Where did they come from?
Image via Wikipedia
I got asked the question, where do you get the idea for Shani and Pania and why put them in the drop back of the old west. Admittedly, both characters began in table top role play and evolved into RPG games like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, then into MMO’s like Guild Wars and CoX.
Image via Wikipedia
Pania pretty much kept with her bardic aspect (it was only recently that paladin/sorceress was added to the mix). Shani had always been a rogue in one aspect or another (her current aspect on a Neverwinter Nights server is bard/red dragon disciple).
When I began playing pnp, Shani was always just a quick roll and away we went. I developed slight aspects as we went, such as voice, accent, along with her comedic aspects as well.
Pania was different. I created her as a first edition bard (while playing 2nd Ed, Skills and Powers, Combat and Tactics). So, she went levels of rogue, fighter and druid, then became a bard.
Image via Wikipedia
The idea for writing them together in stories began as a pair of traveling minstrels in a way, that would meet adventure and tell tales of it. That idea stuck, but the backdrop always had some problems. It wasn’t until playing CoX (both Shani and Pania had gone through Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Guild Wars, Neverwinter Nights 2, and CoX) and a short stint on NWN, that it came to me to drop them in the wild west. Pania had already made her mark, so to speak, as a gunslinger. And Shani had that Arkansas drawl. So putting them into the wild west would be interesting.
Since then, I’ve developed a few other wild west backdrops (one I started posting) and it’s been a lot of fun compared to keeping them in a pure fantasy setting.
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- Writing a world (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
You can quote me on that…
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A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age. ~Robert Frost
Isn’t it amazing what a little appreciation can do? So lets all make sure we have it out more often! ~author unknown
Those who roll up their sleeves seldom lose their shirts. ~author unknown
In youth we want to change the world; in old age we want to change youth. ~author unknown
The best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night’s sleep! ~author unknown
Take your choice – would you rather have laugh wrinkles or worry warts? ~author unknown
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Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. ~Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
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If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
As previously answered in the morning or evening question, I used to work in radio. I had on air handles. Except when I was in news. Working up north, I used to have the name Tim Andrews, which is just one of my middle names. When I worked at CKOM in Saskatoon, I used Tim Stewart.
Are you a morning person or evening person?
I have become a morning person. By that, I mean, long ago I would stay up late (like really late, later than now which is 11:52 pm). Hated mornings, which was odd, considering I used to work for different radio stations and held down the morning news anchor position.
Now, I find it easy to wake up early, even on days off and weekends. So, I guess I’ve transitioned into a morning person.
Some suggestions
As I’ve been jotting down notes for a couple of Black Mask & Pale Rider stories, I have run into a bit of a brick wall when it comes to naming conventions. In one story, the elven gunslingers are going to be sailing (yes sailing) up the coast of Florida in order to recover the missing crew of the ship Tortuga’s Revenge. While most of the names have been chosen for most of the characters, there is one that I need a bit of help with.
Some back history with this world I’ve created. I always thought that the world Shani and Pania comes from exists to give a home to elven people and to keep the stories and culture of Earth alive, well after it has died out here. So, you will find vikings, and noble knights and those who represent all manner of different culture, kept alive by the mythic elves. In many cases, the religions of Earth are also kept alive by the different elven cultures. So, yes there is the Norse gods, the old Egyptian gods and there will even be what could be called Christianity and Islam (in the first book, it is mentioned that Pania follows the Shining Lady).
One of the crew members of the Tortuga’s Revenge is going to be a woman who is Arabic in appearance, and will once or twice make claim of her faith. She also happens to be a Consoler (which will be shown more of in the second story I will talk about), which are a group of knights who take on the role of clerics. They also have duties akin to undertakers, and help with the final resting arrangements for the dead. Add to that, they also have great abilities to deal with the walking dead, should they rise from their graves.
So, I have this character, have her profession, have a good idea of what she looks like. I just need a name. This is one where I’ll need some help.
Also, in another story, the elven gunslingers along with their brothers and Shani’s cousin, head to Pueblo, Mexico to deal with the devil himself (or, at least a manifested demon). While there, they will interact with several people, but there are two that they will associate with throughout the story. One is a padre from the local mission who first witnessed the demon when he was just a boy. The second is a federal marshal for the Mexican authority, stationed in Pueblo to protect the people and uphold the law.
