked ever since.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4134" data-original-width="2953" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL0ryZOJ8SeGGLp00T72TIiWTOMAYAZgVfahemRMBA-rHDKkFIV_9H85HqgSptOEWZwJBHe3q7H205TVYaXhFgpcUrG1Go9-PCNK-eZZVtpmjbkghNjt3Ak5AFMQ1450mazbRkp5DrR_uv_tN9QKlDfrFJYirFqsrz2OR71mi5jaf8IzWNbWu77bsP9w8/w286-h400/Chen_poster.jpg" width="286" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#5: Tournament of Elements</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Tournament of Elements helped expand the world of Ninjago in a great way by introducing other characters with powers. And then pitting them against each other! There's a lot going on in this season, which is great to watch, plus Kai gets a love interest- Skylar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfvwtyVHoNYgQDqM8N0KmTXBfMk1nolCmuZOBnchE2ag49F6JWxnJUcXH-mS15ub6ux0W6rjMV-7p-Frj-oFt21CXjBWcCFR04N_ORDAIFWanfJqTqhc_T2Byfth-yN8nAO5jkMB-RsDuCLAfFINWnancI4OgoWoebKAkYyGEDeqHA4mDkfe5bMZC2mGt/w284-h400/61756d34ad103fce6a90b43c34d27140.jpg" width="284" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#4: Hands of Time</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh look, another season focused around Kai. I won't apologize for liking them. This season is great because we get both villains with unique powers and a look at Kai and Nya's backstory. This time, the time travel isn't cliche or poorly used like in Skybound.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="754" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nxoEI6ozJAYe0Wq8fhI0_D8jnpBbK23kOWPAw1kLCg_v_b5w6NiprallpPkg_iE2HoAq2oMTHqH6cjXDfDrqBajU7INH58BtwQmF88sI2P1i0gpAQ89yfGQfryC_vMJQvgLfL5bsw6QqZc1YozIHXy1jtbPWuEBX8yBv6A4BuB3lPSdfo9aCXt9sDmpg/w276-h400/Season_8_Full_Poster.png" width="276" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#3: Sons of Garmadon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After Warner Brothers released The Lego Ninjago Movie, they updated the show's look to match. (I didn't love it at first, but I adjusted.) While we had to deal with that change, the writing for this season was top notch. The villain was such a shock, I'm still shook.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aLN5NgsQ4pjMurkL_Stk12BltrGabXRBQ3ySqB0T5sAGcXkndTfxNYilHeoZz8K_TFgXlwGAdKCjVbDolQeQUBxIwJg4a5ME5hIzRA9Cwfwo3QTQlML5DA4LaJ0aqmVz0ohyphenhyphen5NEeLM0tfj6tg2pMsbHqweAQtcVJ3EWXQPH2PcztmzupWX7BBraHr7-8/w400-h400/5e043d502cb398bfd94a28263bebaec30ba05b74r1-630-630v2_uhq.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#2: Rebooted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is the second season that made me cry. At the end, Zane sacrifices himself to stop the Overlord, and it was so sad. All my siblings cried. Other than that, the season is great with lots of cool techno-magic elements. It introduced P.I.X.A.L. and we went to the moon. What more could you want?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5346" data-original-width="3840" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZRrWyPJpmC3p4oPPhQTOdPIVbuQ3d1wugqmvhkHTQAoZUy2aPg-0ADM86DBQX1JbhePLiqzfgRQp5RXMxbEGq4ajF5ajThWozMlWVJB5T-NL6ZEItdlp1RYAEY2GldBtsORjRywMjGNEb_K8tcMjpYseWZ8HAgHu3Lwf7NVY0ybRO76zAidB2i8JqTMN/w288-h400/Ninjago_Season_5_Promotional_Poster.jpg" width="288" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#1: Possession</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When I started this ranking, I already knew which season would be on top. Possession is my favorite season of all time and nothing ever topped it. It focuses on Kai (part of the reason I love it) as he and the other Ninja try to free Lloyd from possession by one of Master Wu's former pupils.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's got ghosts. It's got great character relationships between Kai and Lloyd, who's practically his little brother. It has a great ending. It's pretty much the plot of Kung Fu Panda, which is a great movie. You can't top this season for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGoiv8dduvGyxhDd8_ST2HQtKtNRcbo7mS6QSaHXCan4VDNPYY1ske6tqKh2vTn4bzfdV0hFa1ZKhIRVMhbH6zJ0d4iTtvYOwbd_HO6jARuz4tW7mH1lvk97KJM-bOkfJ59Hw1baEAxl-UdCfRNDl9G58GT0MNYLwAV_7iALL971NiyDzqzs5bYtKTA89/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you watch Ninjago? Which is your favorite season? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-54603626374218355162023-11-07T20:20:00.002-05:002023-11-07T20:20:46.107-05:00Inktober 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Inktober 2023 Recap" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRL3wzINKyqAsFJRbUmB-2MbOOsN-S-48-m_cbdUnOXILUZX_hmLBmeFcM6y6EpcMaQuP0spfkEH5V-N7IvZfrLFFdU2E19JFY5vr4k9e0LlhmyzkmC1hnI8FRmdbgm18sGNG4Yqe9W_Jj6LBKbmdCt-W4-Mog5UJnF97ytx8c6vd7W3lJMmWzvv-yMrP/w426-h640/Inktober%202023%20Recap.jpg" title="Inktober 2023 Recap" width="426" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This October, I once again participated in Inktober. If you don't know what that is, it's a challenge to draw something each day, normally with an ink tool (like a pen) and following a list of prompts. I've done this for years, so if you want to see my past drawings, click on the "inktober" tag at the bottom of this post.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This year, I decided to draw a person every day. I've been working on my figure drawing, so this was a good opportunity to practice new poses, body types, and features.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Anyway, you guys always enjoy seeing what I create for these challenges, so here we go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="2133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD6Gy4JYWA7FH_d488Uktz5nCIgBW6OBZRbOkfCIAQUXaUYzTn3VyES83NpYPYh8oXHFuMdk-OTyNjunOiicwD9dV268xJnCGa0RJmLK4YVMLSGl9srAbUVtQDQNbQMkTmiPiQq0LELHgauboXq3QzzhGtPx8TQAFRdRueck0Txjc2YRKrDenoW8MUv_3/w640-h640/1000006358-01.jpeg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#1: Dream</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dreaming makes me think of sleep, so I drew this girl wearing cute pajamas. She ended up looking a lot more like than me than I meant, but that's okay.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3982" data-original-width="2501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx-P6aziODYjdtvOEJdhnH5qt85pNX_-OekhB-cfWVaI_-q03qQevvecoA5ESG1Th23ZnUOO98BSX8aZg-O2FLUB4tHt3VPfhSUHT2dB6bi9l6B1iEFv3Ccpsd5_ErdBOgE-HR2nwFebos6HOdBFk8Tkl1GLSDgimwDCS0hxz3gEJk5Q0r75hZIGTUPAM/w402-h640/1000006392-01.jpeg" width="402" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#2: Spiders</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I tried to create a dress inspired by spiders for this prompt. It's not great. Could have used some colors.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="2120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNld9mQIszEcm8AODPu5UwNZBFjJ3Im40oDvUEzUf9G8jbzxVrtAed_XkipPMU9B_o8mmnyq_Ad7apwdk0nMyr1V6_dBYjFbHcK0s3ExsCOdhavg8MijbhkbZIVON32zau5F1pHBiGVs1_uP4AuWGk0L9LHyWYpqG2rSg_mJI5_vGt0HX-xla-Wc1Lf1Q/w392-h640/1000006405-01.jpeg" width="392" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#3: Path</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For path, I drew a jogger. I'm quite proud of this one and how she actually looks like she's running.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3625" data-original-width="2163" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4_Rhm-2hduN8KRo1Tn373No8yu6OBUgUEs6yFHBWKG8i_W0lvhZSWqHjhVqSdFjVJqWIJjHmPyQyALaYA98Z73sgqob3VId3l7EuLyPbaX42XXQvStKn6WkpKm1N48HAUB7ZWxM4x94AAOzyum_le5KZnYCrBItsckTG2-WuJ2j1Qhpr3r-iKG_SeFHw/w382-h640/1000006414-01.jpeg" width="382" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#4: Dodge</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Being a knife thrower's assistant doesn't actually require dodging, but that's the best thing I could come up with for the prompt. I enjoyed creating this 1920s circus look.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3963" data-original-width="2357" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqfcMDkCYAU-foNFF7byirOIo_3tcf4UjUy8deOe7Tago5jrvqRJ-QS0sSbPeJgigsqvmqBoVa5rBw33Z3JgQsfShLEWMjxSHbO_pdvIDykKwHOgwi06mtfBeO3Lc7WZbLd_HgxnaTed8Qf614T7VaQz7aeUxbEl_3ZH9MY3LR-yNUOUexVZf4g7l_V0k/w380-h640/1000006420-01.jpeg" width="380" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#5: Map</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Because of my obsession with <i>One Piece</i>, I immediately thought of Nami for this prompt. So I drew her, which will actually be good practice for an upcoming project I want to work on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3689" data-original-width="2149" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-YUM49hSCQ7w2EdDcJRBoCjO3f_eQWxQY1I-zxqj5690Zc4zEh56bvCSZO3vDvuCQ3u5ojHByGv1AXXUCthURyV0zfAPsTCQcAQW8IMIIBb8ZwYYqYCVDotNEZVMfGZ9ClHlu4Vkk1wnwp_3Np55Cey71Q0gbGsZ9cGxXe6uwZnVrfZMJHIZGRrn11vm/w372-h640/1000006432-01.jpeg" width="372" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#6: Golden</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I know there's no color, but imagine her whole look is done in gold. I also attempted cornrows. They're harder than they look.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3379" data-original-width="1983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbE2h98zUq7tb02MVFqFMoyx8JS2aSx0HrNNxjwE7wQOQT54hF3aA4qPLP3ORXrbnxAWG2ge6OtsZ1pfF9k9CBuokO5JOQN-INh7WG_GbDGgi4cgbfwp8X_yafnGDYNkKE22TCNtFPVh1KjdpRSRZPs-pejrwqaRU1jvJYIYGyqDnQSk8Xk1cdWZP5IeRP/w376-h640/1000006451-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#7: Drip</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For this one, we have this Greek(?) girl standing in the water. Who she is or what she's doing is up to you to decide. (Personally, I think she's a naiad.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3506" data-original-width="2107" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxIo4ZqjvAPpGXQ-bXDvHRO9Az3KjrAYmXe1zlXxC5ROuKa1qsUqQYkb7rcFlOj0ZQ5-rz2Z8S9eokp7H3AP_SB3WEqrzrIZFIUX51rm0KuEeeEC2skXcyH84z1zVC4GB6oUaqfsbx2JO8rD-YroCR0_YFfMjJfStD9wkueIEjbAVgr2eIRroV5xuqNUw/w384-h640/1000006460-01.jpeg" width="384" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#8: Toad</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I attempted to draw Toad from <i>Frog and Toad</i> as a 1970s dude. I think I got the look okay, even if I don't like how his face came out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3667" data-original-width="2330" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3SQDl0DmCSQlITgia1vFW3nwmvJovhccBf9LtHTczll1eMfWMPz9-DCYXY3yLfCz860Ovu9JutvgN57PfUi9ED7fp2Ga412nXnsxkYyTul44dJa6Uc3X6k8jrz0F_wDzfyZ_EqJgTeJhmTbHJuivCh8aZG3bo0-5qkTjQxhWDEdYiUhzxMFVI8K0VvZO/w406-h640/1000006504-01.jpeg" width="406" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#9: Bounce</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's really hard to find reference photos of people bouncing. So instead we have this girl jumping. It's not great, but again, I tried.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3764" data-original-width="2224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOS0brIZ8Z1pDbiYhHwOiWVMiSx3Urydguw0UFxha3cE7ATy9yi4pXpqrD6Oju7TuKMbvDz9GA_yUvLisyPQ48hs6HBKzo0We9GgMJSku4SnDlltnAVkoVkZkYe0G25vW7nzgqmR0K1ZqIGM-KRjkEePHZ5PJaeTlBvd2niJ8CiwWmvdUwYfarj3ZMiad8/w378-h640/1000006505-01.jpeg" width="378" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#10: Fortune</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Obviously, we had to do a fortune teller for this prompt. I didn't think I would like this one, but I actually think it came out okay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="2105" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT7tIARRW1K8D8SGGHUs6t2HRHMwcFrwgY5UNLynPfroE77PCn-L2Y5O74zRuqhcC2xPfFsNiJP4049CvilBDo3As2vjcgPg96v-11FjlnhmYnlJMGrqH0igkOjyP9TfuTIfcwpFjWh8ONTw4l4mx_J4FTcRjHf4OkKKXN2Fyz9Bqu3DN2re2UXrNjgN2/w374-h640/1000006643-01.jpeg" width="374" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#11: Wander</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another one that's up for interpretation. I see this as a pirate girl returning home after her travels, but you come up with your own story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3919" data-original-width="2359" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Ysw3jL7xjHG4KNTjk3EkF97t8QozACs8q_xG1aRoUIbd4fY-oVkPVMKqy_xdbryz-qCiMJ9tSKbDSVPI4vdp0WRVUFYG90lSw375KWV8bbNedLCfvn0wJ1JzghP5MGJyuGI33AzJQAWXKDCCpwtt-FoqIb7PbXXKqcrgTyTxxCPjWtBe58pweFPqwVn/w386-h640/1000006658-01.jpeg" width="386" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#12: Spicy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Would you believe it's hard to draw "spicy" when you're trying to draw people? I did this girl holding a bowl full of your choice of spicy food.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9xZalsEj2RTcXY9rLwY-JAyjfDTOCnkk2QOekypQ8GzK3g9sT9itGyZWLIBCHSatI3m6fUrXF4VFZGTnslOafIg9VtQHWktML9-6m2gsj6Gdu5EDRx-7GOpX7apVmUgc3Qt9LKp75o-_Gs31MJHXoo3qhMmFl7_DkiaT8kSIZsG0OQBtEw131pz6D8Sc/w358-h640/1000006670-01.jpeg" width="358" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#13: Rise</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm quite proud of this one. I chose an angle I've never drawn before and it doesn't look totally terrible!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3945" data-original-width="2321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMgWAaKXg_L3of50JS-xUtOyzJqE-XFiZJ0A95kgn5w82JNcIjwmo4UT61001QloaldpkicxKg2jOMbsYzznR2ZRywASJzPEV1O0EQ7Ya_HSlr3KMDlswQ2sHl4nkNQFzI2YZ8aW2qyuKBvZwtste4hBFsy6U_W_pT2tGyeB5L7KkANfXe2wWOIuy3FSO/w376-h640/1000006734-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#14: Castle</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here we have a Nordic ice princess in front of her castle. I'm not good at backgrounds. This is something I need to work on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3429" data-original-width="1891" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFJqPQU8UK3FFQRbrfptqnAivH_xey7xSKPf7QOY26hkcEvPdvqJyhWz9R8hNpWqmql89VOIZhi8CAbMyByaJkkh13lXz-p7IVNk2A7cAEUpEoKQam9kdqCJNJXkWPc8WMjyMk7ygWiQv7W9WlHu0n8uh9trQuYWtJTc0JeG43n2nwkBvG3BKRwqTTzPu/w352-h640/1000006741-01.jpeg" width="352" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#15: Dagger</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I call this my YA fantasy book cover drawing. A girl's face and a dagger. All it needs is a title along the lines of <i>A _ of _ and _</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="2489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA5hii-hW7n-AVj3YaSDn6qgsq6NHlsqXHIkT_-f_NrGGj8b2yoJ1uCqqsjgteOrSz-EfRMQfNjyHjUrPZbaTPSTMgv68G9Zy5OJlfVKfMFYsrDThYdWuImgYwQR-6u-FqvelCFiyr_YGTH_GteOh2X_j4t4ydV9bVdnsgGyc6Z-iIu66Q7josai0Wb1S/w640-h640/1000006753-01.jpeg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#16: Angel</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wings are hard, guys. I think these came out okay, but I drew them like three times.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3730" data-original-width="2256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCwbPeY6Rtil39M-bt8K4hylXeOLvbX2soCSga3G9VZPy8ChbZHxqc8psej_ymFxmlXLjuoKF8BM1MaastEkYkpAkGXxaCsueMYj-8tgZY4ytA_1pzVCm0EM-DWBB0uWCjNcLDtXbGY0rIWysR8YD1s8-LktJCK82ZSnIXabpTlZ8vEkvB7UWGwKC9ABu/w388-h640/1000006762-01.jpeg" width="388" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#17: Demon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another <i>One Piece</i> fanart, this time of Zoro (my personal favorite character). He's known as a demon pirate hunter, so that's why I chose him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#18: Saddle (skipped)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3729" data-original-width="2254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA66Dixn6C8gb9wVCvhvBeFTvCH5D7k1nHkDGEWM7BnL6RFMdPZT3FokErcATvYU8nqzhU9HwipdPXRmqrxcIle4GxG-23fD5eAnQYezrhKt95pwgHS7kYCkRKwgqxynP-K3qpPbFxd69nvVaoJL0gwquaaFxqSI1_AGexWltMDKzH-XKn6OAUvbpu88cm/w386-h640/1000006818-01.jpeg" width="386" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#19: Plump</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found a beautiful curvy model as a reference for this drawing. It was so fun to draw all her curves and curly hair.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3614" data-original-width="2083" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SlVyPRA3RGLkXQx5gVwyE3tauY5th1pghPBRcRNndnkvDAIVAwgkxNSJwP4Yt2x1rNNWQ4nognwVqmMK6GGq9MvXc82xr_yzvLOui9PKiJ4CMin0Hf2nqcU2D0_e6ccyQizjczhRBgz1aKO6UUVSJkKKLTTEEa58bZs7O8pO4HPsJlMmvwSAtZlQopnu/w368-h640/1000006827-01.jpeg" width="368" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#20: Frost</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A really bad drawing of Jack Frost I did in the car on the way to New York. It was so bumpy, I couldn't do the kind of neat lineart I like.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3860" data-original-width="2329" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFW4-JecOE-07FvKNrWVg3ZA0guj-lGk1kiCvm7kGBkBDWmFAf964iRuFghgXnS_oRyVb6vXeVm19qumAFNq_aI8BLOGyxXLcsCCa1St_xJnHlLnnes6__bVX8X3D5g6rPtqpTtOP1AaJQbGKUi5QXSwyZPS4OuvDe9tkBc_659oWFuP4lidNKRiUE-gS/w386-h640/1000006861-01.jpeg" width="386" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#21/22: Chains/Scratchy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I only just realized the prompt was "scratchy" not "scratch". I drew this girl in chains with scratches because I thought that. Oh well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3430" data-original-width="2136" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAmEQTyhRn1DhXpRH2_1LEq14GqHDBKT8n6zaStB8IzYEnBI9llvY0BxDYUX3JHrxk9_WshFDu1rVhdcR8nqyG7kHa5wdSeXj3pb8JKwbi0_oZKxJS3RYfnGKXQwnWnpj70bO8Evt1gvIj0HClDVfgeZHYyqjb8Hi2AYSuwqSKpZCG0E5MO9_QnWw5jRe/w398-h640/1000006872-01.jpeg" width="398" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#23: Celestial</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is another favorite of mine. It's inspired by Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess. It's not meant to be accurate, but it was inspired by Chinese traditional dress.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3705" data-original-width="2187" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F0nl4yfKb1Ut1-0EFxNYzzftvcrCNkP004_KsyvTGRWzlGW_cL8fh7FcJOP2yo9m7hQAjA-CBr_tSErglnVP9lTTAkHVNpy0FjmlxPGuFCoKManu4z_6xYFJilJsF0HHj_rRuE5QIZma7Fopv7gg3sOIFgszNX2fOs5X8_NZ46sNtX1YOJ5oz13oC47X/w378-h640/1000006890-01.jpeg" width="378" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#24: Shallow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I tried to create one of those YA movie mean girls who's rich and has one braincell. I'm not sure I accomplished that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3579" data-original-width="2042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUvusSm11MAU-OXZKqVA6AKMv1Jm2ywQlkPo13mpNPe8cSNl0n1yI4-ROn6IZOeoUp6vcer5yQnzKj23Qkuyn2bNkz6psNXKF4YoqTsGo0HLmTiT3NBnHy7UIpi6tC8sJ0Ip6wrYoiiRXSTQd4GqnYK2mAui8wVL1KB3QI5ilckgJxutQOqHXvUOG3J4D/w366-h640/1000006917-01.jpeg" width="366" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#25: Dangerous</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another attempt at a pose I've never tried before. The proportions aren't great, but it was good practice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3969" data-original-width="2292" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CQIh8GEobNER8ngNKv_QD6ObbGVXalwXhVoc2TX2CMGWQnVHDgF9rqAkPidw0U8oJQSxDTyEvtDc2k61FWp5Uim32oCshgaqw9T1NKEZyaggwSDOvOt0hb3av_DDUX76mpcMpVz4Z3U0noIrjAfiXx0otgfIXJ9XhsxgmDS5nAAWI69kL09HRrCP9mme/w370-h640/1000006929-01.jpeg" width="370" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#26: Remove</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A girl removing her mask. It's based on a cool photo of AURORA I found.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="2331" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBZ4XcObD7s-ExC-K2bqNj4prAz_wtVKOoJE5pWebCCKqPZbeozCJEon_XGUtViCL4H3y-95EjcQP_C0y159rl4-3jGYOShk9l1AnHPr0iZE-AH0LP6Ls-Cnv7at04rgOiHfDK4jpX3CzyiHfsrXM2MU7Zx3CCo6wHt_1ayw3G50Dc8KHlxBG5WHe6yKr/w392-h640/1000006935-01.jpeg" width="392" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#27: Beast</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I drew this 80/90s girl in a big, chunky, <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> sweatshirt. I think she's super cute.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3494" data-original-width="2106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGpaTywxY9cpbwMxFjaAMEY1fccaTBgkRWSTSOx-Q1PPZapHTlQmH4ofeuY1P_0wwXjvdCirPerjdqttNNLqHqeuSpXfMroSYO0XrzBdIQ5ThqdJAvebwXTXA1TPov7d3jw_jC2FEZs7GruIIQDp6XPuuRGYR9-CuJIntx4nNGgpfe2RN7sPZRrvj_9vP/w386-h640/1000006964-01.jpeg" width="386" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#28/29: Sparkle/Massive</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I attempted to draw Mei, Queen of Diamonds, from my book, <i>New Magic</i>. She doesn't look right, so I think she needs to be workshopped some more. You get the sparkle from all the diamonds she wears, and the massive from how many there are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3945" data-original-width="2389" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUEfp4edoClPWO73tjk7zTTT_MwR0n23jaFuDJKRO58JXy2yQKikprlWNMgfuISi-KD2dMeYoGrWJY8ep3f2sbdV15fRJMdPGFfpRlMNiOzD5WDauAuUUdV0GPTlOeyxc-tUOuueq9wcf-X3JsVyWT_z5PcjWchKCmhPZAb4Ng-ZDLQGZJeT2JJf1ee5x/w388-h640/1000006987-01.jpeg" width="388" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#30: Rush</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At first glance, this doesn't look like rushing. This looks like Kiki relaxing in the grass. That's because I'm pretending there are rushes in the grass she's lying on. Just roll with it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3874" data-original-width="2346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FaUyP5VKOdwRDoCiCCF7f5p9PUUy6SDpwzb9QjLsYX45_FwF8ve97wKkktj5k7hMMYJE_FHZ-yyie53byv2tnV8m-TNX3h66LL1v4cEiS10HZoAH-gX6-oKiG8gewBQPZQT2hFjH8VXxIqo1xtGTOa6nu3QY9wwlzeWg7LECDRxOo215veYYQaYqhgko/w388-h640/1000007001-01.jpeg" width="388" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#31: Fire</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For the final drawing, I drew this fire dancer. Her proportions are a little wonky, but I think she's pretty.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAiyG70VJo5CrOimZFyo9QhwbTjwQSFPHfDBfN6h7Wb84UKoigNiMLePLdPhXuxxJ6qMh6sL4UUzbM7_EriF_FCP_2s5mO6BDhVefyP2MgseLgOC0UB07XGeay2Y_t1C4cgITtUAYcUmEy0ZwM6m6ijpAeFbRsMPPWD478mGZIrP7O3_Hvxuo9t9reiXE/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Which of these is your favorite? Have you done Inktober before? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-27534549467292553202023-10-31T18:35:00.000-04:002023-10-31T18:35:22.417-04:00October 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="October 2023 Recap" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPOHLGzALMrwJiuOc27xyHulF_9hyN6qACmCfU0Z6c9SQ7Mlz9imFQ_o4tGAy7ZhuUnEjGKhS_xPHAMy13trqhiiLOpN916CSbQ_Z67Ba-nHQfqxB_Z5CGXZPu_k3tBglECA13HWnrVYeQlIjOqLUDtXxQ09WJSPZWKQV3nIJyKbmpGuMmC-V6SVG338l/w480-h640/October%202023%20Recap.jpg" title="October 2023 Recap" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It feels like I spent most of October traveling, preparing to travel, or recovering for travel. Which has left me feeling like I didn't get much done this much, or had much time for things I enjoy. But life is like that sometimes. So let's dive into what October held for me.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97hpMVig_Hvo1VmfDA2ze_SziHml-RdSySlO96RVxnuoinUKQviRAJCkd38td3FvS3rkOkyw6-LJ3y_ta96kowbjho7m3LGN_iMuaBgFZL_GzQQtxqJBBMKVnqShO15P7Vk0qrzwALfyQ9xMCkDJUM5FhB9wml7fMhvw9fH4gTMKK9Cum8KYZbiCXwqk6/s320/my%20life%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My family took our annual vacation to the Outer Banks at the start of the month. It was a good time. No rain, perfect weather, and lots of thrifting and antiquing. We also stayed an extra day, which made our schedule feel a little more relaxed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Q-8GfG_jnZhOZsX9Sf6bXpjf2FopWSYqpkIls5YaFzF8OFKFVoe3C-m2j3yieWtjSu5bUvMgC_HLd-qKzCRS2jLNesXjwcdpywBYBwFfQha-KMllOylXIFkBCDwwoLJnfBpCoOriF14cScAjiMyH5YfgEx57SgpCnPgijXmk3JWTt3pRarcVNk3a4L_/s4032/20231002_162925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Q-8GfG_jnZhOZsX9Sf6bXpjf2FopWSYqpkIls5YaFzF8OFKFVoe3C-m2j3yieWtjSu5bUvMgC_HLd-qKzCRS2jLNesXjwcdpywBYBwFfQha-KMllOylXIFkBCDwwoLJnfBpCoOriF14cScAjiMyH5YfgEx57SgpCnPgijXmk3JWTt3pRarcVNk3a4L_/w480-h640/20231002_162925.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdAkC6QByeTBbh1jcCDMbjexCH8g8P48XytEGnmW_frWOXb1cOqS-Pfv3GO3BlSk64e8C9MjoS_cJizPJ5hNNTAOmpF-6ANIUUHmBGenHZSa90dBgPVX9N4k_CWL6bxmcuOFiyAIRyOgx5rp8zKgiye_EtK4DPN8Ki15Ag21nLo1eaMt8IOakX09KkJjV/s4032/20231003_140416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdAkC6QByeTBbh1jcCDMbjexCH8g8P48XytEGnmW_frWOXb1cOqS-Pfv3GO3BlSk64e8C9MjoS_cJizPJ5hNNTAOmpF-6ANIUUHmBGenHZSa90dBgPVX9N4k_CWL6bxmcuOFiyAIRyOgx5rp8zKgiye_EtK4DPN8Ki15Ag21nLo1eaMt8IOakX09KkJjV/w480-h640/20231003_140416.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ8d4NKHfapQk_omt0-PW0N6ZFPam3hQ1UAEtVjWN7cjpkgO4uqlRfF-4SuX3icuZBtZg8xXavMd-HznrzW5sM_VIkxKEuZ5NF9ORkkn9mVVs8H2aea0d_RVAjHn4OMH2UrMsWipGPLV_nfqAtlxsPxf-mbtTYjC7N_sScr67JBgpGSrp-qx_guxYh1PJ/w640-h480/20231004_104055.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I traveled to New York for a friend's wedding. While the traveling part wasn't great, I did enjoy the wedding. They're both amazing people and I can't wait to see what's in store for them during this next phase of life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4TFR68JVXOROLJQGnqsRY0Mk7k-XsVrk7cWfA85xIdMGnZSJ4WZtm8cbWzzoP-VPmZVe0Z8Yw120SBhFb55oBHMYzaEMoQF75RrIdCIf-a5KgJ2cwKnFbKTWx96H4NJe7fLthQXO0Aja0M9gMyeM67RrJKwnyf54yjorjT7dH4GKmeibx2Vz5mZ4_-bM/w480-h640/20231021_145511.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I did some Halloween stuff, like carving a catbus pumpkin and dressing up as Rosie the Riveter for our church's Reformation Day party. Great fun all around.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIdN6meaLvPQlbmIGp0O5pAFYzXpfrr3A3H-LSkDF7R0aSVobbsW9Y4q1FhZoGHIlPcq2tojzH4U4ONrgNEcR6zSL0Wku6cpxImuw0HkGaQHgrZ2Yz_LeEJU6ifjDXgYY4lRjbcDXdxcjOewcwlJY3VSg0gQSOX3vFlXsYEzfglXxy8RNvwVuu4aLdiXE/s4032/20231028_161055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIdN6meaLvPQlbmIGp0O5pAFYzXpfrr3A3H-LSkDF7R0aSVobbsW9Y4q1FhZoGHIlPcq2tojzH4U4ONrgNEcR6zSL0Wku6cpxImuw0HkGaQHgrZ2Yz_LeEJU6ifjDXgYY4lRjbcDXdxcjOewcwlJY3VSg0gQSOX3vFlXsYEzfglXxy8RNvwVuu4aLdiXE/w480-h640/20231028_161055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8Vueb7uZTvDol0PExWGgUTJ8yY6HKWUkzN6XOq6kDxo2BQn9aYKDcv6zQ68gNH-KyViLvvnA9s1ULbhGjzcbh5_dTXVQPIpDAnITZbk3hWsq0qE5lkwUPEyjL5ByOURpOmvBp0af1cEAR3GOQsT0Qnqv3_A2Nz9-taJDx7rQrU5n9tzOT0puhxLVZE_D/w480-h640/20231029_193331.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My sisters and I went to see the Eras Tour Movie! It was awesome and (thankfully) not too wild. I had a great time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6TSp4H44JOuFhDtgOna3rNbMvZme7OGg1oZz26tK2MUKPP8juOfQ2R_nlm96hGEfW5DzTntu5EvrwgCRqTpW62iqXBlNPvrQQXEtSfLirL4BLjtmqh_Wj_LotbHr5yef8hyhG1uyr3orvdxgzzqxsSiTzW2AWAuMy8qFzcoX_24i24MVdq0XxdSsP4Dk/w640-h480/20231031_150111.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJBtYPFxeBcxeECNU8thqZrxgO58fj9KqdQL19PM4xDD93jdcO4C2kC0u2sgv5dkkoKBOCfYfspUewVV4xTmvT_IVK6IYfKN6FRHUryy9bJWaDhfqE8RjZMMkVaJ3DHT_nx684IfWxbykl-w_cmkXehW4kC5vMtlvrgPDTdzNM9UVahs9MhLc0vi3t6Rj/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5869827557">The Long Patrol</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5869827557">Hallow'een Party</a></i>- Agatha Christie (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5065906931">Shades of Rust and Ruin</a></i>- A. G. Howard (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5882202051">Marlfox</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5575935872">Oathbound</a></i>- Victoria McCombs (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5929568105">My Hero Academia, Vol. 1</a></i>- Kohei Horikoshi (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7ZMaPz9PvHHYrHrodnj4pyaWa9mxr2GgawbiEw6Dfewl0cT3ShXPi9Svge5UEERi5QpNIcXvznoybhhjGVja8qMmPpt2vPfyS6niVjQ17KuVtuo7z3Gd-pmDK5UlZahHqlKv37G2Qtr-6RPOgnu483DUPC41rd4Y3p67oFDJAZDTf1scqoEtgU-Pks2y/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Mission: Impossible</i> (I rewatched this entire series with my youngest brother, which was a blast)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Ferris Bueller's Day Off</i> (such a lovable manipulator)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior</i> (with a little tweaking, this could be a great movie)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves </i>(as everyone said, loads of fun)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Practical Magic</i> (not what I expected)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>13 Going On 30</i> (better than anticipated)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Dracula Untold</i> (I wanted it to be so much better)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Mission: Impossible III</i> (great in spite of the constant shaky cam)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol</i> (one of my favorites in the entire series)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Casper </i>(the romance weirded me out)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> (one of my all time favorite movies)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Moana </i>(watched with a kid I was babysitting, who made sure to explain everything to me)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation</i> (has great parts, but also a lot of forgettable parts)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Mission: Impossible- Fallout</i> (an absolutely fantastic film)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>My Cousin Rachel</i> (I liked it even less than the book)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ-gPKO13pL_BAtXHXxT2E2FPfgxHOYyNYun90Y_Onlb54BSAfXuX7VU17v5z63qDusNdPCEYkYTkJ_eNr0v2W5tz4lNygApHJWVyc2JOKyawzz8XMdz1xKZYUwFRQuP3VEA-bCz3mYznHlx-q8eRH0u5DdixtS2fWCEpWtVY6LzxRskZpzwVcJC1WngD/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I spent my month continuing edits on New Magic. After getting back from vacation, I started at the beginning and worked my way through the book, editing and polishing it up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I still have a bit to go, so I won't complete my goal of finishing the edits this month. But I've made good, encouraging progress and I look forward to maybe getting back in the querying trenches next month.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioamRHRMG0BNP9PNEFtVYd6g08BzVd_6Rtt3JwP-Yvxpkp2j2FgBYqHNBAzwM8DJxJ1z8cOWsYSAOJgHGMv96EiZbwxGEfT-GWOEe1BLn59bDS1Px958XS6gjQyeUMt_2-f-0ozv1FWtI3S7y8cIfuP_kB_vVisMtjucV2AbE3nYYlmetzp6lLVFongPs3/s2000/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioamRHRMG0BNP9PNEFtVYd6g08BzVd_6Rtt3JwP-Yvxpkp2j2FgBYqHNBAzwM8DJxJ1z8cOWsYSAOJgHGMv96EiZbwxGEfT-GWOEe1BLn59bDS1Px958XS6gjQyeUMt_2-f-0ozv1FWtI3S7y8cIfuP_kB_vVisMtjucV2AbE3nYYlmetzp6lLVFongPs3/s320/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/10/6-more-popular-books-i-didnt-like.html">6 More Popular Books I Didn't Like</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/10/why-i-ship-wirt-and-beatrice.html">Why I Ship Wirt and Beatrice</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/10/fast-fashion-sustainability-and-good.html">Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and Good Stewardship</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEi4LQiK7TKYJP5u20qN_ZWHTuP6ZNyEJPr2dkQoo2eGacdJkF8KuqcHx91ywftpp8nM0l-fYT6lgKrHPd2xWrtW_6tzBVLSL-JsmESZnANHxquCjrrTISWaahW2PxaR9B1VqKquyoiRpJZwPZlwtGngXiIFr82Lpv4SlCjvfvM88sz-ZaGA_se9uLFF4/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• At the end of September, I finished my next Disney princess- Pocahontas. This one came together much easier than Jasmine did, which I'm glad for. I had fun playing with high fashion and Native American motifs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="2672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP-yKaATzHC02TZJBemGU6LO7A7Cbae-G4fw8iT73bdXOTUd1EwSo_qUzyI3lWT90kUbqIDZy7BEnk0QUfijqRF4M5HuevktloyaDTvOBLnLrqM0iwKMM5g0l01Wb1HlIMAncHXiEup4nkkgZb9Sra8iLXpSu7sl6ZaRerlXfKijGMbYENv5OvHEOhLtW/w426-h640/1000006441-01.jpeg" width="426" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Then the rest of October was dedicated to Inktober. I'll post a full recap of that next week, so stay tuned.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tFOb04fqvt7qaj6jkb3WQuP_nKgozjYh1au2yHi00tskxyaELjhG4St81DBbsy4IS9rAebdbqAX2urQn7s9uipuSTWcEZzVfVqo3DBW8MVppLGtOmAI7RVneKVZ-drQ9-yiyHfi_G4BCV8zDeJ9FRJyxTtphAt36Zb2X3I4viKPsMa-FMeyL2-RVccd4/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Complete New Magic edits, update my query materials, and hopefully send new queries. If I don't complete it next month, I might wait until January to start again due to the holidays.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I hope to have a quieter month so I can do some of the stuff I couldn't in October. More reading, a little more gaming, and more music practice. I barely practiced in October and that makes me sad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• It's time to start Christmas planning! I need to figure out gifts for everyone so I can get started on my shopping/creating.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rjlMI3az_8xqUK_j667pGM-VpNtv4N6TJo0yhf3aLtXz76bSp30VTyXE6TC2JsuTF4hkI1-dbTfeQS1Of2oxf46h1wnxSFXIylMF4NMLJbbnuEM6FaRzApCMuX6wS1uiFMYG23Q6JWV0nzQtNqXsZWixV-OS2U5M7orDnUx9SHCyXi4un1NTHpfFhU9v/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your October? Did you travel anywhere? Tell me in the comments!</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-3876909214945938752023-10-24T20:47:00.000-04:002023-10-24T20:47:26.772-04:00Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and Good Stewardship<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and Good Stewardship" border="0" data-original-height="3688" data-original-width="2951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtelwqtL7qyzFeUviHhfGrWQPGuMT4wIFIXV_UGSFSPLQCJH5YWbG0ySJkiuvXJCnRwC5nhk2D1xlejktYNp9D8VZAGvpbmn42jMCi93cVIipv8BcwQ15W2kdxyA_gWvxO3fyfVDSo3QBKXGVerNzosk_kZhkDpg-k3q3MfmkXN4CD9ceQE8dNZjG02DMr/w512-h640/Fast%20Fashion,%20Sustainability,%20and%20Good%20Stewardship.jpg" title="Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and Good Stewardship" width="512" /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Over the last few years, I've gotten into vintage and historical fashion. Learning about these things has also lead me into learning a lot more about fast and slow fashion and the modern state of the fashion industry.</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Which has left me with a lot of thoughts about fast fashion, sustainability, and how all this ties into being a Christian. So today I'm going to share some of those thoughts with you. This won't be the neatest, best laid out argument you've ever heard. Just a ramble of things currently in my brain.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, I don't want anyone to feel condemned or judged by this post. These are my thoughts on fast fashion, they don't have to be yours. You make the choices that seem wisest to you and where God has placed you right now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3aTG9ZLHTVbYuyolTZsg3bP9YnJICzujI11c5__lYNt_AXqKesX_V2YoAE489FObAXnsY5tvxoBm9Kag4nhGUZMseEJYTHTXq7IpqjIg-HRhf7bBoFCMg2dy5VVjqG4znnGVAJNA9JkYXIrOz_yTnjduZ_CZgy2IlvKCLtThjNpps_1TOduzGP0K7MQc/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">What Is Fast and Slow Fashion?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before I get into talking about these things, I should probably explain what they are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Fast fashion=</b> Clothing made quickly and cheaply, often employing underpaid workers in third world countries that's sold to you for a low price.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Slow fashion=</b> Clothing made with good quality materials, designed to last, and created by fairly paid workers. They often cost more because they're paying people more for manufacturing and quality.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Why I'm Against Fast Fashion</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you can see from my description of fast fashion, it's not great. If you want to know more about how bad, just Google "fast fashion statistics" to learn more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I'm not against fast fashion because of it's carbon footprint. I have other reasons I'm starting to move away from it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#1: It's harmful to people.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Like I said, most people actually creating garments sold by fast fashion companies are from third world countries. They work for extremely low wages, often in terrible conditions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All people were created by God and we should try to help others whenever we can. Even if that's by working to not support fast fashion companies so these people don't have to work in their factories.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Not that working in a factory is bad or anything. But those workers deserve decent pay, manageable hours, and safe conditions to work in, just like everyone else.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#2: It's harmful to our world.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There's a lot of waste in fast fashion. Garments are created by the thousands, many of which remain unsold. Those garments are then thrown away, creating massive garbage heaps across the world. Not only are the unsold clothes thrown away, much of the excess fabric from creating them is.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Part of our job as Christians is to take care of the world God gave us. Not in a way that puts the Earth first and humans last, but in a way to cultivate and care for it for future generations. Wasting clothes like this isn't caring for the Earth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">#3: It's harmful to your mental state.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fast fashion companies want to trap us and keep us in their loop of buying new clothes all the time. They constantly produce new designs (some of which are stolen) and sell them to use for cheap, so we keep buying them. Many people then wear the clothes a few times and get rid of them, because they can just buy more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But this is gluttony in another form. And once you get used to impulse spending so much, it's hard to break out of it (I say this as someone who struggles with impulse spending myself). Our culture just doesn't glorify buying long-lasting items or taking care of the things we own anymore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">How Does Sustainability Tie Into Good Stewardship?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On the opposite end of fast fashion, we have slow fashion and sustainability. Buying more expensive, high-quality garments and taking good care of them so they last for years. Thrifting a lot of your clothes to reduce the amount of things thrown away while saving money. Making your own clothes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And I think, as Christians, that's the side we should veer towards.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God calls us to be responsible stewards of the things He gives us, whether clothes or money or talents. The Bible says if we do that, we will be rewarded.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I've learned more about slow fashion, I think it's something that should be supported. Only a few generations ago, clothes were valued. They were something you saved for and bought sparingly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Even further back, people actually made clothes and understood the labor and skill that went into them. A single dress could take hundreds of hours to sew. People only owned a few garments because they didn't need more than that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm not trying to romanticize the past or anything. God has given us a bountiful era and lots of technological advancements that make creating clothes easier. I just wanted to point out that I believe our ancestors understood the value of clothing more than we do today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So Now What?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For myself, I'm going to start moving away from fast fashion. I want to work on only bringing things I'll actually wear and love into my wardrobe. I want to buy high-quality garments that last for years, or make them myself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Will I buy everything slow fashion? I don't think so. I'm not going to check every company I buy from on sustainability websites to see how they score. I'm going to look for garment quality instead, because even cheaper brands can produce well-made things. And I'll still probably buy the occasional Amazon dress for a costume piece or something.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And yes, it does make me cringe to see the prices of slow fashion items. (They're a lot more than what fast fashion has made us think you can pay for clothes.) I also understand that just because something is expensive, that doesn't mean it's good quality. But choosing to pay those prices will help me slow down on buying clothes I don't need.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have to admit, it's hard to learn to step away from the consumption mindset of our culture. But I think it's worth the work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">* * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, this is the choice I'm making for myself. I'm not trying to shame you because you shop at Walmart because that's where God's placed you right now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this and why I think being a good steward means working to stop buying fast fashion.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yiH8uyQuFsZN4fCmT9K-xTk03jdrl3ZJTtVGhut-WuviQ566RyFud7nhasF4a6Vdp2O2x1AvpWCkQRRGxRXZSTXC6J5kHR5X9t7DchyphenhyphenUaKPyr4AQlHfgFUjgT__wM-QriT7mjGTkNNtVZT2igj_E9StmDDR3jAPT33FKo67qJ2mdWO6tcL6AtkfOyyn1/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any thoughts on fast versus slow fashion? Do you agree with my points? Tell me in the comments and let's chat!</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-7125151849174069082023-10-17T19:28:00.000-04:002023-10-17T19:28:12.347-04:00Why I Ship Wirt and Beatrice<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Why I Ship Wirt and Beatrice" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dngVyB5IdqkU6hViFr_u3h6gU7AlwTr_2efvnaAiFG77qePC1caXApqYr06YT98QS_XEJFJAhyphenhyphensDElUfwJr8S0cnGhIh8rAoixWJvh83AxvPfG52pfHta7y-V_mTKEzza7rgaSTnifWUx2t7qWaLrWoGZQQAaOFmLdwgHuvE_Cc1FVV4Py1tMIxId5RV/w640-h640/Why%20I%20Ship%20Wirt%20and%20Beatrice.jpg" title="Why I Ship Wirt and Beatrice" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Over the Garden Wall is probably one of my favorite TV shows of all time. My favorite character is Wirt, so today I wanted to talk about why I would pick him and Beatrice as a couple over any of the other girls in the show. I realize this is a niche post, and if you haven't seen the show, it probably won't make sense, but I wanted to make it anyway.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkNS50-AmWqnqiecKN7Qde9RujA5ysC_gcIRP5M22BB_mjS9OFlDdclcXsAZHrHxWMMVdNdGORXiTwgI8j_b1QFLDj0_aVh5W9tWyFcPRDmE6hzIAKLobNqLrBjdFWXg8iX6BKQqgqSMxJIQMPzq6DIDgcFrQVyU-EuXrGnYSWWieA83jvyybnICWcXBr/w315-h400/af683f6a4de896a285604c63af3670e8.jpg" width="315" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So come along on this silly little post while I explain my thoughts and reasoning. We're also going to ignore that Wirt is in middle school and look at more the possibility of romance than actual romance in the show (which is pretty much nil).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJcgi2pjgErvbLY2pq_QrJCm4a5B5DUI5xOxPdIbG25A9tfS3ghYXhOL_19Sf7nFf-xba-9hstcGDVqIKytVeFZ8Yf8jcXiVh-SAHfMTbtjvaIslzO-v0Qw75SzV1GId-FwXBJA2R9uiOd2S6y4q4cNt-aeraugalHz3J-8B1CMbuuPNW6Q8Ff-bPFULn/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="564" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi865tU4RFonmJA-wl4wvUMjfiprohCTCDEQB5_ZtYo38Mh84DWg_QZZeklQnJOqGgw-z7tYHVyLIr8BqIs0vJf6ud9q0_n8eW4iSBIbtTj5ASdLVfHtADAM5dAfrqKNM6-ZEqJaOyjgSPWaHyJlyJdUpQZZaX8FgylgQiP6HnFvwU8MGCFEZEAoV5z8okL/w400-h225/4bc8850d08a47a37fea00d9cc28ee8b3.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Reason #1: They have the most screen time</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I might ship Wirt with another character more if he shared more than a couple scenes with either Lorena or Sara. But he doesn't. Each of them only appears in one episode, while Beatrice is in pretty much every episode for even a short amount of time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7aRGiJHj2Th-oR-rAAf26wxIfNZe1Uq0yMUa0RvjQ4G992o-UhNY-bmFVJ0DaLKnYNBJcMxmFhxHwH1Y7O-FwCm5gL1mZdFDq2vie9A79hlA8T6rdx1EYnrgcu49gMZDj1skEXBmtaisirBNFz8EjU4R6gJ0uKDZAh0bQI1S8ebCv8jd18bh6TEL2-Do/w400-h400/1ff31ad638db865bc078f48711904223.