Gnine

BIG RL changes...

gnine — Thu, 22 May 2014 17:42:28 GMT

So I haven't actually posted about this (or posted anything, really OOPS) in the last few months but I got a new job. Which is starting in a BIG way in oh, about 5 hours.

I'm going to be working on Cruise ships (specifically, for my first contract, I'll be on the Diamond Princess, which sails out of Yokohama). I'm going to be working for an Art Auction/Gallery (we're on over 100 ships and HOMG I'm about to go into the company promotion and just AH)

So, for the past 10 days, I've been in Miami at a CRAZY intense training (as in up at 6:30 every morning, eight hours of lectures, seminars, TESTs, both written and oral, meeting some of artists we're working with and more. And then usually another 2 or 3 hours of study in the evenings in our class groups. It has been nuts!!! I feel like I'm back during finals week in college! Possibly worse, cause this involved copious amounts of public speaking in front of 70+ people on a semi-regular basis :-p)

And I just found out about 2 hours ago that my ship assignment came a bit earlier than most, so I'm shipping out today rather than tomorrow or Saturday like everyone else so I'm a bit...um...overwhelmed? Here's your flight details, you're going to be on a flight this evening, oh and you'll start work immediately when you arrive on the ship. Which should be about three hours after you land in Narita :---p. GAAAAAH!!!

But I'm packed, have an hour or two before the shuttle arrives for the airport and thought I should probably let people know what I'm up to, especially since it sounds like internet will be severely limited. We'll see how that goes :-p

But, job, YAY. Travel, super yay! And JAPAN! (it's been almost exactly five years!!! I've missed it so sooo much!) so yeah...That's my news.

Catch you all on the flip side!!

Icon Meme

gnine — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:20:09 GMT

Fun little icon meme gotten from sara_tanaquil:

1. Reply to this post and I will pick five of your icons.
2. Make a post (including the meme info) and talk about the icons I chose.
3. Other people can then comment to you and make their own posts.
4. This will create a never-ending cycle of icon glee.

The five ions sara_tanaquil picked for me:

1. Babylon 5 remains one of my favorite shows of all time. While it has its flaws (and is also getting rather dated) it still has some of the best, most cohesive, clearly planned story and character arcs I've ever seen. Additionally, it has some of the most badass female characters ever. This speech is the epitome of said badass-ness, at least for Susan Ivanova (Delenn's "If you value you lives, be somewhere else" is up there as well). She's leading a fleet into battle and this is what she offers as a battle-cry. It's epic.

2. This came from our oh so painful Smallville days. (I loved that fandom, I still love that fandom, but oh, the canon! Sooo painful). While watching, neechan and I found it very difficult to not be constantly shouting "Just tell him, Clark! The truth, tell him the truth!" And once we realized we were practically quoting Aladdin, well, this just had to happen. ^__-

3. Ah, my smut icon. So, the quote is from a Tom Lehrer song "Smut" which I was listening to at some point, as you do, and was like "hmm, I really should make an icon along those lines" and decided to use some of my more...lascivious artwork. The first shot after the text is Ban & Ginji from GetBackers (and is over 10 years old, wow I've been on deviantart for over a decade! Huh...). The next is a Xmas present I did for my brother, cause he was getting bored with me doing all the m/m stuff, wanted a little f/f action. Third is an illustration I did for one of my sister's Shosetsu Bang Bang stories. The fourth is my own characters from my brief web manga that I always wished I'd done more with and just...never got around to. OOPS. Last is a Clex pic, done as an illustration for Astolat's fantastic fic Revenge.

4. Hee, this remains one of my fav of my SGA chibis, actually, goofy as it is. This is part of a pic I did for SGA secret santa. The prompt had been "something cartoony. something a little anime. team. (meeting new species). and this is where I wound up. It was a lot of fun to do, and some of the first animated gifs I've done in my own art, a technique I've really come to love in recent years.

5. 10 just cried so prettily (yes sara_tanaquil, if you've not seen New Who, it is maybe a bit spoilery? It's him saying what he thinks is a permanent goodbye to one of his companions). I rather loved the seen for the pretty crying and then figured it's always good to have at least one sad icon, for those certain times...

Whee, this has been a lot of fun, thank you so much for the prompts sara_tanaquil! ^__^

Final December meme (not QUITE a month late)

gnine — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:39:38 GMT

So I suck so very very much...GOMEN, byakkodan_slash m(__)m.

The holidays got crazy with lots of people visiting (was soooo good to see naye and doctorskuld!!! as well as the 'rents) and lots of Xmas presents to be drawn and err...I lot track? OOPS!

But, here we go! So the challenge was do draw five images (1: Self portrait. 2: Picture of you and me!, 3: Picture of your favorite video game character in a bath, 4: Thor + Loki in santa hats, 5: One horse-sized duck or 100 duck sized horses.), with a time limit of exactly two minutes for each drawing. Ehehhee, speed drawing, SOOOO not my strength. Like, at all :-p

So, without further ado, my two minute ~~mad scribbles~~ drawings. ^___-

Selfie:

Me and byakkodan_slash:

Fav video game char (Hard choice, but in the end I went with Sephiroth cause um...loved him the longest?) in a bath:

Thor & Loki in their hats:

And one horse-sized duck (cause there was NO way I was getting a hundred little horses in in two minutes!!):

This was really quite fun, despite the questionable quality of the end product ^____-, thanks for the challenge!

And over all (except for this less than punctual last post) this meme worked well for me, actually got me posting some! \o/ Will have to give it or something similar ago again at some point! Thanks so so much for everyone who offered prompts! ^__^

December question Meme continues...

gnine — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 02:48:32 GMT

For bagheera_san: if you had all the time/motivation/talent in the world necessary to do it, what would be your dream-fanwork? As in, the vid/art/fic you'd create if you could, but probably never will? Or several of them, if just picking one is too difficult.

This one was hard, mainly because I'm something of an optimist and like to think I'll get to most of the projects I dream up (also difficult because adorable kitty who is tiny and adorable is also TROUBLE and is determined to get between me and the keyboard :---p).

I think when it comes down to it, there are probably two big ones that come to mind. First is this story/manga/set of chars of I've had rolling around for quite some time now that I would love to actually get to (beyond just the occasional doodle, of which I've done lots over the years) because I'm fond of them and their world. But considering I only made it like 20 pages into the last manga I tried to to do...eeehh, odds are low it'll ever actually come about :-p.

The second is doing a vid using my own animation. All the various Caramell Dansen fandom vids that have sprung up in the last few years have been hilarious and also inspiring. I've done art and I've done vidding and being able to combine the two would be amazing. The few animated chibis I've done have all been a blast to work on. But even just the few frames I've done for those have taken quite a bit of time. A whole vid would be a ridiculous amount of work so again, not likely to ever actually happen. But, would be fun to attempt it!

(Oh god, yes cat, you're very VERY cute but I need that hand for typing! :--p)

Thanks for another great question! ^__^

More on the December Meme

gnine — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 02:06:17 GMT

For naye again: Where you'd want to go next and why?

The short answer to this is quite simple: ALL THE PLACES!! No, really, there's never been a place that I've heard or read about that hasn't sounded intriguing in some way. And while some may not be the most appealing right now (active war zones and the like), they still call to me, just...make me hesitate till there are less explosions and the like. (Damascus remains very high on this list. Oldest continuously lived in city in the world. How could I NOT want to go?)

But in terms of realistically, in the nearish future, there are a few places. First is Antarctica. I actually applied for some positions down there for their upcoming summer. But unfortunately, as pretty much all jobs down there are government related, the government shut down as well as earlier cutbacks have made for a LOT less activity this year so that was a no go. *le sigh* We'll see about next year, if the government can ever sort itself out (not holding my breath :---p).

I just think Antarctica would be amazing (and necessary if I want to complete my goal of living on every continent ^__-). I've always liked the cold. And the little bit of time I got to spend on glaciers in New Zealand was amazing. From a distance icy landscapes look so stark, so barren, but they can be breathtaking in detail.

I'm also interested in South America, primarily Argentina. I've wanted to go there for a long time (got obsessed with the musical Evita in Junior high, and that led me to do a lot of reading and further study on the country as a whole.) Also, would like to learn Spanish, and going to live in a country that has it as a primary language seems to be the most expedient way to do so. ^_^ Also, need South America in my continent count as well.

Lastly, though not a specific place, but I've been looking into spending some time working on some of the international cruise ships. I met some people while I was backpacking in New Zealand who had done so and highly recommended it for the travel-inclined. It would be a fun way to see a lot of various parts of the world and the positions I'm interested are tour-guide related, leading excursions while ashore and the like. I've always loved taking people around the places I've lived and I think this could be lot of fun. We'll see how it goes! ^__^

Thanks again for the fun prompts! ^__^

Ongoing Memege...

gnine — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 01:52:41 GMT

For naye: Tell us where you've lived, why, and where you'd want to go back.

Weeell, starting way back, I was born and spent the first year and a half of my life in Chicago, IL. Sadly, we moved away when I was young enough that I don't particularly remember it, but we did visit friends there multiple times as I was growing up and I remain fond of the city. Though it's been yeeeears since I've been back, would really like to one of these days.

The majority of my childhood was spent in a litte town in Massachusetts. Quintessential small town New England. It was a lovely place to grow up but as I got older, it got boring. FAST! My parents still reside there and I do enjoy the occasional visit. It's peaceful, pretty, quaint. But gets dull reeeal quick. (I spent 8 months there a few years back in between trips abroad. I was climbing the walls near the end of that time.)

My four years of college were spent in upstate New York. While the town of Ithaca is certainly bigger than where I grew up (that would not be particularly difficult :-p) and was absolutely GORGEOUS (pun intended for those who know Ithaca) by the end of senior year, I definitely had my sights set on bigger.

Especially since I'd spent 6 months of my Junior year on a study abroad program in Kyoto, Japan. I fell completely in love with Kyoto and knew with out a doubt I needed to go back. And so I did, shortly after graduating university.

Upon arriving in Japan with my new job as an ESL teacher, I first lived in Osaka as that's where the company housing was. While Kyoto was what I yearned for, I had fun in Osaka for the four or five months I was there. Osaka is a huge city (city proper is close to 3 million), and while my apartment was a little further out, it was still very metropolitan. There was always a lot to do in Osaka (and buy, mmm, doujinshi, so so many doujinshi. Mandarake, I miss you oh so much...even if my wallet does not!) but I found it a bit too crowded, was much happier when my sister joined me in Japan and we moved up to Kyoto together.