So, there’s two more I’ll need names for, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Writing a world
I’ve been jotting down notes for the better part of three or four months, getting down all that I can for the next Black Mask & Pale Rider stories. And something important came to mind.
The world that Shani and Pania lives in, is different from our world. That’s obvious, they’re elves and their world is filled with magic, plus many of the customs of a few of the nations I’ve added are more a call back to older times. However, the world and people is more a reflection of Earth
The elves of Terra-Kal keep many old customs and old stories alive that many on Earth would have passed on or forgotten. That’s not to say that the old aspects of chivalry are gone. Meaning that in the more common sense of the word. Instead, men and women live together as equals, and in many cases women make up high ranking positions in government and military. Just as many males make up high positions in those areas.
But Terra-Kal also holds onto the religions that Earth had, and has. So there are those who follow the gods of Norse myth, Egyptian myth, and the old Japanese gods, but also those who follow Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions. In the different stories they may become very recognizable, but they will also share a good number of traits with other elves, such as position, rank, and so on.
For example, Consolers, the undertakers of Terra-Kal, are prolific throughout that world. They all share a common bond and they all recognize each other right away. Beyond that of culture or religion. There are other professions in the world that are like that. And it’s something that I eventually want to put into play more in the stories.
So, you’ll read about elves from all different walks of life and many different cultures and religions. Which is where I’d like to see Terra-Kal become a reflection of Earth in the stories of Black Mask & Pale Rider.
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“Palm Tree Escape” – Pirates Of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides – YouTube
“Palm Tree Escape” – Pirates Of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides – YouTube.
I think I may have something going, for the next Black Mask & Pale Rider adventure. I’ve had a lot of stops and starts and there’s always been the feeling of “why bother”. But, I think I’ll just need to put something together.
And for some reason, pirates are really coming up a lot lately.
Ideas are there, but…
It’s been a difficult year since I published Black Mask & Pale Rider through lulu.com. I managed to get Canyons of Steel brushed up a bit, and had it published as well. I’ve been wanting to get moving on some of my other projects, but I keep running into a massive problem.
Absolutely no motivation.
It’s like I’ve been completely drained of any writing whatsoever. I have the ideas there, I have notes written and often I’ll do a small spurt of writing which makes me a bit happy, but nothing more comes out of it. Which kind of depresses me. I have two sequels to Black Mask & Pale Rider that I want to get off the ground, but I am seriously thinking I may have to go back to the drawing board with both of them. One is Flight of the Skyhawks, the other is Los Elfos y el Diablo. And there’s also this nagging feeling that I missed a couple of chapters in the first book.
Maybe I should just write, free style it and piece together what I can. Not presently sure. One thing I do know, I’d like to get a draft done up and sent to Coteau Books in Regina and get Black Mask & Pale Rider published through something that isn’t considered vanity press.
Guess I’ll have to wait and see, and maybe some of the outside factors that have been hitting me will start to settle down a bit in the coming weeks. For the time being, I’ll just keep plugging away at drawing attention to the book I wrote.
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Trailer: Examining the Troy Davis Case – YouTube
Trailer: Examining the Troy Davis Case – YouTube.
As early as September, we’re bracing ourselves for the worst – another execution date for Troy Davis.
In March of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court, despite having ordered a special hearing, flat-out refused to hear Davis’ appeal!
That decision has led us to this very moment when we wait for Georgia authorities to set an execution date. Make no mistake about it – we’re in the calm before the storm.
Over the years, the case of Troy Davis has inspired so many of us to take action. It is a painfully clear example of the many flaws of the death penalty. Serious doubts about guilt have persisted, yet many people have still not heard about this incredible case more fit for a legal thriller than reality:
A flawed investigation, alleged witness coercion, police “tunnel vision”, flimsy evidence, and a clumsy legal system that cannot seem to do the right thing.
Before an execution date is announced, please help us educate more people about the doubts that plague the Troy Davis case. The more people who learn about this injustice, the more who will join us in fighting it.
1) Watch and share this video with everyone you know 2) Sign up to help educate others about Troy Davis:
Remember: An execution date may be inevitable, but execution is not.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will soon hold Troy Davis’ life in their hands – quite literally. The have said that they will not allow an execution to proceed unless there is “no doubt” about guilt. We will hold them to this statement.