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Reason #2: They have great chemistry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some people like Wirt and Lorena because they seem quite sweet on each other. But again, he knows her for like an evening and they sing a 30 second song together (albeit, a great 30 second song). It feels more like he saw a pretty girl and had a crush, even if maybe that could develop into something more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sara is 100% a crush and will go away in a year or something after Wirt grows up a little more or finds a girl he actually likes. She might not reject his weirdness, but I just can't see them being good together.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But Wirt and Beatrice have great friendship energy I could see evolving into a beautiful relationship. They start out rocky, but through shared experiences, they become great friends. From there, who knows. Plus, they have banter, something I love in an onscreen relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthyphenhyphenXhtxxb1Fit8HQ_xClEBC6BMQd3l2l149Fzb4kvH13-FU2Vk60pxC5hvDl1-iOITTUrE9_jEshMDnzLOE1B4k4HcBU6LOCsxyd1tb66UzkuKKwYzSA1pGyR_nE3IZRjPO8jUe3JekVys7T-qhZbid84x3axTeqpzXfim8bepwdhByqaSC9x2DwS6t6Y/w306-h400/2558ddac5007b9ad70d962349b4f1372.jpg" width="306" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Reason #3: Beatrice knows Wirt best</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During their time together, Wirt and Beatrice not only share life-changing experiences, they share their secrets and dreams. That's something Wirt doesn't have with any of the other two girls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Beatrice knows Wirt's insecurities and love of poetry. Wirt knows Beatrice's shame and snarkiness. They've seen each other and their highs and lows and came out the other side stronger. I think that's a great basis for a relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I know it's dumb to ship a boy and girl turned into a bluebird from literally different worlds. But I like to imagine they find each other again some day and maybe things progress from there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM9PiP_K3eOv026iujR0fPFPxf7gOrgX5o-wIyU4hyx9KYCG9rk1MHFTFhqKiqdn6-MqPgWCdkyX0yR5nhdQh11J6p__hOWz0XHhAcP5SdtpUsJ2hCgOd7UtIA-DgD84wDKy2KVGofI-UH2XGSR162dwo7jrIIK__fFrVOAPuTbD0yKuYhGh9uZ9fJ0l-/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you seen Over the Garden Wall? Which girl do you like best for Wirt? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-74070430311458620042023-10-11T12:52:00.000-04:002023-10-11T12:52:01.343-04:006 More Popular Books I Didn't Like<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="6 More Popular Books I Didn't Like" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2857" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnfczZD1_123OjxkofBLoogomvVaQdapUyUqb2f3dZuzwkwsMiTP2kBH-wyjFhv-bodn0i3UG2LmwDOkJar0CLlMy6eDnYhxOH2-WoivBhd9G0QMAyRp2bLKnC6tfI3i6bM6jadeLSFi6dyJXGj3uB3pJvGw-52lTd_RaCUgPy9Z2hkcyPMGkE5metuT7/w458-h640/6%20More%20Popular%20Books%20I%20Didn't%20Like.jpg" title="6 More Popular Books I Didn't Like" width="458" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I come before you once again with a list of popular books (YA and other) that I didn't enjoy for one reason or another. I've done one of these <a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2020/09/popular-books-i-didnt-like.html">lists before</a>, so I thought it would be fun to do another one with some more books I've read since them. Or some that I've read since then, plus some older reads. Anyway, let's get triggered!</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI-zSfC9dmsPzPbY74w3ZEfqNxba9iWUO7fkxvaYdxxpvDlSG83CsfYHCMAtNmIiDiG7yU7HG1LZQBjujGvbRV3Lk_39Mycc18o9cj1I1J-fW1lnsh9cj0bFvYNEY6DDEjcTDh-_e88l_eZrUpTnyNFcXwKaQAbmvXSa7YpTjzHXE72b8blpxLijDlMUl/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBJER2a5TJczbhcPrELaZiMVmehKK1J1TO9RdjOz7uxJSaSviGpGr9xvf0ecshXYFcY_FEVtRU3yCEL7pcMNjr4Bdczv4ahEhH3JYQ9XKh4iuveyIAiJFxOxjgxDlifZh17lVn6yhzp6CMtVpjGE1wJ_ZZpL0YVDMyUYWnyzuK4l63xOgw55wLmLvitmc/w276-h400/28194.jpg" width="276" /></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Inkheart</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I originally rated this book highly. But looking back on it, I feel like it was rather mid. This happens sometimes with me. I'll think back on a book and like it more or less after some time to ruminate on it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="308" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4XLrd1sRsVqqp8UkzeDwCuWze_Twa-TGRy5pOxOGyrVNm-XRgdzeJ0Z3snbuVPOZQPqF2D9_4EtmT-wao_iSmj7VV94aAcCMGCCpaZ-10fCzvnEycb6KMTuJ8UwBONNWdUaYGd1bk6-SmJaJwNBD79DshBhdYvBkR71TvV0_jI2Io_uanfJZfSes3K6S/w274-h400/22232.jpg" width="274" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Stargirl</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I hate this book so much. I don't like the way it represents homeschoolers (a common problem with YA books). Beyond that, I don't remember the rest of the story having any redeeming qualities.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="625" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3HZIAh2G7pI2-WkHqEdZe8_cSQZzUpOyOU05ASevKDc4rZvmCrzIN7hfkbh_GLEAAcRPqGPAdSLHWOTkdnFS5nDxpVipVs1TIgqx1onCC-CbariSdYDN1jHZOHdtDcMqvidWi5xQazYG4WukG5Vl-1ljmCVzoaXWvZve5-rT50MitJ67lidV67k4cs6u/w250-h400/752815.jpg" width="250" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A Picture of Dorian Gray</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I read this classic this year and I don't get the hype. It was boring and way more gay than anyone warned me about. I see how the concept has appeal, but I didn't enjoy the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-RaVceikLkfrI5ErqgWHfzbvBdYkS6OZK_g2PocsInjUk1xdL9eHOLTlvf40x3cax9LcMAJGdT2dURsh9aVjjjNmi24gJ2OKfgr54iXoLqBRPVUGv27lqh-s8-yIKU8RIvKfDOqaLSLTbKgLyOEMeiuYmD4eObLxlpfiKKgz9TkeyOxc6NTDYTk1s2Ax/w265-h400/5821978.jpg" width="265" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Summer I Turned Pretty</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I read this last year before the TV series came out and I hated it. I like To All the Boys I Loved Before, but this book was so shallow. I could do a whole rant post about it and the show. Suffice to say, skip it. It's not good for anyone.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="1875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM27gQYFeeZX95Xk2IY4pvMOmIwrkXzfwHy6UrTROXMHzDknCyrNpNHG8wTdnpATa_dR5PNegW3O739yTxE4nGAEcyBbmZ4bbuyo8iWPbVNIu5EkwCCot7mIqEcB6shGKMG9dPI9tBxjIC_o9HwoLkcd10rpHLvy11pgIoZVQAR9XvbefQJXFw6rd9n2Iu/w264-h400/27883214.jpg" width="264" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Caraval</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I know a lot of people love this, but I didn't. The world was pretty cool, but all the characters annoyed me to death. Would not read again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3SYy8OQ5wPqfQo4wolmdB9YRYTe5r8rQXTdg3psJzB_tE1NTOhbisAnxFZYttq53qh9zd1VZGpPg18gC-CJLx7_z1z6DdakGWaU5uHdzwxCOk_Vhbic8TwIcbrcRlCeISQhmRFzeIFfBneswhyphenhyphenj1bC1SiLZXqWOUcfNJTXr8xtiuZadfYxHZD6P3XWTM/w266-h400/44767458.jpg" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Dune</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, people adore this book. But I found it boring and very Islamic. I even watched the movie (or the first part anyway) and still didn't get it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXWvkR7NdCjkzqSbVQ1LFY9Un0cuasGFHh4otJ0Ad6fq2M7SqMmmxCInr61VlCg_coAe7J6fYcXy2Kx8Qgu1HKBkC17C-PLjQ6_53NeF9UfSSzZcn471AZi2C7j0e-XYouCR2qM55JDDkMNiGtM4NL9FnkZmT4AFd6RBHppvan5x_DlEzT8ANSt38Wgap/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any of these? Did you like them or hate them? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-63824778847073703642023-09-26T20:13:00.003-04:002023-09-26T20:13:58.806-04:00September 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="September 2023 Recap" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIVG949HNmNmjfbG69AS3YwZh-Vb_al8R0ouH7rViCoSgJuu8xyvOLmRk6nyTNEUdkaIu5VWHjMt95fZLvqtLJ87tBTIZS0V0HpR_OyLn-zWm-ToCMwMnqzCwtooWEoXm4aGlFhyOerdn7awKfXDEVo7J4oUEcmUrC5ZqTLBSU0V-l5FwMECNz8FP1Snu/w480-h640/September%202023%20Recap.jpg" title="September 2023 Recap" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's been quite wet and dark for the last few days here. But on the up side, I've been able to wear some sweatshirts and sweaters because the weather is finally cooling off! The leaves are changing too and will probably be beautiful in the next few weeks. But let's move on from fall things to what I did this month.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXtH5ddSRB2mECJfJXCVcFeOvwmm5XgD0V4Sww67GPqqA2fpeO-74e8SuGvB41_2elngW9XPxk1BeB00PBIShpmzSu3a69IJKSeRpv_M65TIwGtuk41aCotUbBcUdsQAvqDVxC8E1k2v92rwFKlj66mvOw7ULLd5XoVKZwnGx6QOnmEFP4lNp96J2M0sz/s320/my%20life%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Went to our church's regional picnic. Quite a few of my friends from Poiema were there, as well as <a href="https://rmarcher.com/">Ariel</a>, so it was a good time. Dancing, singing, food, fellowship- what more could you want?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycruZI-MMM54Sao1RXwHJM-sKyQbEm7bv7RzAIgRcLvw_kwA_QFACKAvwT0_h--6uhKkakd0UG0F6Qr9Ks-pd7Q8V8eoP4tz-1Ztdr1KSN9MrQpzaiPrVy0LlVWpY3n8BerNVr0T6Z8U8-7f7L6LNDDOD-h2VKK2KPOPQ4fjrjnOg5WKdjfitaf18A-B7/w480-h640/20230916_152526.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Repainted the room my sisters and I share. It's been white with ugly peace signs everywhere since we moved in. But we finally buckled down and got it repainted! It's now a beautiful lavender and it makes me so happy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjICoDt3Kb9X8zxeDg_9rmVhsTCo7fS-58tE46XscoFQ71YasetyDYZy5JWPOir8u8341n0BiBvnow1HkFEmP30VMVCZtWV_Zv54eGWIh--f1763RUtm84YnCaxJ0KQtYKdVfdznmtxNk07kAGi4cL2cUET-2a1groSsU3WLUgWaufCkzZXqZlf1tzHEb/s4032/20230919_191119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjICoDt3Kb9X8zxeDg_9rmVhsTCo7fS-58tE46XscoFQ71YasetyDYZy5JWPOir8u8341n0BiBvnow1HkFEmP30VMVCZtWV_Zv54eGWIh--f1763RUtm84YnCaxJ0KQtYKdVfdznmtxNk07kAGi4cL2cUET-2a1groSsU3WLUgWaufCkzZXqZlf1tzHEb/w480-h640/20230919_191119.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have a picture of the room, but you can see the color in the background of this picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Had a hobbit party! It was loads of fun. I made a playlist, we had food and friends over, and even set off fireworks. 10/10 recommend.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiIxC2K_mBFghJYedrqMvlkW1d-UPEq34DgMKfy9YUtx2Hqj5jEEVhApQC4Z9oTZJZGEOkUhGFvWOjc6munyjl_K0ixciEgfjKZI40ZelW5eCvtW8_Sd651_E9waLJLL4neEGqy1OINtvIZNViBxBLdro5-D8EvglalOxn3QjXEjAn7esG78fcf-0K5IY/s4032/20230922_174654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiIxC2K_mBFghJYedrqMvlkW1d-UPEq34DgMKfy9YUtx2Hqj5jEEVhApQC4Z9oTZJZGEOkUhGFvWOjc6munyjl_K0ixciEgfjKZI40ZelW5eCvtW8_Sd651_E9waLJLL4neEGqy1OINtvIZNViBxBLdro5-D8EvglalOxn3QjXEjAn7esG78fcf-0K5IY/w480-h640/20230922_174654.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hobbit outfit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdds4wVKTvEWVSHFYkHSQR9Q820JD6IKQ0vdzqhV-wRP6C5ovp4uJnWNFRyeAxO3kBHzU81Z7Vof_gTaDd5oqPEKj1GIr4XZN-KMLFSNQv-LeVHoSnd0RHafzkz1SH_ufjevw3B2BPtFyZPx5In1g7f8lHXFoqUN8WydstA7zxI_hNeIKbdZxco2d-ByE/s4032/20230922_175830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdds4wVKTvEWVSHFYkHSQR9Q820JD6IKQ0vdzqhV-wRP6C5ovp4uJnWNFRyeAxO3kBHzU81Z7Vof_gTaDd5oqPEKj1GIr4XZN-KMLFSNQv-LeVHoSnd0RHafzkz1SH_ufjevw3B2BPtFyZPx5In1g7f8lHXFoqUN8WydstA7zxI_hNeIKbdZxco2d-ByE/w480-h640/20230922_175830.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEqrHTNFr28n5R5VtTKMj9KhQLOvSRB8ITGQ-vs3kMQGDn0XAkcmrri2p6OemOah02xpBWIH-6SXGLReBsfFhq_53ytJYP4QsYnhSZE2GyA3VggyQdtsHQEmy7Q6LIuyx82t0yuRd9RvoaM6YZQgDj-Nbv3BT2ee1_MNLj0KaoXJ1MZYWcH5hulJDA6kz/w480-h640/20230922_194831.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Watched the entire <i>One Piece</i> live action show in about a week. I adored it and now I want to watch the anime (which has over 1,000 episodes). If you like pirates and anime, I highly recommend it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BVpKWnwO-1RrniBX_3sjXaWzimoIdb9x3S2ct9bmfMfLn3yh2sQPwxaMamMCoPNZfS_AiH0CNnFROq_o3Z68RRBt3GJMLQ3c5BJlhfpWvUUCSl1g9EmOdQW4dZA8iCcwxG-Khwlrjsu3fRrG9dqb7w-3L3OaEUwmo85iNTPC8LZzplGqcXb28KReNr9a/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5523150857">Vivid</a></i>- Ashely Bustamante (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5809319932">Mattimeo</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5632146211">How to Be Free From Bitterness</a></i>- Jim Wilson (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5835356825">The Pearls of Lutra</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5850068967">Fable</a></i>- Adrienne Young (4 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5861560525">The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar</a></i>- Roald Dahl (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5812875357">When You Wish Upon a Lantern</a></i>- Gloria Chao (3 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd3w7yCoaCf1euIVL6T9Fy1utMC-e5wsxyVLTH07WIymOuugCKq7WW6W5_GTSkLasHm43xsT8KtnFq-yWirCLko-1xNHXODbFM8C5TKNp46ku4UkKIkr-4kC2K_McghoAPHdLST3UFR_ppxF98iY3nvexYN445t0kGZS5BlofgfnlXZPD2bIaRTJdDxGC/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Grand Budapest Hotel</i> (bonkers, but awesome)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Captain America: The First Avenger </i>(such a great movie)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Center Stage</i> (I loved all the dancing!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Point Break</i> (the kind of action film that makes no sense, but is straight fun anyway)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> (Johnny Depp is the perfect Willy Wonka)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse</i> (still great)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Sea Beast</i> (check my recent post for my thoughts)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Karate Kid</i> (such a classic)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>10 Things I Hate About You </i>(Heath Ledger is so cute)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Stick It</i> (better than I thought it would be)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Star Trek</i> (I love this movie)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53RcOGtFIUGLL-HaVKgAP4yam-rSL50gd2ek8GeMXKowMAPzGM2fojtu6ug5w8vLPr4f0oyf_yvM_gXbmz-PTzrgMbog_H_WuYd_m8pMUvpvWZONO_rihMiU6OEadD5adEp8-dTD2Ge96CneVTsMO3_z1Wur9I5XK-64B_fh8YjjcYf5R0ddtt2bklIuL/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've been rewriting New Magic extensively. Most of the changes have to do with the beginning, but they trickle down through most of the first half. I'm finally almost done the major changes. Next, I plan to go back through and strengthen the beginning further, because it's still rather messy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoMloDWojmnSMUKwt_viCBtHK_fWLS69Axy41QFdeNwsWWuMAdI2fSGZRFYcBbhVRfQwrTyMsv14brofx87OW1BSLHWy3o2r8b5QSQmQxHSq8NvEzLJkaqR9VSfbENSFdUNDde2MKz8OhZsOzITnevDShJqBURvRBPKeW5tLZf3Tw3N6eSPW-dtwgVibo/s320/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/09/3-ways-to-track-your-reading.html">3 Ways to Track Your Reading</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/09/rewrites-with-rachel-sea-beast.html">Rewrites with Rachel: The Sea Beast</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/09/writing-two-part-story-across-spider.html">Writing a Two-Part Story</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-wlXirIytDdaAuyPlxLz807v43WxvVMMcjTaj66TN_ZoM0S8a-hTI-Rmx0jERcRX5li85tNPbIflIlsZRW8QOARf7cyiips-rFpuI-rPQKWsVTeu_hXhLxKNaf-2Ay1KUZyRzWl_h9FYccsgvrBgSpIRiQRac5xUr6Gt6kObfc3wKSyOuNyBdClxx8rr/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• The only art I finished this month was this fanart of Wick and Twill from Bethany's book. I love it, even if it's a bit cursed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYhgQ2Pr-vzjz5V5mng1i4gW3Dw9jj05y_W2wUFSmCU8qCMPr8jTQ2p404acsTVAcMSKNRR6184_08E-wc_nJbZBDwZ8w2s7VsTcnClCNaF6orG-9OeeFOMp7YazEiXEnYoLxdAMdZDq9WHtc6if3cTnRpbTQbmRRFCSlf8KPlmYPRlm1jGrnK9fFLj7g/w480-h640/20230926_135211.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKH0zJ2ycbhyuWFNJEnzoXuoyu-yQAP1yQNTYxfv3v284620J4meSjy4ks6oMs-dGQYbz8dHrRZf6EBnEVbn131WYMiEnqTfl7HB1hoNTIbSqI6fciEa5yiGnyggcPbTuLQA33uuL3oQfPjprH99XO7eE7m3nFMqh0ipd_WqE3Qht8A283GlGQ3OzMDfU/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My family is going to the Outer Banks next week! Then later, we're going to a friend's wedding. So it will be a bit travel heavy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I want to take part in Inktober again. I'm trying to decide if I should give myself a goal with it, something to work on as I draw.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I hope to finish the New Magic edits, then work on updating all my query material. And if I have time after that, I'll send new queries.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2rj_IVS6lXXaaMT2n24Vbe6MLMcAga6IKAlAygtktM3dual6kuEgXDKi0W_kFDIEz9J4tPSyvlKbX5d6p7G3sK5bYFLTyb2q9Y7CAzlr-Sk96plM_-GOqnKKQUcRXoPQ0Or-QPL93VzpO0S4q100b0UnYf0k38-LMchMXVm-Vbc9jP4r3o8Rk8D2b9a-/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your September? Did you watch anything good this month? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-13941869786415819892023-09-21T18:52:00.001-04:002023-09-21T18:52:13.766-04:00Writing a Two-Part Story: Across the Spider-Verse and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Writing a Two-Part Story: Across the Spider-Verse and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning" border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWdQL4JGeDyu0cC1DNR6zt-ZORz3e8GoA22YeK6jtD15kp-wcoUasoDoZGET5iKENFyWP1FgwbsBPFUcQjNtQFmg1v2eRBvYAILUhFNK3EPA-OqRJWCjaNGDfoh9LSsEcKbmHIOTJkuOl7eT3TljFWrCH12umol7tqQRjx576HB2PfVLpQAq1G1SKW6w-/w458-h640/Writing%20a%20Two-Part%20Story_%20Across%20the%20Spider-Verse%20and%20Mission%20Impossible_%20Dead%20Reckoning.png" title="Writing a Two-Part Story: Across the Spider-Verse and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning" width="458" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Two part one movies came out this year- <i>Across the Spider-Verse</i> and <i>Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning</i>. I was blessed enough to see both in theaters. And after watching both, it's made me think about how each handles writing the first part of a story and what we as writers can learn from them.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So we're going to dive into both movies today and do just that. Because while both movies are good and I love them both in different ways, I think one handled being a part one better than the other (can you guess which?). I'm also looking forward to comparing them again when part two comes out for each.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Spoilers for both movies ahead!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKsGc7WmkDWp1_osW3FQZih1nuj0_Asr_uioC3W5gQM4Bx-ZH_ONxBRWgRKGXjRmmS_sq6uBguPhfh6VjUR6fXPwErQ-baB8HQyu3wLhdei6x2e7af38dVbJqMKGYeOwapBttaIP9gYdOdOs1R-HkIck-zKbvSjW_X4dLrBPsaiaLK7w25JOiPPOjt3L4/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1023" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIxiuqc7iYiJOEHSdIlIVM8RzUw4pKqzUCbsLo5HBnjkSKInHEsbgppPOZtoEn5ALYcKAXc2Skb-QkpHaEaYYaJeGZ9r-GuDwGhbe9-4BXMOcXVas2CIPFjRS9V5bcVXbBemH7SfuXm2jLPLdUJ4wdcVKh-ibWb0LV_1KvgqbdsfAG5R6TsrrvM5eGwcx/w640-h352/Mission-Impossible-Dead-Reckoning.png" width="640" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Goal</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Deciding to undertake a two part story is tricky. You have to give viewers (or readers) a complete story, even though it's only the first part. Each story must stand on it's own and follow plot structure, but also be the first half of a larger story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is accomplished by giving the characters two goals. The first will be resolved in this story. The other is the overarching goal and will be resolved in the second part of the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In <i>Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning</i>, the overarching goal is stopping the Entity, a sentient AI, from taking over the world. But the movie goal is to get the key that unlocks the computer the Entity is stored on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In <i>Across the Spider-Verse</i>, the overarching goal is stopping the Spot from ruin Mile's life the way he feels Miles ruined his. However, it seems to lack a movie goal. You could say escaping Miguel or returning to his own dimension, but since he doesn't even leave his world or meet Miguel until well over halfway through the movie, that doesn't work. This is one of the biggest problems with this movie for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1026" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvdfdpWt33urvGzMRmEncZRsDKmPZMFVsHzuRRYT0wnxzGPq3Jo5mtVQZVR8PsXGjF1oSgvM-_mzDOZmPs6fiE0kQCNJpttqneyWbnhv1jREY73A1w5f113SGsgBwV7gF6liGQTZBf7_uIOP5GzbZQyN1sFmlk8ISglQa4ZMYqyi_iYO6NUoVaIEhzmko/w640-h392/watch-spider-man-spiderverse.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Characters</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A two part story needs plenty of characters to carry it. Yes, it could work with just a few, but that's much harder to pull off. But since we're going to be spending two movies (or books) with these characters, they need to be well-developed and have strong arcs across the stories.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, both <i>Spider-Verse</i> and <i>Dead Reckoning</i> are populated with characters we already know well from previous movies. But they also both introduce new characters (as they should) to keep the plot interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In Dead Reckoning, we get Grace, a thief who gets tangled up with Ethan and eventually joins the IMF. Her arc is going from being a loner to being part of a larger organization (and a family of sorts). And I guess in the next movie we'll see her continue to hone her skills.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Since she's the only new character we get, there's lots of time to develop her character. We get to see her face challenges and overcome them. We learn some of her backstory and start to understand her. That will probably continue through the next film.