tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87096059419679715492024-03-18T22:08:56.859-07:00Endless Daydreams...spark my imagination...Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-48210227422031880372014-04-07T11:36:00.000-07:002014-04-07T11:41:51.426-07:00The way we were before<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/13624819464_b7254c352b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/13624819464_b7254c352b.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last fall, I entered the <a href="http://www.fantastels.nl/">Fantastels writing contest</a> with two stories, <i>Alchemia</i> and <i>The way we were before</i>. Yesterday was the award ceremony, which was a lot of fun! I went there with my boyfriend (I'd never taken him with me to an event like this before), and we had a great time. I saw a few familiar faces and a whole lot of new ones. My, I wish I wasn't so shy and could just walk up to people and get to know them, because there sure are a lot of really interesting people in the Dutch fantasy/SF scene!<br />
Anyway. The award ceremony was fun! Anaïd Haen hosted the show (and the contest) and did a great job. We counted down from place 145, so it took two hours all in all. I loved how several judges popped in to say something about certain stories, proving that even though a story ended low on the list, it doesn't mean it's bad or without potential.<br />
My first story, <i>Alchemia</i>, came in at position 83 (although it's apparently 82 now because of a late disqualification). I'll write a lot more on this story in a later blog post, but for now let's say I agree with both judges and looking back on the story, I know what went wrong and how I can fix it. It has so much potential, but it's just not suited for a short story. Lesson learned, and the comments from the judges are really helpful.<br />
I was sure my two stories would be close to each other, so I was thinking <i>The way we were before</i> would come it at about place 60 or so. It didn't. My boyfriend and I went sort of crazy when it still hadn't turned up at position 10 and we went nuts when it ended up in 3rd place!! I really couldn't believe it at all. This is my 4th contest ever and the first time I participated in Fantastels, so I was totally stunned that I had actually won third place!<br />
<br />
<i>The way we were before</i>, or '<i>Hoe we vroeger waren</i>' (for once I came up with the English title first, I had a hard time finding a proper translation) in Dutch, is the story of Willem Deutz, an old man put into an elderly home by his children. He's upset by this and doesn't want to live there and feels like his life is over, until one night he encounters a floating lantern on his evening walk which leads him to Sophie, the evening witch.<br />
Oddly enough this story started out in my head with Sophie. I wanted to write about an evening witch, someone who represented the end of a day, the final hours in which there's only a little light left. I imagined her going around, showing people their lives, blinding them by the light of their daytime now that they lived in the shadow of the evening.<br />
Willem himself only showed up later, a grumpy old man who was angry at the world, even though he had lived a good life. He's so different from any of my other main characters; elderly, annoyed, sarcastic and lonely. He walked into my head and stubbornly stayed there until I wrote down his story, and I'm grateful that he did.<br />
Oddly enough some of the judges compared it to <i>A Christmas carol</i> by Charles Dickens. I can see the similarities but I hadn't thought of that story even once while writing. Willem is not selfish or greedy, he's lonely and sad and doesn't want anyone's pity. He's one of my stronger lead characters and he really ended up telling his own story, I ended up following his words instead of making him go my way.<br />
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I guess this was the story of something I think we will all have one day: that moment where you look back on your life and wonder if you've made the right choices along the way, and if you'd do it differently if you could.<br />
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Usually I'd end this post with a link to the download page of this story, but I hope to have this story published somewhere, after some editing. Thanks to the wonderful judge comments I now know how to make this story even better and hopefully you can all read it someday soon.<br />
<br />
So I'll end this with a big thank you to all the wonderful people from Fantastels, my proofreaders, my supportive boyfriend and all you people who kept my spirits up when I was outright exhausted from writing so much!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-78843354646258747412014-04-06T02:42:00.001-07:002014-04-06T02:43:08.539-07:00Eternal Tartessos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tartessos.aien-hime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eeuwig-Tartessosresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tartessos.aien-hime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eeuwig-Tartessosresize.jpg" /></a></div>
In December I did a course on writing fantasy with famous Dutch fantasy/SF author and artist Tais Teng. It was a lot of fun and we had a really great time doing the course. As a final assignment, we created a fantasy world together in which we all ended up writing stories, including our teacher. The plan was to publish an e-book with our combined stories, but things sort of evolved and now it's becoming an actual book and an e-book!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tartessos.aien-hime.com/">Eternal Tartessos</a>, or Eeuwig Tartessos in Dutch (both the book and the e-book are Dutch only, sorry) is the story of a city that travels through time to collect information on humanity. Once they have gathered all information, or so the story goes, they will be able to travel far into the future where they can rebuild humanity, as it is apparently wiped out sometime after 2500. The city is divided into four area's, all dealing with a certain period of human history.<br />
<br />
The book contains 19 stories written by my co-authors <a href="http://www.spelvout.nl/">Simone</a> and <a href="http://www.taisteng.nl/">Tais Teng</a> and me. I'm so excited about this project! Not only are my stories published (!) next to those of a famous author (!), I'm actually really proud of all the work we've done. The cover looks amazing, the stories are diverse and the world is such a great setting.<br />
<br />