The three and a half years we spent in Kyoto, in our wonderful little apartment near Shijo Omiya were amazing. I love Kyoto. It's such an spectacular city, so filled with historical significance and culture. And the crazy juxtaposition of that with the modern. Temples and shrines sandwiched in between pachinko parlors, game arcades and clothing stores. Bus stops under giant tori. Yearly parades and street festivals that are over a thousand years old, one of which even predates the city itself.

And in addition to all that, there was tremendous company as well. Having my sister there was fantastic, and then also naye was there intermittently over the three and a half years. Which rocked as up until that point we'd only gotten to actually see each other in person a handful of times, seeing as we lived on different continents. And shayera was also there for a time. The fun the four of us had (mm, so many wonderful karaoke session!). And I got to know crashtestskater through work there. Not to mention so many wonderful students, several of whom I'm still in touch with.

I really do miss Japan, and I think of all the places, it is the one I most wish to return to (though that's a hard call!). I'd love to do another year or two there at least at some point down the road.

But, at the time, after almost four years, I was ready to move on to other things. (Really, four years in one place is a remarkable record for me these days! :-p).

I decided I wanted to get a Masters. While I wanted a program in English, I wished to study somewhere outside the US. I decided on England, as I'd been there once before on holiday and loved it. Also, the University of London: School of African and Oriental studies had the most intriguing Media studies program of a whole slew I looked at, with a focus on non-western media.

I adored both the Masters program and London itself. There is just always something to do in London! Between the museums, historic sites, plays, concerts, walking tours, exhibitions, etc. you're never bored. A year was so very much NOT enough time and yeah, I'd also like to go back there, too. A LOT. Blarg, this is hard! ^__-

And again, the people I got to know there (or finally got to meet in person, after knowing them online for years and years *smishes takadainmate and cienna*) made it extra special. I miss the entire Merlin meetup group! Such a friendly, welcoming hilariously fun group of fans!

After London, it was off to New Zealand (after a period saving up cash back in the States). I based myself in Wellington (ah, windy Wellie. They were NOT kidding. Never felt wind like that before!) and spent the 8 months there traveling as much as I could in between work. And even then, didn't get to see everything. There is a LOT to see in New Zealand. And all of it is breathtakingly beautiful! I'm fairly sure you could just toss a camera down a hill and get amazing photos as it fell. It is hard to take a bad picture there! Glaciers and glow worm caves, black sand beaches and fjords. Not to mention bungy jumping, helicopter tours and glacier walks!

Absolutely adored New Zealand. And found another group of great friends. Whom I also now get to miss :-p One problem with constantly moving, always having to say goodbye to such lovely people (but hey, there's always the internet!) And it also means constantly making new friends, so there's that too! ^__-

My visa for New Zealand maxed out at one year, but I decided to leave before that (was getting into winter, not as much outdoor activies could be done) and headed over to do another 1 year working holiday visa, this time in Australia.

Sydney is a fantastic city. Relaxed and easy to walk around. And the Opera house really is fantastic, so striking! And I was graced with another awesome fannish bunch to get to know. Getting out of the city, up to Port Douglas and Cairns, and down to Canberra and Melbourne was also great fun. And so much amazing wildlife (even if it is all trying to kill you! ^__-) Pet and feed kangaroos and wallabies! Hold a koala and snorkel on the Great Barrier reef! All things I'd wanted to do since I was very young!

And now I've spent the last 10 months in Seattle with the sibs. As my brother has been living in Seattle for the past decade, I've spent quite a bit of time here on and off, though this has by far been the longest stretch. Which means I'm starting to go stir crazy again...bit of theme, ne? ^__- I love my housemates here, so nice to be living with my sibs again, as well as sovht and her husband and I'll miss them all terribly. But..but there's just still so much out there to SEE! Which is a topic for another day (tomorrow apparently ^__-)

And this got really long....OOPS! But thanks for the great prompt, naye! *huggles*

More memeing

gnine — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 02:39:18 GMT

For sholio's prompt: some vids you love, or something (tropewise, editing-wise, etc) that you really love in other people's vids.

This question comes at a particularly fortuitous time, as I've been trying to get back to vidding and hence been watching a lot of vids to inspire me. And in doing so, one trope I've noticed I'm often drawn to, and have actually been so for quite some time, is the use of dialog over the vid soundtrack.

In fact, thinking back (a scarily long time ago) to the first season of Supernatural. At the season finale (well, actually the episode before the finale) they did their very first "the Road so Far" music vid/previously on SPN thing. Which I ADORED! The song choice, PERFECT, the clips, excellent! But also, they had lots of show dialog interspersed with song and clip and I LOVED that at the time (might have actually been for me the first vid I saw doing this and it stuck).

This technique, when done well, makes for some of my favorite vids. While I've definitely seen some in which the technique is handled poorly, too many bits, placed wrong over the music, or the snatches of dialog don't fit with the overall vid ambiance, when done right, I find it super effective.

A few of my favorite examples:

Thor & Loki l Running Up That Hill by Gaby (Thor/Thor 2/Avengers)
This is just an all around amazing vid, perfect use of clips and song. But I'm especially enamored of the dialog choices and placements. They weave in seamlessly with the music and tie the whole vid together wonderfully.

Thor & Loki l Broken Crown by Gaby (Thor/Avengers)
Another one by Gaby. She just does this technique so well. Envious. Also, I adore Mumford and Sons, and this song works so perfectly for them.

Confessions of a Dying Man by obfreak (Stargate Atlantis)
I love me a good Rodney vid, always will. And this one in particular is so beautifully done, if rather sad. This has some of the most dialog clips I've seen in vids, but they work so perfectly. In fact, when I first saw the vid, I didn't know the song, and rather than downloading a copy, I just ripped the audio track from the vid. Which means now if I ever here the song on the radio or anything, I'm always surprised when it *doesn't* have SGA quotes interspsed through it. Ooops ^__-

(And now something I *don't* like about vids. They seem to disappear from the interwebs ENTIRELY at times! GUUH! T_______T)

I have two other vids that have this trope that I love yet I cannot actually link them because neither seem available online anywhere anymore. :---p

"The Youtube Affair" by bluemeanybeany (Man from UNCLE)
This one is fun because it uses the clips more to humors advantage than drama (which is more the case in all the other vids I've mentioned). Unfortunately, WMG went after this one on Youtube and the soundtrack was changed, so it has a different song and is missing all the dialog clips :-p. I've contacted the vid creator to see if she has a direct link somewhere for it.

"Brothers by Destiny" by Ryan Deffley (Smallville)
This one just seems to be completely GONE. Have found a few of his vids uploaded by other people in various places, but not this one alas. It's a beautifully timed vid, and great song choice (Bleed for me by Saliva). The use of dialog clips is very minimal, beginning, end and a little in the middle, but they work perfectly. Oh Clex :-p

(If people are really curious about either of the two missing vids, I can send them to you directly as I do still have both of them downloaded)

This has super helped put me back in a vidding mood, thanks for a great prompt! ^__^

December Pick-a-date meme: Favorite Statue/Sculpture

gnine — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:15:56 GMT

Look at me, I'm actually posting! On TIME even! ^__- For tasabian:

So, I'm terrible at actually picking favorites...of anything really. I just like waaaay too much stuff. And sculptures have always been an art form I particularly enjoy. They're what often draws me most in museums and historical sites, so narrowing it down to ones I love the best is near impossible. But I do have two statues that spring to mind as having some of the greatest lingering impact/strongest memories upon first seeing them so um...guess that'll have to do? Err...sorry?

The first is Michaelangelo's Pieta, in Saint Peter's Basicall, Vatican city. While defaulting to Michaelangelo's work is perhaps a bit of cliche, I can't help it. I've loved all of his statuary I've seen in person (photos just never do sculpture justice -_-). But this was one of the first and it's always stuck with me. Italy was my very first trip abroad, junior year in high school and that fact alone made everything just that little bit extra special as I'd been yearning to travel for as long as I could remember. Being a school trip, it was a CRAZY 10 days, filled with a LOT of museums, basilicas, galleries, etc. But even among that whirlwind of tremendous art experiences, the Pieta stood out.

Obviously, its placement and subject matter is highly religious (as so much of the art of that period is). I was raised regularly practicing Catholic until age eleven or so and was very familiar with the surrounding religious iconography. But standing there, I was moved away from the religious connotations; instead there was just something about it that so captured the essence of a grieving parent, a mother saying goodbye to her son, that felt so realized in each curve of marble. Will never forget it.

The second sculpture dates from about 800 years earlier and thousands of miles further and yet is also a death tableau. Um...apparently I have a thing? Ooops?

I keep finding different translations of the exact title, both most are somewhere along the lines of Tableau of the Death of Shaka. It is a unbaked clay and wood sculpted scene of the death of Buddha, found in one of the oldest temples in Japan, Horyuji, in Nara. I first came across it in an art history class in college while going for my Asian Studies major, before I ever went to Japan. It was a piece we returned to multiple times in that class, as some of the styles, as well as the intricate representations of Buddha's followers' reactions to his death are considered key elements in Japanese art of that period and many of the ones to follow.

Even just looking at the grainy photo in our text book, the amount of detail and emotions expressed in the small figurines drew me in. But it was about 6 months later, when I got to visit Horyuji in person that it really stuck with me. That trip is particularly memorable because at the time, while I remember the sculpture, I had forgotten where exactly in Japan it was located. I was visiting the temple for its overall historical significance: one of it's pagoda's is considered to be the oldest wooden structure in the world, built in 711 AD. At the base of said pagoda are four clay tableau's, one of which is the Death of Shaka.

There I was, wandering this temple, and was suddenly confronted by this sculpture I'd repeatedly studied the year before and been so intrigued by. I may have had a bit of a totally geektastic, fangirl squee moment. Which happened to catch the attention of two Japanese college boys, one who had been explaining the tableau to his friend. He sees me being all dorky and giddy and asks if I know what the statue is about. Chance to practice my Japanese to cute Japanese guys? Sold! So in my intermediate Japanese I stumble through a quick explanation of the significance of Buddha's death and how the follower's differing levels of grief and acceptance signify the different Buddhist's sects. Upon my halting finish, the first guy turns to his friend "see, even the GAIJIN[foreigner] knows more about this than you." In the end, those boys' looks of triumph and chagrin have become so entwined with my memories of the statue that I can't fully say if it's just the sculpture that's so memorable or the entire experience.

