B.O.O.K.

Note: This is not mine, I merely found it to be hilarious.
http://jokelibrary.net/words/library.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade-named -- BOOK.

BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it.

Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc.

Here's how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence.

Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKS with more information simply use more pages. Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet.

BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.

BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though, like other devices, it can become damaged if coffee is spilled on it and it becomes unusable if dropped too many times on a hard surface. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward or backward as you wish. Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.

An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOK markers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK. You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with optional programming tools, Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Styli (PENCILS).

Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking to invest. Look for a flood of new titles soon.

Paper dolls

My sister is doing an event on her blog!

If you like paper dolls, or drawing, or historical costumes, you will want to participate in this event. Even if you don't participate, at least take a look at her posts. I know for a fact that she has already created some paper dolls that are simply stunning.

This event begins September 1st, and you can find the button on my sidebar.

~Jane~

Emma

My favorite movie is the new BBC Emma. Ah, it's wonderful. Mr. Knightly is amazing, and Jonny Lee Miller is such a good actor. He's so subtle, but you can tell exactly what he is thinking. When I first heard he was playing the role, I wasn't sure about it, because he is a little too short. But he is so perfect. I can't imagine anyone being better as Mr. Knightly. : )

I also love it because Emma is one of my favorite of Jane Austen's novels. It has such mystery about it. I love that Emma is so flawed, the author didn't think anyone would like her, but she is still sympathetic. She really suffers from her mistakes and learns that she is not always right.

I need to read that book again.

I am going to have to write several poems for my creative writing class. I am not very good at poetry. When I write one, I'll post it on here and let you guys see if it's any good.

~Jane~

Morning people

So this morning I am sitting in the classroom for Intro to Literature, waiting for class to begin. It's about 9:15 and I just came from English 101. It's a pretty full room. The situation is a little awkward. Everyone is sitting in their place and there is no sound except for some fidgeting and the clickity-clack of tiny cell phone keys as everyone texts someone else. Who would you text at 9:15 in the the morning? I wonder. I try to think of someone I can text, but the only person I ever text is my brother, and he is not a morning person.

Suddenly the silence is broken by one brave soul.

"Is everyone tired, or what?" He asks. Several people nod.
"I mean, nobody's talking or anything. It's kind of freaking me out." Several people giggle.
He is obviously a morning person, I think to myself.

There is a sound at the door, and another student enters.
"Hey, how are you doing?" The morning person asks cheerfully.

"Oh, good. Thanks." The poor student replies, a little bewildered at being greeted with such enthusiasim. He takes his seat.

There is silence again. The morning person makes another effort.
"So where is everyone going to college? I mean after here, of course." Since he was not speaking to anyone specific, nobody answers him.
"No takers, really?" He says.

Someone else comes through the door.
"Hi! How are you?" The morning person says, as if they were old friends. Luckily for him, this student is another morning person. She sits on the opposite side of the room from him, but they chat back and forth about various things. The first morning person mentions Florida.

"I just got married in Florida!" The girl tells him. She describes the weather and says how lovely everything was. The shy girl next to her says something.

"Well congragulations!" The first girl says. I guess the shy girl just got married too. They start chatting about their weddings.

The morning person has started talking to someone else on his side of the room. Suddenly he calls across to the second morning person with a question.
"Hey, is our teacher married or not?"
She doesn't know. He starts talking to the room in general about how some teachers get mad if you call them the wrong thing. Someone tells him to look for a wedding ring on her finger.

The whole room seems a little more awake now. There are only two people still using their cell phones. The rest of us are watching the morning person with amusement as he greets everyone who comes through the door. A few students are chatting with each other.

When the teacher enters, he calls out, "Good morning, Miss H!"
It doesn't matter that she is actually a "Mrs.", Or that her name is hyphenated so technically it begins with a "Z", she smiles at his happy greeting. She is a morning person too.

I like morning people.

First day of school

Today was long. Let me start from the very beginning.

