I must say I'm not sad to see it go. Not in a grumpy, never want to see you again, you were a jerk, way... well kind of. But mostly because there's always something to look forward too!
Ah 2011... Lots of unexpected things happened... Most definitely did NOT go as plan. But not all of it was bad. Sure it royally sucked to be on the verge of finally start showing in the jumpers, only to end up dealing with an injury for.... 8 months... and counting... But I got to ride a lot of other horses, that I may not have chosen to ride if I wasn't completely desperate for it! I learned that I can ride different horses, and still ride well. Sure I still very much prefer riding Belle, but that's because we know each other so well I just have to think and it happens.
I got to move out on my own. Which is a total yay! But also a holyfreakingcrapwhatwasIthinking?? But it all worked out because now I have two awesome jobs and am surrounded by horses almost 24/7 woohoo! Sure sometimes my body protests the 6 days a week and on average around 95ish stalls per and way too many buckets to count per week... and all the walking... but I get to enjoy work (almost) every day!
There was drama of course, always drama. But lots of good lessons and memories that I'll cherish for years to come! So bring on 2012! And please... be nicer to me than 2011 was... It was kind of a jerk!
Oh yeah! Almost forgot! Christmas was totally awesome! Much more relaxed somehow this year than I think it's ever been. Had raclette with my close family Christmas Eve! Then spent the night by the Christmas tree at my brother's place. And actually slept! It was a miracle! I woke up at ten to 6, but compared to past years of 3am wide awakeness, it's totally sleeping in!
Then we opened presents, I got lots of movies, two books and season 1 of Avatar the Last Airbender (yay!!) I've almost replaced my vanishedintothinair collection! I've already finished reading the Hunger Games, and am halfway through I am Number Four! And have watched three discs of the Avatar... But I've only watched the two movies once each! (Normally I'd have watched them at least three times in a row... each.)
Afterwards some of the extended family came over for a yummy brunch! Braving the crazy driving and the snowfall... Which was a lot more than it looked like it was! Then the always awesome turkey dinner with even more extended family! I got cooking stuff... YAY!
All in all, very good time!
I also recommend both books! Even if though I found the writing style a little weak in Hunger Games, and I do find I am Number Four could use more editing... But other than that, really great!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Printers and Happiness
There's just something about Christmas that is so totally awesome and that still gets me excited like I'm 5 years old all over again! (Though that was the year I discovered Santa was not real. LOL!) There has been sun and snow and actual cold this week and it's been a super happy week! For no reason in particular, but I do suspect because I stopped taking some meds. The timing is right and I've been bouncing all week, yay!!
In other news I have a photo printer! A sort of early Christmas present from my mom! Though I've discovered the thing does not come with a USB cable.... what kind of computer thing does not come with it included? I know it's wifi compatible and all that, which would not be a problem... if I had internet! Ah well, I'll figure something out.
But it DOES mean I can finally actually set up that painting business I've been speculating since the beginning of summer! I want to get a business license and all that jazz set up before I officially announce it.... But here's the website anyways.... Painted Portraits (
The name might change since I still have to check if it's available, but hopefully it'll stay cause I like it!)
I've discovered figuring out pricing is really complicated... So things will probably change, hopefully not, but I guess that's all part of it right?
It's hard to believe Christmas is exactly a week from today!!! I still have to get some presents done, eek! I had a minor growling fit at one painting, because it was not co-operating... But paintings usually don't co-operate when I'm stressed... Haha!
Last night at supper I was asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas... And various people reminded me of what I had already gotten/am a part of... My brain apparently decided to take a vacation and did not feel the need to notify me of its absence!
The pony is thankfully sound (again)! And thanks to my awesome coach we have a game plan that will hopefully work! But at least in the meantime I get to take lessons on a really awesome horse! Just don't tell Belle... she'll get jealous. But at least her hate list is at the same number since the other horse I was riding is no longer at the stable. My pony knows how to make me feel loved!