But really that's par for the course. For me personally, at least, I find so much of my reaction to a piece of art is connected with the conditions surrounding my first time experiencing it. My emotional state at the time, who I'm with, any previous knowledge I may have of the piece or the artist all shape my perception. *cough*Venus de Milo...GetBackers*COUGH* ^___-

Thanks for the prompt, tasabian!! Loved it ^_^

I'll give it a go...December Meme thing...

gnine — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 14:46:03 GMT

Been seeing this all over my flist, decided to join the party. Already missed a few days, but I have been missing LJ so very much, but not actually posting despite this so maybe this'll be the push I need?

Not that I've ever managed to post daily for a month in my entire 10+ years on LJ...but I'm pretty sure not every day will fill up, so that should work perfectly...^_-

Pick a date and a subject to post about. Anything's fair game really, fandom, fanart, vids, travel, food, go wild ^__^

December 04
December 05
December 06: tasabian - favourite sculpture or statue!
December 07
December 08: sholio - some vids you love, or something (tropewise, editing-wise, etc) that you really love in other people's vids
December 09: naye - Tell us where you've lived, why, and where you'd want to go back.
December 10: naye - Where you'd want to go next and why?
December 11
December 12
December 13
December 14
December 15: bagheera_san - like, if you had all the time/motivation/talent in the world necessary to do it, what would be your dream-fanwork? As in, the vid/art/fic you'd create if you could, but probably never will? Or several of them, if just picking one is too difficult.
December 16
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
December 21
December 22: byakkodan_slash - Make five sketches. For each sketch you have only 2 minutes to complete it. Set a timer, and when it ends, you STOP! Post said sketches.Themes for the five drawings:
1: Self portrait.
2: Picture of you and me!
3: Picture of your favorite video game character in a bath
4: Thor + Loki in santa hats
5: One horse-sized duck or 100 duck sized horses.
December 23
December 24
December 25
December 26
December 27
December 28
December 29
December 30
December 31

10 Year LJ Anniversary! Meep!

gnine — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 01:42:01 GMT

Ten years ago today I first signed up for Livejournal (course I didn't actually post anything on my own journal until September, it was all about the lurking at first! ^__-). Though LJ has seen some tumultuous times and a few mass exoduses in the last few years, many of the people I've most grown close to over the years are still here (yay! \o/) and LJ has meant so very much to me, has introduced me to so many wonderful people (and fandoms ^__-) that I'd be remiss in not marking the occasion ^_^.

At this time ten years ago, I found myself living at Cornell over the summer break between Sophomore and Junior year, along with several other friends (all fangirls)l who'd chosen not to return home that summer. And doing as fangirls do, we fanned together, on, among other things, GetBackers. At that time, only part of the anime had aired, none of the manga had been officially translated and there was only a very small English language fandom...most of which happened to be on LJ (which you still needed at invite code for at the time, not that we let that deter us ^__-). So LJ was clearly where I needed to be too!

That first GetBackers community was amazing, and introduced me to several people I still remain close to today (love you guys! *smish*). From GetBackers on, I've just been adding fandoms, communities and friends, from Saiyuki (mm, 5x8, you'll always be my OTP) to Tactics, from G-defend (I'm still confused as to when exactly that liiitttle tiny LJ comm that I started got over 100 members! Oh G-defend, someday you'll be fully translated and more can appreciate your wondrous BL glory) to One Piece, from Smallville (Leeeex) to SGA (oh McShep, oh team, I miss you!), to Loki. Oh Loki! Sometimes I've dived in head first, sometimes dragged kicking and screaming (comics fandom, I'm looking at YOU ^__- And it's still your fault neechan, ALL. YOUR. FAULT.) but in the end it's always been a terrific adventure.

In the years I've been on LJ, I've gotten to meet more than 40 of you in person at various times and in various countries and look forward to many more such happy encounters!

Fanning is in my blood (my mom being a trekkie back when it first aired) and I've participated in online fan culture for more than half my life. For the last decade, LJ has been a big, if not the biggest, part of that participation. It has allowed me to not only indulge in fannish expression, but to form life long friendships the world over. And despite its faults, its various ups and downs, its booms and lulls, I'll always be grateful for that and for all of you. *big big huggles*

Birthday bash 'weekend' recap...

gnine — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 01:43:20 GMT

First all, thank you so much to all who could come, and to those who couldn't, hope I can catch up soon, miss you! *smishes*

It turned into almost a full week of various shenanigans, hence the quotes on 'weekend'. Almost everyone had arrived by Thursday evening, so on Friday the group of us set out for a day trip to Mount St. Helens, which was spectacular. Though only a few hours drive from Seattle, I had yet to make it down there and very much enjoyed it, especially with all my wonderful peeps:

The party itself was on Saturday. Very casual, bbq followed by homemade sundaes and then a pimping session of Orphan Black (excellent show, highly recommend) because we were all media geeks and fangirls, what else are we gonna do? ^__-

On Sunday, half the group had to fly (or in certain people's cases, *smishes Ri-chan* :-P drive back after their flight to SFO was canceled) home and the rest of us set out to do some Seattle sightseeing. Which included a chocolate factory tour, mmmmmmm!

Why yes, that cut off sign DOES read 'Chocolate Pipeline', enough chocolate it needs its own pipeline, I APPROVE! ^_-

Monday was more Seattle adventures, with a visit to the new Chihuly glass permanent exhibit at the Space needle:

Tuesday, me, takadainmate, cienna and ontogenesis headed down to Portland, another place I'd never been. Lovely city, and unlike Seattle, it actually has good public transportation!

In the three days we had, we hit up most of the major spots, including the rose garden:

Japanese garden:

Pittock Mansion:

Multnomuh Falls:

Voodoo doughnuts:

and more.

All in all, a fantastic week!

(More pics here)

Update: RL, Fanning & Artwork

gnine — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:28:34 GMT

So, it has once more been ages since I've updated. I try, I really do...I just fail SPECTACULARLY!! :-P I was considering doing this as several different posts, but then figured that the odds of them all actually getting done, what with my track record, was low, so, one big post it is...

So first, in terms of RL, after 8 months in New Zealand, followed by 8 months in Australia, I returned to the States in February. Hanging with the sibs & co, which is always a blast. I had such an amazing time down under, and met so sooo many fantastic people! *waves* I miss you guys!!

Also saw so much great stuff. Got to take several great trips out of Sydney, down to Melbourne and the Southern Coast with my best friend and her husband and up to Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef (HOMG sooooooo amazing!! We only did one day of snorkeling, and we all regretted not doing more!) with the sibs plus their two housemates (who got married while we were up there, super fun!). (Links lead to my picasa albums)

Leaving during one of the hottest summers on record in Australia, with heat and sun and palm trees!! to arrive in the midst of one of Seattle's normal dark, dreary, rainy GRAY winters was HARD!...but at least we're not getting slammed with the snow the East coast has gotten. That's something at least. :-p

I'm currently looking for temporary work as I intend to head abroad again sometime in the fall. In the meantime I'm chilling...and having lots of time to fan, which brings me to...

Fanning!

Which I've been doing in SPADES! After a three year drought with nary a real obsession, in the last 8 months I've had a torrential downpour. Since I last posted in...*goes and checks* SEPTEMBER! OOPS! I was still in my Loki craze. Shortly there after, due to CHEATING (by means of being an EVOL h/c temptress) on takadainmate's part, I succumbed to even more comic fanning.

This time it was DC and Nightwing. Now, I've always been fond of the first Robin, because, well, he rocks! But I'd never read the comics. Now I have...ALL of them. I have read pretty much every issue of every comic Dick Grayson has appeared in since 1986/post-crisis, as well as a few from before that. Um...OOPS? I also managed to read these 1000+ issues in under a month...um, double oops? 29 years, I've avoided comics. The comic-adjacent? Sure! Love the Batman cartoons, and the X-men ones and all the films, tv shows, etc. But comics, nooooo. Steered clear of that clusterf**k. And then in the span of 3 months, I'm reading copious amounts of both Marvel AND DC! There is just not enough *headdesk*. Truly :-p

And then shortly following that, I dabbled a bit in the Young Avengers comics, cause, really, once you start down the dark path...*shrug* why the hell not?

Next there was Teen Wolf. Now, I watched the first season back in June, and then second season as it aired, but I'd been avoiding the actual fic/fandom until I could fan with my sister. So when they visited at Christmas, our whole group watched it together (snorkeling, site-seeing, koala-holding, etc. by day, hilarious werewolf hijinks by night, good times ^^) So then I spent most of Jan & Feb catching up on all the glorious fic that had been accumulating \o/. And now less than 2 months till season three starts, w00t

And now most recently, in just the past two weeks, neechan and I have succumbed utterly and completely to Person of Interest. Been seeing stuff on it for a while and been curious, but the squee levels on my twitter and tumblr skyrocketed in the last month, enough to finally motivate us to sit down and watch it. And it was GLORIOUS! It feels so much like a classic old skool fandom. Keep having Sentinel flashbacks. Ah, natsukashii! Loving it! Finch! Reese! Beeeear! So much repressed feelings with far too short, but all the more precious for the lack, friendship moments! The season two premier especially!!

Sadly, there is not enough fic for it, especially long stuff. *siiiiiiigh* But, the fandom does seem to be growing rapidly, so...*fingers crossed*. And neechan is writing for it, she's already finished two fics, w00t! In the mean time, I'm cranking out the chibis, three done in the past week. I just can't help it, they're too adorable! Annnnd, that segues nicely into...

ART DUMP!!

I've actually been remarkably productive in the past 6 months, art-wise, though all but one of them are chibis...oops? But in various styles; I've been experimenting as I'm just not ever completely happy with them, especially my line work, which has never been one of my strengths :-p

Avengers...and by that I mostly mean Loki!