Well, last night I went shopping for some new notebooks and a new bag big enough to carry my school stuff, then I went over to my Grandma's house to sleep over. Her house is just a few minutes from the school, and I have an eight o'clock class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Last night I had a really bad dream about home invaders or something and it was scary. So that alone made me tired today because I couldn't have slept very well. A bad dream leaves smudges on your day.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning. I really didn't need that much time to get ready but I was nervous. So I had some breakfast, showered and got ready to go.

I was very early. I sat in the hall on one of those benches with a bunch of other people who were waiting for the same class. It was awkward, and most people texted or something. (I have noticed at school that whenever anyone sits down to wait, they immedietely pull out their phone and look at it intently. I also must confess something very silly. Usually when this happens I am the only person not texting, so I get out my phone anyway and just watch the time on it.)

So we had that class finally, (English 102) and it was good. I liked the teacher. Then I went to Intro to Literature, which was also good, but a little more scary. I think I'm really going to like it, I'm just anticipating a lot of homework.

After a lunch break I came back and there was no place to park. I had to parallel park in a tiny little space behind a truck. I did better than I expected. It only took me two tries.

Next was Creative Writing. This class was not what I expected. The teacher is very relaxed, and he gives easy grades, and there will be a lot of class discussions. He gave us guidelines for the type of pieces he wants us to turn in, but no restrictions, and we can kind of decide what we write and when we turn it in. He wants 8 poems and two short stories by the end of the semester. Or you can substitute some of the poems for more short stories. Or instead of a short story you can write a screenplay. Or you can just write 10 poems and no stories.
See what I mean? It's very flexible. I guess that's a good thing, but I like structured classes better. I like to know exactly what I'm expected to do, and when I'm supposed to do them by. And I really like having my work graded. This teacher is going to give you a good grade as long as you try hard.
I suppose I will get used to it, and I'll probably love it, but it's not what I thought it was going to be.

So, after all this, I had to wait and go to the orthodontist.

I am so tired.

But I'm glad school has started. : )

~Jane~

What's up

On Thursday I took my sisters and a friend to see Ramona and Beezus. It was really good. It was very entertaining and family friendly without being too mushy. It had a little bit of the older sister being mean to Ramona, but not nearly as much as I expected and for the most part they had a good relationship. I highly recommend it for any age.

Yesterday when I was at work at the library there was a tornado warning for our area. It was really exciting. We don't have a basement at our library branch, so we had the patrons wait in the public restrooms. That is the safest place because there are no windows. We didn't get hit by a tornado, but it stormed all day and there were a lot of branches down in our neighborhood. Later that night our power went out for about two hours, so we all sat in the living  room with flashlights and candles and just talked and goofed around. It was really nice. I love storms. : )

We started watching The Dick Van Dyke Show on Netflix last week and I really love it! It is SO funny, but it is really clean humor. It's probably my new favorite show.

~Jane~

Conundrum

Why is it that when I'm less busy, I don't post as much on here? Maybe because I don't have as much to write about. I've just been enjoying my summer before school starts. Now I have less than a week to go! I still have to buy my books and get some new notebooks.

I was thinking about it recently, and my personality is really a mystery. I have at least two completely different sides.

I really love old fashioned things and dresses and roses. I like to fix my hair and wear pretty earrings and high heels. I like to learn about historical fashion and sewing. I love the manners of the Victorian era and the delicate flower arrangements that had meanings. My favorite books are by Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austen. I like to curl up on the couch with some hot tea and watch Wives and Daughters.
That is one side to my personality.

The other side is why I'm a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I love action and adventure. I want to travel the world and learn to ride a motorcycle. I want to go skydiving. Some of my favorite music is Christian rock and even rap music. This half of me would wear Converse hightops, not high heels. I read the Alex Rider adventure series and futuristic scifi, and watch things like The Bourne Identity.

How do I have so many different interests that I can't even reconcile them to each other?