I took it upon myself to design the e-book and the book (the inside of the book, that is. All credit for the cover goes to Tais Teng), which is something I really love to do and which is something I have some experience with thanks to my job at the <a href="http://www.dbnl.org/">DBNL</a>. It was quite a challenge to get everything just right and I'm still working on the e-book. It's so rewarding to see it all come together as a real book, though! I'm expecting the paperbacks in about 2 weeks, and I really can't wait to see and hold them.<br />
<br />
I'm also quite nervous about people's opinions! We've been working on it for so long and while we've spent a lot of time on editing, I have no idea if people will actually like it or not. With Royal Destiny, I was so busy writing it for myself that other people liking it was just a plus, and with writing contests, well, I am always looking forward to the comments because I want to learn from them. This book, however, was not just written for me and not for a contest. It just exists on its own, and I really hope you will enjoy reading it. I'm looking forward to hearing your opinion! If you've read the book, either as an e-book or as a paperback, do let me know!<br />
<br />
<br />
Eeuwig Tartessos will be available as a print book and as an e-book at the end of April. <a href="http://tartessos.aien-hime.com/?page_id=19">Pre-orders</a> for the print book are open!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-61948689559091912642014-02-13T00:50:00.001-08:002014-02-15T03:12:22.682-08:00Highway's End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3kFE3bGNgReZ-PujbDb0mIDBz9blg1brz6vNZMAnVjl4V2-wRM2uu0eid_cAnLSrR30Td3Hqu-zvMC5VGaT4gS601HQjD37fOfWoO8Q_LiAeTa-U4CAQ3SBJE8HLtV0zf-eJtUN2Clk/s1600/eindesnelwegcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3kFE3bGNgReZ-PujbDb0mIDBz9blg1brz6vNZMAnVjl4V2-wRM2uu0eid_cAnLSrR30Td3Hqu-zvMC5VGaT4gS601HQjD37fOfWoO8Q_LiAeTa-U4CAQ3SBJE8HLtV0zf-eJtUN2Clk/s1600/eindesnelwegcover.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
Last year, I entered the Paul Harland Prijs, the largest/ most famous Dutch fantasy/SF/horror writing competition. To be honest I hadn't planned on entering at all; I felt like I didn't have a good enough story and I wasn't even sure if I was good enough as a writer to stand a chance. It was sort of unfortunate that an idea popped into my head 1,5 week before the deadline that just wouldn't leave me alone, so with one week to go I decided to go ahead and write it down.<br />
<div>
What followed was a crazy week that existed of writing, editing, writing, more editing, bothering people to proofread and more editing. Needless to say I was exhausted after a week and I had gained new respect for my boyfriend's patience and understanding as I probably wasn't the most fun person to be around (granted, I don't think my being stuck to the computer can be considered 'around'). But in a week I had my story and I sent it in. I had -no-idea what to expect. As I only had a week I had no time to take some distance from the story or to take the time to digest the feedback from my proofreaders. It had also turned out to be completely different from anything I'd written before; a male protagonist and a horror story.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Paul Harland Day was this weekend (roughly 6 months later). It was an amazing day with a magical realism workshop, great speeches and a really interesting panel with publishers (which was even more interesting for me as my academical background and my hobby really came together there). I had a great time, much more so than I had expected as I'm generally not a big fan of big events with loads of people I don't know. Thankfully I went with a friend, which helped a lot, and I met some really nice people! My big goal for next year is to talk to more people (gulp). </div>
<div>
The result of the competition was announced at the end of the day. Of course I didn't win or even make it to the finals, but that didn't surprise me. I have learned a lot about writing the past couple months thanks to a writing course with Tais Teng and I knew my story didn't have the proper editing, as I simply didn't have enough time. I was <i>very </i>surprised to learn that my story had made it to the top 25%, though! I was 45th out of 206 stories! That place made me really happy and it was a lot more than I had expected, so I was really excited. It also gave me a lot of confidence that I might be able to make it to the finals, one day, especially with all the things I've learned.</div>
<div>
I recieved the feedback from the jury yesterday. It was all positive:</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<i>'Goed verhaal. Je stijl is prettig. Je hoofdpersoon heb je een eigen stem gegeven en je wisselt op een vlotte manier af tussen dialogen, gedachten, beschrijvingen en verhalende tekst. Dit geeft het geheel vaart. Het is gemakkelijk om met de hoofdpersoon mee te leven en op te gaan in de spanning van het verhaal.</i><br />
<i>Het eind is verrassend. Je hebt er echt naar toe gewerkt; de spanningsboog staat strak en komt tot een origineel hoogtepunt. Heel goed gedaan.'</i><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<i>'I liked the opening of this story. You presented the reader with an interesting scenario—a tree at the end of a highway which makes the reader want to know why. I also found the voice to be quite engaging '</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I'm really happy with their comments, especially because they touched upon some parts which I wasn't sure about. Unfortunately they didn't give me any points on which I could still improve the story, which I would have liked, but I'm going to focus on the things they said were good about the story and try to use those to further improve my next stories.<br />
<br />
For those of you who are curious about the story, you can download it <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/408929">here.</a> </i>The story is in .epub file and you should be able to read it on most e-readers, tablets or just your pc (install adobe digital editions for free if you don't have the proper program). Yes, the story is in Dutch. I might translate it to English one day, who knows.<br />
<br />
