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We Interrupt This Blog

to bring you this. I don't know if you are familar with the comic Get Fuzzy, but occasionally it can be quite funny. I was reading through the archives and came across this gem from last June. Since I also like Star Wars, this is one I truly enjoyed. Click on the pic to enlarge it. Happy reading!

Musical Meme and Contest

I got this from Sherry over at Semicolon a few weeks ago and couldn't resist. How fun is this?

Instructions for me: Access your iPod, Media Player or music storage device of choice, set it to random, and post the opening lyrics to the first 10 songs that come around, then let the friends-list guess the songs and artists (or songwriters, if you will). Offer fabulous prizes if do-able; if not, offer virtual Hershey’s kisses or somethin’.

And the instructions for you: Guess away, and have fun. Just refrain from peeking at the comments until you’ve made your guesses, because otherwise that’s JUST NOT RIGHT. And, uh, if you’ve WRITTEN the song in question, maybe you should bypass it.

Good luck. If anyone gets one right, I might just send you a prize from the Prize Box. Simply post a comment with at least one correct songtitle and you're entered! That's it, so now go tell your friends. And if anyone gets 10 right I'll give you 2 prizes! All you have to do is enter before December 18th, 2007.

A Note to those who undertake this challenge: I have a VERY eclectic taste in music. So good luck! O.o Also, I sometimes omitted little “la la la”s, etc. that came before the lyrics. And PLEASE resist looking them up in Google or similar sites. That just takes the fun out of it.
__________________________________________________________________

1. I've been waiting all day for ya babe
So won't cha come and sit and talk to me
And tell me how we're gonna be together always
Hope you know that when it's late at night
I Hold on to my pillow tight…

2. Sometimes I think about you
Wonder if you’re out there somewhere
thinkin' 'bout me
And would you even recognize
The woman that your little girl has grown up to be?

3. I want to know what makes your tock tick
I want to know what makes your clock click
All them gears going round and round inside your head don't make a sound
I want to know what makes your boat row
What makes your engine go, go, go, go, go, go, go

4. Done a lot of things that I'm not so proud of
Took a lot of turns that turned out wrong
That's a worn out song
Day by day, moment by moment taking my chances
Trusting my heart, It wasn't too smart

5. Imagination
Dream a fantastic dream
Use your imagination
See it in your mind
And you can find
In your imagination
Mysteries and Magic
Visions fantastic
Leading to strange and wondrous dreams

6. I took a walk around the world
To ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
But I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon

7. You know the words Once Upon A Time
Make you listen
There's a reason
When you dream there's a chance you'll find
A little laughter or happy ever after

8. Sometimes it seems like you’re falling
Falling out of the sky
Sometimes it feels like you’re slipping
And running out of time
And that’s when you’ve gotta throw it all away
All of the things that people say

9. You never looked so good
As you did last night,
Underneath the city lights,
There walking with your friend,
Laughing at the moon.
I swear you looked right trough me.

10. It took too long
It took too long
It took too long for you to call back
And normally I would just forget that
Except for the fact it was my birthday
My stupid birthday

And here’s a few for extra credit, since some of those were pretty hard. :-) Can you get to ten by guessing these? (Though not all these are easy either)

11. It's so strange he doesn't show
me more affection than he needs
Almost formal, too respectful
never takes romantic leads
There are times when I imagine
I'm not always on his mind

12. Moon so bright, night so fine
Keep your heart here with mine
Life's a dream we are dreaming
Race the moon, catch the wind
Ride the night to the end
Seize the day, stand up for the light

Blogging Reading Level

So I guess this is a good thing. Or not. You decide:




On one hand, you only need an elementary education to understand this blog. On the other, I am in college, so you'd think my writing would be up to par.... oh well!

Major News Update (sorry so long!)

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I was out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, and I was completely cut off from internet access. Plus, the internet at my apartment was down since Thursday , November 15th too. So many days without internet!!! *Choke*

Anyway, most of my next few days will be spent on finalizing this research paper I have due on Friday. Yuck. So you probably won’t hear much from me at all in the next few days. I will miss you all though! Hopefully I’ll have time to update before Friday, but maybe not, we’ll just have to wait and see.