There is just too much doubt in this case, and too many questions that have not been answered.
Things may move quickly in September, and we’ll keep you posted as events unfold. Stand ready to act!
In Hope and Solidarity,
Laura Moye
Director, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA
Libyan rebels using Canadian-made reconnaissance drone
As rebel forces in Libya continue trading fire with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, Canadian technology is helping them learn where to shoot.
The Aeryon Scout Micro UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), designed and built in Waterloo, Ontario by Aeryon Labs Inc., was chosen by Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC) to acquire intelligence on the positions of Col. Gaddafi’s forces to help coordinate their attacks. In cooperation with Ottawa’s Zariba Security Corp., TNC troops in the North African country have already put the three-pound, backpack-sized drone to work on the front lines.
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Avaaz.org: Palestine 194
In 48 hours, the UN Security Council will meet again to discuss Palestine’s bid to become the 194th country.
Already 700,000 of us have joined the campaign. But we need more of us to shift key countries to vote in favour.
Avaaz has made a powerful short video that tells the real story and why this is the best chance for peace.
Click to watch it and send it to everyone — let’s get 1 million signers now:
As violence sparks again and tensions rise in the Middle East, a new proposal for Palestinian independence is gaining steam across the globe – if we can push it through the UN, it could open a new path to peace.
But key governments are still on the fence and to tip them to support independence we need to ramp up public pressure. Many people don’t feel they understand the situation well enough to take action. To help, Avaaz has made a new short video that tells the real story about the conflict. If enough people see it, sign the petition and forward it to everyone – our leaders will be forced to listen.
Almost 10 million of us are receiving this email. Let’s change the conversation about the Middle East and build a tidal wave of support for Palestinian independence before the UN Security Council meets to discuss this initiative next week. Click below to watch the video, sign the petition, and forward this email to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/middle_east_peace_now/?vl
While the majority of Palestinian and Israeli people want a solution to the conflict based on two states, the Israeli extremist government continues to approve the building of settlements in contested areas — fueling hate and bloodshed. Despite repeated efforts, decades of US-led peace talks have failed to rein-in the peace killers and get an agreement.
Right now, this independence proposal could be the best chance for years to break the stalemate, avoid another spiral into violence and level the playing field between the two parties to favour negotiations.
Last month, the Palestinians presented their bid at the Security Council. Over 120 countries support them, but the US rejects the proposal, and is sending a clear message to its European allies that supporting the legitimate Palestinian bid will strain bilateral relations. It is now up to us to tell key European leaders that public opinion is behind this diplomatic non-violent push and that citizen opinion should influence policy choices, instead of the preferences of the American government.
Our campaign is exploding across the world — Almost 700,000 of us joined the call in the first days! It has been on the front page of major news media, cited at the UN Security Council, and tweeted by the Palestinian president himself! Now let’s make sure it resounds in the ears of key European leaders whose support is critical. Click below to watch the video, sign the petition if you haven’t yet, and forward this email to everyone — let’s reach 1 million signers:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/middle_east_peace_now/?vl
There is much misinformation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and many of us feel unsure about getting involved. But this short film lays it out clearly and can empower us to act. As a nearly 10 million-strong global network in every country in the world, we have the chance to provoke a vote that could turn the tide on decades of violence.
With hope,
Alice, Pascal, Emma, Ricken, David, Rewan, and the Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION:
Israeli settlement plan earns ire of U.S., Palestinian Authority (CNN)
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/16/israel.settlements/
Palestinians to present statehood bid to UN General Assembly (Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/14/palestinian-statehood-un-general-assembly
Israeli minister: Cut ties with Palestinians (Associated Press)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ibKJgqvlCr_xCGw5Xb0kXhOiagjQ?docId=0b01e969e8504d42823abd51c2abf8fc
UN calls on Israel not to build new settlements in East Jerusalem (Ha’aretz)
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/un-calls-on-israel-not-to-build-new-settlements-in-east-jerusalem-1.378218
Love, hope and optimism
Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
Jack Layton, 1950-2011
Image via Wikipedia
Normally I would have a good number of quotes to fill a Tuesday entry. However, I felt it most fitting to simply use this one quote by former NDP Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Jack Layton. Layton passed away early Monday morning after he was about to begin a second battle with cancer. He had already battled prostate cancer and had beaten it, but at a press conference a few weeks ago, he announced he would step down and hand the reigns of leadership to Nycole Turmell for the interim. He was expecting to be back when Parliament resumed in September.