As for further projects... I'm still waiting for the results of another contest and I will most definately join the PHP this year again, together with the Fantasy Strijd Brugge! I'm also still working hard on the ebook I'm going to publish with Tais Teng and Simone Ooms, which should be available in March. I'm also currently editing The resurrection of the Guardians, so expect the ebook version of that somewhere this spring. Loads of exciting projects!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-20389233806843863272013-08-10T06:01:00.000-07:002013-08-12T02:33:41.258-07:00The end of Royal Destiny<a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/Meran.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://rd.aien-hime.com/Meran.png" width="320" /></a>To be honest, it's kind of weird to write about the end of RD now, considering I wrote the last chapter all the way back in May and because I'm currently working on editing the earlier chapters, so I really don't feel like it's finished at all at the moment! Still, it <i>is </i>finished. The last words have been written and I'll never start another chapter. And let me tell you, after working on this story for over 9 years, that's <i>weird.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Going through older chapters of RD, I can't help but cringe at some parts. Not only the grammar and the writing style were off. The story itself was very messy in the beginning, and there were too many deus ex machina's for my liking. Still, I won't edit these chapters except for the grammatical errors (and the occasional plot hole); RD is a reflection of how my writing improved the past 9 years.<br />
<br />
I loved writing RD. Even though I suffered from writer's block several times during those 9 years and there were times where I felt I would never reach the end, I'm sort of proud that I managed to pull through and finish it. I'm very happy and satisfied with the ending. Finishing it made me feel accomplished and empty at the same time. I hope you will all enjoy the final chapters as much as I enjoyed writing them.<br />
<br />
Looking back, I think that as a writer, I'm most satisfied with parts 4 and 5. The earlier parts were all very close to how I had imagined this story back when I was 14, with a lot of random encounters and new ponies showing up out of the blue, which originated from me adding more ponies to my gen2 collection all the time. Parts 4 and 5 though were very different from what I had originally envisioned (which was horrible, with soulless warriors coming out of the Tokowa Lands. Ugh.), and as such I really had to sit down and plot out the story. As a result parts 4 and 5 are more structured and the characters really develop on their own throughout their adventures.<br />
<br />
As a person, though, part 3 holds a special place in my heart as Ruki truly is the girl I identified most with at the time. Her journey was severely influenced by things that happened in my own life and all the way up to the end of part 5, I can relate to her emotions. While I love all my characters, Ruki is the one I am sure I will miss the most.<br />
<i><br /></i>
I've posted two short stories on this blog now. Basically that's what I'm doing with my writing time now; write short stories to enter contests so I can get feedback from judges. So far it's been really helpful and I feel like my writing has improved a lot. I'm working on two stories which could grow into full novels, but I can't decide which one I like best yet. I'll keep you all updated, although odds are they'll be in Dutch.<br />
<br />
As for RD, the final chapter will be online on my birthday, August 25th, together with a little present for you all. I'm considering doing a short story in the RD world at some point, probably with completely new characters, but not for a while. It's time for me to move on to explore new worlds and to meet new characters, which I hope you will all love as much as you love RD!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-8907555853304732712013-08-06T11:09:00.000-07:002013-08-06T11:26:57.082-07:00Nonaginta<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a story I entered in a contest late last year, the Trek Sagae. It didn't do very well; mostly the judges thought it was too confusing. I'm planning on rewriting it at some point but I have so many projects now I put that on hold for a bit. For now, here's the original version. Enjoy and do let me know what you think!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This one is in Dutch once more, sorry about that. I'll make a toy related post soon! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="Body1" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 11pt;">Nonaginta</span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Het
is me meteen duidelijk. De stand van zijn ogen, zijn handen begraven in de
muur, de tong uit zijn mond en het rode slijm dat via zijn kin op de grond druppelt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sterrenstof.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ja.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meer
hoeven ze niet te weten. Steve klapt zijn kladblok dicht en begint mensen
orders te geven. Ik zie ze om me heen in actie komen, ik hoor ze praten en ik
hoor de machines binnen rijden. Het is hetzelfde liedje als altijd en ik weet
precies wat mijn taak is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maar
deze keer is het anders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Langzaam
kom ik omhoog, eventjes streel ik het haar van het slachtoffer. Het is zo
zacht, zo'n contrast met de koude huid van zijn wang die ik een fractie van een
seconde aanraak. Lang genoeg om te weten dat het voor hem echt over is. Ik
weiger in zijn lege ogen te kijken, maar ik weet heel goed hoe rood ze zijn en
hoe wijd open ze staan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
hoeveelste is dit deze maand alleen al? De lichtbruine muur trekt mijn
aandacht. Als ik er even overheen veeg komt er wat stof los dat sprankelt in
het gele licht van de knipperende oude lamp aan het plafond. Sterrenstof. De
grootste moordenaar die we kennen, maar ook de redder van velen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
voel Steves bruine ogen op me nog voor hij naar me toe komt. Hij roept nog iets
naar een van de doktoren voor hij naast me staat, zijn handen nu diep in de zakken
van zijn zwarte jas, zijn ongeschoren gezicht dicht bij die van mij. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Tria…
Kan je dit wel? Ik kan iemand anders oproepen voor deze. Je hoeft niet…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Nee.
Natuurlijk kan ik dit. Wie wil je anders op deze zaak zetten dan?” Enigszins
verontwaardigd bind ik mijn haar vast in een staart. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Weet
je het zeker? Het is geen moeite.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ja,
ik weet het zeker! Ik moet gaan. Ik meld me als ik nieuws heb. Succes met het
lichaam.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
negeer de blikken van de mensen met wie ik al zo lang samenwerk. Ik slinger
mijn rugzak over mijn schouder en storm naar buiten, het mistige ochtendlicht
in. Terwijl ik me naar de trein haast zet ik mijn zonnebril op, net als alle
andere mensen hier buiten. Het is een van de kleine ongemakken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sterrenstof.