I did a whole series of the Avengers with Loki's mythical kids cause um...drawing monster children in chibi form is waaaay too much fun! ^^

X-mas present for my sister:

Nightwing/Batman

B-day present for takadainmate...really, you can pretty much guarantee if I drew something involving tentacles, it's for her...^___-

Done for the batfam_exchange Christmas exchange:

X-mas presents for cienna & takadainmate:

Teen Wolf

X-mas present for Ri-chan, she wanted a vid for this, but didn't have time so...

B-day present for erilyn:

Person of Interest

SGA
Wishing a friend a speedy recovery...

Bit of a RL catch-up and recent fan art dump

gnine — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:17:05 GMT

So...um...do I need to even start with apologies/excuses anymore? We all just assume I'm gonna be terrible with updates by this point, y/y? ^___-

Anyway, first off, RL stuff:
Part of the reason for the lack of posts is I haven't had as much to report on recently as I'd like. Money has been a bit...err, tight, so have done very little traveling so far. -_- Thankfully, things are looking up a bit on that front as I've had several short temp jobs here and there and just started my fourth week at the same assignment. (Which may or may not end this week, it's already been extended once and I hope it does so again cause I reeeally like this job. Good money, great location, as in a 12 min walk from my apartment, and the co-workers are super nice! Especially my supervisor, who's very concerned I'm getting enough breaks. He keeps catching me doodling and is like "oh, sorry, don't want to interrupt. Good to see you are taking breaks! Don't want you to burn out!" Nicest. Boss. Ever!) In terms of travel, do have Ri-chan and her husband coming in a little under a month \o/, so should be getting out more with them. For now saving up so I can do just that. ^^ So excited!!

Otherwise, I continue to enjoy Sydney (and living right downtown is ever so convenient! Yay for being able to walk everywhere ^_^), the weather remains incredibly pleasant and mild (winter you say? Suuuuuureee...) and have met a great bunch of fangirls here \o/!

Also have recently started a sorta travel log photo blog thing on Tumblr. Posting every few days, my favorites of my travel pics, from all different periods. It's just a small thing so far...but one I actually HAVE been managing to update regularly, so...um...go me? *shifty eyes*

In fan related stuff:
Um...Loki still owns my soul. OOPS! Why, why must I fall for villains?! After Lex, I should know better!! *headdesk* And this is leading me to read comics, which...I DO know better! That can only lead to suffering, and horrible things happening go chars I love. That's just what comics DO! I know this! Which is why I've avoided them for sooo many years. Comic tie-ins/comic adjacent stuff like the cartoons and movies, I'm totally on board! But the actual comics? Steered clear! Did this stop me from getting faaaaar too invested in Journey into Mytery? No. Is it going to break my heart into little itty bitty pieces? Almost certainly! *there is just not enough headdesking in the world*

But, if nothing else, at least all the fanning has been very productive! Which brings me to...

Because...um...woobie villains? I err...may have a type! OOPS! ^__-

Done as an illustration for neechan's wonderful, epically long fic, No Such Liberty. Sooo love this fic!

Nother illustration for the above mentioned fic. Though...err..this scene hasn't actually been posted yet. And err...probably won't actually be for a while yet. Um, I mentioned it was LONG, righg? ^__- Cause, um... yeah...Gloriously so, but the 50k or so posted...not...exactly...half-way yet. Whee! ^^ Not really happy with how this pic came out, but it was done really fast. I was practicing speed drawing...clearly not my specialty. OOPS! :-p

llustration for Takadainmate’s wonderful fic Over Spring, set after Journey into Mystery 641.</p>

Second in our ongoing deal: she writes bb!Loki and I draw or vice versa. I’m quite enjoying this bargain as there can just never be enough adorable kid!Loki fic! \o/

I may have a bit of a weakness for Loki with his kids. Okay, a HUGE weakness. And, really, it may be for all Supervillains with their children cause I always had a major thing for Lex being cute with Kon when I was in SV, hmmm…^__-

Also, it kind of worries me that I no longer need reference to draw Loki's outfit. This was done pretty much entirely from memory. Um...err...*cough* *shifty eyes* ^___-

I'm actually doing a whole series of chibi drawings now involving Loki's kids with the Avengers cause um...I've found I can't stop drawing them. Mainly at work. OOPS. Have tons sketched but only two colored so far, will probably just do a full post when I have them all finished, though the first two can be found here.

And in and among all this art, I'm also working on an Avengers music vid (that Loki keeps sneaking into cause, well, he's LOKI! :-p)
...err...yeah, when fandom hits, it hits HARD! But, well, it's been over three years since last I hardcore fanned, so I'm pretty much happily going with the flow at this point, milking it for all it's worth! ^^

As always, C & C much appreciated. Or really, anything you wanna say, I MISS THE LJ CROWD!! Tumblr is fun, but it's just not the same! *en masse flist smish*

More fanart...also, yesterday I pet a koala!! \o/

gnine — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:17:04 GMT

So, in between job hunting (I have some temp work starting next week, so that's something at least!) and my massive Loki feels (see beneath the cut) I also got in some sight-seeing. Went on a day trip excursion out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains. I'll do a full post about it, I swear (mainly cause certain parental units will bug me until I do...love you mom! ^_-) but in short, it was a great trip, beautiful weather, breathtaking vistas, made some new friends (that included an open invitation to Singapore, w00t!) and, as the title says, pet a koala:

There was also hand feeding of wallabies and kangaroos. I may have been a bit in cute overload ^_^

And now, my latest art, the second attempt in my ongoing need to draw Loki receiving ALL THE HUGS! Also known as, my Loki FEELS, let me share them with you!! ^_-

Preview:

This was semi-inspired by this wonderful, gloriously long fic my sister's currently writing, which is part of the reason Loki's not in his full regalia. Also, that outfit, while all kinds of awesome, not exactly hug-friendly!

There were several times with this pic I had one those "grrr, clearly I can't draw AT ALL why do I even try *headdesk*" moments...and there's still things I'm less than happy with (hands, OH GODS, WHY?! You shall always be my ultimate nemesis! :-p) but overall...Loki gets hugs, so really, what more do I need! ^_-

C & C much appreciated, as always.

On Tumblr here.

More Loki Fanart

gnine — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:12:17 GMT

I'm on a roll, whee! This one was done mainly as a bribe to my sister 'cause I really want a sequel to this fic. Also, Thor with Loki as a little kitty was just too much to resist. ^^

Preview:

On Tumblr here

As always, C & C much appreciated. ^__^

More Avengers (and by that I mean mostly Loki ^_-) fanart...

gnine — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:55:58 GMT

So...yeeeah, Loki's kinda totally eaten my life. It's not my fault, it's just well...um...LOKI! ALL THE FEELS! Also, Tumblr, I blame tumblr for a lot of this. There's just SO MUCH SQUEE to be had!

But really, it just feels so damn good to be fanning again after so long! And inspiring! And on that note, more art, which is...a bit...um cracktastic? This is what happens when neechan and I skype too late at night...and, with me in Australia and her in the US, it seems like it's always late for one of us...OOPS! Also, I was exploring animated gifs...which got way more complicated than I first intended but are kinda addictive, and rather fitting for chibi comics, so I have a feeling this won't be last last of 'em...

Anyway, I give you:

Original Tumblr post here.
As always, C & C very much welcome!

Quick RL update and also FANART!

gnine — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:16:04 GMT

So, first off, in RL news, I'm in Sydney (well, a suburb of) and just moved into a houseshare today (for the past two weeks the wonderful, crazy generous alasen has been letting me crash in her spare room). My new housemate seems really nice and she has an adorable kitty as a plus! Yay living with pets again, oh how I've missed it! The job hunt is still ongoing, but it's only been two weeks so I'm not overly worried. Yet...ehehehe...:-p But, regardless, yay new country! ^^

Second, in semi-RL/semi-fan news, last weekend there was the awesome fangirl gathering that is sinpozium. Do so love meeting fangirls in person! Was a great time, with some tantilizing series pimping, fun discussions, informative tech intros (I really need to sign up for pinboard...) and a hilarious game of pictionary. To sum up, fangirl get togethers for the WIN! Also greetings to new flisters from the event! Yay new people!

Third, in TOTALLY fan-related goodness, I...um...seem to have fallen into a new fandom (it's taken me long enough!! :-p). One which is tangentially related to The Avengers movie cause, let's face it, the movie rocked in all kinds of ways!! So many feelings, so much LOVE! For everyone! But I digress. Anyway, in connection with all that squee, and due mainly to my sister's tireless pimping, I've read some comics. Specifically, Journey into Mystery. Which leaves me in LOVE with kid!Loki! HOMG, all the feels! I mean, I adore movie!Loki, but...but kid!Loki is just epically fun and wonderful and pushes soooo many of my buttons with the adorable brother stuff and villain redeemed and ridiculously smart, precocious, snarky, genius teenagers. With siblings who mean everything to them. And a NEED for hugs.

And this means, along with a new fandom, comes fanart! This is the first time in a while I've done more than just a chibi (though I did a reeeally quick stupid one on Tumblr for the Avengers movie over here) and I was experimenting with a painter program rather than Photoshop. I'm quite happy with it, especially with how quickly I was able to do it (under 10 hrs total and most of it in one sitting). New program for the win! Really just drawing for the win, man I've missed it!

Preview:

C&C always most welcome! ^^ Also, go read JiM, cause kid!Loki needs more love! Lots more...and by that I mean I need more fic...^_-

TL:All around New Zealand Part Two or How I Survived Three Weeks in Small Motel Rooms w/ the 'Rents

gnine — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:34:18 GMT

Just kidding mom, y'know I love you guys! Actually, all things considered, we handled it pretty well and no one was dead at the end, so really, I'm gonna count that as a win! ^_-

So, I actually started writing up this post less than a week after the trip finished on May 6th but then life got in the way. Really this time, not just me being lazy! My last two weeks of work at Tourism New Zealand were crazy busy in preparation of the handover, worked long hours and then this past weekend it was a lot of farewell get-togethers and goodbyes. And packing, can't forget that (no matter how much I may wish it at times :-p). But, thought it appropriate to get my last big New Zealand post up before I head off to Australia in two days. Meep! Where does the time go?!

*cough* Anyway, without further ado, my travel log of the 'rents visit:

So, less than a month after the sibs and our whirlwind tour, the parental units arrived in New Zealand. Like with xparrot and the bro, they took connecting flights straight on to Queenstown and I met them down there. Beyond that afternoon/evening exploring Queenstown itself, I managed to do almost no repetition with the previous trip. \o/ Itinerary planning skillz, I haz them! ^_-

The next morning, we headed northeast of Queenstown, following the road along Lake Wakatipu and getting some gorgeous views along the way. Reaching the end of the road, we took a few hours to walk the beginning of the Routeburn Track before retracing our steps.

