Steampunk and Avatar OR Bri Returns to the Blog

The Story Continues

I know I've been out of the blogging loop for a long time, but this summer, I'm back. I've recently settled in Richmond, VA and made a few major decisions regarding my writing. Over the summer, I revived an old obsession with the sciences and philosophy, two passions I put aside in college due to class load and thesis. I knew I wanted to write more than a simple children's story. I wanted make a statement on the role of religion and science, philosophy and personal choice.

Steampunked

I've also developed a more steampunk feel in my story. Taken from the old scientific romances of HG Wells and Jules Verne, steampunk worlds operate in a more Victorian era with steam powered engines and some technology like airships and rifles. I decided to try my hand at it after reading Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials and watching Last Exile and Avatar. With classy action sequences, clockwork mechanisms, early universities and the unsavory aspects of the industrial revolution, steam punk fits my story more than a medieval fantasy society dominated by monarchy.

Speaking of Avatar

On a last note, I wanted to show you some stuff from Avatar. This is the first piece of American animation that has caught my eye since Samurai Jack. Beautiful and stylized, without any of the bland colors of other kiddie cartoons, Avatar offers a cast of characters, all morally ambiguous and charming. An interesting cartoon and a delightful surprise. Its only a few minutes long, so please enjoy!



Holding the Line.
Bri

A Humble House for Bri

So I've moved into my new home in Richmond. Its a two bedroom apartment, with the bedrooms upstairs and a pretty great living room downstairs. I've got a willow tree in my back yard and two huge oaks in the front. The pictures below offer proof. Behold and enjoy. I'll be back with more updates as they come.

My Living Room: Before and After

My Bed: Before and AfterNew Sketchbook, Phone and My Empty Peach JonesMy Humble AbodeNew Home, New Moi

Here I am, exhausted after a day of moving, shopping, drilling and wrenching new hardware and fixtures into my new place. I am happy, despite the disheveled look. Promise.
Holding the Line.
Bri

This is How We Say Goodbye in Texas

This is the last night I will spend in my parents' house. The thought is a little mind-numbing and at the same time a incredibly joyful. No two households should ever exist under one roof; no three adults should ever expect to live in peace. I've been here less than two months and I can't wait for this coming Wednesday morning when I drive to Virginia. We love each other, but we also know we can't tolerate living with each other one day longer.

As a born-and-raised Texan, I will miss my state, but I look forward to the beach, to graduate school, and to a life outside of a small town. I'll be further away from Bear, but only for a little while. Things are as they should be.

So say we all.
Bri

The Reason I've been Away

This summer has been hectic, with packing and moving plans, with graduation and settling into the idea of grad school in a much larger city. My creativity has not suffered though. I offer these as a sort of apology for my absence and general distraction.

Holding the Line.
Bri

A Meme - Please Read Dresden Codak

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

A Meme about Various Things

What were you doing ten years ago?
I had just graduated from middle school. I know. I'm a young'un.

What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
Continue packing for my move to VA, sketch a character design, write at least one scene, come up with a plan to get revenge on the cat across the street for biting me (this involves a water hose) and purchasing a cherry limeade from Sonic

What are some snacks you enjoy?
peanut butter, fudge rounds, string cheese

What would you do if you were a billionaire?
pay off my student loan for grad school, go on a cruise with Bear, have a house in Alaska and one in South Texas near Galveston, write

What are five places where you have lived?
Little Rock, AR, Texarkana, TX, Nash, TX, Red Lick, TX and soon, Richmond, VA

What are five jobs you have had?
clerk at Office Depot, receptionist at Coldwell Banker, manager at a rental properties place, a tutor at university, and soon a tutor at VCU

What were the last five books you read?
Jostein Gaardener's Sophie's World
Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy
David Peterson's Mouse Guard
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451


What are five web sites you visit daily (in no particular order)?
The Dresden Codak
Rice Boy
CNN
Hawty McBloggy Invites You to Play
Gizmodo

And I Tag You!
Joce the Potter
Crystal King
Jaye Patrick
Qualcosa di Bello
Stace Dumoski

So say we all.
Bri