There are other things that I really like that don't fit into either category. I like BBC's Robin Hood and I really get into that type of adventure. The clothes, hooded cloaks, bows and arrows and castles and swords.
Then when I am in a writing mood I like fingerless gloves and sitting in coffee shops and wearing sparkly fingernail polish and fuzzy slippers.

I can be a completely different person depending on what mood I'm in. What about you? Do you have any seemingly incongruent likes and dislikes?

~Jane~

The Writer's Tag

I got this tag from Marian.

Rules: Fill out the tag, and then add two of your own questions!

What do you write your stories on?
I do any actual writing on my beautiful laptop Maude, but whenever I first have an idea for a story, I have to write it out in my notebook. When I write on the computer I have to keep everything neat and nice, but when I write in a notebook it's like I'm thinking on paper. I can write it out really messy with a lot of questions and random notes thrown in.

What is your favorite kind of character?
I really enjoyed writing my villain. She was really interesting. I also liked most of my side characters. I seem to enjoy writing side characters better because I'm more free to make them quirky and interesting.

When you're asked what your story is about, what is your usual reaction?
With this last book, I was a little bit embarrassed to be writing about ninjas and pirates, so I just said something vague like, "Oh, it's just an adventure story... I haven't gotten very far..."
I think I'm always reluctant to tell anyone what I'm writing.

What is your biggest writing pet peeve?
When I write something really good and then read it later and it's not very good at all. That is disappointing.

What is the biggest turn-off for you when reading a book?
Definitely language and inappropriate material. I just can't get past it in a book, it ruins my enjoyment of the story.

Your favorite era in history?
Um, that one big era... you know, the one that goes from Genesis to right before now. Seriously, I like all of history.
If I had to pick, I would say... the Victorian era.

How many words on average do you punch out in one sitting?
Hmm. Not too many. I'm really slow at writing.

Are you a fast typist?
When I'm on a role and I know what I'm writing, I can do about 1000 words an hour. I haven't timed myself per minute in a long time, maybe I should do that.

What do you do for inspiration?
Write in my notebook. I have to write out what's going on and what ideas I have and do a lot of, "Well, maybe if..." It helps me get unstuck.

The truest writing quote you've ever heard:
"Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary." Haha.

What's your favorite genre to write?
I have only written two full first drafts. One was a serious drama, and it was terrible. The other was a crazy adventure story. I liked the adventure better.

Favorite font to write with?
Calibri 11.

~Jane~

P.S. I didn't add two questions, I couldn't think of any.

I want an adventure

I want to wear this outfit...

(http://steampunkthreads.com)

And find this map hidden in a dusty antique shop...

I would buy a ship...

And my loyal crew and I would sail to distant lands...

I would keep a journal of our adventures...

(http://www.roguejournals.com/catalog/item/761911/955947.html)

And make sketches...

Find the treasure...

And finally return home to a hot cup of peppermint tea...

~Jane~

(Note: I don't own any of these images. I linked the ones that I could. The three black and white sketches come from The Graphics Fairy.)

Endings and editing

Tonight I finished watching Robin Hood. I won't give away any spoilers here, but I will say that I cried. A lot. Tears of victory, tears of sadness, tears of bitter-sweetness. I loved this show.
I must say that I disagree with everyone who hated season three. I think it may have been my favorite season. I don't know for sure, though, I think I may have to watch them all again before I decide. : )

I am editing my book from last year's Nanowrimo.  I like it, but the more I look at it the more I realize how terrible it is. I'm fond of it even though it's badly written.
I finally figured out how to write the first chapter so that it makes sense. I am also working on my two main characters, because I always thought Stella was boring, and someone told me that Jacob is girly. And he is. I'm not very good at writing boy characters I guess. I have decided to make him sort of clueless, but acting like he knows what he's doing. Stella is going to seem clueless, but actually she has learned a lot of random and helpful things from the books she's read. They will compliment each other perfectly.

This is my 130th post on this blog. I missed the 100 mark without doing anything special. Oh well. : )

~Jane~

Animated movies

I got this from Nina at Wickfield.