The drive there and back was alone worth it! A few shots snapped from the car:

That afternoon, we continued on our way to Lake Te Anau, where in my dad proceeded to be the idiot I know and love:

This was while we were waiting to catch the boat that would take us to the small glowworm cave on the other side of the lake. This cave was nothing compared the the sheer glee that was my Waitomo experience...which I have still not actually posted about. OOPS!! (Soooo, briefly, Waitomo caves, in the middle of the North Island, is this massive cave system that is famous for its glow worms. Unique to New Zealand, these grub have bioluminescence that makes them give off this pale, teal-tinted light. They like caves and grottos, and transformed the cave ceilings into a miniature night sky. In December, me and the housemates took a roadtrip up to Waitomo for the weekend, where a former housemate, who works as a cave guide, snuck us in for free for the full two hour caving experience, wet suits, spelunking helmets, the works. It was AMAZING! There was crawling through tight passages and climbing and jumping from waterfalls and floating down subterranean rivers in an inner tube with only the glow of a million worms to light the way. Truly one of the most fantastic things I've ever ever done. Right up there with bungy jumping..oh New Zealand, you've given me such awesome experiences!^____^

Couldn't take a camera into the caves as we got wet. Very very wet. But our guide had a waterproof one with her and we got a few shots.

Some shimmying through a narrow crevice.

The group with our inner tubes.

And here's a shot of a quick drawing I did as a thank you to our guide. Summed up our activities nicely...^_-

Okay, enough about Waitomo, seeing as that was quite a few months back now...)

Anyways, glow worm cave visited with the 'rents was much smaller, and only a dry walking tour with a little jaunt in a tiny boat (no crazy spelunking tours) but was still very cool. And the big glowworm grotto that the boat took us in was amazing, floating in the dark, everyone hushed, the ceiling painted in a million tiny lights. And then the boat we took back to Te Anau from the caves crossed Lake Te Anau, which was pitch black as it was already getting pretty late and NO light pollution out on the water and we had an AMAZING view of the night sky, the milkyway was very clear and dad got his first few of the Southern Cross. As a life long star gazer, it made him very very happy.

Next day we headed out bright and early to Doubtful Sound. Though the day started out overcast and gray, by the time we got over Lake Manapori, and through the pass leading to the sound (with a short stop underground in this huge subterranean damn. Very cool!) the day was absolutely clear and sunny.

Our first view of the Sound from the mountain pass. I was more thrilled than my expression might suggest but well, we had to get up EARLY for this tour, okay?! ^_-

The good weather made for a very different experience compared to Milford Sound, despite the similarities in landscape. Can't actually decide which I enjoyed more. The rain and mist certainly added atmosphere at Milford, but not being freezing, windblown and wet made for a more pleasant experience overall. Also allowed us to see more wildlife.

Dolphins! Came up to the boat two different times. There were also seals and little blue penguins far out in the water, but they were tiny enough to be very hard to spot (but that was fine, got a MUCH better view of the adorable little things later in the trip! ^_-) Overall it was a very pleasant few hours on the boat, soaking up the sun, enjoying the ridiculously beautiful views.

Next day we headed off to Dunedin, though only had a brief stop there, as we had to make it to Oamaru in time for the penguins. Still, got to see a bit of downtown, including their beautiful train station:

And also spent an hour or two on the Otago peninsula, which offered more stunning views and terrifying(ly fun to drive! for me anyways ^_-, I think the 'rents were a bit more...perturbed by some of the sharp curves and crazy steep drop offs) roads.

On the way between Dunedin and Oamaru, we stopped briefly at the Moeraki boulders, which were just fascinating.

So round!

We finally pulled into Oamaru a little before sunset, plenty of time before the penguins were due to arrive at the colony. The Little Blue Penguin colony at Oamaru is a sanctuary where wild birds come home to roost, protected mostly from predators. At night, they have a viewing area where spectators can watch them come in from the sea. And come they did. SO MANY. SO CUTE! The ladies at the place said that at the time of year we were at, usually only 15-30 were expected. We saw one large raft and two smaller, that were estimated to be almost 100 birds all together! They said they'd only gotten two days in the summer that high! They were so little...and noisy and waddled and seriously. Dead. from. Cute!

See, we weren't actually supposed to take any pictures and film. In the past, people could, but flashes kept going off and scaring the birds so it was banned...I..err...might have snuck some anyways. OOPS! But, I was filming from my coat, to make sure no light from the camera could be seen so the video and pics are only so so. But, still, managed one or two...

This little one was only about a foot from the fence, just hanging out. Chilling. Slaying me with the cute, as you do...if you're a tiny cute adorable penguin of adorable cuteness.

...Okay, so I may have just been a whee bit enamored of the penguins. But...in the words of my very jealous sister, "But...but they're penguins and they're little! And blue!"

After our evening of glorious penguin viewing, we set out the next day to head back to the West Coast (Oamaru and Dunedin are on the East Coast of the South Island, Doubtful Sound before that on the West. Why yes, our trip WAS crazy and zigzaggy.) crossing some lovely countryside on our way.

Also, waterfalls and rivers with gorgeous-colored water. The 'rents were enjoying themselves.

Finally, we made it back to the Western shores just in time for sunset.

Next on the itinerary was Fox Glacier. No helicopter and glacier walk this time around, but still a very nice hike up to quite close to the glacier face.

Afterward, we went to nearby Lake Matheson, which was suppose to offer great views of Mount Cook reflecting in the still waters. Initially, it was as promised:

But by the time we got to the lake, those clouds had all moved in and the view of the mountains was completely obscured. :-p However, it was really only one of like 3 days we got overcast skies/drizzle the whole 19 days, so really, can't complain.

Making our way up the coast, we stopped at Pancake rocks, which was quite cool.

And got to Motoeka, the gateway to Golden bay. This was one of the few places we stayed two nights in a row, which was nice. Golden bay was spectacular (okay, yes, I know, what part of New Zealand isn't?!) and mom and I got to take our shoes off for a bit and wade in the surf.

Then we had a short walk on basically the tip of the South Island, stunning views yet again.

I just can't get over the color of the water. Love that teal!

On the way back that first evening, we stopped at these springs that are amazing in both the amount of water they pump out (like 40 bathtub fulls a second) and its clarity. Apparently it has some of the farthest visibility in any water in the world, over 60 meters. Sadly, the pictures don't fully capture it. But in the one below, to give a bit of an idea, that sandy patch you can see under the ripples...that's like 3 meters down.

There was another bit that was a LOT deeper (like, upwards of 15, 20 meters maybe?), which you could still see crazy clearly except it was hard to photograph, as the ripples from where the springs were bubbling up distorted it. But the water itself, yeah, no distortion. Never seen water like that.

Next day we took a long hike into Abel Tasman national park, along the bay. As you can probably guess, it was beautiful.

Then it was off to Nelson, me to fly back to Wellington, and the rents to continue on to Picton, which I'd already been to on my own in January (pics of that trip can be found here. I really have been baaad about posting my New Zealand stuff. OOPS.)

Spent two days catching up on work and then Saturday headed over to Te Papa, the national museum. We wandered around there for a bit and then my dad was an idiot once more:

...the statue is a known Wellington Landmark. Oh father..^_-

Next day we rented our second car of the trip (the return of the Nissan Sunny, which was the hamster-powered car of the first part of the trip with the sibs. This one was a slightly later model, but still...yeah, NO ENGINE :-p) and started our North Island adventure.

On the drive we had a great rainbow for a bit. And then dad, the trainspotter that he is, got super lucky to have this opportunity. I couldn't help snapping a few myself. I'm no where as bad as him, but I do hold a fondness for trains as well.

Our final goal for the day was Napier, on the East Coast. Due to a massive earthquake in the early 1930s, the entire town was rebuilt in the art deco style, much of which remains today. Cool place, and treated us to another gorgeous sunset.

Our next stop was Rotorua, which shares in common with Yellowstone both thermal pools and being in the middle of a super volcano. Whee. Well, really, that whole region is, but yeah. Awesome geological stuff going on!

...yes, it really was that color. Nicknamed the Devil's Bath. Hee...

Though different from Yellowstone is the Maori village. Smack in the middle of these hot pools. They cook in them even (and the food is quite tasty, we had some for lunch! ^_^)

Just love the houses chilling in the background of these billowing pools. There's these three tall geysers that can be viewed from only just behind those houses, too.

Following that, we headed up to Coromandel. We arrived at night and almost everything was closed, had to forage for food. But in doing so found this hilarious office hours sign.

The next mourning, we headed out early to see Cathedral cove. Absolutely stunning.

(The little dots are the 'rents.)

Though we sadly didn't get to stay too long as we had to make it to Hot Water Beach before the tide came in. Hot water beach was something I'd wanted to visit since hearing about it shortly after arriving in New Zealand. There's a small natural hotspring that comes up right under the beach and if you dig in the sand in lowtide, you can make your own hotpool before the tide slowly comes and washes it away.

It was crowded but fun and the battle with the oncoming tide was hilarious.

The water in those pools was HOT. It was almost a relief when the waves washed over, to be honest.

To cross from the east to the West side of the Coromandel peninsula, we took this crazy winding dirt road (which was again crazy fun to drive...also just CRAZy!)

Gravel makes hairpin turns all the more fun! ^_-

On the way, we stopped at one of the older Kauri trees in the country, though nothing compared to a later one we saw, this one known for its square shape.

Bypassing Auckland, we headed off to the Bay of Islands. Spent two nights there as well. Amazing place! Great sunset our first night, too.

And the next day, Mom took me to do something she's been bragging about since last year. Parasailing! SO AMAZING! Beautiful views and just...quiet. The silence at 1200 ft. is almost as stunning as the views.

Course our laughter didn't keep it quiet for too long! ^_-

Our boat, with Dad, who's rather "meeeeh" when it comes to heights, faaaaar below. So need to do it again sometime! Definitely one of the best ways to see an area like that!