So before I disappear for a whole ‘nother week, here’s an update on some major events.

For those of you following the Robert’s Snow Event, the first auction has already passed. Auction 2 starts soon (tomorrow maybe? I’ll have to check for sure). You don’t want to miss out on these snowflakes, including the previously featured Theresa Brandon and Carol Heyer flakes. Go to the Robert’s Snow site for all the juicy details. You can also visit a comprehensive list of all snowflake features by visiting 7Imp's list here.

News from the Cybils! Nominations are now up. I’ll probably be posting them one by one in the next few weeks. Thank you to everyone who nominated a book. Meanwhile, you can always visit the Cybils website itself to see the nominated titles.


Just a reminder that I’m still looking for proofreading material. Please, please, please, if you have something (anything!) that you could contribute, email me and let me know. I only have 6 out of 30 pages so far!


The deadline for the next YABC Teen Reviewer is fast approaching. The deadline is December 15th this year, so make sure you get your applications in early!

Lastly, for those of you who are holiday shoppers and need ideas, I hope to be putting up a holiday gift guide in the next little while. While most of the items on there will be books (what else?) I might also include some music and movies. I will be using Amazon.com links, since that is my preferred method of shopping online. For an explanation of why I use Amazon.com, you can view my post about it here.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. See you soon!

Are you the next YABC Teen Reviewer?

Copied from the YABC blog. Pass this post on to your friends who might be interested:

Yep, it's that time of year again. This year's Teen Demi-Goddess (Amber) has done a spectacular job (just like last year's Dominique). But it is just about time for the changing of the guard.If you are interested in being the next YABC Demi-God or Demi-Goddess, please check out the offical application form. Applicants must be between 13 - 19 during the calendar year 2008.

Application deadline is December 15th this year. Good luck, everyone!

Maybe this will help you decide on whether or not to apply: final thoughts from Amber, the 2007 Demi-Goddess:

It's November already, and my days as Official Teen Book Reviewer for YABooksCentral are winding down. I just wanted to write you a little note and thank you for this amazing opportunity and for working so incredibly hard to maintain the high quality of YABooksCentral. So many people enjoy the site, and it's been my honor to contribute to YABC for the past year.

I will enjoy my last couple of months here, and I hope that my reviews have lived up to your expectations. The experience has exceeded my wildest expectations, and whomever is the 2008 Teen Demi-God/Goddess is a very lucky person indeed.

Need Something Proofread?

Attention all readers! I need your help!

For my editing class I have to put together a “Proofing Portfolio.” This means that I need 30 pages of edited text for this portfolio. My roommates have gotten sick of me asking them for stuff, so I need a new source (I can’t use my own writings).

If you need something proofread, please email me. I may be only a student, but you will get editing for free. Please note that proofreading usually means basic punctuation, capitalization, formatting, etc., but if you want additional editing, we can discuss that by email. My only requirement is that it has to be something I can print out and turn into my teacher. I won’t keep names on any work, this is entirely confidential!

Even if you don’t need something worked on, please, please, please, pass this message on to someone you know who might. I really need to get started on this, it’s due December 10th. I will do anything: email, web content, reports, Christmas letters, anything!

Take pity on a poor college student trying to maintain her GPA. Thank you!

Robert’s Snow: Connie McLennan

Two features in one week! It’s been a busy week here, and this is sure to be just as exciting as the previous features. This is my last one too, although I am sorry to see them go! I know this is old news, but some people still haven’t heard of Robert’s Snow. If you’ve read this before, skip down to see today’s snowflake.

Robert’s Snow was started in 2004 by Children’s illustrator Grace Lin when her husband Robert was diagnosed by with a rare form of cancer. That year, Grace gathered several children’s book illustrators together to each create a unique snowflake that could be auctioned off to raise funds for cancer research. Since it’s beginning, Robert’s Snow has raised over $200,000 dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

And here’s Connie McLennan’s 2007 snowflake: “Blue Morpho” (Please note that these pictures are ones the illustrator took herself, so they are WAY more detailed than the official Robert’s Snow photos. Click on the picture to fully enlarge it.)