"X" what you've seen, "O" what you haven't finished but saw sizeable portions of, leave blank what you haven't seen at all. Bold what you loved and strike through what you didn't like.


Classic Disney
--------------
[X] 101 Dalmatians (1961)

[ ] Alice in Wonderland (1951)

[X] Bambi (1942)

[X] Cinderella (1950)

[O] Dumbo (1941)

[ ] Fantasia (1940)

[X] Lady and the Tramp (1955)

[X] Mary Poppins (1964)

[O] Peter Pan (1953)

[X] Pinocchio (1940)

[O] Sleeping Beauty (1959)

[X] Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

[ ] Song of the South (1946)


Disney's Dark Age
-----------------
[X] The Aristocats (1970)

[ ] The Black Cauldron (1985)

[X] The Fox and the Hound (1981)

[X] The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

[X] The Jungle Book (1967)

[ ] The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

[X] Oliver and Company (1986)

[X] Pete's Dragon (1977)

[X] The Rescuers (1977)

[X] Robin Hood (1973)

[X] The Sword In The Stone (1963)


The Disney Renaissance
----------------------
[X] Aladdin (1992)

[X] Beauty and the Beast (1991)

[X] A Goofy Movie (1995)

[O] Hercules (1997)

[ ] The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

[X] The Lion King (1994)

[X] The Little Mermaid (1989)

[X] Mulan (1998)

[X] Pocahontas (1995)

[X] The Rescuers Down Under (1990)


Disney's Modern Age
-------------------
[O] Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

[X] Bolt (2008)

[X] Brother Bear (2003)

[X] Chicken Little (2005)

[ ] Dinosaur (2000)

[X] The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

[O] Fantasia 2000 (2000)

[X] Home on the Range (2004)

[X] Lilo & Stitch (2002)

[X] Meet the Robinsons (2007)

[X] Treasure Planet (2002)


Pixar
-----
[X] A Bug's Life (1998)

[X] Cars (2006)

[X] Finding Nemo (2003)

[X] The Incredibles (2004)

[X] Monsters Inc. (2001)

[X] Ratatouille (2007)

[X] Toy Story (1995)

[X] Toy Story 2 (1999)

[X] Wall-E (2008)


Dreamworks
----------
[X] Antz (1998)

[X] Kung Fu Panda (2008)

[X] Madagascar (2005)

[X] Over the Hedge (2006)

[X] The Prince of Egypt (1998)

[ ] The Road to El Dorado (2000)

[X] Shrek (2001)

[X] Shrek 2 (2004)

[O] Shrek The Third (2007)


[ ] Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)




Don Bluth
---------
[O] All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

[X] An American Tail (1986)

[ ] An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

[ ] Anastasia (1997)

[X] The Land Before Time (1988)

[ ] The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)

[ ] Rock-a-Doodle (1991)

[ ] The Secret of NIMH (1982)

[O] Thumbelina (1994)

[ ] Titan AE (2000)

[ ] A Troll in Central Park (1994)


Stop Motion
----------
[ ] The Adventures of Mark Twain (1986)

[X] Chicken Run (2000)

[ ] Corpse Bride (2005)

[X] James and the Giant Peach (1996)

[ ] The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

[X] Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

[ ] Coraline (2009)


CGI Glut
---------------------
[ ] Happy Feet (2006)

[ ] Monster House (2006)

[X] The Polar Express (2004)


Imports
--------
[ ] Arabian Knight (aka The Thief and the Cobbler) (1995)

[ ] The Last Unicorn (1982)

[ ] Light Years

[ ] Triplets of Belleville, The (2003)

[ ] Persepolis (2007)

[ ] Waltz With Bashir (2008)

[ ] Watership Down (1978)

[ ] When the Wind Blows (1988)

[ ] Yellow Submarine (1968)


Other Animated Movies I Can't Categorize
-------------------------------
[ ] Animal Farm

[ ] Animalympics

[ ] Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon The Movie

[ ] Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

[ ] The Brave Little Toaster (1988)

[ ] Bravestarr: The Movie

[ ] Care Bears: The Movie

[X] Charlotte's Web (1973)

[O] Fern Gully

[ ] G.I. Joe: The Movie

[ ] Gobots: Battle of the Rock Lords (Starring Will Swenson?)