Het is overal. De hele stad is ervan gemaakt. De huizen, de auto’s, de
treinrails, de gebouwen… Het was allemaal een belofte van eindeloze energie. De
prijs was alleen een zonnebril tegen het licht… Zeiden ze. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hoog
boven me knippert het licht van de bouwvakkers. Weer een nieuwe toren. Ik haast
me langs een grauwe vrachtwagen. Ik weet precies wat erin zit en wat ze ermee
gaan doen. Stiekem verwacht ik dat er iemand achter me aan komt om me tegen te
houden. Dat ze me toch van deze zaak af trekken en me naar de volgende sturen;
lang zal het niet duren. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maar
zelfs als ik het treinstation in ren komt er niemand. Ik beweeg me door de
mensen heen, maar niemand merkt me op. Zonder uitzondering is iedereen verdiept
in zijn eigen wereld; ze praten met onzichtbare mensen of voeren data in op een
holografisch scherm. Sommigen luisteren naar klanken die alleen zij kunnen
horen en als ik het perron op loop bots ik bijna op iemand wiens leven alleen
gezien kan worden door de bril die hij op heeft. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ze
denken allemaal dat ze nu niet meer alleen zijn, dat ze in een betere wereld
leven dan dat ze ooit in het echt kunnen maken. En dat allemaal door
sterrenstof. Verslaafd aan ongelimiteerde energie, maar allemaal levenloos. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
trein die binnen komt zweven is van hetzelfde type als die we altijd namen. Donkerrood
met gouden deuren. Geluidloos komt hij tot stilstand en als een schakel in een
motor lopen de mensen naar buiten en naar binnen. Ik stap als laatste in en ga
automatisch op de eerste stoel naast de deur zitten, mijn rugzak op schoot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Als
mensen niet zo verloren waren in hun zelf gemaakte universum zouden ze het
misschien raar vinden dat ik geen apparaten mee heb. Dat er in mijn rugzak
alleen maar papier zit en een pen komt waarschijnlijk niet eens in ze op. Maar
voor mij geen sterrenstof. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Onwillekeurig
kijk ik naar de lege stoel naast me. Ooit zat hij daar, kon ik in de avond
tegen hem aan liggen als ik moe was en we op weg naar huis waren. We speelden
spelletjes op een van zijn machines en ik verwonderde me over de mooie groene
werelden die hij me er op kon laten zien, zo anders dan de gele grauwe straten
van Nonaginta. Het waren allemaal illusies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
trein is zo stil dat ik het niet eens door heb als hij begint te bewegen. Pas
als de gele gebouwen langs me heen bewegen besef ik dat ik op weg ben. Ik zie
vrijwel geen mensen over de straten lopen. Voertuigen en machines, dat is
alles. De mist is aan het optrekken en ik ben blij dat ik mijn zonnebril op
heb. Als je meer dan een dag onbeschermd rondloopt kun je al gezichtsverlies
lijden. Een klein ongemak als je het vergelijkt met wat het ons brengt, zo
zeggen de reclameborden. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
herken de straten waar ik ooit met hem liep. De drukke straat waar we ooit twee
uur in de file hebben gestaan omdat er een vrachtwagen was omgekanteld. Hoe
hard we lachten, hoe we samen uiteindelijk naar zijn huis liepen omdat we er
niet langs konden. Toen hield hij mijn hand nog vast terwijl ik naar de jurkjes
in de etalages keek, verlicht met duizenden lichtjes terwijl ze ronddraaiden op
de maat van een stuk klassieke muziek dat duizenden jaren geschreven was in een
wereld zonder energie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mijn
mouw begint te trillen en op het ingebouwde display zie ik Steves gezicht
verschijnen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Ja?"
mompel ik. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Tria,
gaat het wel?" Zijn stem trilt een beetje. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Natuurlijk
gaat het! Ik weet eindelijk eens direct waar ik moet beginnen." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Een
moment stilte.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Tria...
We hebben nog een zaak. Een jongetje van tien. Het lichaam is al een tijd... We
denken dat het zijn ziel is die gisteren voor die ontploffing in die auto
zorgde. Het waren zijn oom en tante die daarbij omkwamen. Waarom laat je dit
niet over aan een ander en help je ons op die zaak?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
zucht. "Nee, Steve. Je wéét dat ik dit moet doen. Spreek je later."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nog
zonder op een antwoord te wachten hang ik op. Binnen een paar tellen belt hij
weer, ik negeer hem. Dit is mijn zaak. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
trein maakt een bocht en ik zie het standbeeld. Het is groot, opzichtig, past
helemaal niet in deze stad waarin alles draait om wat niet echt is. De man met
het blok, symbool voor zij die voor het eerst sterrenstof ontdekten op een
planeet hier ver vandaan. Veel te dicht bij een ster om er te kunnen wonen maar
rijk aan het materiaal dat zichzelf door kernfusie energie geeft. Honderden
ruimteschepen varen af en aan naar die planeet tegenwoordig, roven haar helemaal
leeg om er steden van te bouwen, voertuigen, alles wat maar energie nodig
heeft. Het was de oplossing voor alles waar mensen ooit mee zaten. Gebouwen die
zelf energie opwekten, voertuigen die je nooit hoefde op te laden, telefoons
die nooit uit gingen en voor altijd met elkaar verbonden zijn, waar je ook bent
en wat je ook doet. En dat zonder vervuiling! Niemand die toen had bedacht dat
de prijs zo hoog was, en nu interesseert ze dat niet meer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hij
was ooit zo levend. Weekenden de stad uit, weg van alles naar een plek waar je
niet alles door een zonnebril hoefde te bekijken. Een dag lang hebben we samen
in het gras gelegen, ons verwonderd dat er nog plekken bestaan die echt zo
groen zijn. Nu staan daar ook gele gebouwen, natuurlijk, een groot kantorencomplex
waar mensen in een veel te stille trein heen gaan. We hebben samen avonden
gelachen met een goed glas wijn van een verre planeet, en ik was zo trots toen
hij ook bij de academie was aangenomen. Hoe snel hij leerde, hoe blij ik was
toen hij in mijn team kwam…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steve
was degene die hem aannam en die hem ook ontsloeg. We werkten samen aan het
identificeren van lichamen, aan het vaststellen waar ze aan overleden waren,
maar terwijl ik me samen met Steve opwerkte naar speurder bleef hij achter. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
trein rijdt het station binnen en ik sta op. De geluiden van mijn schoenen op
de gele vloer galmen door de trein en ik voel me bijna schuldig, maar niemand
schijnt het te merken. Samen met nog wat mensen stap ik uit, het grijze donkere
station binnen. Donker, grijs; dit is een van de oudste stations en hier is nog
niet veel sterrenstof gebruikt. Weinig energie, weinig licht. Niet dat het
iemand uit maakt; ze zien het niet eens. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik haast me het station
uit. Ik liep hier ooit ook, glimlachend en vrolijk. Ik huppelde iedereen
voorbij, danste om iedereen heen omdat ik wist dat hij op me wachtte. Ik
slinger mijn rugzak op mijn rug terwijl ik langs een kapotte vuilnisbak loop.