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Spider-Verse, on the other hand, introduces a slew of new characters. Miguel, Hobie Brown, and Pavitr Prabhakar mostly, but there's also people like Gwen's dad or Jess Drew (plus a hundred other Spider-People, give or take). This movie is two and a half hours long, but because it spends so much time in the Normal World, we barely get to meet or know any of these characters.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The movie shows us that they're going to be in the sequel, and we'll probably learn more about them (especially Miguel), but since they're also bringing back all the Spider-People from the first movie, I doubt we'll get much more development. I adore Hobie and Pavitr, but I so wish we'd gotten to learn more about them as characters.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a writer, you probably won't have the luxury of getting to write a two part story about well established characters. So you need to make sure you use the ones you have well, letting us learn about them and show us how they change over the course of the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="2009" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHew2TVP45AWiMiSRKn39Q8-WzeOWSA2aLQIzALEpM7PTXHUIKUaprkecPOlhBsn-Ic8o40d2He-5vrkF7ESaeJkbNx9G5jS3NPFOxie4fTB7gBcsPNIRws2dcsg8yhtYTHS0IWiv9Am_RUFXuA0vzuqBLxziGe9bliXhFCMxwMnkbwsthjqKzzYtFNc-E/w640-h360/93645df7-8809-4379-a825-dc984c5276e7.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Villain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As with any series, a two part story needs an overarching villain to give us a boss to defeat at the end of story two. He'll probably also have some henchmen we'll have to defeat or befriend along the way. Most of these won't be defeated at the end of the first part, leaving us fully aware of the stakes and who we're facing as we go into the second story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dead Reckoning</i>'s main villain might be the Entity, but the main human villain we're facing is Gabriel, a man who Ethan has a personal vendetta against. He's a great antagonist because of that history and the fact that he's a ruthless killer. He stands against everything Ethan fights for. As for the Entity, it's a unique villain for Ethan because of its non-physical nature and ability to control anything digital.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Spider-Verse</i>'s main villain is The Spot, which is honestly quite a twist. As Miles says, he looks like a Villain of the Week. But that's what makes the twist so surprising. Of course, once again we don't know he's going to be the main villain until well over halfway into the story, so it's hard to feel the threat. Miguel also may be a villain, or he could just be an antagonist. It's hard to say from this movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You need to set up your villain for the series early on and show how much of a threat they are from the beginning. Then, keep reminding us through the story how bad they are and how much we need to stop them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dead Reckoning</i> starts with the Entity faking a sub attack and blowing up a Russian submarine, then continues to work against us the whole story. <i>Spider-Verse</i> only shows Spot as a bumbling villain until the halfway mark where we learn there's much more to him than he seems. We fight other Spider-People more than him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl_WIBchc_ci93W6hToIrRKgdWCeySlO1EpqiQYjksRYLi2yrdSYaZYrZ74qkDyj7HupJnF3d4W0tUmNkb2sTjAfGw3YTZKofc3HgVW6bIloDTTV2jTkysdTWgASWATHcZE7hKH7Mn1QZsQRZ3h-vUiECbaw_4mmchPlrRBk1X4msVb4ZNIEyOJgtYHL5/w640-h360/EobipdtmhATzS7MLfFHgyM.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Climax</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Both parts of your story need a strong climax, even the first one. It might not be as hard or as big as the one in the second will be, but it needs to be there. We need it to feel like the story is coming to a close, even if our protagonist fails to defeat the villain in the battle at this point.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dead Reckoning</i>'s climax pulls out all the stops. We jump off a mountain onto a train, then crash the train and have to speed fly away so we don't get caught by the IMF. Ethan doesn't catch the villain, but he does come out triumphant by not getting arrested. While we know the story's not over, the movie feels done because we had that climactic sequence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Spider-Verse</i>'s climax I guess would be Miles escaping back to what he thinks is his dimension. But there are two problems with it. 1) It doesn't involve the villain in any way (unless again, Miguel is going to be one). And 2) It's too early, leaving us with another 15-20 minutes of story after it. It's a big, showy scene, but it doesn't feel like the climax of the movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Your story doesn't have to end with a big, flashy fight scene between the hero and the villain. But you need to give us some kind of climatic moment and make it feel satisfying, even if the hero doesn't win.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXjus8uyWwYEKEC-IY3Nd4gFLDzqEZIYFTGx-1UIylo4noZGMYILayFwZKUdjGKD15qXjT6sGTuYp7bDzPJxokke4onIwegMgstFB5EkMrMtaBGi5eNQ_7ko-bBlhhhRoGBacV9i3cFlG8G5xsQMi8N1hgUJd-oigLiy_9CWdqPu5VjB9qS9EnwEg1SJ8/w640-h360/Mission-Impossible-Dead-Reckoning-1-Culture-mi7-ff-262rc3.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Ending</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And of course, the ending of the first part of your story needs to be good. It needs to leave us satisfied while also leaving so many questions that we have to come back for part two. This is where I feel <i>Spider-Verse</i> fails while <i>Dead Reckoning</i> succeeds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dead Reckoning</i>'s movie goal is to get the key to the Entity. At the end of the story, Tom Cruise speed sails away with the key in his hands. He's achieved the goal. He still has to stop the Entity and its henchmen, making us come back for movie two, but we still feel content with this ending.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But since <i>Spider-Verse </i>doesn't have a well-defined movie goal, when the story stops as Miles is captured by his alter ego and Gwen gathers the Spider-People to rescue him, the story feels unfinished. Like it was ramping up, only to have its momentum cut off short. Miles doesn't win anything and the story leave us feeling content. It leaves us wanting more, but in a bad way. (Especially when you see it in theaters and the next movie won't come out for a year or more at this point.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You need to find a way to make your first part end satisfactory. There needs to be a bit of resolution, even with a cliff-hanger. And that's why I feel like <i>Spider-Verse</i> is a slightly weaker movie than <i>Dead Reckoning</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e3kjtLIlE7tgg8YxHg6Hddl_JPngx_J7GIkyP82XDO9nYCWkTdr2zLK2HfDh9HXvvZjXYMKwNovApZdP7IXP4RNCiHHwRfXkP4FatTIMxHKiToG66PXLmCpW4UaPgJiqjfhcvS9F82ndSl1u4J9pTKC2AzHVj2IDTgyhsh_jgyS3bKQNihlPzHQhMASU/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you agree with my assessment? Do you have any tips for writing a two part story? Tell me in the comments!</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-15582356966947259372023-09-12T13:59:00.000-04:002023-09-12T13:59:15.647-04:00Rewrites with Rachel: The Sea Beast<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Rewrites with Rachel: The Sea Beast" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouKsckNX6oHZONp6-COkQbeQ_vaEN3nYmX0x4_q6zwMdoNtUrcAK5stOBk4--RIMCvhBt0hf0_X8RCHNZ9kqgT4PbbzzOOk16SjB7v6pjYskC917od3edx4QdUJLRZrhX_InlaJp_vx60GFJmkSvEumoPETBnTaL09T21KqNRmfyAHlnsgKSOK8wAKVUM/w432-h640/Rewrites%20with%20Rachel_%20The%20Sea%20Beast.jpg" title="Rewrites with Rachel: The Sea Beast" width="432" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Last year, Netflix released the animated movie The Sea Beast. I saw the trailer and was intrigued. I like pirate movies, I like animated movies, and the main character is voiced by Karl Urban. What's not to like?</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But unfortunately, the movie fell a little flat for me. The premise is great and there's a lot of potential here. But they made a few decisions that detracted from my overall opinion of the movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So today we're looking at how I would rewrite this movie to be even better and the kind of story I hoped it would be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blurb: <i>In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he's saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Spoilers Ahead!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnk1C6YIf2hnsPJO2OxaL3pZ30I0h7BFZmTeJYDHfGsrMWXBQ6AcBvzwhZ1AuzVTfIdxy58-7cZbQnjOtA6Q4a3NKcqhLHDfO4YPaiDnR0OjyPcHbx7WJK7foYNvleiRIjLFzcr15gyXHKssYCibZ2N_Jrzxgnmo1D-3Mu6yVmrBxWj2Iqm6TsyCxHpoL/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffP7he96DM1NeaY9v_mf1deF3jOsQeSLCj13lDJOj1NcGfvlBxLbtq6bus5FJmsipl87e0cDP5WKop34wHL5Cm0sHgq4LTAMG9NFWntIwVnvIqqktHOqfdgjsRYTTOi1vOt9b-bMSn5qux3fP6d7F1LOiWHdrvnIrULnSeCex7b8nrtPH1-X7o8LZeP9O/w640-h360/intro-1654785779.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Change #1: Give it a different main conflict</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The main conflict of the movie Jacob and Maisie learning that the sea beasts aren't the monsters they've been told. The problem is, we've seen this story before in <i>How to Train Your Dragon</i>, and that movie does it better. Here, it feels so cliche when it's revealed the monsters aren't such monsters after all. When it became apparent that was going to be the conflict, I almost rolled my eyes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The thing is, this movie has a lot of potential for other great conflicts. There's a minor storyline about the government wanting to replace the hunters with the navy. Or there's a lot of great conflict between Jacob and his father figure, Captain Crow, about the way they do things. But instead, they went with the sea beast thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If I were writing this movie, I'd make the main conflict be between Crow and Jacob, because I see the most potential there. Rather than fight about whether sea beasts are monsters, I'd have them fight about whether being a hunter is worth it. Make it a changing with the times, new versus old kind of film.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36b-eCYVOgxn0wp-pLnxqGGQoBXGZ7_PDKYZMI5G0KPaum40_xfWleEX_neNvWAU1FzRGtk66bS_CYPyxTNzmZnc43t4uiPmsm-X1yA1lGNU5xlED1FY9wut0uTQHraz8iSkZ8jb_5KqpcElLP1zdhzTT1pJQ081KlSxnm4dQMOB0VbKm8MB10K6HicHw/w640-h366/The-Sea-Beast.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may not like her character, but her hair is beautifully animated.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Change #2: Remove or change Maisie's character</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm not going to sugarcoat it- I hate Maisie. She's the obnoxious child character that somehow knows more than the seasoned sailor and is always right. I also hate how she's disrespectful and the film always has Jacob become a bumbling idiot around her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You could handle this two ways. 1) We could take Maisie out entirely and lean on Jacob as our main character. This would work well with the above conflict change and give us more time to develop Jacob (who is a bit flat in the movie).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Or 2) We could change Maisie to a boy and include more of a father and son side to the conflict. I like this option slightly more because I actually like the scenes where Crow compares Maisie to Jacob when he was a boy and Jacob looking out for and protecting someone else. I just don't like Maisie as a character.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So we could change Maisie to a boy and maybe have him be found in the ocean, like Jacob. Jacob takes him under his wing, but at the same time, starts falling out with Crow. Then we get a lot of juicy conflict about being a father and whether raising a child as a hunter is a good idea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zYOIKAySAV_706jMb7HUeQpS8s_YJe7JR4GnYg5pDG-O2cqjNES4S8XcDpoi_iKxZgPAdrgm0Aub1sO3WS7iviHL04T7SqsSy7WWzyyS0JyeGmPkG1TtVoI-85WLj8eKDWudLHsqA22nul1LqyS9L8-_TrfRQD_3TZoBuLUtgDmUWxq2qzrGml7vk-aV/w640-h320/The-sea-beast-king-and-queen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really hate their character designs.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Change #3: Remove the government storyline</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At the end of the movie, literally right before the conflict, Maisie discovers all the pirate's books were written by the government and decides that means they've been lying to everyone about the sea monsters being bad. It's so out of left field and really makes the whole "sea beasts aren't bad" part even worse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Beyond being a last minute addition, it doesn't make sense. We don't get a good reason why they'd want to start a war with the sea monsters. Wouldn't that make their ocean based kingdom lose more than it gains? How are they going to trade with other countries if they can't safely deliver their goods?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So I would take this part out entirely. It isn't necessary and doesn't work with the other parts. Instead, I would again ramp up the old world versus new world conflict, like in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Small Changes</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1296" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Fh_K2MZp401kAY23RbhYWqNPlTkkMdjTdsTLy1aAkTY66eWaJZi5BriDr1zQjqfiFBQqBail67XZ7Hfc0BOOcWncebgvbmxgl2H24dblo51M77J1PVlcJ7P7gMvSAup8zCUn1uBBI6gbZ5GC351cH8BiTQyIJEIllfcHgXbUZI8SpAAx2W23ny6vAA3b/w400-h225/The_Sea_Beast_00_56_21_22-H-2022.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I'd get rid of the cute monster sidekick. This movie already has a lot in it. The animal sidekick takes everything too far.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="850" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtNnVabhQfmWPGnXdguDpPbD5y7pVurmgElIKqaHZ3BihI8_Y9U7C92iFDHl39AO7JSetevKPWjFn-X45TdHZJizM6iYnDc6QwPp80hb5V1lOKxdfyj5ngFfxXYw_gpz0-0sAukPQ3opZT5P9hez2d9mXZn4cjQcJlEoUxFPTsIaAxUjVUOlTpfU_2CeU/w400-h206/Screenshotter-TheSeaBeast-4800-e1657582503915.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Change the Red Bluster's design. It looks dumb and purposely not evil looking.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1161" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPqalqKw439mvyr1-Zu9YWmmfDqlaK0PG7KqCoMDs64A6TspjvPD50RI6H9GFbzrqof4vSdyOB9H7Ac_18_TDCCwJmXnDeZZB023KmlSV9kge5_DYipIKNiRrmdcgLxhj0RjGN2peEZ65g8wknngSNXEZL2erCVSjaEa1EUODjCpvJkiIrTuu5IQho09T/w400-h225/013887_1161x653_637842711964529171.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Give the epic first mate more screen time. She was so cool and did like nothing in this movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Overall, there's a lot of potential with this movie. The world is cool. The animation, especially the characters and ocean shots. There are lots of cool pirates. People actually get hurt, something you don't see a lot in kids movies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It just falls short in a few important ways, making it a slightly frustrating watch for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="498" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n2ULBdkHRf2K-eWdQacSv-yUgh75BjEQ4-TRQGGjokXlBy4tJC9BMBCMkCdTeejSayfroGSgubwdJJqZo1a2KyhCVz-nCVcTpcpNjhVE7sRLMtfoH9Be_7NdkH0482FWvrKBvVgfibtL2CFr8PORc_bKDbHiYR0I-jTAx36GKjNIAbF61Drkoy_W2CWo/w400-h213/sea-beast-attack-the-sea-beast.gif" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CfeNdF_tzrLaD_2la6y1qPTtX22R_ptGUBKfieECigq87xSZrC3LK8qHCQ9zpDdYqA6yOWQw6rEt1XO2zBpeiq1t82AwfibB8c20HJhfBYGBuLxad2RtgCl6lXxAeMmI2P3UiCnymtdYTtKiuYPqEuXgMcEqbhrlbdBVtpp3u877ITISvaDxHwCPVdOv/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you seen The Sea Beast? If you have, do agree or disagree with my changes? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-38066912707033076282023-09-05T10:21:00.000-04:002023-09-05T10:21:38.384-04:003 Ways to Track Your Reading<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="3 Ways to Track Your Reading" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2857" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp10QjdHMSn_C8zJDVv147WbVdJp38RpPFySU1_d-TIBtGEdH43sP6berV3EBYBCEVONLBxjtrrGoOfNImgh_X8Qw9p66ToTpeJqZ20d7o-yomPsOV_uxZzi5er3xS74unrs1CdnB6Ly2-f7BBzCcuAH2CtzyO9S_4Qg6XPq-VpnFewnwnDDgWGiApAqa/w458-h640/3%20Ways%20to%20Track%20Your%20Reading.jpg" title="3 Ways to Track Your Reading" width="458" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I like tracking my reading. I like being able to look back, see what I read, and what I thought of it. Over the years, I've tried several methods of doing that.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today I'm sharing three of my favorite ways to track books I've read. If you've wanted to do better at that, I hope this post will inspire you to get started.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1563" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTY8yma2yKCWEkZr4PGny4HX4Xz-dYVx1XMp5JlO-ASURH29h2cbEguiIRpUGARS7hW39cETko8UJTPOIBIxLQrke2fHkbwQDLZQVuJizGb0xOCsq4EtdKJhSlWwfk7oQxLMmrGeKtbXk9v4eFXW2iQg7ZxaHHt4M-AY6jjVrblXMupbP630DUChD-61q/w640-h362/Screenshot%202023-09-05%20094819.png" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#1: Goodreads</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Good For: </b>Online reading tracking</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Benefits:</b> Writing reviews, yearly reading challenge, reading stats</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've been using Goodreads since 2016 and currently have reviews for almost a thousand books. If you haven't heard of Goodreads before, it's a combination of a book database and a social platform. You can write reviews of books, which people can like and comment on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1273" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld83x60WSUj-3f0S35SpSxYeXaJi36aK1Hc0X5tJLe9tc1iWHVUFfc0iSkJJ1HNjeYqypbAUvxHYrWJ8o7cVOXFsHd07hFg497l34iuZr8SPkrixkAaJMCnIRcTobAuTlB11VQCzMU2bQSRQPBZy8YToaZxJy2ZWnl6tWeUdX_D3hGI7KdclipdNWQl4u/w640-h384/Screenshot%202023-09-05%20094711.png" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I love Goodreads for tracking reading because it's so easy to use. You can sort your reads onto digital bookshelves, participate in polls and reading challenges, and even find new books to read through sidebar suggestions. You can give updates as you read books and view others reviews to see what they thought. And since it's an online site, you can access it on any device.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1210" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VOBAF9bug0FuVTKCj_ltjR29wlQrYz2pZwKweRf10w71jgeFR_nhlWc9eXp-o_9Q4SBYoqDKa5jFHJYP1YuU0VKHrqGQ1zgAtSpRo8wxXoUvxMxVxrby3qlAxigRsucXhUHKZXALwNvN1COxfmC_tcrl-b6UwOgAeJFThuwh3JicScJyWXLDxXMrvrFz/w640-h292/Screenshot%202023-09-05%20094749.png" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are a few drawbacks, however. There aren't half stars on the platform, even though everyone has asked for them for years. I find reading reviews before I start a book affects my opinion, so I don't do that anymore (but that could just be me). And of course, it's a bit woke. But I'd say the good far outweighs the bad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJCVXe1MX8uJ-uUUwdEKx3O9_MHkf4p8R7oJQGCIlFiIAaLnl1XTPwpKwoLlNIWQ4mWyDWRFwkxw1E-tH2ChPelxgbaNf7zNaff44P7a-nZ21TtEgNwZ-U4OmGD4-Q4l4pbvZW0md0f5GMFP-uymdAmaVm1hKUwR9MD7FxSQHuJz99kW4o4RGXsIgG8a4/w318-h640/Screenshot_20230905_095018_Bookmory.jpg" width="318" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#2: Bookmory</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Good For:</b> Daily reading tracking</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Benefits:</b> Tracking pages read, yearly stats, timed reading</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found this app by someone sharing a screenshot of it on Twitter. I decided to download it and found it had a lot of useful features that I enjoyed using. It's pretty similar to Goodreads, but without the social aspect. It allows you to track your reading, give reviews on books, and lets you set yearly reading goals.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ6NjPZWCBnEJFlFBq7AJp0tPMaKB3Aq7_-mISKcR9s4mfmemQ-gMNi1WeEIV4drXzoLYW6XW4NP9ipeQuXkWP0iPlJ5r5MrVm1RrPfHWw6yIzYNj0co8vTiyOgD3VuW4iLq-rQgdckr9FCHmqZm3trTP5e0mpYv2766pTsK9QkkyjWj1FSQ4RCLXRl6N/w318-h640/Screenshot_20230905_095917_Bookmory.jpg" width="318" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I mainly use the app for tracking my daily reading. I can plug in how many pages I read on each book I'm reading each day and watch the little progress bar move further, which inspires me to read more. I can give a quick star rating when done and quickly see how many books I read this month. It also has half stars, which is awesome.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It also has a bunch of features I don't use. You can organize your reads in collections or write reviews, which I don't do in the app. There's a reading time if you'd like to see how long it takes you to read a book and even a place to take notes as you read. If you like Goodreads, but don't want people to see your reviews, this is a great alternative.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGzMGYF-hXdDduJipdAgi2X521ozY1z_Di2JCE5rmiB4GWeYJ0gTRU9iR9QIEYb9B3OW4s6j3Y65AKvRFZtFl2JuMPSjUnOJecs5ectbY1RT6oMhsM_wwArJok0-M0P0ap_emIAnhoGmaD5-ql28kbYot2DA02aw3yYO60lhaWULczaxhfBxqL2YGOH1n/w318-h640/Screenshot_20230905_095823_Bookmory.jpg" width="318" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It does have some ads, but they're fairly unobtrusive. I like to use this in combination with Goodreads, giving me daily reading incentive, but writing all my reviews in Goodreads.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavT0laiLz5ZQIB1OXEP6jUi_iOTTmsrmiZl19KfBvMuja_lzF6HUJBqTbpdooyFRgTt_mfehSSZLS4naDx-BvjTbnbBiaDBCFMpuEdVt4NIwzDzx8FmiX63-FsqYaqLFeYbclYLWaIxJb56E9UAt3C7DIDPwilykK1oM_rRgkn9pxj_vVt0OSY_6rpLeT/w480-h640/20200314_101931.