Layton wrote a letter on August 20, 2011, his last letter to Canadians. It was filled with hope and love, and the last paragraph, quoted above, speaks volumes on the character of the man. Personally, I followed Layton on twitter, and found that he had a great joy for life, sharing his own personal life with so many.
Layton was a man who believed in this country. He will be a difficult man to replace, but we can only hope that someone with his vision of Canada can step up and fill in as admirably as Layton did.
Rest in peace, Mr. Layton. You will be missed.
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A national figure passes on
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Today was a sad filled day, as Canada lost a nationally known figure who championed for equal rights, for the common Canadian citizen, who was a moral compass and rock that stood firm against the old boys club of Parliamentary politics in Canada.
Jack Layton, age 61, passed away today.
Kelly McParland: Jack Layton’s passing is a Canadian tragedy
Jack Layton’s election night appearance, carrying his cane and enjoying the cheers that came with his achievement, was unquestionably his greatest moment as a politician. It raised so many possibilities the NDP had rarely contemplated, opening doors most thought were locked to them. And he managed it with such personal integrity and a touch of the commonplace, that much of the country referred to him simply as “Jack,” and didn’t begrudge him his moment.
It’s a tragedy that that shining accomplishment should be followed so swiftly by the cruelty of cancer and his disappearance from the scene. Canadian politics is a lot poorer for the passing of Jack Layton, as is Canada as a whole. He will be greatly missed. (Tyler Anderson/National Post)
Instead of writing a large post to detail my thoughts on the man, I’d let pictures speak for themselves.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Jack Layton’s last letter to the citizens of Canada.
August 20, 2011
Toronto, OntarioDear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
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Change.org: Government separating man and dying husband
Tell Obama administration: Stop the deportation of Anthony John Makk
Australian Anthony John Makk has been in the U.S. for more than 20 years. He and husband Bradford Wells, an American citizen, have been together for 19 of those years.
They’ve made a life together in San Francisco, where Anthony owns a business. Anthony is also the primary caretaker for Bradford, who is dying of advanced AIDS.
Yet because of the Defense of Marriage Act, Anthony hasn’t been able to get residency through his legal marriage to Bradford — as an opposite-sex spouse would.
Bradford’s request asking that his husband be granted a path to citizenship and Anthony’s application for permanent residency were denied on July 26. As of August 25, Anthony faces the threat of deportation.
After reading about Anthony and Bradford’s situation, New Yorker Matthew Mackey started a petition asking the Obama administration to allow Anthony to stay in the U.S. Already, more than 5,000 people have signed the petition. Click here to join Matthew’s petition on behalf of Anthony and Bradford.
Some days after leaving their home, Bradford is suddenly wracked with pain so severe that he can’t walk. Anthony is the one who picks Bradford up wherever he is, takes him home, and nurses him. Bradford says he has no one else to care for him.
If Anthony is deported, Bradford will have to choose: Either he loses his health insurance and leaves the doctors prolonging his life — or he lives his last days without Anthony.
The Department of Homeland Security can decide not to enforce removal orders — or even to cancel them — allowing Anthony to stay. They’ve already done so for other couples.
Recently, after more than 12,000 people signed a Change.org petition to save Venezuelan Alex Benshimol’s marriage to Californian Doug Gentry, an immigration judge postponed Alex’s deportation hearing by two years.
If Anthony wins a reprieve, the victory will spur momentum for other same-sex couples seeking immigration rights. (There are more than 26,000 bi-national same-sex couples in the U.S.)
Sign here to save Anthony and Bradford’s marriage and create hope for the thousands of other couples facing deportation:
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-deportation-of-anthony-john-makk-and-stop-defending-doma
Thanks for being a change-maker,
- Eden and the Change.org team
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- Fed deportation decision may benefit SF gay couple – San Francisco Chronicle (news.google.com)
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What website do you spend the most time on?
…
Um…
…
…tumblr
If you had to perform at the circus, what trick would you do?
Image via Wikipedia
I’d totally juggle. I’d juggle so hard!
What’s your favorite genre of music?