Ik ken de weg nog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Het oude deel van de stad
is minder geel, maar net als iedereen houd ik mijn bril op. Links, rechts,
rechtdoor, weer rechts... Het voelt alsof ik er gister nog liep, maar in
werkelijkheid is het al twee jaar geleden. Er is niets veranderd; dezelfde
winkels, dezelfde restaurants, dezelfde grijze straten en dezelfde verloren mensen.
Het is stil op straat; het weinige verkeer dat langs me raast is zo stil als de
trein. Mensen lopen hier niet, dus ik zie niemand behalve de donkere
silhouetten achter de autoramen als ze langs me heen razen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
sta even stil als ik voor het restaurant sta. De tafels staan nog op dezelfde
plek, maar de kaarsen van sterrenstof zijn uit. Het is donker; er is niemand.
We zaten hier, in de hoek aan het raam, met het rode tafelkleed en het gele
lichtje tussen ons in. Ik keek naar hem, hij niet naar mij. Verdiept in een
wereld gemaakt door enen en nullen, verborgen voor mij. Ik probeerde het hem
die avond te vertellen, duidelijk te maken dat hij op deze manier alles zou
verliezen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
loop door, ga de steeg in. De deur van het trappenhuis zie ik al aan de andere
kant. Iemand heeft hem rood geverfd, iemand samen met mij in een verleden dat
al lang geleden ophield te bestaan. Maar om de een of andere reden is de deur
nog steeds rood en precies zoals ik dacht is het slot ook nog steeds stuk. Ik
rommel een beetje en de deur springt open.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Er
is geen licht in de gang. Het verbaast me; ook in dit gebouw loopt alles op
sterrenstof. Het gebeurt niet vaak dat er dingen niet meer werken. Zou iemand
het uit gedaan hebben? Ik tast me een weg naar boven langs de ruwe stenen. De
derde verdieping, eerste deur aan de rechterkant. Er valt wat zwak licht naar
binnen door het kleine raam. Ik heb helemaal niet bedacht hoe ik het
appartement binnen kan komen, ik heb de sleutel al jaren niet meer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maar
de deur is open. Alle deuren zijn open. Er woont hier niemand meer, besef ik.
Alle buren die ik ooit zo goed kende, alle gezelligheid en alle praatjes op de
gang zijn allemaal verdwenen. De deur kraakt als ik hem openduw en ik stap het
appartement binnen. De dikke gordijnen zijn gesloten en er stroomt alleen een
gouden streepje licht binnen via een kiertje. Ik zet mijn zonnebril af terwijl
ik de keuken in loop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
keuken waar we ooit dansten terwijl we eten klaarmaakte. Waar we ruzie hadden
en waar hij zich terug trok met zijn Virtual Reality bril. Waar ik hem vond die
avond, compleet onbereikbaar en verdwaald in een niet bestaande realiteit wat
hem uiteindelijk alles kostte. Waar we ruzie hadden en waar ik besloot weg te
gaan. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
val op mijn knieën en het stof springt omhoog. De vloer is nog zoals wij hem
achter hadden gelaten; zelfs de gaten zitten er nog in. Littekens van een tijd
die nooit heeft bestaan. “Novem...” fluister ik, en ik hoor hem al bewegen.
Zijn voetstappen als hij me thee kwam brengen, zijn lach als hij iets zag
waarin ik niet kon delen. Zachtjes open ik mijn tas en haal de stolp er uit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Er
mag dan hier niet veel sterrenstof gebruikt zijn, het is genoeg voor hem om
zich in te bewegen. Het zit in de draden, in de muren, het zweeft in kleine
deeltjes door de lucht. De avond dat ik wist dat hij zichzelf helemaal verloren
had in een andere wereld heb ik de deur achter me dicht getrokken en ik ben
hier nooit meer terug geweest. Via via hoorde ik dat hij ook vertrokken was,
naar de kamer waar hij deze ochtend gevonden werd. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maar
dit is waar ik hem opnieuw ontmoet. Het is een kleine beweging, een ongewone
bries, een schittering zonder dat er licht is, en ik weet dat ik gelijk had.
Het moet zo pijnlijk zijn geweest toen zijn ziel door het sterrenstof uit zijn
lichaam werd gezogen. Ik heb het een keer zien gebeuren. Het meisje was nog
geen vijf jaar oud, kon niet meer schreeuwen van de pijn, bloed stroomde uit
haar mond terwijl ze langzaam zichzelf verloor tot alleen haar levenloze
lichaam overbleef. En dat is hoe hij…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Op
mijn tenen loop ik de kamer binnen, kijk ik naar de plek waar ooit onze bank
stond, waar we avonden tegen elkaar aan lagen en praatten over alles wat wel
echt was en waar sterrenstof nog iets moois was. Een tijd van dromen over een
groene toekomst, een tijd van een leven waarin een schittering nog iets was om
van te genieten. Het is nu niks meer dan een begraafplaats voor een leven dat
ik al lang achter me gelaten heb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
sta naast hem als ik de bodem van de stolp los schroef. Mijn handen voelen leeg
als ik denk aan de keer dat hij me vasthield toen ik moest huilen van geluk.