[ ] He-Man & She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword

[X] The Hobbit (1977)

[X] The Iron Giant (1999)

[ ] Justice League: The New Frontier

[ ] Lord of the Rings

[ ] Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992)

[ ] My Little Pony: The Movie

[ ] Pink Floyd's The Wall (1982)

[ ] Powerpuff Girls: The Movie

[ ] Quest For Camelot (1999)

[ ] Ringing Bell

[ ] Rock & Rule

[X] Space Jam

[ ] Starchaser: The Legend of Orin

[ ] Superman: Doomsday

[X] The Swan Princess (1994)

[ ] Transformers: The Movie (1986)

[ ] Wizards

[ ] Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

[ ] Wonder Woman

[X] Balto

New page

You may notice a new link at the top of this page called "Favorite Books." I suppose it is pretty self explanatory. It is my new list of favorite books. I have so many that I decided to make a page for them, so that I could share them with you. Also it will come in handy when people ask me what my favorite book is. I will just direct them to the page and they can see for themselves.

I am still feeling dull and uninspired, so today I will be doing the same type of post I did yesterday.

Outside it is... Dark.

Inside it is... Quiet. Air conditioned. Cozy.


I am hoping... That I will be able to find the books I need for school for a good price. On the school website they are about $60 each, for used copies. I have six required books this semester, which really adds up.

I am excited about... Going shopping with my Grandma this weekend.

I am disappointed... That I didn't get to watch the Robin Hood finale last night. We went swimming instead.

I want... Salad.

Tonight I am... Sleeping.


~Jane~

Random

I haven't posted in almost a week! I'm still here and very much alive. I've been getting on and reading other people's posts, I just haven't had much to post about myself.

Here is a question for you:
During those times when I don't have anything interesting to say, should I post anyway? Are you interested in reading random stuff about my life, or would you just skim over those posts? I don't want to clutter up your reader box with things you don't care to read. : )

I think I saw something like this on a blog, but I am making up my own subjects to replace the ones I can't remember. I'm sorry to whoever made this up that I'm not giving credit to!

Outside it is... Very hot and sunny. The potted Hibiscus is blooming, and so are some yellow flowers that we planted in a circle around the birdbath. It would be pretty if it weren't too hot to go out and look at them.

Inside it is... Just after lunchtime. My brother is still eating his sandwich and the other kids are starting a game of Ark of the Covenant. I have no idea how to play that game, but it looks confusing.

My hair is... Messy, pulled up in a clip. I always have to clip my hair up out of my face when I get out of bed, it helps me wake up.

I am hoping... That I will like all of my classes this semester. I think I will, but I'm still nervous. I don't really know what to expect from a creative writing class. What kind of stories will we have to write? What if I don't do well?

I am excited about... School!

I am disappointed... That I didn't get more done this summer. I really got nothing done that I wanted to get done. I am the type of person who needs everything scheduled out. That's why I like school, because it's a steady schedule and it keeps me busy. I get more done when I'm busy and I don't have time to procrastinate. : )

I want... A glass of peppermint iced tea.

Tonight I am... Watching the two part finale of Robin Hood! I am so sad that this show will be over. I love it. I think I may have to watch it all over again next summer.

I like... Writing. I wish I were better at it. I also wish I would stop procrastinating on editing my book so that I could start looking for a publisher. I don't think I can make it good enough to be published, but my family likes it a lot, so I'm going to try.

I don't like... The fact that I probably won't get to do Nanowrimo this year. I will have so much writing to do for school, I just don't see how I would squeeze it in. I'm still going to try, but if I think it's making me do badly in class, I will have to quit. : (

So, what's the verdict? Should I post things like this when I have nothing else to write?

~Jane~