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">#3: Reading Journal</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Good For: </b>A permanent reading record</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Benefits:</b> Physical notes, offline access, wonderful record</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've been tracking my reading by hand long before I got Goodreads. As a kid, I wrote lists of ever book I read in a year (which at the time was 300+ books), along with the author's name and if I'd read it before. Then I got into Goodreads and stopped physically tracking my reading for a while.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But then I decided to set up a reading journal again. Partially because I wanted an offline version of what I read and my thoughts, and partially because Goodreads is an online platform. One day it could disappear and I'd lose all those reviews and records. Even if that were to happen, I have everything from the past few years in my reading journal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I keep it simple too. I write down the book title, author, my review, and a few other little stats. I actually did a whole post on my reading journal a few years ago, so check that out for a more in depth look.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course, not everyone likes writing things by hand. But you could also keep a reading journal in a Word Document or something similar. For me, writing stuff out by hand is my happy place.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNGrD7U_vD-i1wbp_Xs4fSI4rBIbXBt-cf68P_ZuoX77mhYjfEiKzZeSUhp8prMVxFCLGBd6M6eOyp16iAejym8O4AbrdqzaV3g1t256Oy_NnRJdmYyHPRXNFfLpz-_HjzhCZoEfprNR-tnUlq984AqoDQwSeTDXSj_AUEeY05mobeIPX47_B56lWtcA-/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you track your reading? Do you use any of these methods or other ones? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-86738202663179641332023-08-31T08:42:00.001-04:002023-08-31T08:42:34.061-04:00July and August Recap 2023<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="July and August Recap 2023" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JWowQI_JQfDVrjAOzHKUgVOwics_FEsLHG-LNlVzajlFSGXkn3GeN860MO9FZLGZEM2EcRa32-YvYdk1vMZwlIOi0emIZgjesKWx_k6Qn90hLiLTlUyYcsDijS8JyJVPWdAiaRtswk7aoCX4s6y6GP0wh9CuUR72ErpEetQN4MxVlyWB0-D88s-f-bQq/w480-h640/July%20and%20August%20Recap%202023.jpg" title="July and August Recap 2023" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you guys know, I took a blogging break in July due to my busy schedule. So today we're doing a two month recap! I'll try to keep everything short, but I did a lot of stuff in the last two months and wanted to share it with you guys. Get yourself a tasty beverage and let's get started.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I went to Realm Makers! I have a whole <a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/07/realm-makers-2023-recap.html">recap post</a> for the full details, but it was an amazing time. Plus, it really helped me realize I am capable. I can fly halfway across the United States by myself and overcome my fears.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_CH5xyozTGZ4qqD7KCVDtDF5xo4uwxBpO1LubN0Rs16rtFUSQgkOTeVJ6_2M5R6AS3DjRQPbCQrP_dzvLpZUFcLhweGypG6KPS6-U_ptJ61Mgce6tuH2cmGLFHWjI3cZw46LRL2sDIBkfhHKcxAWcu0L5vr2L-h_kIfk0uwqS9fsiXfzP-WO9eX3D0QL/s3024/230749694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_CH5xyozTGZ4qqD7KCVDtDF5xo4uwxBpO1LubN0Rs16rtFUSQgkOTeVJ6_2M5R6AS3DjRQPbCQrP_dzvLpZUFcLhweGypG6KPS6-U_ptJ61Mgce6tuH2cmGLFHWjI3cZw46LRL2sDIBkfhHKcxAWcu0L5vr2L-h_kIfk0uwqS9fsiXfzP-WO9eX3D0QL/w640-h640/230749694.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2690" data-original-width="2690" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTN71OC-iuucHZ18N9yu5zefvP-v22sqY0EZI-wWmTEtDwkwgEML7GmbHpY-7C1qFAVg6vXJAqkzuYBLIz77inV_HcbXiKBgr6ITJVYq3u4OyKG_IihLB137olL9DFhTyYgPyiWJCvB-FWcOjBO5h0nq8MuHUbLvlV9Aed_HMz9MSgFN3S3xuIFSoW3Nx/w640-h640/221314141.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I helped out with making food at a friend's wedding. It was a great opportunity to bless a young couple from a nearby church. (And I even got to dance the Cotton Eyed Joe!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Our church had a Psalm sing I played violin for. It reminded me how much I love blessing others through my playing and made me want to play more. (Which means I actually need to practice.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I sewed a 1950s circle skirt! I had some snafus with it, but it came out pretty cute in the end. I'm quite proud of myself for accomplishing this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA1tQpua2J4MDAXnEaMEuFHmm6uVrrmw0bs3c44-karJBBQ8huJI-4VG90iI7OCD_S7X34y2txBaMOmSsLlQLJoxzE6wKMEEw6P7U9g2iAVMp__AS1oTUMDy6vZw7BVkkfYAKnVglPpGbCZ8gZCv455ehi1NSey7loX2jW93_Cbgpx7vxP0fX2Gi2LqBc/w480-h640/20230729_170038.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I went to Poiema again. We brought quite a few friends with us and it was a great time. We climbed the dunes, danced by the Sound, and even had an author talk which I participated in. (Still can't believe I did that.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldZq5zbbFF6nK_X7iAreZywpWDxBOwBeSLtLir6_28P99J1v1DZRSxSNrJSEP7pRSQ4otCWstx9dGha4jOQjB22mk2KOmRn-V6UrhBKONnR8bUvM4xY45Llvq1aOQqmzYbEjpwy9w3EMzZUjTImrD5C3eH14kCiL76Akm3vrPtwnHdXqUTZ9uSxm413r1/s4032/20230801_064259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldZq5zbbFF6nK_X7iAreZywpWDxBOwBeSLtLir6_28P99J1v1DZRSxSNrJSEP7pRSQ4otCWstx9dGha4jOQjB22mk2KOmRn-V6UrhBKONnR8bUvM4xY45Llvq1aOQqmzYbEjpwy9w3EMzZUjTImrD5C3eH14kCiL76Akm3vrPtwnHdXqUTZ9uSxm413r1/w480-h640/20230801_064259.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldVDGl4lp4Qnl1QnBKvLpvMrRVk3QypzO_Dn_NOjQ_dGVIq2ALImBUUMvsRFEalSCU_sjVoTvIzWxrrdUf7qqwY_MbKN04oDyb-_v_txhkviwEoz0xBBudbWDP3sSLZmt-MbzfbEEEtZ8KTLik4iAv9umWgwV1BrAcqmAncyDt0RiEFAyC4JG6szvs7OF/s4032/20230801_194041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldVDGl4lp4Qnl1QnBKvLpvMrRVk3QypzO_Dn_NOjQ_dGVIq2ALImBUUMvsRFEalSCU_sjVoTvIzWxrrdUf7qqwY_MbKN04oDyb-_v_txhkviwEoz0xBBudbWDP3sSLZmt-MbzfbEEEtZ8KTLik4iAv9umWgwV1BrAcqmAncyDt0RiEFAyC4JG6szvs7OF/w640-h480/20230801_194041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEREzh5ATiF83AXz3xEi-IwdSjyDklmnhG2FASiXHp7cM0RBUDsmRVc-YdLidgo-0CA2nqAibqp6TNCN4iHd2U9z-uagpCEqJsg_5dv_J6HvE3jRoHxg4H1zvBcWhFAgGmOqZDf5FhU8Dq2aWfIHx2ksUqcHdeeTNxIH2S15g4HpsUJzdPM1_Pe0elNzx/w640-h480/20230803_142149.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My schedule finally calmed down and I was able to take more time for reading, art, and roller skating again. I also started sewing another skirt, but this one I'm making entirely with hand sewing. Am I crazy? Maybe a little.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Bethany set up a booth at a farmer's market to sell her books! I brought her coffee and hung out with her for a bit. I was very proud of her and she even made some sales, which is great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A18g2M5KkK-P9UrsU640KfU9Dw3R7UNElY4YiRh5vJNy4Q4ELQEfjfI3w6d4wzWaGwlZSZo0lol6ldcdeLEB8r-Gtf4T8BYo6CbM0k-O3b6fU2nUtQGj_BCcC3fEsgcqqapjh2HKC1bYR2en3-413WhwqC87pAsOiW7eaVrR0548a_G4g-yihovpyjR4/w640-h480/20230819_110950.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I went to see Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 in theaters with my brother. We were late, so we were stuck with front row seats, but thankfully neither of us got sick. It was an amazing film and I'm so glad I got to see it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDi9ku8e9WAzuWDBrZBJ74e-7fAmsZ14ejUBbABJynUMgXyTmOWrz9icxyRQEX2z4IAlGAl85lMnIfoKfWT1qhcuvNlNYyol6oaFcXv_B4K_wpljmRwMTO5jrYJhVig7C3N7RhPxgnMFCr-RsHfqhf6vwNuAkusbHYM38sx92dIDt6TE0VTrHIdi6v635/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2711378458">A Curse So Dark and Lonely</a></i>- Brigid K</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">emmerer (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5653899637">Only a Monster</a></i>- Vanessa Len (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5523148829">Dust</a></i>- Kara Swanson (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5687066758">Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane</a></i>- Sean McKeever (2 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3886219333">A Dress for the Wicked</a></i>- Autumn Krause (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5670128027">Rent a Boyfriend</a></i>- Gloria Chao (2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4376267591">The Memory of Babble</a></i>- Christelle Dabos (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4376268382">The Storm of Echoes</a></i>- Christelle Dabos (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5600580446">The Otherworld</a></i>- Abbie Emmons (2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5759750432">T</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5759750432">he Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway</a></i>- Ashley Schumacher (3 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5779410662">Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die</a></i>- Chip and Dan Heath (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5774728616">Sisters of Sword and Song</a></i>- Rebecca Ross (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5716740518">Redwall</a></i>- Brian Jacques (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5ITetmahTRxCSS34yZolcyPqqecuqwy6TT_oDRZXpyZdUaHKirbPuSbMadKQf2Tvm8G8FCjb5Ehv_n6qb-wIDhv04N0_WpNXY3VQoYvmcSGlJv_yuprii1hMchsleBO7AZzujKLo2l16KCl-GyX_0lsyOIsCophtZeyUiRfExlmlPOaCFQErD992u_jo/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull </i>(not great, but at least hilarious)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Newsies</i> (a classic)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief </i>(I still like this movie)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Nimona</i> (a hate watch with my sister)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Clue</i> (I butle, sir)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters</i> (worse than the first)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>King Kong</i> (too long and self-indulgent)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>A Cinderella Story</i> (still my least favorite of the series, but it does have Jennifer Coolige)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir: The Movie</i> (why is it a musical?)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Bourne Ultimatum</i> (solid ending to the trilogy)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">•<i> The Lego Movie</i> (cover your butts)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Yours, Mine, and Ours</i> (buddy watch with my little brother)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Uncharted</i> (still underwhelming on a second viewing)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Fugitive</i> (a great action thriller)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Pitch Perfect 3</i> (I still don't understand the inclusion of the Fat Amy subplot)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One</i> (absolutely great)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Bourne Legacy</i> (there is no Jason Bourne in this)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i> (somehow worse than I expected)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</i> (underwhelming)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Total Recall</i> (not top notch, but fine)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Jason Bourne</i> (okay, but not as good as the original trilogy)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Wish Dragon</i> (cute and fun)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-D3jC1sBu2_wbyCRTSADGjej-DxufhLTUMiHCIe9FsUEeklqSNWnIpoynEw3G4__mQi3b2lYWP3apgGpXw36sYh6fibO14KeaBl_HL0SKsK9yCR8QPYg8vmdyiY4mC937jbMoCu5-CHkOXV_5gGUgP8Tx3_5xQTFMl_U8g_avP1uQpusAEMExDaFPpKm/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">July's writing continued to be focused on Realm Makers prep and sending a proposal afterwards. I didn't do much, most tried to focus on the important things.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I got feedback on my proposal that made me re-think the beginning of New Magic. After discussing it with my critique partner, I came to realize it needed some changes. So August has been dedicated to making those edits, hopefully resulting in a stronger book.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGVyBXaGvTVE21Ejc-tNn_PtLdXhxWmvju8ki1PNS-qcgRFiCDIzyBswkdq8wVm_GXsyyIS0-7M_USZSnYfOVa8_jlWSIxteSYcrZnQ-qYNWV_yp04e628Hk8H_z24cSC5USf_lUSd1_XEEU4GhAq56Q-UI7R4TT_EeJ6YGLxaAWVOeM67vnl3_01fJC5/s320/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/07/realm-makers-2023-recap.html">Realm Makers 2023 Recap</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-favorite-reads-of-2023-so-far.html">My Favorite Reads of 2023... So Far</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/08/5-mediocre-movies-i-love.html">5 Mediocre Movies I Love</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/08/why-i-like-making-things-by-hand-old.html">Why I Like Making Things by Hand (The Old-Fashioned Way)</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYENJ4cBzx09OUVd8GM3WI6DhpOO7SMmYzqOG6kPQ7Tkz_p_Nw9z7bkhIIyeNEl3aOfWyi7v5IT9kc8xtXDDk85RUaETWdGkiRN9uRl63WoYhferaj-3O8q9rOUW2N1d9iAwF0znySFm4Tfcz0MgRGBwKvpz_dRHfn7H4I_5WgJR6n7ezjL80BfoIowX8/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Due to a very busy schedule, I didn't finish any art pieces in July.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>August</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Olivia Rodrigo released vampire and I loved the cover so much, I painted it. It's not perfect, but it was fun to play around with black and white.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="2539" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8Z1j0pFE9CDAL-SuUfWRU-2tlnNwtIY31fXTVBgc0xJYJo-TuBmN-kI2tC6INdX_ecKvKMx2pVODIw-QwCV5XCk_44-Q0uQeXyYKzEcCIeteVt23PaY65KDA-DAMnSsj5nUblcixDp8J84uuzEyVNKVcFpDW3NpYxHa1vUDd56NSjEAQo8ILgQdlDTmX/w400-h400/20230811_091133-01.jpeg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I did a Draw This In Your Style for someone I follow on Instagram. It was a great opportunity to draw things I wouldn't normally, like gray hair.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="2452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqF77WZHcY4U4EWZ9Besf1Y8sdWkz1aKKhEjlj2an0Y1rRExilAFBzSCbLe6ZZaXxmuR34jhFKAIn-odpt--xzptmnoxptrGt1XX_98nnh9HH3dwgp0VAvjkN57VTdXt7y2c8PKgUquYftPy215HNisXDoLaNsqCOn0Q27sLQRTZEqNIyItfISTlvYv8F/w392-h640/1000005662-01.jpeg" width="392" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I also drew this fanart of one of my favorite characters from my sister's book- Twill. It was tricky, but came out okay in the end.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3974" data-original-width="2445" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJ45c29ucb_VoDmJQbfNcsloKteuohVQCbqz0CkMEps0rl3y1enSQVKarN0X5yscivT0mGNjuC2Wl-LcPYZ4AEotoZGiNAQosUOo1iPKg0I4RlSxl-2hwrZbFkJeFIEyL177lw5JFVUpKd0hkrq-e3YlWiFAL_cz3HaL536Ln1neS5yic1UShsCY3Ppop/w394-h640/1000005663-01.jpeg" width="394" /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW7o5WDG-ZUkjKPQNXm_j-KZlwbCvOF5QM6caKCIMLhfTIapRz0nL7HG9SvP0pJWU8y62XYzUgqypDgw2PAw40ut3PaCMqz69N3is1wF54FDhi4lO7hQcKAFQp2SuCCNq_S4yfipgDk7AW59-1LyqDFSPi5x2H9FT4FleJoS8nU_SV0ELy3MRhZmAuEne/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I hope to continue returning to a normal schedule and doing more things like art and music.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I want to finish edits on New Magic and then send a new batch of queries.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I hope to finish sewing another skirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaDKAyHK4OXeIO6mww9Wg7LzRRQC_h3Hjlv6B-Qn6ctnOIbQezdwnIpFkAvcPc3KYGut3a6A8sZPDEnRpr4aDN6rML5C0ljntJpP6a0KUz-1ckqUOwBgLB4WcVtglXcpEG_bictAr8dHa0zR96MspWqVWbC1BCw0QO-0Do6t8p4a8FTT3-w1MlVqVUUyG/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your July/August? Have you done any traveling this summer? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-3022278869811011782023-08-22T20:43:00.000-04:002023-08-22T20:43:11.301-04:00Why I Like Making Things By Hand (The Old-Fashioned Way)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Why I Like Making Things By Hand (The Old-Fashioned Way)" border="0" data-original-height="5731" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KagmEGLABtn-1MT3oHKJodsvuGhkwOVVaI5QfvGbFxYvIXTBAZ-Lvdp7eR8K2J1CCplpy6wk_Iv6MYu23kbees0R30zTsj2ocyFrygM1HNxmLTIcACa0aP5X4jfYqd8hDheT7h19nNp6vkSEomVAKscgSp4ps90Z4KnPRsxcKHJSI7Yk2qucCgJ3joT1/w446-h640/Why%20I%20Like%20Making%20Things%20By%20Hand%20(The%20Old-Fashioned%20Way).jpg" title="Why I Like Making Things By Hand (The Old-Fashioned Way)" width="446" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I like making things by hand (shocking, based on the title of this post, I know).</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Over the last few years, I've found myself drawn more and more to doing things the old-fashioned way. I've learned to make cake, cupcakes, and frosting by hand. I've gotten back into sewing- both cross stitch and making clothes. Not only that, but I've started learning to sew things by hand.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So today I wanted to talk about why I like making things by hand and make the argument that you should give it a try yourself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a disclaimer, this post isn't meant to shame anyone or say things like "don't use box cake mix". I have nothing against slapping together a box cake mix with some store-bought frosting.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3udISvrlSx2jmFkp4IzMfXSmH_55O7OMN9Jr6CkUSM3FD7lbrGRL79rq5ySOu75NCE_eGGBjx7lFwnQ5XBmjDqiUOcYn19EVC5uOHQU12zj6lvvZOf6qB-2B311ObuEedb6UwGL-u2K23_RsyCnnK-n4F8wTMKHUthr3o7JTN64MqAZb1I1c23ay72peL/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1) It makes you slow down</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our world is so fast these days. If things aren't shipped in two days, we don't want it. We prefer to watch an hour of 30 second TikToks rather than an hour long video. Everything, from cars to planes, are optimized to go as fast as possible.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There's nothing wrong with speed. But sometimes it's nice to slow down. And making things yourself is a great way to do that. It might take longer, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Life goes by fast enough as it is. Taking the time to make a cake from scratch gives you a chance to breath and appreciate the world God put you in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">2) It's more fulfilling</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Which are you going to value more- a skirt you bought on Amazon for $20 or a skirt you sewed for yourself over the course of an afternoon? The latter, right?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's such a rewarding feeling to look at something and know you made it. You spent your time on making something and bringing it to life. You'll value it far more and you'll remember that feeling of accomplishment every time you use the thing you made.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">3) It's more personalized</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our world likes to try to standardize everything. But as anyone who's ever shopped for anything, but especially clothes, you'll know it's impossible. Creating something yourself allows you to customize it to exactly what you want.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When I make a skirt, it fits my body perfectly. I don't have to feel bad because of the size on the tag, because there isn't one. Same goes for food. You don't want so much salt in a dish? Or need to substitute an ingredient? You can do it easily and make it exactly what you want.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">4) It keeps dying art forms alive</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've talked about this <a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-beauty-of-womanly-arts.html">before</a>, but certain skills are dying out in this world, especially skills associate with being a woman. Continuing to do those skills is both a way to keep them alive and be counter-cultural at the same time (a win in my book).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You don't have to go dedicate your life to learning to darn socks, but there's nothing wrong with exploring hobbies. Are you interested in spinning wool? Churning butter? Making bread? Sewing clothes? Give them a try. You might just find your new favorite thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">5) It's a useful skill to have</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We aren't taught to do things for ourselves anymore. We're told to just go buy whatever we need, even though we could make it ourselves, and in many cases, have it be better for you and better made.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm not one of those people that's like "what will you do if the world goes to hell tomorrow?", but I do think it's important to not have to rely on stores and brands for everything. You never know what the future will hold and having good practical skills is always a good plan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8xy8z_3Tq2gbhgrZTW3sO4u9RnxLDkB23osKQ7Yz3gW7ozx-i0jHlR5ZZDw_nVyejW7t-J0j0RuJGg1fZ8V2eDQBmqzzu87JCINxH4w5mDjXZO8LAKTEerqpWyBKWAi7cN7FQ9N93fTxRQDjAVaBZ-8E4lcv14ZM0hDYrJccbK146jFmk_rzIFDeID7k/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>What are your thoughts on this? Do you enjoy making anything by hand? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-17731798641101254742023-08-17T13:44:00.002-04:002023-08-17T13:44:34.915-04:005 Mediocre Movies I Love<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoebpYJnE-VOGw8TbnH2YBKOcsA-EEh85Axq4kdEJq9AFfnK0PCSZ8s8ohSL_O-oipEEDmeLavSREGEng0qD5NSco0eiayM06satpniA74gR9ZEf-bwDK5BVwXfks4s8ngSRu_rKz3GuoCLprwBRVVVzrthEpnXyFVVL1eqDfrt9aM3zmXkSCSDRp2_I8b/s4032/5%20Mediocre%20Movies%20I%20Love.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 Mediocre Movies I Love" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoebpYJnE-VOGw8TbnH2YBKOcsA-EEh85Axq4kdEJq9AFfnK0PCSZ8s8ohSL_O-oipEEDmeLavSREGEng0qD5NSco0eiayM06satpniA74gR9ZEf-bwDK5BVwXfks4s8ngSRu_rKz3GuoCLprwBRVVVzrthEpnXyFVVL1eqDfrt9aM3zmXkSCSDRp2_I8b/w480-h640/5%20Mediocre%20Movies%20I%20Love.jpg" title="5 Mediocre Movies I Love" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I think we all have those movies where we 100% agree they aren't the best, but still love them with all our heart. We admit they have flaws, problems, and might be downright bad, but they've still managed to claim a piece of our heart. So I thought today I'd share a few of my favorite mediocre movies with you.