Also, randomly in the area, cool flowers:

That evening, we attempted to go for a coastal walk...emphasis on attempt, as we discovered it was a low tide walk and well...low tide then, eeeh, not so much?

Dad turned back pretty early, but mom and I almost thought we'd make it till we finally hit a no-go point. Still, got some pretty views out of the attempt:

Next mourning, it was time to start meandering back to Auckland. To do so we crossed over and made our way down the western side of the Northland area. Saw more pretty coast.

And more Kauri trees, including the oldest one in New Zealand, estimated at somewhere around 2000 years!

Big tree is big. Also, hard to see, but that dab of red at the base is my mom. To get an extra idea of the size, in this picture, mom is still standing a good 5 to 10 feet in front of the base of the tree (there was no way to get right up to the trunk).

Just outside of Auckland, we stopped at one of the large black sand beaches, a little north of where I took the sibs. Again, huge, wide beaches are HUGE!!!

Those itty bitty specs, all people. And you can kinda see some pretty far out cause the water stayed shallow, only like knee height, all the way till where those first big, long waves are cresting. From what we could tell, tide was maybe half way in at this point.

Our last day we spent exploring Auckland, some of which I left the 'rents to do on their own as I'd already done it when first arriving in New Zealand. But, with the added advantage of a car, were able to head to two of the cities many valcanos.

Yes, that is the caldera of a volcano. Right in Auckland. There's only like 30 of them dotting the landscape. None of which are fully dormant. OOPS!

And now, I leave you with a fitting image for one of my last shots of New Zealand. Sheeeep!

So...three crazy whirlwind weeks, done and done. As is my time in New Zealand. It's been great here, gonna miss it (like all my countries. OOPS!) But, so excited about Australia. Maybe I'll be better about posting my adventures there. *fingers crossed*

Oh, and as always, you can see more pics on my picsa, link below, (or my G+, which, while still bad about, I swear I'm waaaay better at updating than LJ...)

New Zealand Rents 2012

Travel log: New Zealand with the Sibs

gnine — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:40:10 GMT

Sooo...I've been particularly sucktastic in updating recently, and considering my normal track record, that's saying something! Something very pathetic! :-p So...err...gomen? m(__)m. Partly it's because I've been using G+ more for quick updates/posting pics and partly I've just been busy, working and exploring New Zealand. (Also, partly, and by that I mean mainly, I'm horribly lazy...but we knew that already! ^_-)

Which brings me to the main reason for this post: I've just spent two weeks traveling all over the country with the siblings and have promised I WILL do a travel log this time! So here's me...doing a proper post! In less than a week since the trips conclusion! GO ME! (Really, I should NOT be this proud. OOPS! ^_-)

So, without further ado (or excuses! ^_-),

Our journey started in Queenstown. I flew down and met the sis and bro at the airport and together went in search of our rental car. I had driven once before on the wrong side of the road (hey, we drive on the RIGHT side so clearly here and England and Japan drive on the WRONG! ^_-) and I wasn't coming off of almost 24 hrs of travel, so I was elected to drive. (I had rented a car when I took the ferry to the south Island for a weekend in January...which I was suppose to post about and um...never did. But there are pics on picasa/G+ here. )

So, after a bit of blinker/windshield wiper confusion shenanigans (seriously, having them reversed is HARD. There was a LOT of "I'm going to just make a turn like normal and--SHIT, no, I really DON'T need the windshield, which is bone dry, wiped at this particular moment!! Grr!" by all three of us) we made our way to the first hotel, from which we had a lovely view:

That evening (after the sibs had a much needed nap) we headed into town for dinner and a little sightseeing. Watching the setting sun turn lighting the surrounding mountains was gorgeous!:

Watching the numerous ducks and seagulls get fed was also amusing. Those things were TAME! And cheeky...which pretty much describes all the birds here. Having no natural predators seems to do that. Also weak-willed tourists who can resist dropping food left and right to all the shamelessly pandering beaks. We were in no way immune ourselves! ^_-

The next day the bro and I did something I've always wanted to do: bungy jumping! We opted for the classic, Kawarau Bridge bungy, considered the first commercial bungy jump in the world. (Also, right near one of the spots used to film the Anduin in LotRs. ^___^) The few hours leading up to the jump, my excitement started to war a bit with nervousness. I mean, I LOVE heights, but here I was preparing to toss myself off a perfectly good bridge. And then the moment of truth, you're on the platform, your legs tied tight so you hopping, rather than walking the plank, and the guys counting down and you're like "Am I really going to...OH SHIT!" I definitely screamed on the way down. And then came the first bounce...and I just started giggling and giggling.

This cracked most of the spectators up as well, according to the sibs. Apparently it's not the most common response. But...you're bouncing over a deep, fast flowing, GORGEOUS river on the end of a giant rubber band. How do you NOT laugh?

Niichan actually took video of the whole jump (make sure you have the sound turned up ^_-):

Neechan meanwhile had my camera and snapped a few shots:

In conclusion? AGAIN! AGAIN!!!

Afterwards, we took the gondola up to the overlook of the town, which rewarded us with beautiful views of all of Queenstown and the surrounding area. And we could watch the paragliders flitting about. Need to do that one of these days as well!

The next day we set out for Milford Sound. The drive was beautiful (okay, ALL the drives were beautiful, even those done in the pouring rain. What can I say, it's a reeeallly pretty country!!)

And the sound itself (and actually, it's a Fjord, as our guide reiterated. Several times. Pretty sure it was a pet peeve, hilariously so ^_-) was AMAZING! Despite the pouring rain, or maybe because of it. The mist gave it a haunting quality and many of the waterfalls are temporary, only forming when its pouring. Which is it was:

Also, WINDY!:

But that didn't stop us from having a fantastic time!

The next day we headed out to Franz Joseph, with more rain accompanying our trip. Also, SANDFLIES! BLARG! Sooo not fun! Nasty little buggers that bite like mosquitoes and are EVERYWHERE down there. We started getting used to bracing ourselves "okay, everyone ready? One two three...GO GO GO! *open doors simulateously, hop out, slam them again as quick as possible.*" But was still a pretty trip:

The next day, we had scheduled a Helihike up the Glacier at Franz Joseph, but the one we were scheduled for got rained out and again later that afternoon. We had originally intended to leave for Christchurch the next morning, but decided to give it one more go and rescheduled for the nine am tour (much to Niichan's dismay. Poor boy only got to stay in bed past 10 am twice the entire trip. *pat pat* Life is HARD! ^_-). Meanwhile, we spent the rest of the rained-out day hiking out to the glacier and exploring some of the nearby trails.

Next morning we lucked out. It was completely clear, not a cloud in the sky and the guides said it was some of the best weather we'd had in a while! Score!

Riding in a helicopter is another thing that's been on my list of things to do for ages. And it was fantastically fun! The motion is just so unlike any other vehicle!

It also rewarded us some amazing views!

(I love that we could see the helicopter's shadow passing over the mountain as we flew!)

Once we were on the glacier, that in itself was incredible! We had a two hour walk and our guide was great. (We actually lucked out with good guides on every tour we took! ^_^)

Also, I took pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Glaciers are COOL! (pun intended! ^_-) And crawling in amoung blue ice caves and cravices was...was, damn, I'm running out of expletives! Good, awesome, fun, amazing, spectacular, fantastic, breathtaking. Which pretty much described all of New Zealand, really! ^_-

Following our glacier adventure, we hopped in the car and headed to Christchurch. Another incredible drive through ever changing, breathtaking scenery.

Along the way, we stopped at a rest stop whereupon neechan's day got made.

Right after climbing out, a parrot like bird landed about three feet away and started ambling towards our car, ignoring us completely. Another group pulled up and spotted us ogling the bird. They were native Kiwis, and hearing our accent, asked if we knew what it was. Neechan, being neechan, promptly answered "It's a Kea!" to which the reply was "No, the correct term is CHEEKY Kea." And boy was he right. Apparently these birds like to strip cars for fun. Rubber is particularly fun. As we were heading off, a campervan which had also stopped was starting to have its mudflaps nibbled on by the bird. While everyone watched. Cheeky, cheeky bird!

Christchurch itself, when we finally arrived, was a bit of a sad, sad city. Also, a driving NIGHTMARE! The entire city center is shut down both to car and foot traffic due to all the earthquake damage. All about the city there are buildings in various states of repair or demolishment. Poor city.

Even so, parts remain nice. The botanical gardens are very pretty and undamaged.

And they had some neat flora!

Next day, we headed out on our first LotR specific tour, to where Edoras was filmed. Mount Sunday is a several hours drive from the city, and VERY remote. As in the off road vehicle taking us had to drive through a foot or two deep stream to get us there.

(Yes, that's taken from the window when we're halfway across the stream!)

It was so worth it. The guide was fun and knowledgeable, the other people on the tour were all super friendly and the views. The views were STUNNING!

There was also some major geeking out. The tour even provided props! ^_-

Next day, we departed the South Island, flew back to Wellington and spent the day just chilling at my place.

Friday found us at Zealandia, a bird sanctuary only a ten minute bus ride from my house. Neechan was ECSTATIC! All native New Zealand birds, all the time.

Afterwards, we met up with aworldinside for dinner (and so her and neechan could talk AO3) and then joined in in a fangirl meetup. (Poor niichan, only guy dragged along.) Neechan and I had a great time, though and I don't think he minded overly much. ^_^

The following morning we were up bright and VERY early for the Wellington area LotRs tour. Our guide this time was HYSTERICAL and had us reenacting a few of the scenes for photos and such.

Sunday we picked up our second rental car (a muuuch newer model than the first. This one actually had an engine. HP does NOT mean hamster power. They got that confused in the last car, made passing verrry interesting :-p) and made our way up the center of the island, passing 'Mnt Doom' on the way to our stop over in Lake Taupo.

Our last full day found us stopping in Matamata, otherwise known as Hobbiton, for the set tour. It was POURING that day, as well as ridiculously windy, but we still had a fantastic time. Hobbition! The party tree! Bag End! How could we not?! ^_- Also, there were baby sheep we could feed!

That night we arrived in Auckland (where we made niichan drive. He was NOT happy as traffic was kinda sucky and our GPS was...eeeeh, NOT SO GOOD! :-p) But, when we finally found our hotel, we had AMAZING views of the harbor, so it was well worth the hassel.

