Selena's Blog: July 2008 Archives

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July 30, 2008

Quote of the Day & Casino Royale

I recently saw the latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale. I almost gave up about a quarter of the way in because, well, my experience of the movie thus far was something like this: ...blah, handsome Bond, blah, blah, cool M, blah, blah, long action scene, blah, more action, blah... But then Vesper arrived on the scene and James lit up. Suddenly there was witty banter and sexual tension. And finally the movie had my attention.

I'm so glad I stuck with the movie because the "Vesper and James" thing was fabulous. I've got the movie saved on my DVR and I have already rewatched highlights SEVERAL times.

You can also see highlights at YouTube. In fact, here is one of my favorite scenes and the one that includes today's quote, a line Vesper says to James when he is recuperating from some seriously brutal torture:

"If all that was left of you was your smile and your little finger, you'd still be more of a man than anyone I've ever met."

And Daniel Craig does have one stellar smile! (Oh how rare such a smile is.) Craig is now my all-time favorite James Bond.

Bond's emotional range in this movie is one of the things I love about Casino Royale. But it also makes for some heartbreak when at the end of the movie he is the unflappable, emotionally flat super spy we're more familiar with. Bummer. I already miss the old James.

Posted by Selena at 09:49 PM | Comments (0)

MindFlights: Interview with Aliette de Bodard

This update is a special treat, an interview with author Aliette de Bodard.

"An Interview with Aliette de Bodard"
by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz

In 2006, The Triad’s Gift was published by the now defunct webzine, Deep Magic. Written by Aliette de Bodard, this novella was nominated for a Nebula Award in 2007, and was one of Aliette’s first published stories.

Posted by Selena at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

July 29, 2008

MindFlights Update: 2008 Poetry Contest – Winners!

Winners have been announced in MindFlights' first poetry contest.

"2008 Poetry Contest – Winners!"
by DEP Staff

Posted by Selena at 08:28 AM | Comments (0)

July 28, 2008

"The Shaman's Brother" by Diane Gallant

Here is a new story for you to enjoy.

"The Shaman's Brother"
by Diane Gallant

In a remote village, a shaman must live with the alienation that results from his cowardly disobedience. But is there another price to pay as well?

Posted by Selena at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)

July 25, 2008

"The Vegetarian Dragon" by Elyn W. Marsh

This update is a fun story by one of our student contributors. Enjoy.

"The Vegetarian Dragon - A tale of Spiggle"
by Elyn W. Marsh
(A Student Contributor)

In the land of Spiggle, a dangerous dragoness ravages the country! Can a vegetarian dragon and a princess save the Spigglians from the evil dragoness Shur?

Posted by Selena at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2008

GH Bummers and GH Fun

I have watched General Hospital for many, many years. In fact, I bought my first VCR because I missed the critical scene where Frisco returns home after being imprisoned on foreign soil and presumed dead. He arrives just in time to see his wife Felicia getting remarried. Missing that moment prompted me to buy a VCR. Seriously. And they were expensive back then.

Ah, those were the days.

Now, I fast-forward through much of the show. Plus there are the moments I wish I had missed: like the moment last week when I completely lost respect for Kate. She was one of the few characters I liked but then she told her fiance Sonny and her married business partner Jax that they should go along with her plan to stoke erroneous gossip that she is having an affair with Jax because the added buzz would be good for business.

What? Huh?

Jax said "no." Even Sonny said "no." And that had to be the first time ever that I have agreed with Sonny.

I'm also bummed that Spinelli and Maxie finally got together, after Spinelli has mooned over her for ages, only for it to end with Maxie saying essentially, "I never should have taken advantage of you like that. You're my best friend, I don't want to risk that." Poor Spinelli, he was heart-broken. Me too. They are so cute together.

Lately the fun-est thing about GH has been reading about it at Serial Drama. Super-funny GH-dissing right there on my iGoogle homepage! Love that.

Posted by Selena at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)

New Favs in TV, Music, and Web

I have a new favorite in TV shows and musical groups. It's "Flight of the Conchords."

This group and their HBO show are hilarious! (But they are also not for kids or folks who are easily offended. Adult content abounds. You've been warned.)