In other news I have a photo printer! A sort of early Christmas present from my mom! Though I've discovered the thing does not come with a USB cable.... what kind of computer thing does not come with it included? I know it's wifi compatible and all that, which would not be a problem... if I had internet! Ah well, I'll figure something out.
But it DOES mean I can finally actually set up that painting business I've been speculating since the beginning of summer! I want to get a business license and all that jazz set up before I officially announce it.... But here's the website anyways.... Painted Portraits (
The name might change since I still have to check if it's available, but hopefully it'll stay cause I like it!)
I've discovered figuring out pricing is really complicated... So things will probably change, hopefully not, but I guess that's all part of it right?
It's hard to believe Christmas is exactly a week from today!!! I still have to get some presents done, eek! I had a minor growling fit at one painting, because it was not co-operating... But paintings usually don't co-operate when I'm stressed... Haha!
Last night at supper I was asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas... And various people reminded me of what I had already gotten/am a part of... My brain apparently decided to take a vacation and did not feel the need to notify me of its absence!
The pony is thankfully sound (again)! And thanks to my awesome coach we have a game plan that will hopefully work! But at least in the meantime I get to take lessons on a really awesome horse! Just don't tell Belle... she'll get jealous. But at least her hate list is at the same number since the other horse I was riding is no longer at the stable. My pony knows how to make me feel loved!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Two Posts in Less Than 24hrs??
I love it when something happens on a Sunday night, and I don't have to wait until a week later to blog about it!
I showed what I've written so far of my book to my family, and they were really excited about it! Which got me re-motivated and even more excited for it. I'm always very careful with who I show my work too, and even more so with this one because of the hopes I have for it. But I feel like it's on the right track!
My brother and sister in law had an excellent suggestion for me that I'm going to apply. My brother was telling me as we went to get the food for supper that, he and his wife understand horses are what I really want to do (well I really want to do both, lol!) but that horses need funding. So I should treat my writing as a job and dedicate time to it every day. Even if it's not necessarily writing, but research, outlining, etc. (It made me giggle cause I definitely have been planning for almost ten years to fund my stable by publishing books!)
Have I ever mentioned how awesome and smart my brother is? I'm definitely going to do that. Though I think I'm already on the right track. Though lately I've focused a bit more on painting, but Christmas is fast approaching and I need to get those gifts finished!
But I think my writing is finally getting back into the right track because I've found a better focus. I just want to write, because I realized the other day as I was searching for a movie to watch or a book to read that the reason I was struggling to find one, wasn't because I didn't own it, but because it didn't exist yet. They're in my head!
So that reaaally helped me get motivated to get writing! Because I do really really want these stories to get put to paper. They're so full of life! Soooo exciting!!
I showed what I've written so far of my book to my family, and they were really excited about it! Which got me re-motivated and even more excited for it. I'm always very careful with who I show my work too, and even more so with this one because of the hopes I have for it. But I feel like it's on the right track!
My brother and sister in law had an excellent suggestion for me that I'm going to apply. My brother was telling me as we went to get the food for supper that, he and his wife understand horses are what I really want to do (well I really want to do both, lol!) but that horses need funding. So I should treat my writing as a job and dedicate time to it every day. Even if it's not necessarily writing, but research, outlining, etc. (It made me giggle cause I definitely have been planning for almost ten years to fund my stable by publishing books!)
Have I ever mentioned how awesome and smart my brother is? I'm definitely going to do that. Though I think I'm already on the right track. Though lately I've focused a bit more on painting, but Christmas is fast approaching and I need to get those gifts finished!
But I think my writing is finally getting back into the right track because I've found a better focus. I just want to write, because I realized the other day as I was searching for a movie to watch or a book to read that the reason I was struggling to find one, wasn't because I didn't own it, but because it didn't exist yet. They're in my head!
So that reaaally helped me get motivated to get writing! Because I do really really want these stories to get put to paper. They're so full of life! Soooo exciting!!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Not what I actually wanted to write about....