As our flights were in the evening, our last afternoon we drove out to Bethells and Karekare beaches, less than an hour west of Auckland. Which we'd heard were beautiful (they were) and more importantly (at least as far as our fannish sides were concerned) where they filmed some of Xena.

These two beaches were simply amazing! Black sand, windswept, and huge. Also, empty! Very VERY empty! As in, between the two stops, I think we saw a total of maybe ten other people. And that might be a high estimate!

Then it was off to the airport (on the way to we almost ran out of gas, biiiit stressful, that.) Then it was a very rushed dinner, goodbye hugs and off to the States for them and back to Wellington (and work :-p) for me.

An all around FANTASTIC trip, ridiculously fun and ending in close to 1500 photos taken. All I can say is, thank the GODS for digital cameras because if I was still using film that would have been...err...BAD. Also, expensive!

Oh, and for anyone who wants to wade through 'em, even more pics can be found on my picasa here and here. And, while I really am going to try to be better about doing these posts, if you're really curious about what I'm up to/want to see pics, it's probably better to track my G+ as I have a slightly better track record there so far. ^_^

And, next month, I get to do it all again with the 'rents!

Then it's off to Australia with me, whee! Err, right, haven't mentioned that here either. So, at the end of May, I'm moving to Australia to do a working Holiday visa there so any Australia peeps, hopefully we'll get the chance to meet up! ^___^

Some of the art I did a this year's Christmas presents...

gnine — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:02:15 GMT

...Not that any of them are particularly Christmas-themed, but here's some of the random art I did as Christmas presents. (Um, yes, one of these days I'll get around to doing an actual, y'know...update post. But, um...this is not that day. Oops?) So, in no particular order:

So, the sibs have been bugging me (and pestering, whining, cajoling, guilting, etc) to read HS for AGES! And I have meant to, just hadn't gotten around to it. And then finally in Nov. I read the first act but, well, the first act can be a bit slow, not to mention seriously WTF?! and well, I never got around to reading more, much to their LOUDLY EXPRESSED annoyance. And so finally, I decided as a bit of an Xmas surprise, I would read all of it and then do some art as a gift. So, a little over a week before Xmas, I did just that, which, for anyone who's read it and knows just how LONG it is, knows that's no small feat (especially since I was working and doing other Xmas presents as well...) So, these Chibis were their gift...and also my way of letting them know I'd read it, which I managed to not to blurt out (it was HARD, HS has some bloody intense moments!!!), so they didn't know until they opened the file.

Anyway, as might be obvious from the subject matter...I kinda adore Karkat! I mean, how can you NOT? Also, he's ridiculously fun to draw as a chibi...^_-

C'mon, we all know it's what the knights want! Or...y'know, are already getting...^_- And also...um...yes, tentacles...if you know the London meet up group, I'm sure this will come as a surprise, to well, NO ONE. For everyone else...err...it's all takadainmate's fault!! Okay, really, it's pretty safe to assume that any time I draw tentacles can be traced back to her, or her partner in crime, cienna. And speaking of them, that brings me to my last pic...

For Xmas, I tried to combine two of their biggest kinks...^_- And further discovered that chibi tentacle monsters are kinda ridiculously fun to draw....^_-

Travel Log: On my Way to Wellington

gnine — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:57:13 GMT

So, now that I'm all settled in, in a house in Karori, a suburb of the city of Wellington, thought it was time to do the first of what I expect to be many New Zealand travel logs. Along with the normal photos, as per Ri-chan's suggestion, I've done a few travel-related chibis, just a couple, quick slapdash ones...we'll see how that goes.

So, my journey to New Zealand started with a quick 24 hr stop in LA (well, okay, truly the trip started with a month long break in Seattle with a quick dip down to Texas...a very HECTIC, but incredibly fun, over-far-too-quickly month) where I got to meet ro_anshi in person for the first time after knowing her online for 11 years! Ever so much fun. Considering the visit was a little under a day, we saw a lot.

First there were her baby birds. ro_anshi has doves, and one had just hatched two days before I arrived. SO CUTE!!

Then we made our way to the largest Buddhist temple in California. Very beautiful, do so love temples, though is rather...different to see one against the backdrop of California hills. ^_^

From there we made our way to the LA County Museum of Art, which, among other things, was having an amazing special exhibit on Tim Burton. Had some of his early school day sketches, original models and costumes from his various works. Great stuff, though sadly no photography allowed.

The rest of the museum was very neat as well, had some pretty Japanese stuff. Also, some angels, as I know certain people always enjoy ^_-:

From there, there was delicious Italian dinner near Venice Beach and then a stroll on the pier at sunset, which, if anyone knows me well knows always makes me happy. And relaxed, which was verrry needed as I was boarding the plane in only a few hours and that always stresses me.

Flying I've got no problem with...but airports? *shudder* I HATE airports and all the hassle that goes with 'em.

So, beach times for the win! \o/

Then it was off to the airport and a VERY LONG LINE! See, Pacific Air doesn't believe in any form of online check in. AT ALL. Or self-check in. And this was a rather full, 747 flight. So despite the fact that I didn't even get to the airport until 9 PM at night, there were still ridiculous amounts of people. I was in line with my very heavy luggage for over an hour :-p.

The flight itself, however, except for leaving a bit late, was entirely uneventful. Thank gods for my Kindle is all I can say! ^__^ And trashy m/m novels and fic...mmmmm....^_^ The stopover in Fiji was kinda nice, makes me want to go back there. We were greeted coming off the plane by a small welcome string band, decked out in tropical print shirts and big smiles.

Then it was back on the plane and finally arrived in New Zealand. First night in Auckland I took it pretty easy, but then for the next three days I went rather crazy with the sightseeing as I knew I was heading down to Wellington only a few days later.

First day I went all over the city, starting with the Sky Tower. Tallest building in the middle of the city with a great view? Yeah, no brainer for me, I went all the way to the top! ^_^

And then of course there was this offer to do a sky jump off the tower. Oh but I so very very much wanted to do it but alas, out of my price range. *siiiiigh*

After the Sky Tower, went off to The Domain, a large park in the city. Which happened to have a grove of beautifully blooming sakura trees. In October. Oh but this Southern Hemisphere thing is WEIRD! Awesome, but weird!

And, as expected with sakura, there were people doing hanami:

The museum itself was quite nice, had some very cool Maori stuff.

After a lot of walking, headed to the home of the girl I was doing Couch Surfing with. Overall the experience went really well. She and her housemates were all super nice and also pointed me in the direction of my next day's adventure: Rangitoto.

Rangitoto is the youngest of the volcanoes in the Auckland area (the city is built directly on a chain of them. Smaaaart plan there. ^_-), having initially erupted only 700 hundred years ago. The only way to get to the island is by ferry. Was a nice trip but proved rather...windy that day on the top of the boat:

Okay, it wasn't *quite* that bad. But it was close!

The island itself was beautiful. My first time seeing volcanic beaches, so very awesome.

Then there was the hike itself. It was a bit...steep!

...or perhaps I'm just reeeeallly out of shape...

Ehehehe, little column A...and...well, a LOT more of column B :-p.

But the views from the top were more than worth it!

Next day I spent the afternoon at the aquarium. It was a pretty tiny one, but there were penguins and also short tailed sting ray, which were rather awesome. Of the non-mammal sea creatures, octopi and rays are my favorites. And I've got to see both in less than a month. Niiiice! ^___^

Also, rays? Hilariously adorable when being fed.

They almost looked like they were hugging her...or engulfing her.

Then that evening, my CouchSurfing host took me and two of her other CSers to her acrobatics group. They're all self-taught, but have been doing it for several years now and are quite impressive.

Next morning I had to be up bright and waaaay to early (6 am early! THE PAIN!) to catch the train to Wellington. So very very glad I did it. The trip was amazing, 12 hrs through a variety of beautiful scenery. And the train may have had a small outdoor viewing platform which I may have spent more than half the trip out on...biiiiig surprise! ^_- Also, I took some pictures. And by some I mean a LOT!

But it was just such stunning countryside, how could I not?

Also, MOUNT DOOM!

No, really, this was where a lot of Mordor was filmed apparently.

And then there was the sheep:

...who seemed to not like the train. At all. Especially the lambs, of which there were SO MANY! Baaaaaaby sheep, SOOOOO cute! And TERRIFIED!

HOMG, TRAIN! RUN AWAY!!!

Near the end of the journey, we also went along some coastlands, which was misty and overcast and yet still amazing:

Upon finally reaching Wellington, I pretty much collapsed in my hotel room (after purchasing internet...of which this country is severally lacking. The usage caps they have here remind me of the early Aughts! *whimper* oh precious 'net, how can I cut back on you?!...I may just be an addict. Ehehehe :-p)

The next day I met up with arysteia for a lovely dinner full of fangirly squee and politics and New Zealand factoids and all that good stuff and she took me up to Mount Victoria to get a fantastic view of Wellington at night:

The next day she introduced me to some more of the Wellington fangirl crowd, one of which was wearing a tentacle shirt that I'm sure those same 'certain' people will no doubt appreciate:

On Friday, only two days after arriving, I managed to find a room in a house to share with four other flatmates, a Kiwi and three Brits, which I then moved into on Sunday. The house is wonderful, very spacious and in a gorgeous location:

This is the little lounge that opens onto my room and one of the guys (My door is the open one).

TV Lounge

Upstairs living room. The door on the far right opens onto a hallway where the other three bedrooms are.

Very bright and roomy kitchen, and it has gas for cooking, THANK GOD! So hate cooking on electric :-p

The view from one of the kitchen windows.

Those are all views from the deck.

And the housemates are all great. On Sunday a little after I arrived two of them took me on a hike at a local nature reserve about a 10 min drive from the house.

Rachel's facing the camera and that's Johnny's back.

The reserve was beautiful, with a lot of interesting flora and fauna including this adorable cheeky fantailed bird and a 800 year old tree.

