Lighter Future

For my head, at least, that's for sure! I donated a bit over 12 inches of hair to Locks of Love~

Before:

After:

I love it!! It's so light, and free, and... fwooshy~ <3 Tis so wonderful! I like the (lack of) weight it has, I've got a few layers in as well, and I can still pin/pull it back if need be. Summer is going to be a lot easier without that monolith of hair I had before!
Don't get me wrong, I liked it well enough - I just don't have the time or patience to learn how to put it up nicely on a regular basis.
I am now, occasionally, "Short-Haired Poof." :D


Another big thing; bigger, actually: I got to go to a Creative Writing Workshop by Orson Scott Card!! >w<
Now, albeit I've not read any of his books, but I've heard great things about him, and know the general type of things he does, as well as have read a few bits and pieces here and there of his work. I was rather impressed with him in person, as well! He and some other writers got together for the workshop - Aaron Johnston, James Maxey, and Edmund R. Schubert. Card presented in the morning, the others split some of the afternoon, and then they did a joint forum Q&A session at the end.

 

Most things discussed were basics, but Card really helped open my eyes to how much knowing a second language can help one understand how grammar works, since it's not really addressed much in schools with English. (or at least, not remembered near as well)

If you're wondering what that says, it's "How to write your brains out and still have a life." This was Aaron.

Heh... I need to better learn this one...

Maxey here; one of his slides showed a rough estimate about how eBooks have literally shot up in sales remarkably fast. He mentioned that the eBook is great, if your stuff sells, and how a lot of other people are catching on that it is a big market, and therefore the crowded place it is becoming. He mentioned that a good portion of eBooks may not sell 5 a month, and therefore eBook-ing may probably not be a great option. However, it just made me remember how awesome Limbo's Child is, and realize how many other people must realize that since it had sold over 500 copies from November till January!
That reminds me, Limbo's Child is now available in print!! Yes, it's more expensive, but you're paying for a physical copy rather than simple data that can be stored in a space smaller than your hand. It looks fantastic; I don't have one (as of yet), but I've seen a picture or two, and just kept repeating excitedly "It's in print! It's in print!". Then, my roommates came back in.... XD'
BUT STILL.
It's in print, if you find that easier or more comforting than the electronic version~
http://jonahhewitt.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-now-available-on-amazon-in-print.html <- the blog post about it~

...back to the workshop~

Schubert. He's more on the editorial side, and is quite knowledgeable about what kinds of things magazines accept, how to go about writing query letters (which I didn't even know existed), and similar such stuff. He's also head editor of that site behind him, which was started by Orson Scott Card and is still connected with him.

It's all of them! Yaaaay!
Really was an amazingtastical day~

AND, to top that off, I got to talk personally with Orson Scott Card after the workshop~ Sure, only for about 15 minutes or less, but still!! I wrote 5 pages of a story and submitted it to a decision-maker who decided who would get to talk with him. A number of those people were chosen, and I was one of them!
He didn't get it but from me in the room, so he got to read about a page and a half or so of it. Basically, he told me to try not to be so cinematic/detailed about everything and get to telling the story~ XD' I tend to be rather intricate about details, so I understand that. BUT, he said he was interested to see where the story went! And he didn't even get to a more interesting part!
So that makes me happy~
Very happy~
CB


Well I gottta go to a Doctor Who Club meeting, so I'll try to remember to talk more later!

Spring Has Rain!

It's crazy! Not sure if 'official' spring is here, but it's now Spring Break where I am, so I say that counts. We've been getting rain on a fairly regular occasion, and a few snows even! (finally XD) I'm happy with the amount of water received~ I've heard complaints a-plenty, but I figure that being a desert-rat myself might have me a bit biased. <3

Also, good news about Limbo's Child! Not only has it been downloaded over 300 times (probably well over 500 by now, but I don't know for sure. Maybe Jonah should get a 'downloaded' counter for his site... if one exists~ That would be awesome! ...Anyway.....) , BUT it is now available in print!!
It's more expensive, sure, as it's print-on-demand, and printed books are of course going to cost more than one dollar, but still! The option is there!
-> Right Here <-
As still is, of course, the option to buy it at one dollar from Amazon.
Just saying~

Also, if you happen to have a deviantart account, or just want to see something adorable, one of my friends has entered in the "Cute Monster" contest! She's got a great design. Go and vote for her if you've got an account! If not, just look at iiiiiiit~ X3

Thus far this week, I have gotten my car inspected (again) for possible problems. Earlier in the year, found out that the radiator cracked, and had to get it replaced. >.o  So when things started feeling wonky more recently, I got it in straight-away. Thankfully, ended up just being  transmission fluid. But there was hardly any there; and it was black.... heheh....
Yeah. Not the car-savvy one over here. Thankfully, I was able to contact my bishop last time to ask his recommendation of mechanics, and the guy I've gone to seems quite friendly. I'm thankful for him, at least.

Now, for some pictures of some of the snow we got!

Yes, I made that snowman. No one else was up at that point, and there was just so much possibility!
(I also hoped he could encourage others up those stairs... Too bad he melted by that evening. XD' )


School-relation-wise, we now officially have a new president! His name is Paul A. Sybrowsky, a formal General Authority in the LDS church. Here's the article.
The ceremony was nice, with great talks all around, and he and his wife definitely seems qualified! Looking forward to seeing them around campus more.

Hmm... other news...
Oh! I got this awesometastical jacket from my friend here at school, who painted it up and decided it didn't work out quite how she wanted. I had been oogling over it since she started, so instead of scrapping it she gave it to me~! <3

The symbols on the back are for the elements, and along the arm should stand for something like "brave one". Nothing too significant for me, but sooo barking awesome!!! >w< I glomped her at least 3+ times when she gave it to me~

 Also! Got to go see The Secret World of Arrietty, the newest Studio Ghibli film~! Basically The Borrowers, but anime. 'Twas really fun! A group of friends and I drove out to Roanoke in 2 cars for the premiere.

The brightness isn't that great, but it was the only group shot we got with my camera. *shrugs*

That's a better shot of the poster. It's a really fun show, and I was totally expecting -*sorry no spoilers XP*- at the end, and was surprised that it didn't happen! But that's just my natural cynicism I guess. XD


I'll have to talk about other things at another time, as I am getting tired, as are my arms.
But before I go, here's a fun/pretty French song "A La Claire Fontaine." It's really a traditional song, and tis pretty as such. However, this version is a little bit 'smoother', and has a few changed lyrics; it's by a Canadian band called Garolou. I was lucky enough to have a friend translate this version for me (for a story I'm writing), and although not all the differences make total sense to me, I still love listening to it~

I am also going on a hike tomorrow. SO I ought to be off now~