I should write down awesome ideas when I get them. Because otherwise they fly out the window, unless they come in the form of awesome dream. Then they sear themselves into my brain and with enough effort I will remember them.
But not when it comes to awesome things to blog about, that idea flew out my head and never returned. I have vague ideas about what the idea was... And where I get it from. But when I focus on those vague squirmy things, they run and hide.
So all that to say I have no freaking clue what to blog about this week.
But I've finally gotten over my art block, which is fantastic because I've decided to do some paintings for some people for Christmas, and have managed two out of four! (I started the first one way back in July to give you a hint as to how long I've been struggling, hahaha!) The second one I managed to finish in about 3 hours, so it's nice to know I still can paint at my usual pace when I get to it.
I've been actually writing again too which is fantastic! I discovered part of the problem was that I was writing from the wrong point of view. Normally I completely and totally fail at first person, (which I heard most people write that the easiest... I've never been normal :D) but it's actually writing really well, so hopefully I can start making progress on it! I just still need to iron out the kinks of what the heck goes on when and where for the rest of the story. I know where it starts and where it goes, but I need to figure out what scenes are necessary to get it there. But that's what drafts are for, I have to keep reminding myself over and over again.
I did post a short story I wrote a while ago on my newly created third deviant art account (I have a love hate relationship with that site for sooo many reasons I don't need to go into). But if you'd like to read it here's the link: http://equusdraconis.deviantart.com/#/d4isb3e
It was another one of my dream turned story ideas. Most of my stories actually started from dreams. Just with all the weirdness taken out of it. (I once had a dream of a ninja that had to eat pizza pockets to stay alive if he got wounded.... And one where I died when I got stabbed in the foot...) That last one is actually the one that inspired the above short story.
Pony hurt herself again this time I'm honestly not worried about it. I think I've finally resigned myself to the fact that it's going to be an up and down struggle for a long while so might as well stop worrying about it. We'll get into that show ring eventually. It probably didn't help that her boots froze that one day... and then I failed at wrapping polos a few days later and grabbed different boots. Such is life!
In other news me and my mom are in agreement. Daniel Craig is hot. We just watched Cowboys and Aliens. It was a fun movie! I want me an alien killing cowboy. I'm not picky or anything.
But not when it comes to awesome things to blog about, that idea flew out my head and never returned. I have vague ideas about what the idea was... And where I get it from. But when I focus on those vague squirmy things, they run and hide.
So all that to say I have no freaking clue what to blog about this week.
But I've finally gotten over my art block, which is fantastic because I've decided to do some paintings for some people for Christmas, and have managed two out of four! (I started the first one way back in July to give you a hint as to how long I've been struggling, hahaha!) The second one I managed to finish in about 3 hours, so it's nice to know I still can paint at my usual pace when I get to it.
I've been actually writing again too which is fantastic! I discovered part of the problem was that I was writing from the wrong point of view. Normally I completely and totally fail at first person, (which I heard most people write that the easiest... I've never been normal :D) but it's actually writing really well, so hopefully I can start making progress on it! I just still need to iron out the kinks of what the heck goes on when and where for the rest of the story. I know where it starts and where it goes, but I need to figure out what scenes are necessary to get it there. But that's what drafts are for, I have to keep reminding myself over and over again.
I did post a short story I wrote a while ago on my newly created third deviant art account (I have a love hate relationship with that site for sooo many reasons I don't need to go into). But if you'd like to read it here's the link: http://equusdraconis.deviantart.com/#/d4isb3e
It was another one of my dream turned story ideas. Most of my stories actually started from dreams. Just with all the weirdness taken out of it. (I once had a dream of a ninja that had to eat pizza pockets to stay alive if he got wounded.... And one where I died when I got stabbed in the foot...) That last one is actually the one that inspired the above short story.
Pony hurt herself again this time I'm honestly not worried about it. I think I've finally resigned myself to the fact that it's going to be an up and down struggle for a long while so might as well stop worrying about it. We'll get into that show ring eventually. It probably didn't help that her boots froze that one day... and then I failed at wrapping polos a few days later and grabbed different boots. Such is life!