And now today after a few days relaxing and getting my room and such in order, I've started job hunting. Blarg, always a hoot, that. Only NOT :-p

So, that's me, all caught up. For now, anyways...there's sure to be more...LOTS more, to come ^_^

And you can find more pics here:

Seattle to Wellington via LA & Auckland

Also from there you can link over to my G+ account, where I've been posting more frequent, if shorter entries. Good if anyone's interested in more timely updates...'cause I'm so known for those on LJ...ehehehee...OOPS :-p

And I'm off!

gnine — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:18:02 GMT

Currently in transit, and by that I mean LA. Left Seattle last night (*sniffle* already miss the sibs! -_-) BUT, getting to meet ro_anshi for the first time in person, though I've known her online for almost 11 years now! Which is awesome! And getting to do a little bit of sight-seeing in SoCal before flying late tonight to Auckland via Fiji....Heee, New Zealand!! *bounce* *bounce*

...also, *meep* cause, yeah, the whole lack of job or place to live is sinking in and making me a bit nervous (also, the possible lack of internet. No clue how connected/disconnected I'll be and for how long, so if I'm even more incommunicado than normal, that's why)...

...but, well, it'll be an adventure! And a new country! w00t ^___^ See y'all on the flip side. *huggles*

NEW ZEALAND!!!!

gnine — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:05:12 GMT

Been meaning to post about this for a while, but a) have been very busy and b) was wanting to make sure everything was actually going to happen before posting 'bout it has delayed me...Not wanting to jinx it and all that...

But, seeing as it's two weeks away now, should probably let people know...I'm heading to New Zealand in two weeks for a year (well, hopefully. The visa lasts for a year, but if I don't find work, that might get cut short...:-p) SO EXCITED!!!! ^____^

Course, little bit nervous as well, seeing as this is the first time I've set out to another country with neither job/school or a place to live lined up. Well, should be quite an adventure, if nothing else...^_- I'm starting off in Auckland, but we'll see where the job search takes me...

Anyway, part of the reason I'm posting, beyond just...y'know, actually updating what's going on with me...something we all know I'm TERRIBLE about, is that I'm hoping to hook up with fan people when I get there. In both Japan and England I had great luck meeting up with LJ people in person and am hoping to do so again. Not sure if anyone from my flist is actually in NZ currently...but if you are, would love to meet up. And also, if anyone on my flist knows other fan/geeky people in NZ and they might be interested in hanging out, send 'em my way...

And hopefully soon, I'll be back to posting more frequently, doing my travel logs, if nothing else. New Zealand should provide plenty of material for that, if nothing else! ^___^ *bounce bounce*

Ghost Story - Jim Butcher bounce bounce BOUCNE

gnine — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:55:37 GMT

First off, LJ, NEVER LEAVE ME AGAIN! *clings* Only it keeps doing so! LJ! *whimpers* Which is why this post reads like it was written yesterday...cause it WAS an then LJ keeps being a bitch...so um...here, a day late, but, thoughts on latest Dresden book:

Sooo...got my hot little hands on it Monday evening...and then proceeded to read it without stopping till I finished it. Which put me to bed VERY late...or rather early. Five am territory, when I had to be at work at 9 (well, more like 9:30, as I slept through the first five snoozes...OOPS, but thankfully work is pretty lenient about that sorta thing, so....:-p) (also, keep in mind that due to the fact I'm writing this without further sleep, the post is sure to be rather...AHEM, rambling and not entirely coherent...though some of that is probably more just normal squee patterns rather than sleep deprivation....^_-)

Obviously there are gonna be SPOILERS galore, so I'm gonna put all my thoughts, responses, SQUEE, etc. beneath a cut, read at your own peril. But whenever everyone else does read it, would love to ~~flail wildly together~~ discuss it. At length! ^_-

I don't even know where to begin, there's SO MUCH!!! First and foremost is the holy hell, did NOT see that coming. (Okay, that's a lie, my first and foremost response is: NEXT BOOK. NOW. PLZKTHNAKS!) but following that, yes, SHOULD HAVE, but just totally missed it. That it was Kincaid that pulled the trigger I was almost certain of, it was exactly how he said he'd do it if he was ever going to, but that it was Harry himself that hired him? NOPE, didn't guess. I mean, looking back, makes TOTAL sense, so very Harry, but still!! I'm sure a lot of people had their suspicions, but that one totally surprised me.

And with that, POOR MOLLY! I spent the whole book wincing for her, cause just in general, jeez, not a good place to be, trying to fill Harry's shoes, protect her city, when more and worse baddies than Harry's usually faced are about...but then when you find out just WHY, on top of everything else Harry had already suspected through the book?! My god, but that guilt she's carrying!! That she had HELPED him do it. That was reeeeally not fair of him to ask...there was no one else, perhaps AND the decision was Fallen influenced, but STILL! HARRY!!! Bad boy, NO BISCUIT!

And Murphy wasn't really doing much better. She'd crossed lines as well, ones she'd tried never to cross before. It hurt to see her so...bitter and untrusting.

And then THOMAS, was just a short bit (I missed him SO MUCH in this book, even if there was a good reason for it. And also, D'AWWW, Thomas being the only one he couldn't think of cause if he did, it would remind him of what he did cause Thomas was the one he MOST should have told) but to see him SO BROKEN! From the way it sounds, he stopped feeding for 6 MONTHS, in mourning! Also, Justine, you rock, I LUV YOU!

All I can say, though, is there just BETTER be a HUG in the next book. Hell, LOTS of hugs! If Butcher time skips the start of the next book to a point when everyone knowing Harry's alive, I will be very sad. I want lots of cute reunions, dammit!! HUGS, I DEMAND HUGS!!!!!

...errr...*cough*

MOVING ON! Butters, I LOVE YOU, TOO! He has consistently amused me, but from the time he was first introduced, he's just grown steadily as a character and he was fantastic, and rather KICK ASS in this! Loved him faking a Wardern, hee. That took serious balls!

BOB, I'm very VERY happy that you're not entirely evil! After reading the first few chapters when they were put up early, I was a bit worried. But him and Butters make the most HILARIOUS team!...I'm curious if Harry will get him back when he returns, of if he'll stay with Butters. Seeing inside his skull was also amusing...and so very very Bob. Heee!

Mort...I remembered you only vaguely from previous books, but in this one, YOU ROCKED! And, happily, I get the impression that after these events, he might become yet another of Harry's regularly guest starring retinue. I hope so, he was rather awesome in this. At the end, when he comes in to rescue Molly, hehehe! Oh, but the bad ass was in abundance in this book! ^__^

Fitz, another one that I'm guessing has the potential to become a reoccurring. And I wouldn't object. He has that whole "MUST PROTECT MY PEOPLE" that a)I'm a sucker for and b)Harry is, too, so, I'd say odds are good, YAY!

Also, back to Molly, (what, I did say that this would be not so much with the coherency! ^_-) I gotta say, I just love love LOVE how at heart of her sub-conscious defenses in the ORIGINAL ENTERPRISE! BAHAHAHAHA This just rocks on so many levels! I mean, female fangirl FOR THE WIN (which was already true with Molly from the whole Splatter-con stuff, but still, w00t!) And the whole "you can be a Star Wars AND Star Trek fan" because, YES. I've NEVER been able to decide, they've both been with me since a VERY young age. And all the different versions of her, down to the accents! LOL! AWESOME-SAUCE!

(In general there seemed to be even more geek references than usual, which I adored. Though I think one of my favorites, for it's random hilariousness is the: "You prepare your home for an assault and you don't take zombies into consideration. I'd fallen victim to one of the other classic blunders, along with not getting involved in a land war in Asia and never going in against a Sicilian when death was on the line." I mean, Zombies and The Princess Bride in the same quote, FANTASTIC!!)

Daniel..was interesting seeing more of the Carpenter family as the children get older. I look forward to more with this as I rather adore that entire family! And on that note, they have Maggie! HEEE! Really, it is the obvious place for her in the end, but still, YAY, she's somewhere Harry can actually visit, where she'll hear good things 'bout him! And Mouse is with her! Oh Mouse! I missed you, too, but like Thomas, it makes sense why you were absent !

...and Mouse brings me to Mister, sooo happy he was alive and doing well. And BAHAHAHA, the way he has NO trouble interacting with ghost!Harry. Oh cats! Love Stewart's explanation/reaction to that. *snicker* Soooo cat-like! ^___^

And while their appearance was brief, I always enjoy seeing the werewolfs. And I'm with Harry, the image of them in wolf-form, covering their ears from the sound of a blast is ADORABLE! Hilariously so! ^__^

Was also really interesting to see the flashback of some of Harry's early days training with Justin. And we finally get the story with Walks Behind...well, some of it...which, really, just raised even further questions!

Last (well, for now, because I'm sure, with my addled sleepless state, I'm almost certainly forgetting squee/comment worthy stuff) but certainly not least (well, DUH, seeing as I technically did mention it pretty much first) NEXT BOOK!

I mean, past the BURNING NEED FOR IT RIGHT NOW!!! the end of this one just opened up a LOT of interesting possibilities. I mean, so Harry really is the Winter Knight now...but on *his* terms. I mean, how is that even going to work? Sooo curious! And I want to know the reactions everyone's going to have of him coming back. Especially since, what with his Shade wandering around, they all pretty much came to accept that he really was dead. Only Murphy was actually RIGHT, cause he wasn't...not fully!

And the whole alliance with Marcone, and the sorta tentative thing they had going with the White Court, where's that gonna fall, once Harry's back in the picture. I mean, Harry will be back to throw his weight around, more weight than ever with Winter's power, but times have changed! A LOT, and is it really gonna be enough with they new baddies appearing?!

And what's Harry's relationship with the White Council and his allies there gonna be upon his return? I mean, I'm guessing they're gonna be less than thrilled with his new position.

...And where is Harry gonna live? Okay, that's a random question, but, um, now that there's this giant fortress where his home used to be (I kinda love that it almost seemed to be built like a memorial or something in his honor...) is he gonna take up residence there? Or in Winter? Or somewhere else?! Not exactly important, but I WANT TO KNOW!!! And will Mister and Bob and Mouse come back to him, or stay with their new owners?

SO MANY QUESTIONS!! And of course, not forgetting the most important one: ARE WHY GOING TO GET HUGS NEXT BOOK?!?! ...err...yes...I may have slightly...skewed priorities, what's your point?

So, looking forward to hearing everyone else reactions soon! Remember to stop by for shared-fanning/squee/discussion! ^__^

Radom meme saw on my flist...because I kinda need this...

gnine — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:34:18 GMT

A little in part because it's my b-day, but much more because a friend, someone I thought to be one of my closest friends for almost ten years, rather definitely ended our friendship yesterday...

THIS IS WHY YOU'RE GREAT!

my thread