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi8x_L-1hD8-i1rATc8JEcB4EYMsSSuuO-ggwykeceNRD_tQk0Nn_2aNeqEe0U8YGiTXoffq4gCvFPXnU2UQRPpaQ2pnSiCx7JNyBtLL-bEkPgvSj7IasSiTE4-pb8A7mOYLKb-dwUbIGC3aEWr49oCwtQdvHT3rvkCKKA35v-HUoKQGHDK0Pj1ml90NF/w266-h400/MV5BYWVkMWEyMDUtZTVmOC00MTYxLWE1ZTUtNjk4M2IzMjY2OTIxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDk5Mzc5MQ@@._V1_.jpg" width="266" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1) Love and Monsters</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We've talked about this movie on <a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/04/rewrites-with-rachel-love-and-monsters.html">the blog</a> before. As I pointed out in that post, I think there are some ways it could be even better. But this one is still a fun movie to watch and such a refreshing, original story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="705" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaDzNjzP6q0lWU1FrS-o9_WXTsyPf9DSaDgotjemyCNCLMiY_Qaq0SLqfF2nDpbiZvzofpVyeX6ZTB3r0TXAdP-_7Wt6JnVNGtSTAkHbSRH-Y2D2znBHav_LMRpJhox9GSMJkRj9Kqs7ZZBWWJ3DT8G895SoDhxYHqnbmMXMkmHAlR_mW5QVa_6Cm73na/w283-h400/91-PEqHPZbL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="283" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">2) The Lightning Thief</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Come for me if you want, but I don't think The Lightning Thief is that bad. No, it's not a great book adaptation. But I think it's still fun to watch and Logan Lerman especially does a good job as Percy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7czOd4PStDZiNrwKRHFlpQh0RKk3JFP6Tp7nGAkTXMCjO8DeG1tgCK6ykkAbY1CnIH5_paBr4iytGHU8YO9Dotzx_WhYlsRUYcH062vISU4-JqbdNwxqojUAV_7lwi6eRO_EYpIWkhRSAZBexQd3oLltrVmDUhKc24wJSo0YDtfkUapgBMoN2NF0rsz2c/w273-h400/Zombies_(2018)_poster.png" width="273" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">3) Z-O-M-B-I-E-S</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While this franchise is rather dumb and gets increasingly so by the third movie, I still lowkey love the original. The romance is cute and the struggle of the zombies is best in this one.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2025" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLGCdd2GMtS6UwGHPZh4xdn9HF8soar7YyxQYzuizSV-MGF2K-hH8o6wbI3Xn6ZwQcYx7LGIEURfoMy5YPyHlL2fI7YQPV7zlYQaXYPD-iyxDwvb52Yf_dL5jDR4L-mEms8vZo8nK9g6CmGTw35BHNsBqxYAyQHMtJs-8RY8Hb4RFi-0cHbQDVqJVoTKV/w270-h400/MV5BOTA5NDYxNTg0OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODE5NzU1MTE@._V1_.jpg" width="270" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">4) The Amazing Spider-Man 2</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I specifically say this one because the first one I think most people can agree is decent, if not stellar. This one has a lot more struggles in the plotting and pacing area. But Andrew Garfield has my heart, so I still enjoy this movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW23-CipmIIzIYrGvIkkbCEnhojJ3IL2GYzetlNp3TwDSB_SSmKR2bf7UUhtAdxnCeovE-haOhm3QgQcol2FFixCx4f10TYAciD7LjQInaqg6Phxhjfbj4xhTqZpy2aOuPhzHJtiLC7egadp3hxsEeTKnOovr1OgEwmKRAgUQ9PpvY6C7iF_fFqIyLX98i/w270-h400/MV5BMTE0YWFmOTMtYTU2ZS00ZTIxLWE3OTEtYTNiYzBkZjViZThiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODMzMzQ4OTI@._V1_.jpg" width="270" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">5) Captain Marvel</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You can also come for me on this one, but I'll ignore you. I agree it's a bit too girlboss and Captain Marvel is overpowered. But I still enjoy this movie for reasons I'm not sure about.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5mmgGpC7zfstKQY7t_cQEd5I8KG1ifLJxLiiZ818gVAjEbeIyMB-A5j6Rfupk33IeuuMhETyEExNhn7g3-LtJlvq1-kZZYkEws7PGxlQDAKn6tEKtXpIb8aK-AttJZ2dmc-QiEcY3PjRvHpRHA9ij25831z7OKj15gur6Aa7F0mEgdfL2TrujNbkgMkh/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you like any of these movies? What's a mediocre movie you like? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-76982785351127576822023-08-08T20:27:00.004-04:002023-08-08T20:27:39.821-04:00My Favorite Reads of 2023... So Far<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="My Favorite Reads of 2023... So Far" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2837" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8-Arof_relfv5UcDCU0Ljt8VXaxQqJUgNnAwePquyy7fqeH0S-xqJLF-FmK0OHrxDdsN3uCTOZ8pnzScWRixMxJu20BEACeBH3pIA8Fx-LVFYFJzvIAjTKxKNys7P4Ti3m2Z5oidoZSHre_5mZUd8uAfIVlP8D56SjN7ZlQPsIzU-CHDCDsQ8r0vwnaA/w454-h640/My%20Favorite%20Reads%20of%202023...%20So%20Far.jpg" title="My Favorite Reads of 2023... So Far" width="454" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hi everyone! I'm back from my break and excited to get back into my normally scheduled everything. Which includes this blog!</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now that the halfway point of 2023 has passed us by (several months ago), it's time for me to recap what my favorite reads from the first half of the year were. Without further ado, here they are in no specific order.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1686" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRcrVsbWrv8by2-fmT5U2WgV86mWfkoI0uaJd0AdIhR8939-_NVjysS7Is1vEY8-pdjp_rZyIBVrg3bAN-jpD676X5N6qgq6gJ1IyZwXVaUp3PNRdQPsX4B9R8JkJ6yPWs1jkxZOZffX1cH2l8yMQlr-K_uyFgJk5y3CpqwohL_3UqzygdabTfqgi_xKV/w264-h400/58854953.jpg" width="264" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1. <i>Bravely</i> by Maggie Stiefvater</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. Movie tie-in books are often in the mediocre fan service category. But this one was amazing. It had depth. It made me cry (which is rare for a book). The only thing I didn't like was Merida and Feradach, but it's so small, I can overlook it. Please read this book, even if you didn't like the movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="289" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpg63vxoGOlmMBByQ8oMX6JYHjGRFYH4heyGnukkJawRZfsREi2Tt2xTejecFu79WL6t6DHxy0-4QLiKZaf-JkqAtHFKc2xkiteup_5EauNe1HbPXB-wd70YF-3wMoiJZmejqosP2HflYRryRMreEgJLuaO5AHcFRArzQREE9tiXhPz5hxlUr9kCDk0L1/w244-h400/201345.jpg" width="244" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">2. <i>Martin the Warrior</i> by Brian Jacques</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The ending of this book breaks my heart every time. Thus, it's one of my favorites in the series. It's gripping from beginning to end, with high stakes that leave you fearful for the characters (for good reason). I know Redwall is the classic, but this book needs more recognition.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UFpRL9DBkan_9aqp5CooVt7XnKY5bdwSCcqhTGNX7shnxTEMN8osbrrAAgGAqKUraItoviznkAfFptBpjdEvJO5XwkU1_DYsAPlcwypiWhJWBM2UXJbiYBgTCe1E4_DF2Ow60u5gUYqP-QV6xseYSiuaaebtQpOn90UyYg9tAAa3pdID8basmEJXZ3hH/w265-h400/59314662.jpg" width="265" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">3. <i>A Thousand Heartbeats</i> by Kiera Cass</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't like Kiera's last book, so I was scared going into this one. But boy, was I surprised. In fact, this is probably one of my favorites of her books now. It was huge, but so engaging I flew through it. It also had enemies to lovers and an adorable female protagonist. Also highly recommend.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-IISg3YZX7McOBICu36vkOaFhMqcb7Sxmq7SlbUWWChaE6x3u-mZ3Um-eRP8yxzLbzwRp_I1p2YspbTMXo788hJ8oRu9e-QBEOoPRwI5dAxtHlE2KHdpHX-G_hZ3t_1tjfjBpc5cFddK6kipfdiSLQ5gTm-b9IglJyBV9rCxMsa7YckPvCGAEnfrjp8B/w261-h400/7979.jpg" width="261" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">4. <i>The Bellmaker</i> by Brian Jacques</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I rated all the Redwall books highly, but this is another one that truly stands out in the series. The plot is great, the characters are great, Blaggut is great. It's one of the few books that actually shows the vermin characters have potential for change. This book goes best with <i>Mariel of Redwall</i>, but can be read alone too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMfv_WU--Wb-RTwXL60Ac3h8EBWPzagdy6nTyLyeYzv66oSNylIr88bjJScfhCWZogpX0VSeMI7S4hiA2QnDTk1NB9u3syw1QgpPpT2EB6jscl3THpW7F_AFgU0oYzspBlFRt-gZD8hGDV59Xrsfl7aMZwrRn2XL8q7wOnHKkyt2LnookhwvFLA3w1T3q/w249-h400/64411002.jpg" width="249" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">5. <i>World Saving and Other Disasters</i> by Bethany Meyer</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Am I biased about this book? Yes. But I do genuinely think it's a great book. I did want more Wick, but I guess Archer deserves some page time too. It's a great second book and leaves you begging for book three.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYcTWaH2kGMJRiz9_PaRreGD-EjHxkPomqv9CLj5V0jraaKkuCyqY9SyvHkGPLgr94k50xG9swXv7Z0sloYnrQDyZQmakcnuXYr3GarecoWstoMqWohT9ajRjNCGbuTx920ne5-Is3ilMkmacizmG50Pu4W2flY5NTnyenZzkGm-Tmd9yvmKbkgUNUsvs/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any of these books? What was one of your favorite reads so far this year? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-18574726522050116212023-07-22T17:16:00.002-04:002023-07-22T17:16:51.237-04:00Realm Makers 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Realm Makers 2023 Recap" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTXSJP0xIag-uNCI6T3SCFqTYE8lbunHkoVlZyaz8MR0eSMQZKO6VaJMjx936oMIK69N28E2alyFmlUSTI3tYiUrG5TdPGjmgeFR7uVccapxkRHf1sSo9DxCKkTuUgY1jisty8OsJysnuk698NAbBBAIxeXzowjXCSHnYGmbnbL33S2UgbeibgjJLtkUp/w480-h640/Realm%20Makers%202023%20Recap.jpg" title="Realm Makers 2023 Recap" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, I did it. I flew to Missouri and went to Realm Makers all by myself. It was both amazing and hard, but let's do a full recap of the trip to break things down further.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7t_jKYKiGutr1b-jks-szhYtegzQflIDb6k9p-krBWwXFEtGBxU9YBhn4o6PWe7fF9ed-9q7PPXWsq7LRDyJsLOjGOtU2b1lJdy2LI1EuHnBoAv89nsx6IovZIi9DMQelCJq71qndy-fBXNUktjHZsYGzHpTt3vqboPpLeQdnpD_PHPWsVEIg5d21PBA/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Day 1: Wednesday</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This was my first big travel day. I had 5+ hours of flying, with one layover. This was my first time flying since I was ten or so, which made me super nervous. My dad dropped me off at BWI around 12:30. I only cried a little before getting myself together and getting inside the airport.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In spite of my fears, I actually enjoyed flying. Both flights went smoothly with minimal turbualnce. My second flight was delayed, but managed to get in the air sooner than anticipated.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9p7CI_XA0KJuRMA2ctbn3BHyKBDRSkvUSfx4iqzKmMX0N8HyfI_5SBkWlnu1VmeZpeQmD5zFYKPejxj0ieXlXDJ8FVCnv1siWCeHZf-Yu55-5vl3qpeDHGdhwSvcUc2qcu8i1eyZ4_JsJ6COf6l1zMruk0wLS6HsQdiwhDVLeEkNwlmZzIa-6S2tQ-H_/w480-h640/20230712_165205.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then I landed in St. Louis and found out all the luggage was delayed due to a storm that just finished. It took me 30-40 minutes just to get my bag, although some people I heard were there for 2 hours. With all that taken care of, all I had to do was get to the hotel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They had a complimentary shuttle, which I called. On the shuttle, I met four other Realmies, including Shannon Dittemore, who was the absolute sweetest. All of them were so welcoming to me and we chatted all the way to the hotel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Since I knew absolutely no one here, I roomed with two people I didn't know, Kat and Brittany. But again, they were amazing and kind and made me feel right at home. Kat was there when I arrived, since she's on the planning committee, but Brittany didn't come in until after midnight.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Around eleven, I crashed, and actually slept well. Which, for me, is unusual.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Day 2: Thursday</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While the conference started Thursday, activities didn't begin until 3 o'clock. Which gave me all morning to occupy myself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I started the day off with a breakdown in my hotel room (thankfully without my roommates around). It finally sunk in I was 14 hours away from my family surrounded by people I didn't know at an event I'd never been too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But after that, I pulled myself together and ventured to Panera for breakfast. There I found some more Realmies, including Megan from Lamplighter Literary Candles. They helped me feel a lot better, as did the Starbucks I got later.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After breakfast, I went back to the hotel and got registered for the conference. I picked up my badge, but all my stickers on it, and got my welcome packet. By then, it was still only 10 or 10:30, so I had some time to kill. I tucked myself into a window ledge along the main hallway to do some cross stitch. Partially to give myself something to do and partially so I didn't look like a total loser sitting by myself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vQHIdMdqmDWvW55crrex-L_RanuiL9XPDVLB9ls68xJU5wC44YQXQvfZ4SDnmu-JyxKjrW7h-zgSm_4VK17PEvVowKPhK8dyRbEPTNB_4_BRadp7UaCF8kkIKWdadYQrSLKVycTjqeGCf5ZhB0sdPvTuJvQ_YsgwZPovanLCOuLNACyxWjtqonjUpT9W/w480-h640/20230713_121803.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For lunch, I went to the famous Fuzzy's Tacos in the shopping area attached to the hotel. There I met Ronnell, who basically adopted me for the rest of the conference. Whenever we met up, she'd check on me and make sure I had a place to sit for meals and such. She's awesome.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxieT5LK-56zSvB6HucgU56tJG3X-SyS7JVzUBXGhlP_covixZ6t0bEjPlpYq3JKdkWIn3ELUtuRNOzY_1aFCNe5MWiXsxSedOmwnyteKWT7r0Ext9dKNQPv19GzqktMF_jSjXKH4UWQ0O6fKyuGIyi_rfPs6ks5nSe0K5q-OuCT5wNbaypWEqeT-pK8X/w640-h480/20230713_123701.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurendfulter_author/">Lauren</a>, who I've followed on Instagram for a while! We didn't get any pictures together because I'm awful about remembering to take pictures with people, but we met. She will confirm this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally at three the bookstore opened, so I went downstairs to wander and see what goodies were there before the conference properly started at four. I quickly realized that there was far too many good looking books and not nearly enough room in my suitcase or money in my budget to buy them all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The opening keynote was by Steve Laube, the man behind Enclave Publishing and the agent who represents some of my favorite authors. It was a wonderful keynote, even if I did have to step out halfway through due to a coughing fit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHBtpHrT0xc3UB_NM3rzVgD0gPyyz0pleOCuwYub1vdtQbSOoznQ-lb1m1D20t7C6NBUQT33UWWSZHI3zx6lksrhmXbrakhmU0IiZzQnVJ8ueGG3sHjGmdZuRdbUpfI_UeCVpLx3b0-8RaaXcaAD2QEwZmr8GkG3Y2IDV-jhvRW5BvQByg2QyKRYozLOj/w480-h640/20230713_162919.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Next was dinner (once again at Panera) followed by a new attendee orientation and then an Agent/Editor Q&A panel. Both were good, but I enjoyed even more making purchases in the bookshop all night (haul at the end of the post).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT7d6XAiDMy4vBwM8zuGbE7M4BrsRUOTAVjwfKIn_iz_4B3aUYdcbiC27kQcoo6PTkai8jkSkMYZ0baCe7_5uSNTDBdop54L6kweyg-KuKdiurHXkO3H_HKuqyMc3SquIV-4mIf0-lqb_UMhGb7Q1sHD8EjFG8bV7-Wk-M7y5au1bNg5hjzirLjoyJ-bN/s4032/20230713_205134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT7d6XAiDMy4vBwM8zuGbE7M4BrsRUOTAVjwfKIn_iz_4B3aUYdcbiC27kQcoo6PTkai8jkSkMYZ0baCe7_5uSNTDBdop54L6kweyg-KuKdiurHXkO3H_HKuqyMc3SquIV-4mIf0-lqb_UMhGb7Q1sHD8EjFG8bV7-Wk-M7y5au1bNg5hjzirLjoyJ-bN/w480-h640/20230713_205134.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the tiny dragon I got!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Day 3: Friday</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This was the day with all my appointments. I was a bit nervous going into it, but not as badly as I thought I might be. The keynote that started the day was by Steven James, who was hilarious. But even while making us fall off our chairs with laughter, her reminded us of the wonder of life and the power of story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By the time that was over, it was about thirty minutes until my mentor appointment. Rather than go to the first class of the day for 15 minutes, I hung out outside the appointment rooms until 10:30. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it was so encouraging to be surrounded by other people who were also excited and nervous for their appointments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I picked Katie Phillips as my mentor. We had an amazing 15 minute appointment talking about how I can do better at building my brand. I came away with some great new ideas and realizations (some of which were frustrating, but necessary). She was so sweet and encouraging to me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I booked it right over to catch the second half of my first continuing session- Story, Character, Prose by Daniel Schwabauer. (At least, booked it once I actually figured out where the heck it was.) Those in the homeschool world might recognize him as the man behind One Year Adventure Novel (and the man who gave me my first existential writing crisis, but that's a story for another time). It was a solid talk and I can't wait to rewatch the first half I missed in the RealmSphere.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR3EVbSTztkDuSlDRmXM1w-XmXurjJW0PO_WWLhV2XLDTvbuEcKhjGQeOPh4ZnNXFnUA-0Bp9SiRebajJzAAA6zxNxgOR8cvpGGfANp7zqbSggl6p5yvDkvQ4zOsF3Lf_2IA_VDtEuvDicNhg4y4PQR3or8dZSqk5nr2jr4rHPq5RhBrPwwOApXU930Bk/w480-h640/20230714_111628.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After lunch, it was time for one of the talks I was most looking forward to- Sara Ella's talk on spiritual themes. It was just as good as I hoped and I took a lot of notes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAxqLPT_p6pDgk5h6TDd3MgzomydSRBNbP0PmH4-U_k_uBr88oMoDNpLojD5gyU5F-BQgRPOeqYXyGIyOqRPjiyMcQ90PeSYbhavanN_G3TobigLdThnOHwG59Ps2baUhjn1SOpr6woLHq1zFPXiA3YiUDCZqneYrlE2AdgXyzwUiVdBeUBdyELl8TwhD/w480-h640/20230714_140859.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErqMB8aiO7h-IVG2k02hK8-inemLfjRNBcR4GRTNEb_FMF3jQPF0VR2NIg6qf1nXbfYH_VXISxwFbKyRGEyO2MWblj2xGivEyGiJC1r04ZBwStdyCVT1tsr5eoR_Qro1VF5jszDlqmqAhlS6-5c7wJ2aUKKKFMgEIOgMO3JdthZsxAmVFeTDuZKnmWLv0/w480-h640/20230714_140852.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then it was time to pitch my book. My first pitch was to Elk Lake Publishing. I felt wildly unprepared, but I went in and gave it my best. The editor I pitched to was pretty positive, and asked me to send a proposal into the publishing house, but I kind of feel like it was just him being nice. Even if that was the case, having a good first pitch boosted my confidence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So I decided to sign up for another pitch to Shadow Mountain Press. Sadly, the editor I pitched already had a similar "Alice in Wonderland" project. Rather than pitch another project, I asked her to give me feedback on my current pitch and we spent my fifteen minutes on that. While it didn't lead to an offer, it gave me some great ideas to strengthen my pitch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But with both of those pitches almost back to back, I missed almost all of my second continuing session. Rather than go finish the class, I decided to take an hour alone in my room before the evening festivities began.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Friday night was the Realm Awards dinner, which included costumes! I dressed up as Spider-Gwen and got a lot of compliments. There were so many good costumes, which of course I didn't take pictures of. I also took part in the costume contest, more for fun than to actually win.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOoQKmFVJY8kIzuswdinOCVz9m8Uy1UUr2XgfMQVhntaFZHnooT6T6xZncz9LlAjD3kijpNu7OszwUSu2FoMbLXBcB58aEMQeHy-y0Ta2ufZR0_FTaM2ySUjisDBbvlJgRj4mGAOzMyIVEFkJhHK_WaOeEQwyiekNYVY4j_wEM48Z_ZqvSwVroVRx-9X5/s2944/20230714_175240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOoQKmFVJY8kIzuswdinOCVz9m8Uy1UUr2XgfMQVhntaFZHnooT6T6xZncz9LlAjD3kijpNu7OszwUSu2FoMbLXBcB58aEMQeHy-y0Ta2ufZR0_FTaM2ySUjisDBbvlJgRj4mGAOzMyIVEFkJhHK_WaOeEQwyiekNYVY4j_wEM48Z_ZqvSwVroVRx-9X5/w480-h640/20230714_175240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL7fG9bGTYnZaltsS2si7BUjiFLrX7Q-R51QoIYirSGULeuv9AVNc9P5WPsGHatJF87H7lVbenmQm9g9N74a1eU7JpeSTvA92nBu4WwX6d-Fs-BS-CzVNqCypt2XnCc4dcVigCwODjAWPLe1vczd0cffU7Kvst_pMvH7QAvS8dqPagNvRMvWB8rxOwyE_/s4032/20230714_203427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL7fG9bGTYnZaltsS2si7BUjiFLrX7Q-R51QoIYirSGULeuv9AVNc9P5WPsGHatJF87H7lVbenmQm9g9N74a1eU7JpeSTvA92nBu4WwX6d-Fs-BS-CzVNqCypt2XnCc4dcVigCwODjAWPLe1vczd0cffU7Kvst_pMvH7QAvS8dqPagNvRMvWB8rxOwyE_/w480-h640/20230714_203427.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roommate and her boyfriend as the couple from SpyXFamily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The dinner was quite fancy and loud, but I made it through. Then it was time for the awards, which was lots of fun. The Wonderland Trials won in the YA fantasy category! I think it's the only winner I won, but that's okay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Once the ceremonies were over, everyone milled around for a while. I got tired, overwhelmed, and went to bed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Day 4: Saturday</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The final day of the conference. I was feeling a bit worn down by now. Meeting over four hundred new people is a lot for this socially anxious introvert.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My first class of the day was my other most anticipated class- a practical fighting class. It was just as good as I hoped. I scribbled so many notes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then it was on to the final continuing session on writing strong prose. I loved Daniel's classes, but boy does he go through slides fast. I'll have to rewatch this class too to catch a few points I missed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NNEkxEINSc1q4rcYfQqjdtdlH9Lq11K3WD9QSuEW20XxjP2mHMiB2K7axKGtr1vSv_B5cdFiyAT2nRHc3OPxlMDfqyJTh_OvYRvPgsDjxhAeiFUcqolGprGi5X6KfM3NOvRoSODmPAh6HLKUJL83ns42KGLlveeg628Jy9GW369IOCAFOtmbHyCp8lVK/w480-h640/20230715_113207.