In other news me and my mom are in agreement. Daniel Craig is hot. We just watched Cowboys and Aliens. It was a fun movie! I want me an alien killing cowboy. I'm not picky or anything.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Reading!!
Okay, I've got to give a huge amount of praise to Rick Riordan. Because his books are fantastic, if you haven't read any of them, go pick them up and read them!
I finished the Son of Neptune, the second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series, and wow! It's been a really long time since I've literally been unable to put down a book (The Deathly Hallows was the last one). If it wasn't for work, I would not have left my house, or eaten, or slept until I finished it.
I won't go into detail obviously, but I do give warning that if you do pick it up.... make sure you have plenty of free time.
But honestly, I think he's one of my favourite authors. His characterization is amazing, he has just the right amount of humour at the right moments, his plots are gripping, and his writing is at the perfect level for younger readers. Because it's simple, but still very effective. Well young readers and me, haha! It's right in with my style. Enough description that you know where the characters are and what's happening, but not so overwhelming that you start thinking: get on with it!
I could probably talk all day about how awesome his books are. I highly recommend all of them, but definitely start with the Percy Jackson series. They're quick reads too, which is both good and bad. Good because if you're like me and get really into the stories, at least you won't be laid up for a long time. And bad because they don't last nearly long enough.
Personally I prefer his writing to Rowling's. She is a fantastic author, but I find Riordan's work a bit more... what's the word... polished? Not quite... But I found, especially in the 4th harry potter book onward, there was a lot of unnecessary scenes that dragged the story on, while with Riordan's book, every scene helps propel the story. Or gives the reader a needed moment of laughter after a series of high energy, nerve tingling action!
Now I've got to find me something else to read... or try to hold out till Christmas to get some books I know are coming! I don't read often, mainly because I'm super picky about what books I will read. They have to be well written, with a gripping plot, and most importantly, well fleshed out characters. Cause in my opinion, nothing kills a story faster than unrealistic characters that you can't relate to. Or just super whiny ones that can't live without their boyfriends.
Anywho, going back to my semi-conscious state of zoning out!
I finished the Son of Neptune, the second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series, and wow! It's been a really long time since I've literally been unable to put down a book (The Deathly Hallows was the last one). If it wasn't for work, I would not have left my house, or eaten, or slept until I finished it.
I won't go into detail obviously, but I do give warning that if you do pick it up.... make sure you have plenty of free time.
But honestly, I think he's one of my favourite authors. His characterization is amazing, he has just the right amount of humour at the right moments, his plots are gripping, and his writing is at the perfect level for younger readers. Because it's simple, but still very effective. Well young readers and me, haha! It's right in with my style. Enough description that you know where the characters are and what's happening, but not so overwhelming that you start thinking: get on with it!
I could probably talk all day about how awesome his books are. I highly recommend all of them, but definitely start with the Percy Jackson series. They're quick reads too, which is both good and bad. Good because if you're like me and get really into the stories, at least you won't be laid up for a long time. And bad because they don't last nearly long enough.
Personally I prefer his writing to Rowling's. She is a fantastic author, but I find Riordan's work a bit more... what's the word... polished? Not quite... But I found, especially in the 4th harry potter book onward, there was a lot of unnecessary scenes that dragged the story on, while with Riordan's book, every scene helps propel the story. Or gives the reader a needed moment of laughter after a series of high energy, nerve tingling action!
Now I've got to find me something else to read... or try to hold out till Christmas to get some books I know are coming! I don't read often, mainly because I'm super picky about what books I will read. They have to be well written, with a gripping plot, and most importantly, well fleshed out characters. Cause in my opinion, nothing kills a story faster than unrealistic characters that you can't relate to. Or just super whiny ones that can't live without their boyfriends.
Anywho, going back to my semi-conscious state of zoning out!
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