To get a sample, click on over to one of my new favs on the web: YouTube.
(Yeah, I know, I'm late to the party. So what's new?)
Just search on "Flight of the Conchords" for a wide variety of related videos, including some of my favorite Conchord songs: Inner City Pressure, Hiphopopotamus Vs. Rhymenoceros, A Kiss is Not a Contract, and Business Time. (I generally prefer the videos from the TV show instead of the live performances because it often pays to see the songs in context).

A sample lyric from Inner City Pressure:
"Counting coins on the counter of the 7-11
From a quarter past six ‘til a quarter to seven 
The manager Bevan starts to abuse me 
Hey man, I just want some Muesli."

I'm also loving YouTube for watching old scenes from General Hospital, especially snippets from the glory days of CarLo. (Oh how I miss Tamara Braun and Ted King!) GH was Must See TV back then. Now it's more like Must Blog TV.

Which brings me to my other new web fav:
Serial Drama

These chicks rock! Reading their blog entries about GH is more entertaining that watching GH.

Posted by Selena at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)

"The Soaso Letter" by Elizabeth Williams

Here is a poem to kick off the new week. Enjoy!

"The Soaso Letter"
by Elizabeth Williams

a spear piercing the ear of God

Posted by Selena at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)

July 18, 2008

"The Miracle Worker" by Resha Caner

Next up is a story about the miracles of technology. Enjoy!

"The Miracle Worker"
by Resha Caner

Xavier Brown's inventions will change the world...if only he can figure out how they work.

Posted by Selena at 08:05 AM | Comments (0)

July 17, 2008

Stalked by Insomnia

It used to be, back in the day, that I never had trouble sleeping. Well, it turns out that those days—like so many—are long gone.

Even in recent memory, insomnia only plagued me occasionally, once every couple months or so. But this month, it's already harassed me three times and we're only about halfway through July. Aargh! Last week, I hardly slept at all both Thursday and Friday night. Last night, same thing.

It’s really making me cranky and unproductive.

I'm going to try a cup of chamomile tea before bed tonight and see if that helps.

Posted by Selena at 05:46 PM | Comments (0)

July 14, 2008

"The Bone Setter" by Suzette Saxton

Next up...

"The Bone Setter"
by Suzette Saxton

When ancient bones speak to an orphan girl, she struggles to free them from their mortal bounds while Monsignor, her sovereign from birth, strives to overpower her.

Personally this is one of my favorite stories that we've published. I encourage you to check it out.

Posted by Selena at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)

July 12, 2008

Quote of the Day

Today's quote is from Psalms 31:
"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress."

You can read the whole Psalms here.

Posted by Selena at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)

July 11, 2008

"Window Blind" by Wade Ogletree

Here is our first story for July. Enjoy.

"Window Blind"
by Wade Ogletree

Shiu Mai serves a government she fears, and when her own technology is used against her, the promise of a life ruled by love may not be enough to free her.

Posted by Selena at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2008

"Fey Stranger" by Elyn W. Marsh

Here is our first poem for July. Enjoy.

"Fey Stranger"
by Elyn W. Marsh
(A Student Contributor)

Posted by Selena at 07:56 AM | Comments (0)

July 06, 2008

"Text Messages" now at LSS

"Text Messages" is now available at Long Story Short. (Click on "Fiction" in the menu on the left.)

Oddly, neither this nor my other recent acceptance ("The Rival") are scifi or fantasy. That's rare for me. How'd that happen? ;)

Posted by Selena at 06:08 PM | Comments (0)

July 01, 2008

Psalms 139

In getting ready for this week's Sunday School lesson, I came across Psalms 139 and it really spoke to me of how closely God is with us and how we can never get so far away that he isn't right there with us.

Here's my favorite section, verses 1-10:

"O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts when I'm far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me."

This verse is perhaps especially comforting to me because I sometimes feel alone, unseen, and far from home. But with God, I am never truly alone, unseen, or far from home. Because ultimately home is where God is, and God is everywhere.

Posted by Selena at 09:42 PM | Comments (2)

The Exhaustion Cure

I feel like I don't have as much energy as I used to. So, I got a book called "The Exhaustion Cure," thinking that might help. But I've been too tired to read it.

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