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After lunch (once again at Panera), I took a class on discovering your voice. It was probably my least favorite class, but I still got some good info from it. It also included an exercise writing a short story in five minutes, which we were given the chance to read afterwards. I was brave and read mine, even though it was crap.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My very last class was on failure and taught by Shannon. It was fantastic and left me with so much food for thought. After all these sessions, I sat at dinner scribbling thought after thought, trying to make sense of everything in my head (more on that at the end).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When they saw me sitting alone, my roommate and her boyfriend came and sat with me. They were both super awesome and also very welcoming to me throughout the conference.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Saturday was the book fair, where all the authors at Realm Makers sign their books. I beelined it to Sara Ella's table, where I had her sign two books and took a picture with her. I also met Nadine Brandes, although I didn't have anything for her to sign. She was great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghklFL0_iyuGuppqpHAkY7wylIXRuENKSsIVlxPxUhHDMraiV0bZw608EsNhH7-BRYMTHz4FDbewyIkHVVuE_91nai5JyXzvgrb_DONSlTI1BKFfgfkfJW2DpWuz6iLCmfuVyFGiY03i3sCM6Ov0WsxNlBssdEhDUBpZzWRVtU1hooovJI4iXz6kl_jLRR/s4032/20230715_194125(0).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghklFL0_iyuGuppqpHAkY7wylIXRuENKSsIVlxPxUhHDMraiV0bZw608EsNhH7-BRYMTHz4FDbewyIkHVVuE_91nai5JyXzvgrb_DONSlTI1BKFfgfkfJW2DpWuz6iLCmfuVyFGiY03i3sCM6Ov0WsxNlBssdEhDUBpZzWRVtU1hooovJI4iXz6kl_jLRR/w480-h640/20230715_194125(0).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImfgT43qnrjotiKZ8Docw7k3T3zEGCc3hvE2p20lw4XpgkY960s1q5HABJWmntSvtzwDk9wxokkhTQhQpK6kiQyXb-Idq8yXqh7tgPjYRWvUOeVUZf2CRbSz09LfSnA_aDT_-oix5IDjMmBqGkOa2J8DaC4kn0Siw9KvaBaqjS0-CBFW48gvXG24azE5Q/s3648/20230715_205800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImfgT43qnrjotiKZ8Docw7k3T3zEGCc3hvE2p20lw4XpgkY960s1q5HABJWmntSvtzwDk9wxokkhTQhQpK6kiQyXb-Idq8yXqh7tgPjYRWvUOeVUZf2CRbSz09LfSnA_aDT_-oix5IDjMmBqGkOa2J8DaC4kn0Siw9KvaBaqjS0-CBFW48gvXG24azE5Q/w480-h640/20230715_205800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw3uvERDJUJp0Vb-f6q27pr5ClZyf0bbFEiLlyOyKDhDSdbg0JSBxmg4iOBQ3VySHegO1cJ2nqBhKEYdGpt_pYjsuXttxy90H3spCk2AEL9IBaUinSyitke4fgRoV_TdnuwTlvqpYiVhU3UPy1Bb6YZzKOllRHerYGY5Ja8kCu6PLnYzvitVDU4M4C82L/w640-h480/20230715_200825.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I ended the night by talking to Shannon some more. Her books didn't arrive, so I couldn't buy one, but she very kindly gave me some pre-order merch for the sequel, which she signed for me. Again, she was great and remembered my name the whole time, which I find impressive.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy5vbQvlVZjyp6sT85RyhgfES8DFP6rQatyaUS6y5FgcXdd0TxWUuw3vuYmJHLaMaNEVFqxd0me9zQBwPSxBFlWFwYWEopYGlbnW4t-nA7ZhOemaIZSEOpRT-TqbRgY8lKc9wDFESouL8n8k79lf_88VaymLBnkshDsLnvOT1FHU6oKiwkt4wl3QWwbOl/w480-h640/20230715_205229.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A lot of people hung around all night, but I was tired and went to bed. I've never been a stay-up-later person.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Day 5: Sunday</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A family from a local church was kind enough to take me to church. It was similar to my regular church, so I didn't have too much trouble following the service.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My flight home wasn't until 8:35, so me and another woman from the conference went downtown to see the Arch. I did not go up it, but we did explore the museum underneath. I also wanted to see the City Museum, but we ran out of time and good weather.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo5znCiDpyOdQfvfbwNTQrCdp_9JQ9IEPrHn3NrvQesV8viPZ9crNnD1xFAHXnIdQxKcX856LXzLwdNXcSV4ENSU4t4iH8x5LbV0VvFDlN4cNs7YqM4K3_o_CQTajkG_c-U05eckDMQqIq2nRabvgLP-snL7B1b_gZB3m3fwzqIXspwD9qncvQ6tQHoUj/s3648/20230716_142135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo5znCiDpyOdQfvfbwNTQrCdp_9JQ9IEPrHn3NrvQesV8viPZ9crNnD1xFAHXnIdQxKcX856LXzLwdNXcSV4ENSU4t4iH8x5LbV0VvFDlN4cNs7YqM4K3_o_CQTajkG_c-U05eckDMQqIq2nRabvgLP-snL7B1b_gZB3m3fwzqIXspwD9qncvQ6tQHoUj/w480-h640/20230716_142135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvQWzg3yjFJTULjq3NmdI1sNkpQOF6v7CyD3_NHpORUGpZPxxcEXtwqSZ3iJIy7btC2AnD9AgRnzXG4mBA0oyYoKY0BKW-sS4HAn43CvVOv8WJ42MFGHXan5kAWug1_iHPxme7PeUf0MMYA4YMFzp3mcyNUqS-AE92YC66m9OrkkjWlD5H_piyEo3GKTN/s4032/20230716_142121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvQWzg3yjFJTULjq3NmdI1sNkpQOF6v7CyD3_NHpORUGpZPxxcEXtwqSZ3iJIy7btC2AnD9AgRnzXG4mBA0oyYoKY0BKW-sS4HAn43CvVOv8WJ42MFGHXan5kAWug1_iHPxme7PeUf0MMYA4YMFzp3mcyNUqS-AE92YC66m9OrkkjWlD5H_piyEo3GKTN/w640-h480/20230716_142121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMy0IKGq3cY18E1b1D0A8OP02LYzHoxF58Qoa_M9DEUHEwyHF0N8KiZ1V4WkeEvoAIcA57V_KbbxhnP0VyCZ-HvLCqVkDaTMunMHOXnAt_usntHx1RAZAV8B8IfPAd5rNHyXM0dOPMjM-NiygcvBOxSTeJpP5S5p3IQdvdPPbwDNFppgtVcks4JEiMK42/w640-h480/20230716_151623.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I got back to the hotel in enough time to pick up my luggage and rest for thirty minutes before I had to get on the shuttle to the airport. It was super busy and took me a while to get through checking baggage and security.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I barely had time to grab dinner at Burger King (not my first choice) and get to my gate before it was time to board. The flight back was smooth and on time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVQJlcC1nLxnKt0FCXBmiXkjZpOY0Wv90K62oavvw5jWH4LAqMIYBP-XVVntEZB0gWphaY51lZIXpV9jt0_38p-SG0h7E1AsyL09lik6Ru-QmRGMPm8yExg1uqEvV30Ufo-tkvICRFwDqid0nNQSt9nnpdPP990okih3fTAA460fnzg7fxi_mi8_7Q6OK/w480-h640/20230716_201317.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My dad picked me up at the airport, even though it was almost midnight. He's the best. We didn't get home until 1 am and I didn't get to bed until 1:30, which left me miserable the next morning. But overall, it was a great trip.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Realm Makers Haul</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At Realm Makers, I got:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Then Comes a Drifter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• The Dragon Flower</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Unblemished</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Several stickers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• An "Alice in Wonderland" pin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• A mini desk guardian</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• A fantasy themed candle</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• A ton of merch and bookmarks</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Realm Makers Takeaways</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1) Storytelling is a beautiful imitation of what God does. Don't forget the wonder and imagination of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2) I need to work on my mental state. I have a lot of doubts and mental blocks that are hindering me from getting where God wants me to be. It's something I need to pray about and be more active in confronting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3) I need to work on my people skills. Something that stood out to me throughout the talks is that authors need to be somewhat charismatic, personable, and be able to go out and sell their book. I'm not good at those things (which this weekend showed me), so I need to work on improving in that area.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the end, I enjoyed my time at Realm Makers. It gave me a boost of confidence I didn't know I needed, even as it made me wrestle with doubts and insecurities I didn't know I had.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I highly recommend it if you're in the Christian speculative fiction niche. There's nothing like being around so many people that are also writers and know exactly what you're going through.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNlsDXPtNrvEnp965rYOH_sZQSam5iXaCl220_ufkLvLnUeS1SA5MvLeUkd5D4biOMgwQ5sQOt-lTAmWjkrXecHQG3V3pArh5K8RZdGrH-67m46fnIBsPhMUCzjCEIN6UZAm8xu_91ndVI419O766t-DFGP76-3vL-AKa-P16dxLhfmiFxAnjEkYkTAwQ/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you been to Realm Makers? Would you ever like to go? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-59033896490719995542023-06-28T08:32:00.000-04:002023-06-28T08:32:13.739-04:00June 2023 Recap<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0gobdY3J8hT-FVnbwv0PPs-RdmCuK--JgQx9qAbgxQLqWiJWR9xnXpkiolO5kw8SwIkNuZCg8J-Knhi2BOaCNwHHoORnSvAcEd7jM0aBmdwfLl-kAWnW1CbwbPZleXqFNOzQNCvUJI-4SQavk4HC0uCIsjzH_FHF6FfOY4AJLqd-jUpoxthd_nSWDrBu/w480-h640/June%202023%20Recap.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wow, June has been a busy month for me. And July isn't looking to slow the pace. But it's a lot of good stuff and I'm trying to remind myself that this is only a season. It'll pass and I'll be able to return to a more normal schedule.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQIIGqlvHH89re2AjFNqc_cIwFZ6hCOzTaqVB4wbc49IKgMeVfFUb_qlgAvrpiYpZFqtrh3YEeKEjHrtxiH-tGw8e1VMoE3zmYaYchgYeeANwU402fTHCk7tcGVkWqg-WuHZpxtnFdEYOXHQO3bmdygUS1q1qTS8jcAb5nqU_8H4Nvmgg-qeQzeu1V-Aj/s320/my%20life%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My family went to my cousin's wedding in Indiana. It was great seeing family again and we even had time to do some sight seeing in the Indianapolis area. They had some great vintage and antique shops we hit up. I really hoped to find a vintage dress, but only ended up finding a cute lemon tee shirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkidhigfgu-bx9Lw79dOrhtatMuDajX3W61hIVc_Gjmg5_UnmUuB2hoklVnXsy9GUSxK2Y318PpaB1Lb0_q0iQJ2ace4E879EaFpr9VLlGIQn8_Xd3JdbjiP1JGsPZbBzza4s4ylaZxAlB4LQVZ5iP2p7pmceBszx9fSs31iIwFpV9YO3VHi32c6pisxS5/s4032/20230608_103437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkidhigfgu-bx9Lw79dOrhtatMuDajX3W61hIVc_Gjmg5_UnmUuB2hoklVnXsy9GUSxK2Y318PpaB1Lb0_q0iQJ2ace4E879EaFpr9VLlGIQn8_Xd3JdbjiP1JGsPZbBzza4s4ylaZxAlB4LQVZ5iP2p7pmceBszx9fSs31iIwFpV9YO3VHi32c6pisxS5/w480-h640/20230608_103437.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm-PMex0iAIUbFGIi_OZmTgb-xK_7cGrbhy3pzV0JUVexROw6QR1i4uNYRxFOivwj11qf2gVG_qUFoLghRPThhxbqQoYqw9SZpBgOmU5lOwYeq8UcpjvFh0uijvVCcajyl4VsvvS-Z0QFVvwtoZboWRgmiFOQCGMSlndbgJ5O-khnFuwzYjXLqpOsLdsB/s4032/20230609_115243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm-PMex0iAIUbFGIi_OZmTgb-xK_7cGrbhy3pzV0JUVexROw6QR1i4uNYRxFOivwj11qf2gVG_qUFoLghRPThhxbqQoYqw9SZpBgOmU5lOwYeq8UcpjvFh0uijvVCcajyl4VsvvS-Z0QFVvwtoZboWRgmiFOQCGMSlndbgJ5O-khnFuwzYjXLqpOsLdsB/w480-h640/20230609_115243.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRpd0fkgt8zdAIDBswQeesc__AjWWuMYxJqYFk228lRsvK2OuefFO-BIVItIaVxdqMNUAPWNSO_0gW7Wb9UoVIYlhMjwZyd7FB2oJrkKBKlA0xKMjyK5o_q9A7zcBtsVNB5RkKMed1NcYi8W5vOU8nLdE-POOhjUduDQ9igjbjUUErrQNJSo4Nxh3glB5/s4032/20230610_095345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRpd0fkgt8zdAIDBswQeesc__AjWWuMYxJqYFk228lRsvK2OuefFO-BIVItIaVxdqMNUAPWNSO_0gW7Wb9UoVIYlhMjwZyd7FB2oJrkKBKlA0xKMjyK5o_q9A7zcBtsVNB5RkKMed1NcYi8W5vOU8nLdE-POOhjUduDQ9igjbjUUErrQNJSo4Nxh3glB5/w480-h640/20230610_095345.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33-6mB-hXCckZt6HzppkR68QHW3wWiJHrl97m3VazF2YDnQv3nCvGG4fw6Dn1zSVIqusaJfqLEYwdhYOvjpQI7I1CQkGxr338GfAotk4Euy_xYmCNDXN_ShBFI71Wa_onNoB12ToS8kLyEUBEgpHkMejbydhESBfxBx_qbDRY5Gx82ntCc8WjJkSnpMO7/s3648/20230619_155150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33-6mB-hXCckZt6HzppkR68QHW3wWiJHrl97m3VazF2YDnQv3nCvGG4fw6Dn1zSVIqusaJfqLEYwdhYOvjpQI7I1CQkGxr338GfAotk4Euy_xYmCNDXN_ShBFI71Wa_onNoB12ToS8kLyEUBEgpHkMejbydhESBfxBx_qbDRY5Gx82ntCc8WjJkSnpMO7/w480-h640/20230619_155150.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lemon shirt I got</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• My sister and I went to Awesome Con! Because it was their 10th anniversary, it was bigger than normal. It took us a good two or more hours to work through the vendor hall, one of our favorite parts. We also got to see Christopher Eccleston, Karen Gillan, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Andy Serkis speak, which was super cool.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-GSXq13kKJ2HUi7ybIvmHHQm_P5FPoWOAz26HLqFHu7JdMXZKolLP8uK9EqD3f4nk2IwAwOqD1P52YyGauo5SnpctVs-NI7f8OoA9T_xJ08dBFClxfms-zJbIbxKQPGKr_LWaxIjKW2vI9EEoKzl8JP8X0lv_QGRjtwBSWuApAZXnIXXq-iZO1H7CpVs/s4032/20230617_113710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-GSXq13kKJ2HUi7ybIvmHHQm_P5FPoWOAz26HLqFHu7JdMXZKolLP8uK9EqD3f4nk2IwAwOqD1P52YyGauo5SnpctVs-NI7f8OoA9T_xJ08dBFClxfms-zJbIbxKQPGKr_LWaxIjKW2vI9EEoKzl8JP8X0lv_QGRjtwBSWuApAZXnIXXq-iZO1H7CpVs/w480-h640/20230617_113710.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9RKYuqqukaPXN9pi-OkIP37gjeoJuMpvYf6aOhCZ-JjEXLWmtS1Z5ErsN1SRAcpYS72aKQkyTwwzHpOUyNmv7M_LrJyvsfkUIBjPVIgXpktsOsAoJxaCsOvo2Pg0n2kORNoE6ADkULZCd7pB7Fb89L-nQeWPgf7M1TMpty8ceqKkNi8aEWQ1vt2dJdxQ/s4032/20230617_123444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9RKYuqqukaPXN9pi-OkIP37gjeoJuMpvYf6aOhCZ-JjEXLWmtS1Z5ErsN1SRAcpYS72aKQkyTwwzHpOUyNmv7M_LrJyvsfkUIBjPVIgXpktsOsAoJxaCsOvo2Pg0n2kORNoE6ADkULZCd7pB7Fb89L-nQeWPgf7M1TMpty8ceqKkNi8aEWQ1vt2dJdxQ/w480-h640/20230617_123444.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtDSx1_4Z7M0QH013LDavG_15CdttnS5sfKNYq4lEG4UF3mYekJaMTRGgjjaiTKaVYuymdPoAnquks6Z3ww7ZJD_BxZmJ6aPL4307sBZ3M_za2i-kyAdpRUnp19TrpxekU2NtdC9DDhi8WpPDuUA0-cYtNZoe3vl2_gT0WZo2aVdX_FmYHVgVR95eI4_6/s4032/20230617_133336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtDSx1_4Z7M0QH013LDavG_15CdttnS5sfKNYq4lEG4UF3mYekJaMTRGgjjaiTKaVYuymdPoAnquks6Z3ww7ZJD_BxZmJ6aPL4307sBZ3M_za2i-kyAdpRUnp19TrpxekU2NtdC9DDhi8WpPDuUA0-cYtNZoe3vl2_gT0WZo2aVdX_FmYHVgVR95eI4_6/w640-h480/20230617_133336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so fun watching these guys together ❤️</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SkWGDQmyb5-sMxIc9r0hciRK8FJ5do2yvRqxGEMOG1NzvfwI5UC8pOn7fkFfdd7w4AHV1u3yghUuQ8M4IPv4U0wyNW-eDg0ryhWMgnGGBs4hcVNkQw2KTJaw_PWheqap_A6KeGSpj61GWgytISHIGcBwfSrlWxVMst2FW3IIrH8NgCqEFlD6Wo8C0lx2/s4032/20230617_152701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SkWGDQmyb5-sMxIc9r0hciRK8FJ5do2yvRqxGEMOG1NzvfwI5UC8pOn7fkFfdd7w4AHV1u3yghUuQ8M4IPv4U0wyNW-eDg0ryhWMgnGGBs4hcVNkQw2KTJaw_PWheqap_A6KeGSpj61GWgytISHIGcBwfSrlWxVMst2FW3IIrH8NgCqEFlD6Wo8C0lx2/w480-h640/20230617_152701.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvf5vKejqsijDUDMCR9CK9vX9aHKeihXyEWXuEkYl2sWg5K8Oseh-U8O4kn6JlAXMOHjkNGFYzJXiZmYy8Gz3hXvZeinGjnZ-UoYrxioUGwroRFnCyj33gStiPy02byLIA8bzjkUTX5gknERfUDHxVdqxcOYlbjSKiXsQ4H0ldux5_xe3AEo0JalQ63aO/s4032/20230617_170058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvf5vKejqsijDUDMCR9CK9vX9aHKeihXyEWXuEkYl2sWg5K8Oseh-U8O4kn6JlAXMOHjkNGFYzJXiZmYy8Gz3hXvZeinGjnZ-UoYrxioUGwroRFnCyj33gStiPy02byLIA8bzjkUTX5gknERfUDHxVdqxcOYlbjSKiXsQ4H0ldux5_xe3AEo0JalQ63aO/w480-h640/20230617_170058.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister as the main character from Demon Slayer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimSb1TTRvn-zgKURUKiGpbxX9vBR1Op_WXX8gQm0FaeOVwYip7qVB5mFdgTDn30vG2IVLcqqK4VTAo3AwXOvmq_uP6QXeS_aF9hbP6DxE8_tlsV61zEgmhgL1lgpjcOOKc3wE4NFNbYGomHa1piyqHfg1d6IXV0hrdT6mxqel971xb5Ec-4EwPINFEefB/s4032/20230617_170121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimSb1TTRvn-zgKURUKiGpbxX9vBR1Op_WXX8gQm0FaeOVwYip7qVB5mFdgTDn30vG2IVLcqqK4VTAo3AwXOvmq_uP6QXeS_aF9hbP6DxE8_tlsV61zEgmhgL1lgpjcOOKc3wE4NFNbYGomHa1piyqHfg1d6IXV0hrdT6mxqel971xb5Ec-4EwPINFEefB/w480-h640/20230617_170121.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in a 1950s Star Wars look</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Went to see Across the Spider-Verse in theaters with some of my siblings. It was awesome! My only complaint is that I wanted more of an ending for this film, which we didn't get.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl4BrMKGL9v65VRWE4mfvgPbjnUAqtzHYXTvU89ZrBposBaqFMUQFADQPbUne2JjK-7-w59vpxVznYikdffEYyoQsZTHMcxbaM4aGZdQSwOsOO3xaWywt9kF2vTG1oc_gwkFGmYUiHylAtqo0yq2ZBOr1vPdJUF5vxWFQwkW2w5u_A5G_4OyNDpJcYgOU/w480-h640/20230620_191004.jpg" width="480" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Copywriting work has been slow lately, so my dad suggested I try doing DoorDash to earn extra money to cover my Realm Maker expenses. I took his advice and have been doing that for the last couple of weeks. I've actually rather enjoyed it and it makes a nice little side gig.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Like I said in the intro, life's just been busy. I've been prepping for Realm Makers, doing copywriting work, doing DoorDash, and trying to keep up with regular life and other summer activities. It's a lot and some days I feel overwhelmed. But I've been working to take it one day at a time and trust God with all my worries and fears.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9nAqpI3-8QR04QH4ubfCqIAHvULlmh1wzBrM65ulyhzmva06UndNXu6sYuSCGG-2gEeEnltUnj_AIncIoJWw59sC217C3s3PZao4cJZHFU6tpN9xgHw7CXQE_rc6cnbcLc5d_I8xA6Y3wE2wlYcuYRfPyPPnv3o-Hk8C-Xw4pZ-2C9-1jMLe2atpIRb_/s320/reading%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5579981467">Salamandastron</a></i>- Brian Jacques* (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5483082451">Life Together</a></i>- Dietrich </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bonhoeffer (4 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5614318363">The Looking-Glass Illusion</a></i>- Sara Ella (4 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5591045082">The Winter Soldier: Cold Front</a></i>- Mackenzie Lee (3 1/2 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5605286808">Instructions for Dancing</a></i>- Nicola Yoon (3 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5591045697">World Saving and Other Disasters</a></i>- Bethany Meyer (5 stars)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kYGa_zWEAY6Wg3D2xufOdnxxsK8dKqTSMbPXuEtkEz3JcpTQ9DfwP1rcm7NDzzNQbqDmse5VTgXO8kLZ6C4pbtz7aivreNqdo9NxDujO4S8rUaux-WwVT60S6scEU6iaK00lg-0pjLo0TQ5E_-XXssK4BZlrNN7gVxVE5sh_PcwF93CCSNDMvjQHMwZ_/s320/movies%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom</i> (every time I watch it, I want to sacrifice Willie in the lava more)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest</i> (love this movie so much)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Pan </i>(a rewatch with my sister to analyze why it's so bad)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">• <i>Free Guy</i> (fun and better than I thought it would be when I first watched it)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Jumper </i>(cool concept, horrible plot)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>The Amazing Spider-Man 2</i> (not perfect, but I still love it)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse</i> (yay for more Gwen Stacey!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</i> (I love the tank sequence)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Kung Fu Yoga</i> (one of the weirdest movies I've watched in a while)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <i>Crazy Rich Asians</i> (a perfectly fine rom-com, but I don't get the full hype)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4b2B4KhL9zQqVTw1lkQQCtI-4ZXPursQ2nhuxzGsPXhuRA2xXExWXJ04loLIJXUXZKCFO99HVzGMu0gjTohxUpm3xmA0LtlsKTowWntKcFpIrCFhQFc4pN6i9PJwVcg_Ag6kTLhTSohalhYmKW4vM0N_asT_5o9T5GrHdVNlt5dpJ3q32-6UiorAPAt0/s320/writing%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <b>Querying:</b> I got one new rejection last week. After I get back from Realm Makers, I should probably send out a new batch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <b>Writing:</b> Currently on hold until after Realm Makers is over.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <b>Platform: </b>I just started writing new copy for my author website yesterday. It needs updating and filling out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <b>Realm Makers: </b>Things are moving right along. I booked my flight about two weeks ago, so everything is starting to feel very real. I've also ordered my business cards, designed my one sheet, and edited my proposal, which I'm getting feedback on now. I'm now at the point where I kind of wish it was already here, because I'm tired of living in anticipation. But I also wish it was further away at the same time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmBIyxXqnVqIP5SVMSQSO5e9LCr3WSYwW4sZ5USTkTfEAbs3ETHIw-JpTjUOqMg1NWLvZ134MmhDb7bfW4WnEIs-_rmN8Q89A__g_fPsW-W6jaYfk3DFZLk7FRSrd2tLvzzOyBwOc_uSb94yRfHNpl1leshLQXCmx6WQHeuPvZtiIEP8sq5iY4TI81PAq/s320/on%20the%20blog%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">June posts:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/06/mermay-2023-all-my-drawings.html"><i>Mermay 2023 Recap</i></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://rs-loft.blogspot.com/2023/06/why-i-love-amazing-spider-man.html">Why I Love the Amazing Spider-Man</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, I wanted to say I'll be taking a blog break next month. I pop on and do one post I have in my mind, but since I'm so busy, I need to take a break here.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJIN70-t0B-1oWr41xWNMK22yJ3hrgYJP-HupQAk-oM8fxNcjQRP4es_fITbaHiVtunsMrtNgjMiFAB30opDeL2lT13cx303SqSMUixJqvyjLv6Bo7sqZ_dstW47LIaeUgr3zvoJIONjnPmz2HdklQLKtA9CSZa52dyixsfTQ7XBORYIeFTOkQ3AUV9T2/s320/art%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I finally finished my next Disney princess, which is Jasmine. I had a hard time coming up with something I liked for her, which is why it took so long.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3623" data-original-width="2618" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5vUoQ0gHrIQsVC8kfE4bQ8CSWZcfV6f3LAj93kaY-Oylt4LN6-6YYOHkNLz0kV0FVa8a0qXBSCCawcskjEoQAPMgtlq7bH11PW8uiQgsNh0uFsffGryGElt0CJYB6q7wkQ7rz5RIa4grksQoeNjutrtEjG6w6zLMpGvhcK_NTdFQzR3rc5YXLGx-SzCp/w462-h640/20230622_093801-01.jpeg" width="462" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeJouHpkq1_CXKSrUrBzotGbHGOuyrhJ_APj16LN_Og2tSMcV4QnH9qL1CpOT-bjEqZnduBC_3-XOsEmALIqWeUKxhcOwiBQdAaY4Q8EBh7dGw6HwjYWS25LDEjB3bYOsSe_IFHQWdaGlyfsA2vJsBZYHS4gfSdQD_vMwA_Vo6VrMloT5h-dq4tvahCfT/s320/next%20month%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I'm going to Realm Makers! AHHHHHHHH!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I also have a lot of other stuff on my plate, like helping with a wedding, two birthdays, and church events.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• I'll continue to work on trusting God and relying on His guidance, strength, and help.