I have such an eclectic taste in music. I listen to everything and anything. Country, rock, metal, blues, jazz, world music…
There isn’t one genre I’m really tied to.
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If you could time travel, where would you go?
Image via Wikipedia
Easy! The Old West! Maybe around the 1870′s or 1880′s.
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HawksScream on deviantART
Just letting everyone know that I do indeed have a deviantART page. My work is not the greatest, but I do try. Give it a whirl and take a look.
Turn The Page
Blind Guardian‘s awesome Turn The Page is a good start to this, I guess you could call it a rant. It’s all about movies and television and what’s out there right now. There have been an extremely good number of books and television shows and movies over the last little while. Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Hunger Games, even Marvel Comics taking a hold and fully embracing the silver screen with smash hits like Iron Man, Hulk (the second one with Edward Norton), Spider-man, Captain America, and next year’s Avengers on the horizon. If only DC would do something like that instead of trying to push two of it’s three mega star characters (and the third they somehow have a problem with because it’s a woman in the title role).
But there’s also this other very sad effect going on, and that’s to reboot or remake classic movies. I just read a review of two of them, and both got startlingly different ratings. They are Fright Night and Conan the Barbarian. Fright Night was pegged as an excellent movie that has updated itself quite well, while the remake of Conan was called, essentially, a steaming pile of shit.
Hollywood has a tendency of doing this, remaking a movie that did incredibly well decades ago in a hope to cash in on the popularity. Most have been complete and utter failures that couldn’t even stand up to the original. This has seriously gotten me thinking, has Hollywood started scraping the bottom of the barrel and realized they don’t have anything original to do? If so, they aren’t looking hard enough to find new ideas.
A lot of those new ideas rest in the hands of online web fiction authors. Some of those web fiction authors have gone onto land publishing deals. Some of those web fiction authors have taken advantage of podcasting, such as James Melzer with his Zombie Chronicles. But there are tons of unique and interesting stories out there, and I wanted to use this time to introduce people to a few of them.
Scryer’s Gulch by MeiLin Miranda
Scryer’s Gulch in a nutshell: Undercover Treasury Agent Annabelle Duniway is on the trail of a brilliant, twisted spellcaster in a 19th century mining town full of demons, ghosts and werecritters in this weekly fantasy western series.
314 Crescent Manor by M. Jones
Welcome to Crescent Manor. Where the rent is cheap and your neighbours are dead to the world.—The Landlord
Mark and Nathan Connor are twins, but in name only. There is little to connect them, save their current residence in Crescent Manor, an old building situated in the centre of a mid-sized city.
They are unaware the tenants of Crescent Manor are never housed at random. With its large, brooding stained glass tree bearing down on them from the fourth floor down to the first, it watches, and waits for one world to topple angrily into the next.
The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely by Mr. Andrew D. Fanton
BEHOLD! The most THRILLING tales ever committed to the inter-net!
OBSERVE! As Victorian adventurer and gentle-man of action, Lord Likely, solves BAFFLING mysteries and battles TERRIFYING foes!
GASP! As Lord Likely and his hapless man-servant, Botter, encounter killer prostitutes, undead gentlemen, female pirates and HORRIFYING beasts!
THRILL! As Likely beds a succession of gorgeous females, while keeping his top-hat on!
WINCE! As his lordship gets completely and utterly drunk and falls into a hedge!
Bought to you using the very finest pixels, and only the best electrons money can buy.
These are just three very good web fiction series that are entertaining and while using some classic hooks, use them in a very unique and interesting way. I encourage anyone to find these and start reading.
The Way I See It: Sanctity of life
There’s a term that is often bandied about by the anti-choice (or pro-life crowd). That term is sanctity of life. They claim that abortion is wrong because all living beings have a right to life. Okay, I can sort of get behind that. But there’s something else that comes into play with the term.
If you are someone who claims the sanctity of life is all important, then here is a list of other things you need to get behind.
If you are in favour of the sanctity of life then:
- you will demand that the oppression committed upon the Palestinian people by the Israeli government ends now. You will demand that governments the world over impose sanctions against Israel in order to ensure that the Palestinian people are afforded their own sanctity of life.
- you will support social programs that keep the poor living a sustainable life. Programs that assist them in finding employment. Programs to ensure that they will have affordable access to Medicare.