Maar nu is hij een onzichtbare energie, in stand gehouden door de reactie in
het stof die nooit op zal houden. Eeuwig leven als een verloren ziel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Was
dit waar je voor het laatst wat voelde?" fluister ik als ik de stolp tegen
de muur aan zet. "Was het samen met mij of toen je door had dat ik weg
was? Heb je je dat ooit wel eens beseft, Novem?!" De trilling van mijn
stem doet hem even bewegen en in een flits beweeg ik de stolp naar hem toe en
druk de knop in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Als
in een vacuüm wordt hij erin gezogen. Het stof draait rond in de stolp, een
zacht gezoem en een piep als het rode licht brandt. Ik schroef de deksel er
weer op en in minder dan een minuut is het voorbij. Er beweegt nog wat stof in
de stolp, een laatste stuiptrekking. Meer kan ik er niet aan zien, maar ik weet
dat hij erin zit. “Novem.” zeg ik terwijl ik zijn gezicht voor de laatste keer
voor me zie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Je
bent veilig bij me."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Een
uitgewist verleden. Nu is er niks meer van hem over. Ik weet dat ik Steve moet
bellen, dat ik hier weer moet vertrekken, dat ik hem moet afstaan en voorgoed
de deur dicht moet doen. Maar even, nog heel even, laat ik me terugvoeren naar
een avond dat zijn vingers de wereld waren en zijn geur de ruimte.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Een
stem ver weg roept mijn naam. Novem? Ik hou de stolp steviger vast, hoop zijn
stem te horen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Tria."
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Een
hand op mijn schouder. Ik dwing mezelf naar boven te kijken en staar in die
bekende bruine ogen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Je
bent niet de enige die wist waar je hem kon vinden." Steve glimlacht
terwijl hij even door mijn haar strijkt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zijn
blik glijdt naar het object in mijn armen en ik druk de stolp wat dichter tegen
me aan. Ik heb de machinekamer gezien, waarin zielen omgevormd worden tot
energie wat het stof verder opvoert, zodat het niet alleen oneindig energie
geeft maar ook krachtiger is dan het normale stof. Dit speciale stof, waar
niemand van weet en wat niet lijkt te bestaan... Het heeft maar een doel; het
in stand houden van de netwerken waar steeds meer mensen zich in verliezen.
Novems ziel zal uit elkaar worden getrokken, verscheurd totdat hij nooit meer
zal rusten.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Nee."
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Tria...
Je kent de regels. Een verloren ziel is een gevaar en ze zijn n..."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Nee!
Niet hem! Niet Novem! We hadden zo veel en ik ben hem al kwijt en..."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Tria!"
Steve's stem trilt, ik zie hem beven als hij zijn hand naar me uitsteekt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Ik
hield van hem!" Een stap terug, mijn rug tegen de muur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Verlies
je emoties niet aan het stof, Tria! Je weet wat er dan gebeurt. Blijf hier.
Blijf bij mij."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is
dit hoe het voelt? Mijn borst doet zeer. Ik probeer te ademen, maar ik proef
alleen maar bloed. Ik probeer Steve aan te kijken maar ik zie alleen een vlek
die dichterbij komt. Een tinteling op mijn arm en mijn rug wordt van de muur
afgetrokken. Ik hoor een schreeuw, de tinteling wordt een omhelzing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ik
hoor een geluid en de stolp ligt op de grond. Lucht stroomt mijn longen in en
ik begin te hoesten. Mijn handen voor mijn mond worden rood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steve's
stem klinkt ver weg. "We kunnen jou niet ook kwijt raken, Tria..."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uiteindelijk
zullen we allemaal zielloos zijn.</span></span><span lang="nl" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-52776592742840071002013-02-06T11:29:00.003-08:002013-02-06T11:29:56.432-08:00Thoughts on a train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8439667345_040aeec123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8439667345_040aeec123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You know, this blog post has very little to do with toys or collecting, so for a while I figured it didn't have a place on this blog at all. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt like it belonged here after all, especially because I would like to write about inspiration more. </div>
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Lately, as I moved to another city, I've had to travel a lot to and from work, 2 hours each day. Now don't get me wrong, I love traveling. I love the moment between work and my own time to relax and to shift my mind from relaxing to working, and I love to take the time to read or listen to music while watching the landscape pass by slowly. But the truth is, traveling always has meant just a little bit more than that to me. </div>
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<div>
Ever since I was a kid, I've felt like trains and ships and boats had some kind of soul of their own. I mean, I know
they're not alive or anything, they're lifeless things we made for our own use to make our lives easier and more comfortable. But even
so, I'm the kind of person who says thank you to a train when I arrive at
my destination and who feels bad when our car is dirty. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWdYiOerMSMeRXSLvfjKQEznPWhprQ-q2ajEnJPnuq4WqcgK-JGvPgsh9YkKpo9OylTzV3K-22hgNA5TDpP9waknDg9lVpZibYr3_HcLZf6xkvGK4EUCqstLeUFzNMyJpbP5xffTemE/s1600/DSC_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWdYiOerMSMeRXSLvfjKQEznPWhprQ-q2ajEnJPnuq4WqcgK-JGvPgsh9YkKpo9OylTzV3K-22hgNA5TDpP9waknDg9lVpZibYr3_HcLZf6xkvGK4EUCqstLeUFzNMyJpbP5xffTemE/s320/DSC_1283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Today
I watched literally hundreds of people trying to get into a train, all trying to get in so they'd get home in time for dinner, or to watch their favorite tv-show or maybe to go out on a date. And that's when it hit me. Sure, trains aren't
alive. But they were made by people who put a little bit of themselves
in them- their creativity, their skills, their knowledge or simply a bit of their time. Everyone who worked on these vehicles put a little bit of their own being in these trains to create something that will transport people safely.</div>
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And now they're being operated
by people, used by people every day, people who make a little memory while
using them every single time. Maybe they were on that train on their trip to a movie with their crush, or
maybe on their way to a holiday to get away from it all. Or maybe all they remember is those
endless commutes to and from work. No matter what memory, big or small, they're being made on these trains.</div>
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I've often read things that say journeys change you, that say that traveling makes you discover yourself and your companions. But we often take those inanimate objects that make traveling so easy for us for granted; we assume that they're there on time and that they do their job, and we get annoyed or angry when they are not. To me, though, they represent the memories that so many people have made. When I see a train, I can't help but wonder who's on it, where they are going, and I love to fantasize about these things. Those simple lifeless things represent inspiration, memories and the lives of people. </div>