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3ZuJ-7vXxjFfZB_nm5VeKESA02ZWKkFlTzEMYBkG0GgqmZEHMdB_9kBRLYGAEenCCVsPPtCn9dzX9QuKhlfjVQpXoOpD66JeTJz71mgk56HQNmOulYqtQ4ZlPFXph2Q2CINswjs38akpsQqVjnKyqk6nyKV5Xf6Oxp4M5JZyv3aT3m1yjdGwEqdjWCb5/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was your June? Is summer a busy time for you too? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-31500792413961284982023-06-22T18:55:00.000-04:002023-06-22T18:55:06.545-04:00Why I Love The Amazing Spider-Man<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Why I Love The Amazing Spider-Man" border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbrBcmTYPpJ8I57ho4EVG6RDdyxTmf_kJzSMsXO1XBZ9KKarKQ9n-19LNlImL8ZAbovVyFsYIKehF1luVrj65soH9RJgTL3GNFttbaloB-iZ0te06lDB6-lvYdPX1Sze7g9PPJ2U3-Ffd1tkiWMqKY6hP-b9BMCSNGo7FpqaVJgqWQ9IZcwtRBZEVjewn/w640-h358/Why%20I%20Love%20The%20Amazing%20Spider-Man.jpg" title="Why I Love The Amazing Spider-Man" width="640" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Andrew Garfield has always been my second favorite Spider-Man. Yes, Tobey's movies helped launch the superhero film genre, but I've never been a huge fan of his acting. And I know Andrew's movies aren't the best, but that's what I'm here to talk about today.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In today's post, I'll be explaining exactly why I love the Amazing Spider-Man movies so much and just sharing my love for these films that get so much hate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjvbRfCCtB7TBJRS9cA7C6H2cXmDtKtsQV50tQ4R9_PgwyLA7ihskmV1a_eAqt9HAES7H9Z7lPmAFuiQsJ62GOdzJAlZlMxeeaXKkCoF7t6nnnhR2P6dCmW8-BOKrCdC9v0DLm7kcNQw7JCNRLdQg-CChq8hZkqfwAzuLVVLQG50QZGd6u5BZQkijfBQs/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="540" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FThoDjAsZwVb6NnpMufBa4wc9qDmb_u6HfJ52AsPloNPChly7ELjA0TifAaX4trmBKtaCmLjsZ0_AdSLO_We6QeXGepADv2ubnSxaXDVXh5rls3YEovzPdbCD6QSShT2EFiHSOiQb6AzrZ3fluqGtKWptCUsfCctqd1JXkKjqJdgD312w3bW7QeL3d_q/w400-h223/tumblr_e91a8a5dee73102d79b53f80f083e9ca_28677ab3_540.gif" width="400" /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1) The humor</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The humor in Amazing Spider-Man is such peak Spider-Man. The jokes make me cackle every time, even though I've seen both movies 3-4x. I mean, how can you not when there are lines like:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"My weakness. Small knives. Anything but knives!"</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm sorry I didn't take us to the Bahama of hiding places."</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"You should see the other guy. The other guy, in this instance, being a giant mutant lizard."</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I was cleaning the chimney."</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"We don't have a chimney, Peter."</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Whaaat?"</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you've read any Spider-Man comics, you'll know this is the kind of humor you get. And I think Andrew Garfield really nails that part of Spider-Man better than any of the others.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="600" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3my7IroyoDx3bI66K9fKRQURQEVP6Empf9y410cHcxQr9J9K1vsfHafoGTOCOLTZRRpG4_mJduffTzJkoPgndkC-Uz0EHCS6PFoTKo3RSjThOlPPuW5lH-mphjYKefwjlVuQrCTBP2DwSGSNID7Xvo0rsOct_aIr0N2WojgB3zKVb8Nh_sh3P8_sg2t1g/w400-h161/andrew_tree.gif" width="400" /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">2) Peter's awkwardness</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm a socially awkward person. So is Peter Parker, especially in this version. He repeats himself a lot, has a hard time finishing a sentence, and doesn't always know how to act around other people.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I relate to all of that. I enjoy watching him because I know exactly how he feels. Plus, the way Andrew Garfield plays it makes it feel very lovable (although I know some people find it annoying).</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="656" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG7PprhcE-tiJrTjt9b5GfG6Hsp9nWtdv0KSEH4LBf7mv2muze4mGOfm64XOtW_0B6mnZ7czxCa0lytgJImaajygMwlZR-6ASK0NNZZ3uazg6hFN9HTQgHgDscCRQblCrELJB6HAmxLBFXUEv0O9nmlV0e7HEbjn8t-E-oDnrYsn1QGwrTryT-_oDPJ5L/w400-h225/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f74717458787a6d436c636d4e6e673d3d2d313133303934313136322e313661356162623035333064643138653538313635.gif" width="400" /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">3) Peter's smarts</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I feel like we see the most of Peter's science side in these movies. He gets to do real science stuff compared to the others, like help Curt Conners with the genetics project or learn to magnetize his webs to Electro can't fry them.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He's also super smart as Spider-Man. That part where he sets up a literal web in the sewers to catch the Lizard? Perfection. Or the part where he saves all those people on the stars from being electrocuted? Awesome. He truly is the Amazing Spider-Man.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;">* * *</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are lots more reasons I love these movies, like the colors, the suit, and elements of the plot. Or how it contains my absolute favorite Stan Lee cameo. (Plus how parts of it inspired my own superhero, Ink.) But I'll stop here for today 😁.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ0z9Y-YdXoap0JTeihd2ocVTs23YkSQJH_97aGmtVS8kon6q8YBM6EU5G9n4KoaX53va3ekmvKGZSo9JMYC8aTblEGm0Jpm197BLCmnWErTdjaoCsnQjikKh2G-Nhb9SoankFYCmMclX90W60FJKNEUbxJ7iMetq1W3WjHzafdpRJxs_KBIBGQUxC9X5/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you watched the Amazing Spider-Man movies? Do you love or hate them? Tell me in the comments (but please be nice).</span></b></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7795888054848712437.post-13745958762620571792023-06-13T13:16:00.000-04:002023-06-13T13:16:21.349-04:00Mermay 2023 (All My Drawings)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mermay 2023 (All My Drawings)" border="0" data-original-height="3526" data-original-width="2821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLuJLcgpGYvKq_PU0PyXYRSNaMTWV7dOh7eG3epQ-jMTYpKnMdI4T47taqB-i-5UiK51LtK3g5sc8ixsGlk935jKYaFN8yfuqqPUMSe7qM6d_oNQ5ZbTc3mA_rMM0eqTfm-pjtAyHCbTsSYfApzL5fNY09tGMU6oExqVqZOHiUM3JEFB2UlNFfGCCVQ/w512-h640/Mermay%202023%20(All%20My%20Drawings).jpg" title="Mermay 2023 (All My Drawings)" width="512" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you've been following me a while, you know I love doing Mermay every year. I love drawing pretty mermaids with flowy hair and graceful tails. So every year I also do a round-up post showing you all my drawings, so you can see what I did. So let's get started!</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2000" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzENP0Igi2slWEjHHc0aEiccz43jbkq1Gps8shO9MBRzmu6qmior5Vjf_n67BiqzxuvM_gy6Jugjo6_CWBJcdPPMqP2oWL_M5OIwRCtvPMYXLP3fZxGFOeFzab0dZO65N8l8-irH1frHg_29dulVXGOMPcdsyxN6xxbUkx4XFjreKzt1VzuirJlvE0g/w200-h78/divider.png" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 1- Self Portrait</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I tried, but I don't think this looks anything like me. She's a cute mermaid though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3290" data-original-width="1979" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvqDnXSCBigHpVT9q6EkoRytgfXlfw4jgB5Du6k6WKsRsC_DndWfrmpXdArZdl9lJ6isF6IJMSeYX66t_EQPMRvkz7-5KEta8IKiR4YBTS7Po8c7FdoPEuZ4mKgfyLl26IBh1mLnoBNvwnqpifocscYD8J524gF7DDCNBd_9H-b2F72K8RKPlSCakNA/w384-h640/20230508_143227-01.jpeg" width="384" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 2- Upside Down</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I attempted to make a merman based on the Reluctant Dragon, with an upside down cake, of course. It's not very good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3700" data-original-width="2077" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9isvrEYFa4mMvSFruTiv4geD4yR4IigJPwqQey2ZeHPTUNT_emswBkyONJDzIdSVdagukUsqchhp7876WW06ANVRxsBdhHhtr4RC7ER8kmGNgHIIXge0eg3FmtX6HdBcP6HzLgAk0orZeduiLlosSZnwTVHGM8wAJupazgWDu1WCcOE0-ALJepZQfQ/w360-h640/20230508_143234-01.jpeg" width="360" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 3- Twisted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A nice over the shoulder pose. Not bad for my first attempt at a pose like this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ11Zugyu1p_pxxTqY2OpLyCkZca3EH3ex6HqAQDMrl-wik3Awy2Mu_FNqw1qewCwZpKlRjv8C3LKZOQKkFekJwI7m50RpLoLrBUMstGIgX6-6YsGUIuiC1ypbdeXMpeoUpIyU3bMMrAmVNT4QyHTIl2_VtbFSJtlXttcCK0OQZMe9QxhkB9kXZw6fw/s3502/20230508_143251-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3502" data-original-width="2016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ11Zugyu1p_pxxTqY2OpLyCkZca3EH3ex6HqAQDMrl-wik3Awy2Mu_FNqw1qewCwZpKlRjv8C3LKZOQKkFekJwI7m50RpLoLrBUMstGIgX6-6YsGUIuiC1ypbdeXMpeoUpIyU3bMMrAmVNT4QyHTIl2_VtbFSJtlXttcCK0OQZMe9QxhkB9kXZw6fw/w368-h640/20230508_143251-01.jpeg" width="368" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 4- Star Wars</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A mermaid inspired by Padme's meadow picnic dress, which is probably one of my favorites of her whole wardrobe.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="2217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnJso-okC01Pc7DPHOOQ0A-FaP2W8RbHq2M_OYoXV-Mr4ZcfudW8hT7mBjL3permxvo_c9V-XWard8rClCV1s4uoNV70yccOEOThVAPXJBvaD_m7HMiiZAsSzxQMlCTvRunNBR53K8WkqpratYWMMxQlbdYtTLUEQnc9gLAe0r3Ha6dbOE0EyRygibw/w388-h640/20230508_143302-01.jpeg" width="388" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 6- Mushroom</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A mermaid with a mushroom hat. That is all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3621" data-original-width="2111" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThqWg49lr1xnFzIGuPpe28Jks_djt5zMOMREWO0asim4QoZlDMMJb9yK1_r5G4ftpyIii1hYyRAY3cwJ98a2vqkI_RzmhtfAYbm2_zHvEbCqkXOweTTLWEiZrAT6esUFbMh7r-NfMpjBYtl97JY8lAAgORcR3zIZw2ir-CV09QQj5kx8YDtN-tLCGZQ/w374-h640/20230508_143313-01.jpeg" width="374" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 7- Merfairy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my goals this year was to do one prompt as a painting. This is the first one. It's okay, but there are some things I don't like.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="2098" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXNX1pTQUmoEYl83fvkubSiDil7ZWinzrIfzDIE1pgPftEIcHxveXGpU4zprxqlJhcrnGgefcneHnAhCjR1yvmJ-OnBUWG6MaSZBH12hfmAG3tlGm4DuWvqkoptQnlM_NyM3cjTAdv16eRsGGzFf7YwIY92vIRMA_5KiR8YuDQIamSN2YrUfJZRZPow/w368-h640/20230508_143321-01.jpeg" width="368" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 8- Dystopian</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My take on a dystopian look. I also played around with different textures on the clothes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2373" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkr9NTkDbnc05kVC21eHQT9oxbVWvDJgKzL2vnAR1sNlHrnT3zrmBquCnG896eK3hYkNAiH3CnrJuYqUK-6P1KjNQz47k7v_MIzNg-VmqPnqe_dc-50xPlOksoB2fLNxtzcnSSleoKLmyjRuO8Z674jDzOLrbrbo8HX4Bx_vAWZ3AMfy4il7FERn1Kg/w376-h640/20230516_094108-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 9- Heartbreak</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is one of my favorites from the whole month. I love the composition and I think you can really feel the emotion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2382" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktnv_zALJpZIlXxPPgcDkx0adL_gVQm1otpivM0K8oy1nYfR5IXkk4fkDhCxqZNqql2OYnNU2lnLh1_2T9WWRqUpUQ24Pi_islrniJAX9ZVONyLc-SiCTxDTJO4t9-scyzuYiQtMVjAsyJMfKGda714YYi61ZhR533ofmNLtGCkMbGSFAFkG3Vnq9bQ/w378-h640/20230516_094122-01.jpeg" width="378" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 10- Celestial</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I like the idea of this one, but I feel like it came out a little funny in the end.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2358" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvv4QjE6CmFKiQVbIHBtrmYAGm6_K75ZsnB036OdJIgkun6i2F8wq29HfiCl5U-ITCAc0qhlEP87nWeuTPLtcn2mB_l4JpQ_VB3qTa11njJ58vBCKM56sfJIzNjZ-scwEjxzYWmoyPFQ3Q3wxnYcYnzp1EeAVE21_MKRlHgcy6hzbzCqMWZ1nnci-Yw/w374-h640/20230516_094134-01.jpeg" width="374" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 11- Villain</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A quick sketch of Maleficent as a mermaid. I think you can tell who it is, so we'll count it as a win.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3791" data-original-width="2260" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJkqWuh87_aol65nhf7A0Axp2o0ZusMgN1q7Bt0me0-gV14mNRuWNKQbvHNUJedvM1GWy-5pWpZTdbVGfbfphg1o8lKitacUTSRSYEkwCCyXT2zQ_IK0SCUvzAsdTYi7DK1n_hnANULctL5m45x7aSNRomMAuNJ-_O6muZIN2JG7s5NXvVodqu5sKSQ/w382-h640/20230516_094149-01.jpeg" width="382" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 12- Companion</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A girl and her octopus bestie. I'd love to do this one again with more time and color.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2345" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f0C7mt5JzemaxcqD-P5S8X9iKrPevND9Vc5Dsx1DIn_15-YBpR9FC9M6rsN99jQAgAtaF91RonW3ZdQEWM60deBorx-1CVeSFNTrxoDMsJvIpiAN4KFbjibWaUEhox1aJeZmsUSFc6DAyBi0TKNeYs1GepJrrhOTaaQszRDqDl0HRag1PjMRFodaLA/w372-h640/20230516_094156-01.jpeg" width="372" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 13- Old Money</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">An old money aesthetic inspired mermaid. Later I realized I missed a great opportunity to draw a 1920s mermaid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3895" data-original-width="2405" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEoPsJPz56iRFSkbLXHGsK9jb5JHFSnObpjd7t834GTW6oaSdgZUrBNTPTRSD7qEFgZ5LoezH7VpaSLsua6odswKhUFwo5bW4DPIfugmAb24VbcDF0FVRpJkrXINs74ddNQ3bXOhHkOz5f0wg54G14fJyx4ffTE0cRcpv7E13hnV5TMGvbHlgC1w5lw/w396-h640/20230516_094207-01.jpeg" width="396" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 14- Mama</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A portrait of my beautiful Mama as a mermaid. I love this one (except for the glasses).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIoRHxpzcMg5FfIOtWVGLCZDKzt_zSZLkXAmQ_sTYT1uLXINk7LyCu6xWvHt8G2bSm8Nr3C8s8tQaNsdgL0QBm2HkNEqEDyCDBgt2r49oBGmgYupIc54qKcb1O6wcdndWQbzZNwVwGp5BCkIG7KIWR3yGa5x4DpdcLt-8PBNGS7DaWQ4ly8mb9VEQLw/w376-h640/20230516_094243-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 16- Celebrity</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My sister suggested Blake Lively in her 2022 Met Gala gown, so I gave it my best shot. I don't think it's very good, but maybe you could guess who it is?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2436" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVKbJkpfK1UaAvG2JoD8hToKYguhSmtrVoBVwz9NxWyELKTNFDQRrBR6NgR2PGMAtCasHUDrSbgAbAtu2InBwrLmMpJ-NX8QICTVhk648hzWdf1dDPaqojNv5XmuIomV1r3XDdM52A-PqGSRyhQTsvUU3n3Qkm8L2FCz_5WQQEJsFKlZiooCAw7q5JA/w386-h640/20230523_121548-01.jpeg" width="386" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 17- Emotion</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Honestly, I hate this one. I was trying to do something inspired by the Scream, but in the end, she lacks any emotion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3977" data-original-width="2341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwEJDrr61evHO1U-FlThsc_9rjRWEhKCGIBf_u8A16-utsTYU_-oLtl_5zO9mngthq3VaNmVOlBYaQvFOVjPIGiOfDiHW5kB-LXjsQFbq1Zr2Zdw_g4inxMU64prUJ9ELU5Z970A8km1PlK0SD-0lyTghIOySMZXEywfVmk-TdMS6R6cbA7BhgXCGaA/w376-h640/20230523_121559-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 18- Deep Sea</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This outfit is inspired by deep sea octopuses. Another I think looks pretty good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmhkfeiXtpsenRyxpeVywzZd9FZSiasOyrfD19xVQdH52ga2BD6qCklW3xARfrAfcHgovqdcQVaH06i_DpHr1DOVU3DoHwyMY-MSN_DJhcidkWhx73pm78a5T4_3DXbJSJoxetPqaMKEgTbOOQwGfhKx8Zbomj6UYznUHJEgTzAFytW7-aL_17H2aXg/w376-h640/20230523_121608-01.jpeg" width="376" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 19- Sunrise</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Since I was using only pen this month, doing a sunrise was kind of challenging. But I attempted it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3980" data-original-width="2332" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvRh9ljPuZlJ0U0pudyifE_UDNL1KFN5zqATZZ9u51EgiDXE9bJJ_99aiTZCMRjgH1yBueqNAwfgNrnTFm2-W0cqKOHhD-4qhe790cpwTjV59i3DqpVBvrRr6HR5rl2jL809KbD0SQNn4l3MLTOcgKouG8Z1Nm0tU4S3hNQh1hv3q38tB1aIlGMi0jA/w374-h640/20230523_121618-01.jpeg" width="374" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 20</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't want to do this prompt, so I painted one of my OC mermaids- Aurelia. This is a redo of one of my first drawings of her and you can see a lot of improvement.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemJVZzfBw-cXNL0TwbKneJ9PehJisO_2ZycetjE-1FaZAW_RqATi7nnZxkuqRoFJ02RkVM78vzFeSehAasOgRWtd0RmtOvkjxuUp_e5ZWhP9bduxeQ3q3pL1kJU6bj1nBIsJTl1MiexgZPsBQq4q8yqe9YOy4Xeq6dqzZQxqXRXCopdC46Psp8oi-nQ/w370-h640/20230523_121639-01.jpeg" width="370" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 21- Body Positive</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm all for size-inclusivity, which means this drawing was lots of fun. Both girls are beautiful in their own way. But why I have I drawn so few freckled characters up to this point?</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0LyXWRefS7KKHvAui-qC8VnlOTNrfQqMnjdQ3Jy7u4YdVQDCnYit6Al6l95iioj0dfu9Ycigksc15PcNEHySBwLX9ifoWFB8W2B-GXKjLlaVXQHvEtqW2oHOktf9SVp-ed3eQFau1spdsxTgA2R0N4_L4oldT6FOmrVoXqBoC_3vkjMBiXuBIXb3Tg/w392-h640/20230523_121624-01.jpeg" width="392" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 24</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another prompt I didn't want to do. Instead, I drew this mergirl in a cute cable knit sweater. The pose is a bit awkward, but it's cute.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4026" data-original-width="2409" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gyWQTZ9NIhuzPUzKaVCEBa9FhrP7ZgHH974SkIo98nONx0Pj9IyE0-bydul1YiP0JoGWyw_AL5oqD26mqZrMf9JU_Xk2NId-Mm1A40yyv5XnDZiDXFTpIKxCiJTw1IB8QZR42E5ud-FGXeTNDfFA1Nuwd1gEcsyRC6orJfJ0BetFxuN5QMoAAtA6JA/w382-h640/20230601_140603-01.jpeg" width="382" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 25- Food</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A kind of basic mermaid with a cupcake, because I wanted to try drawing a side profile.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3897" data-original-width="2396" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnqNrrfIBLVsuahN3xYWpwlkPjefpzraRtbYW8bHU_IsEAuDJKJ3es43c6QjT2FGzJ8lpFh5I5BnKX00rdk98Au-KCj4cqLJtoe97jfpeDg91Ln5soBHbNl_toqUdjlLUaBpr13l99qvLqLYSlh86BJ0DoDCriMSgbgl8zQOFOYTiGhNFbjOtwiQ21g/w394-h640/20230601_140609-01.jpeg" width="394" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 26- Jewel</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is my other favorite from this challenge. I had so much fun drawing all the pearls and jewels on her. I'd also love to do this one in color.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3857" data-original-width="2434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwruNlC1lkj6IHlXa9JP77j4Ah8vmoIKaUswX2qUcOVPMrAl9CQRRqkNCDRAhI-MPW1NTAYvVC48zktm-Asbkk2kIesn2t3dP-AXWDfwMTSB1fqKDZiUa0XMiCKO8SfgYChU1CB5cHW8qgof7tblYyeNiOvKR_DFp9So-6QUtAEqyEp0Js1S8jSsW6Mg/w404-h640/20230601_140621-01.jpeg" width="404" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 28- Sailor</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is my most ambitious piece this month. It has two people with side profiles, a background, and an attempt at composition. There are definitely ways it could be better, but I'm pretty proud of it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="2790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKnb0Y4lRXXnS3aMcb0mc2xSVsyzRk0Aie-WRvW3tMjtCE4kduA3N1a5Mw-zMXTClVy1H3SL2g0A3hIUDKSUMBOsfTM-Xal5xPlQh805pczZbLmM6f8WxmVnbxCmkxbNrwZJ9HDaFLeCeetZcxxoM9GOkA3eOuMATrsgYkBErwB_dILhb-4tLsSHMSA/w512-h640/20230601_140701-01.jpeg" width="512" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 29- Barbie</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I felt inspired by the Island Princess for this piece, so that's what I drew. She's pretty cute, even if you can't tell which pieces are supposed to be mesh without color.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3787" data-original-width="2343" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRQo0wY2XlwBvkd9MkhMWQIwQkJfjOqQN2DAYz238keeC7lNnuyh6aiNPEHBV2Y1tnKMIlx_7dBTNEzUW5PXo45Lbt4QSEPVm4j2KuIqY8t71dr-gvhTiBD1Ki4Rgg5TPszEPBkvQd0DiKn-zBqTXNqKrAfcm16PmcT8YRulGZ3Oj1uj0vQ6ZfSi4dQ/w396-h640/20230601_140628-01.jpeg" width="396" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 30- Blue</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I used a blue pen to draw a sad mermaid. I was feeling kind of sad this day, so drawing her was rather therapeutic.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3847" data-original-width="2452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n0H1JVJJZJzhZZJYbeO723f-iwDVyUhigXhJOHmjg4rRC3sDSb2caHJEH36QO0fkZ_FtSWvq8-iqmK3ycfwmbKMQU01jEGcISsX3O0P40u9sBvA-S6Ijg4t6WoI1A5lJ5QvJH4No-QqUaPU-SvMqNklLv2A3JhtxhCkkYsGWXv0TOovzZebm5WP5AQ/w408-h640/20230601_140639-01.jpeg" width="408" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Day 31- Goodnight</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For my final piece, I was bold again and went with a gouache painting of a baby mermaid. Isn't she precious?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3760" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsYK8UtN2YOXqZ-piHsTRZdTKZgEzerrT0qU1Uc2dogZxWWz6uomfjLrpluZhkgdsGzXo28ZLRnP48kkeWOd6gj9uC8cbeGy7iKIFg_bPXqHzt2Cr7NG_idtoizSqq5ol7vcOjTfPf4g9TdWby7e23Duj7PGtFZs0j3rsuKOWMihq63smAm6AHbvjCw/w374-h640/20230601_140710-01.jpeg" width="374" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IAbQt6cwmkTbyFA_L-55cuMN4rBpdaoIAtfiLGH9ynaczaIovZeDXqtBZ3Q7Y0oCN5FTZ6Ws_F8sFV578eH4nRCHLbeZ9T0Fn8sn9dz2e9Z9MoyV-2R14WCI5M3_3Q9plrPshQ3yie1g0fZ1r5qNx7HKxks-TJXneZk5oNx5XJ6YluLGq9--tFIaTQ/s320/let's%20talk%20graphic.png" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you ever done Mermay? Which of these drawings are your favorite? Tell me in the comments.</b></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562571611447163663noreply@blogger.com2