I am absolutely speechless. This is just too beautiful. If you’d like to learn more about how the snowflake itself was created, scroll down to the Q & A section of the post.

This snowflake will be auctioned off in the third set of auctions starting on December 3 at 9:00am and closing on December 7 at 5:00pm. These are the most expensive snowflakes, but they are so worth the money (in more ways than one)! Visit the auction site for even more details.

Connie McLennan lives in Rocklin, CA (near my hometown!) with her husband and 16-year-old son. She’s illustrated six children’s books including Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition, Water Beds: Sleeping In The Ocean, and The Rainforest Grew All Around. She’s currently working on a 7th book, River Beds, which will be a sequel to Water Beds. She’s also done several illustrations for “Highlights for Children” magazine.

And since I know you’re dying to learn more about how she works:

Q. Can you tell us more about the snowflake you created?

A. The base was primed with gesso, then painted with an acrylic base. The ferns on both sides are painted in oil. The butterfly is 100% rag board painted with acrylic, and iridescent blue acrylic. The back side is underpainted with metallic gold, giving it a soft luster. Edges are gold. Both sides are finished with damar gloss varnish. The wire hanger is strung with iridescent black and blue beads.

Q. How did you get into children’s book illustrations?

A. I had been a freelance advertising and editorial illustrator for a long time. In 1999, a local designer I knew was creating a business system (stationery, business card, etc.) for a small publisher/distributor who recently had relocated to our area. When the designer learned the owner was looking for an illustrator for a new book, she recommended me. Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition was published in 2000. I did not do another children’s book until 2004, when I illustrated both The Wishing Tree and Water Beds: Sleeping In The Ocean.

Q. What sparks your creativity?

A. For book illustrations, I am inspired by looking at other books and all kinds of artwork, researching my subject and looking at photo reference for it—and having a deadline. Nothing sparks “creativity”—and productivity—like the fear of missing a deadline and having bills to pay.
Q. Do you have a favorite medium?

A. I have two “favorite” mediums: watercolor and oil. They are very different from each other, and I enjoy alternating between the two, depending on what feels more appropriate for a particular project.

Q. What made you decide to be an artist?

A. It seems I didn’t choose art as much as it chose me. An outstanding teacher once told me successful painting is 10% talent and 90% desire. Painting is not mysterious, it is a learned skill, and anyone who really wants to learn can do it. I am very logical and equally balanced between “left-” and “right-brained.” I guess I only became an illustrator because of my desire to draw and paint. If that hadn’t gotten in the way, I might have been a doctor or a lawyer instead. My father was a veterinarian, so medical things always interested me. If I had applied my writing and research skills to medicine or law instead of illustration, I would have made a lot more money!

Very neat! If you want to learn more about Connie McLennan, you can visit her at her website. And if you just can’t afford this great snowflake, you can still admire her rainforest illustrations in The Rainforest Grew All Around, which is available at Amazon.com.

Fight cancer! Buy snowflakes! Yeah!

Robert’s Snow: Carol Heyer

It’s snowing once more at the Shady Glade. This week is going to have two features here, so make sure you check it out. I know this is old news, but some people still haven’t heard of Robert’s Snow. If you’ve read this before, skip down to see today’s snowflake.

Robert’s Snow was started in 2004 by Children’s illustrator Grace Lin when her husband Robert was diagnosed by with a rare form of cancer. That year, Grace gathered several children’s book illustrators together to each create a unique snowflake that could be auctioned off to raise funds for cancer research. Since it’s beginning, Robert’s Snow has raised over $200,000 dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

And here’s Carol Heyer’s 2007 snowflake: “Merry Christmouse” (Click on the picture for details)

Isn’t it adorable? I just love the inventive way the mouse has chosen to paint his ornament. The snowflake will be auctioned off in the second set of auctions starting on November 26 at 9:00am and closing on November 30 at 5:00pm. Visit the auction site for even more details.