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And that's how it is with all things that we make, maybe. We make them, we use them, we throw them away when we're done using them. But maybe it's the things you use most, those things you take for granted, that mean so much without us even noticing them. Trains and other vehicles have allowed us to move forward in so many ways, and there's nothing wrong with appreciating that every once in a while. </div>
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<div>
I noticed that in a lot of my stories, people (or ponies) are traveling, going from one place to the next. This isn't a coincidence; I often come up with my stories while being on a journey myself, and some of that is bound to slip into my stories. Maybe next time, I'll write a story where the vehicle plays a bigger role.</div>
Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-86302132251759130592012-11-20T11:25:00.001-08:002012-11-20T12:05:14.967-08:00The collecting dynamics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7536411390_2326f0f369_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7536411390_2326f0f369_z.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Growing up, I always thought my collections would last forever. I'd get more and more things over the years and somehow I had the idea that one day it would be complete and I'd have everything there was to collect on a certain subject (My Little Pony, DVD's, anime and manga) and I'd be happy having it all. Of course, that's not how it ended up working.<br />
<br />
As I started collecting things through the internet, the most fun part of collecting was not actually getting new things (while that was fun, too); it was the interaction with other collectors, the trading and making new friends, that made it so addicting. And as much as I enjoyed buying new things, at some point I had so much I began to lose track of what I had and everything went from a fun collection to a cluttered house.<br />
So instead of only buying and trading, I began to sell parts of my collection.<br />
<br />
And I loved it. It was awesome to go through my things and select only those that I really wanted to keep and ship off other things to other people, making back some money in the process. I loved seeing my trader feedback grow and I loved using the money I had made selling things to buy new things I enjoyed more.<br />
<br />
But lately I haven't been buying much at all; I'm only selling and the size of my collections is shrinking rapidly, and I'm even selling off some things completely. I'm currently in the process of selling my Monster High dolls (all of them) and I'm planning to sell at least 200 ponies because the truth is, I enjoy my stuff more when I only have those things that I really, really want. I used to keep adding things to my collections just for the sake of making them complete, but that just lessened the amount of joy I got from them because they consisted of things I didn't really want.<br />
<br />
This doesn't mean I will stop collecting or that I don't enjoy toys or other collections anymore - I most certainly do. I just don't want them to be in every single part of my house and there's so many other things I want to do more lately (writing courses for example). But I am still very much enjoying collecting. Selling, too, is part of the whole collecting experience for me and I love to interact with other collectors on forums and in real life. Besides, I feel like my collections grow stale if I don't go through them every once in a while to make sure I still really want all of it.<br />
<br />
And the truth is, I feel like I enjoy everything so much more now - appreciating other people's collections, the few things that I still do buy, the news about upcoming new products; I no longer feel obligated to get it all and I can just be very picky about the things that I add. And it's great to let things go once in a while. Sometimes you just get bored with a toy line or it doesn't evolve in the direction you like and it feels refreshing to say "okay, I'm letting this go and I'll focus on something else", which is how I feel about Monster High now. And sometimes I just feel like selling stuff just so I get to meet new fellow collectors!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-83624341507474255252012-11-07T09:18:00.001-08:002012-11-07T10:14:08.591-08:00BothThis year I entered a writing contest for the first time, the Fantasy Strijd Brugge! I was pretty nervous as I discovered the contest close to the deadline so I didn't have much time to come up with a story, and I haven't written in Dutch for -years-, something I was eager to pick up but which I didn't have much experience with.<br />
<br />
I ended up 65th out of 213 entries, something I was really satisfied with as I wasn't that confident in my story!! The jury report was pretty positive all in all, too, and their remarks I all agree with, so I'm pretty satisfied for now! I'm really hoping to improve!<br />
<br />
Anyway, here is the complete story I entered. As it was a Dutch contest it's in Dutch (obviously), but I might translate it into English one day =)<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beiden</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Sylus...” <br />
“Het boek zegt dat we naar links moeten.” <br />
Ik wil je zeggen dat er daar niets is, alleen maar bomen en struiken, maar als
het boek je zegt dat we naar links moeten dan heeft het toch geen zin. Waarom
zou je naar mij luisteren als het boek, dat we al wekenlang volgen, je zegt dat
we hier naar links moeten? Dus ik zucht en volg je van het pad af, dieper het
bos in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
De lucht heeft een zieke
kleur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alsof er iemand daarboven melk
heeft gemengd met bloed en het tussen de lichtgrijze wolken heeft uitgesmeerd.
Zou het boek daar ook wat over zeggen? Je kijkt zo geconcentreerd naar de weg
dat ik het je niet durf te vragen. Je houdt het boek open en ik zie de tekens
langzaam veranderen met elke beslissing die je neemt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Het boek is gebonden aan je, dat
weet ik ook wel. Je hebt de prijs er voor betaald. Ik hoor je nog schreeuwen,
daar in die donkere kamer in de kelder van de universiteit. Het bloed liep over
de vloer terwijl de ketting van tekens in je armen sneed. Ik wilde je helpen
maar je schreeuwde dat ik weg moest blijven. Ik wilde je helpen... en toen was
het al voorbij. Bloedend lag je daar, maar je lachte, je lachte terwijl je je
boek vasthield. Sinds die dag heb je het niet los gelaten. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Gisteren zagen we nog een boerderij
in de verte, maar zo diep in het bos leeft niemand. Af en toe kijk je naar het
boek. Ik wil je zo veel zeggen. Dat we naar huis moeten gaan, dat we genoeg
gereist hebben, dat je het boek niet nodig hebt. Maar ik heb dat allemaal al zo
vaak gezegd, en ik zou niet weten waarom je deze keer wel naar me zou
luisteren.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Met het boek op je hand leid je me
diep het bos in. Ik twijfel er niet aan dat je precies weet waar we heen gaan,
ook al zijn we hier nog nooit geweest. “Het boek zegt... Hier.” Nog twee
stappen en ik zie de verlaten silo tussen de bomen. Het dak is ingestort en er
groeit een jonge boom naar buiten. De muren staan scheef en zodra we dichterbij
komen zie ik dat er geen deur meer is. Waarom staat er hier, midden in het bos,
een oude silo? Ik zie geen teken van een verlaten boerderij of iets dergelijks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Is het hier?” “Ja.” Geen uitleg.