- you will denounce the actions of large corporations that use sweat shop labour in order to sell products at bargain basement prices. Sweat shops that pay next to nothing, and who’s workers include women and children, with both often facing massive amounts of abuse.
- you will demand that the government stop any and all war efforts in the Middle East and begin to send humanitarian aid forces to teach, offer medical aid, and help grow food.
- you will demand that militant, right wing religious organizations (Christian and Muslim alike) be disbanded and their leaders set to trial for crimes against humanity.
- you will demand that women’s shelters be erected so that women who suffer from domestic violence, rape, harassment and other vicious and violent crimes have some place safe to go to.
- you will demand that the police take an active interest in policing everyone equally.
- you will demand that any woman who has been forced to give birth into poverty, will be given the proper aid to raise their child and ensure that child grows up healthy.
- you will demand a better justice system so that criminals can be rightly arrested, charged and convicted. And if there is a mistake, you will demand those who are innocent be set free.
- you will demand the end to the death penalty in all its forms, all over the world, because that is also an example of the oppression of sanctity of life.
Quotables!
Image via Wikipedia
Missed the past couple of weeks quotables due to my holidays. Here’s a few for this week.
Forgiveness is giving love when there is no reason to. ~author unknown
Silence is the only thing that can’t be misquoted. ~author unknown
A grateful heart knows many joys. ~author unknown
The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” ~Lucille Ball
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Avaaz.org: Amazon at risk – 3 days left
Incredible! Over 900,000 signers — let’s reach one million in time to join massive marches for forest protection across Brazil. Sign now and send to everyone.
| The Amazon is in serious danger. The Brazilian Senate is about to endorse a bill that would dangerously weaken protection of this global treasure. But in three days, indigenous people will lead marches across Brazil calling to stop the destruction. Let’s stand with them and make this a global march to save the Amazon. |
The Amazon is in serious danger: Brazil is on the verge of gutting its forest protection laws — unless we act now, vast tracts of our planet’s lungs could be opened up to clear-cutting devastation
This threat to the Amazon has sparked widespread anger and protests across the country and tensions are rising. In an effort to stifle criticism, armed thugs, allegedly hired by loggers, have murdered environmental advocates. But the movement is fighting back — in three days, brave indigenous people are leading massive marches across Brazil to demand action and inside sources say President Dilma is considering vetoing the changes.
79% of Brazilians support a veto of the forest law changes and this internal pressure is leading some in Dilma’s administration to back a veto. But we need a global cry of solidarity with the Brazilian people to really force Dilma’s hand. Our global petition will be boldly displayed on banners at the front of the massive marches for Amazon protection. Let’s reach one million to SAVE THE AMAZON! Sign the urgent petition below and send this on to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon_a/?vl
People love Brazil! The sun, the music, the dancing, the football, the nature — it’s a country that inspires millions around the world. This is why Brazil is hosting the next World Cup, why Rio has the 2016 Olympics and next year’s Earth Summit, a meeting to stop the slow death of our planet.
Our love is not misplaced — the Amazon is vital to life on earth — 20% of our oxygen and one-fifth of all the world’s freshwater comes from this magnificent rainforest. That’s why it’s so crucial that we all protect it.
But Brazil is also a rapidly developing country, battling to lift tens of millions out of poverty, and the pressure on its political leaders to clear-cut and mine for profit is intense. Now, they’re dangerously close to buckling on environmental protections. Local activists are being murdered, intimidated and silenced. It’s up to Avaaz members across the world to stand with Brazilians and urge Brazil’s politicians to be strong.
Many of us have seen in our own countries how growth often comes at the expense of our natural heritage: our waters and air get polluted, our forests die.
For Brazil, there is an alternative. Dilma’s predecessor massively reduced deforestation and cemented the country’s international reputation as an environmental leader, while also enjoying huge economic growth. Let’s come together now, when indigenous and environmental leaders are taking their battle to the streets and urge Dilma to follow in those footsteps — sign the petition to save the Amazon, then forward this email to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon_a/?vl
In the last three years, Brazilian Avaaz members have taken massive leaps towards the world we all want: They won landmark anti-corruption legislation, and have lobbied their government to play a leadership role at the UN, protect human rights and intervene to support democracy in the Middle East, and help protect human rights in Africa and beyond. Now, as brave Brazilian activists are being killed for protecting a precious global resource, let’s come together around this critical day of action to save the Amazon and herald Brazil as a true international leader once more.