Carol Heyer currently lives in Thousand Oaks, CA and has worked out over 25 children’s books, and has sold over 1,500,000 copies! Her art has also appeared on many other projects, from book covers to bookmarks. She’s won several awards including honors from The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and The Society of Illustrators LA. Although she works in a variety of genre’s her favorite is fantasy (someone after my own heart!).

Carol’s newest work is a picture book just released this fall called Humphrey's First Christmas. This story follow Humphrey the camel’s first journey to Bethlehem, and the important lesson learns about gift-giving while he is there. I’ve gotten permission to show you some of the marvelous illustrations from the new book:

Aren’t those just wonderful? Humphrey's First Christmas is available on Amazon.com. To learn more about Carol Heyer and see more of her stunning artwork, you can visit her at her website.

And, (to adopt someone else’s mantra) Buy Snowflakes! Fight Cancer!

Get your 2007 Cybils Nominations in!

There's still time to nominate your favorite 2007 titles for this year's Cybils awards. Panels are seeking nominations in these 8 categories:

Fantasy and Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Nonfiction: Middle Grade and Young Adult
Nonfiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

There are three simple rules:

1. Titles must be published in English in 2007
2. One nomination per person per category
3. Check to see if your title has been nominated before you sumbit a book. Mulitple nominations don't help a book's chances!

Nominations are being accepted at the Cybils blog. All you need is an email address. There's no excuse, go nominate your titles now!

If you need some suggestions of Graphic Novel titles, you can see my post on the subject. Also look for Miss Erin's post about Middle Grade Fiction.

I got in!!!!

I’ve been waiting to release this information for fear that I wouldn’t get accepted. But now that’s no longer a problem…

Two weeks ago I applied for the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort. This program allows college students of all ages and majors the opportunity to spend a semester working at WDW while earning money AND college credit. There was a presentation, and a phone interview, which I felt like I bombed (there’s only so much you can do in an interview over the phone).

In today’s mail there was a big envelope with my name on it. Inside, I found an acceptance letter! I’ll be working at WDW for Summer 2008! I can’t believe it, and I’m still in shock. You wouldn’t believe how much my hands were shaking at the news.

I’ve wanted to work for Disney for forever. Having grown up in CA, I went to Disneyland a lot and I was always impressed with the Cast Members I met there. Now I get to be one of those people!

So if you’re in Orlando this summer, let me know. I’ll tell you where I’m working so you can come say hi!


If you want more information on the Disney College Program, visit http://www.disneycollegeprogram.com/

Robert’s Snow: Molly Idle

It’s time for another Snowflake! By now, many of you have heard of Robert’s Snow, but on the rare chance that this is completely new to you, here is a quick overview. If you’ve read this before, skip down to see today’s snowflake.

Robert’s Snow was started in 2004 by Children’s illustrator Grace Lin when her husband Robert was diagnosed by with a rare form of cancer. That year, Grace gathered several children’s book illustrators together to each create a unique snowflake that could be auctioned off to raise funds for cancer research. Since it’s beginning, Robert’s Snow has raised over $200,000 dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

And here’s Molly Idle’s 2007 snowflake: “Jolly Old St. Pinniped” (Make sure you click on the picture itself to enlarge it. Otherwise, it is impossible to fully appreciate this wonder.)

For those of you who don’t know Pinnipeds are marine mammals in the seal and walrus family. This snowflake has a walrus, but I love the Puffin “reindeer” too. I was unable to find out which auction this is part of, but I will let you know as soon as I can! Meanwhile, you can view the Robert’s Snow homepage for specific auction details.

Now I know you came here to learn about the artist too, so here we are:

After graduating from college, Molly Schaar Idle moved to Los Angeles, CA where she worked as an animator for five years with DreamWorks Animation. Including her work on Sinbad, The Road to El Dorado, and Spirit, she’s also done work on PBS’s Liberty Kids and Disney’s Lion King 1 ½.

In 2003, she decided to start a career as a children’s book author. Her first book, titled Emma’s Gift is now in it’s third printing. She is currently working on her In God We Trust series for Abingdon Press. Each of these books uses coins as a metaphor for life, and the illustrations are just darling!

Molly Idle currently lives in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and three cats (my kind of person!). To view her amazing online portfolio, hop on over to her website.