With hope,
Emma, Ricken, Alice, Ben, Iain, Laura, Graziela, Luis and the rest of the Avaaz Team
MORE INFORMATION
ICTSD: The Brazilian Forest Code: Exploitation and Preservation
http://ictsd.org/i/news/biores/111187/
WWF, More voices speak out against relaxing Brazil’s Forest Law
http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?5142/More_voices_speak_out_against_relaxing_Brazils_Forest_Law
BBC — Brazil passes ‘retrograde’ forest code:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13544000
AP — Another Amazon activist killed in logging conflict:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpeblqINNdOyGwLJOL2QRXInY4bA?docId=CNG.b3569aafd06fe78f58be73c5faaa97a5.71
Mongabay — Majority of Brazilians reject changes in Amazon Forest Code:
http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0611-amazon_code_poll.html
Science Insider — Furor Over Proposed Brazilian Forest Law:
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/05/furor-over-proposed-brazilian.htm
Guardian — Death in the Amazon: a war being fought for us all:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jun/15/amazon-rainforest-brazil-murder
| Support the Avaaz Community! | ||
| We’re entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way. |  |
Avaaz.org is a 9-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Avaaz.org: Syria – no blood for oil
| Syria’s bloody crackdown is fueled by oil revenue from Europe. EU-wide oil sanctions would cripple Syria’s ability to continue the killing. Demand EU leaders impose immediate oil sanctions: |
For months, Syria’s brutal President Assad has paid henchmen to wage war on his own people.Governments across the world have condemned these atrocities, but key European leaders could cut off the cash flow that finances this bloodbath.
Germany, France and Italy are the three main importers of Syrian oil. If they move to impose immediate EU sanctions, Assad’s slaughter funds will dry up. Assad has ignored political appeals for him to reign in his assault, and EU leaders have discussed ramping up sanctions, but only a massive global outcry will push them to act urgently.
We have no time to lose — every day dozens of Syrians are shot, tortured or disappeared simply for calling for basic democratic rights. The EU can stop funding the crackdown now. Click below to sign the petition to EU heads of state to immediately adopt oil sanctions on Syria:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_blood_for_oil/?vl
We have all watched and read about the horrific violence in Syria — much of the coverage coming from Avaaz-supported citizen journalists who are risking their lives to report on Assad’s crackdown. And now we have a chance to turn our horror into action. Experts say EU oil sanctions will seriously disrupt cash flow to Assad’s cruel army without significant negative consequences to either the European economy or the Syrian people.
Almost all Syria’s exported oil is purchased and refined by Germany, France and Italy, but these governments have yet to use their key trade relationship with Assad as leverage to protect the Syrian people. Still, they have denounced the violence, and newspapers report that some EU leaders are already pushing for oil sanctions. Let’s demand that they ramp up the pressure and push through oil sanctions immediately and cut the engine of Assad’s murderous regime.
Join in the call to cut off the cash to Syrian forces now. Click below to sign the petition for EU oil sanctions and forward to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_blood_for_oil/?vl
Avaaz members have played a crucial role in supporting Syrians in their demands for freedom, democracy and human rights. Much of the footage and information shown around the world is funded by small donations from Avaaz members worldwide. Let’s build the momentum for lasting change as the violence against the Syrian people escalates and insist the EU take immediate action now.
With hope,
Stephanie, Pascal, Morgan, Alice, Ricken, Wissam and the rest of the Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION
Syria Forces Extend Siege on Hama as Toll Rises, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/world/middleeast/07syria.html
EU to tighten Syria sanctions, European Voice
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2011/august/eu-to-tighten-syria-sanctions/
Syrian rebels urge oil sanctions, Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9e735f18-bd22-11e0-9d5d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Uc2dGYoh
Syria steps up assaults on protesters, drawing first Arab League condemnation, Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/syria-launches-new-attack-against-protesters-in-east-arab-league-condemns-assault/2011/08/07/gIQAMmKS0I_story.html
Syria protests: Troops renew attacks on pro-democracy demonstrators, The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/09/syria-protest-troops-attack-democracy-demonstrators
| Support the Avaaz Community! | ||
| We’re entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way. |
Avaaz.org is a 9-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
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