Het boek weet alles. Maar ik kan het me nog maar moeilijk voorstellen. Op deze
verlaten plek, nadat we zo veel hebben doorstaan, hebben meegemaakt, is het
hier? Het object dat we nodig hebben om weer terug te kunnen, om het boek te
sluiten zodat het je eindelijk de waarheid kan vertellen waar je al zo lang
naar verlangt. Hier?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Zodra we voor de silo staan slaat
het boek zichzelf dicht. Ik hou mijn adem in, kan me niet eens herinneren
wanneer het boek voor het laatst dicht ging. Zelfs als je slaapt is het open.
Ik heb de tekens gezien die veranderen terwijl je droomt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Natuurlijk laat je het boek niet
los, maar ik zie je twijfel als je naar binnen stapt. Ik zie alleen je
donkergroene cape en je halflange zwarte haar terwijl je langzaam naar voren
loopt. Als de veer hier is... Dan is het allemaal voorbij. Over. Dan kunnen we
terug. Hoeven we niet meer te vechten tegen de woorden in je hoofd... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Zodra ik je naar binnen volg zie ik
het. Ik snap niet waarom jij het niet ziet. Het licht... Rood licht, uit het
boek. De band bedekt het, maar de pagina’s lichten rood op ook al is het
gesloten. Je had dus toch gelijk. Hier is het. Wederom herinner ik me de kelder
onder de universiteit. Het bloed, het rode licht... Het kan niet anders dan dat
het hier is. Het boek klampte zich vast aan jou en nu staan we hier op deze
verlaten plek.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Het boek...,” fluister ik als ik
zie dat je blijft rondkijken. “Ik weet het. Maar het is...” Een oorverdovende
kreet en ik ren naar je toe. Ik zie je vechten om het boek dicht te houden,
maar het is sterker dan jij bent en vliegt open. Een moment zie ik niks behalve
het rode licht dat me vanaf de pagina’s toesnelt. De tekens bewegen sneller dan
ik ooit heb gezien, en ze zijn niet meer zwart, maar rood alsof ze met bloed in
plaats van inkt zijn geschreven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Het boek ligt nog steeds op je hand
als je door je knieen zakt en het nogmaals uitschreeuwt. Bloed druppelt uit je
neus. Ik probeer je vast te houden, maar net als toen duw je me weg.<br />
“Raak me niet aan!” <br />
“Laat het los! Laat het boek los!” <br />
“Denk je dat dat nog kan?!” schreeuw je terwijl je wild met je arm begint te
zwaaien. Nee, je laat het boek niet los. Het boek laat jou niet los. Diep van
binnen wist ik het wel, maar op dat moment dringt het pas tot me door dat
jullie één zijn. Er is geen jij en er is geen boek; er is alleen een eenheid
waarvan ik besef dat ik het niet echt ken.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Het moet hier zijn!” De veer. Het is het
enige wat we nog nodig hebben. De inkt... jouw bloed, en het boek. De veer
waarmee het boek ooit geschreven is, het enige object waarmee je controle kan
krijgen over wat het boek je vertelt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Het moet hier toch ergens zijn!”
Terwijl het boek druk heen en weer bladert zie ik je zoeken. Onvrijwillig zoek
ik met je mee. De veer... Je zei dat het boek vertelde dat het hier was. Maar
er is niks in deze vervallen plek behalve de jonge boom in het midden. Alleen
aarde en onkruid. Het boek bladert sneller en sneller en als ik je hoor
schreeuwen neem ik onvrijwillig een stap naar achteren. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We
hebben de veer nodig. </i>Je wilde die dag niet meer wachten. Niemand wist waar
de veer was, maar jij wilde niet meer wachten en zoeken. Je moest het weten,
wat er die dag gebeurd was toen je van huis vertrok en terugkwam bij niets meer
dan een hoop as. Je eigen zus met de noorderzon vertrokken, je hele dorp in
puin. Waarom?! Met je eigen bloed als inkt bond je het boek aan je met een gewone
veer. Hoopte, dacht dat je sterk genoeg was. Maar het Boek der Waarheid zegt je
niks zolang je het niet kan dwingen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Het is te laat. Je ligt op de
grond, het boek <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>nog steeds in je handen.
“Sylus!” Je naam heeft geen betekenis meer nu je er niet meer op reageert. De
tekens sijpelen langzaam uit het boek, langs je armen onder je kleren over je
hele lichaam. “De veer...” fluister ik terwijl het tot me door dringt dat het
hier niet is. Het boek heeft ons niet naar de veer gebracht. Natuurlijk niet.
Waarom zou het boek ons naar het enige object brengen waarmee we het onder
controle kunnen krijgen? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Ik neem een stap naar achter als je
bloedrode ogen openspringen. “Sylus...” Je bent er niet meer. Dit zijn niet
jouw ogen. Ik weet niet wie het wel is. Het boek? Ik volg je al sinds je me
meenam uit het verlaten huis. Ik volgde je, en beetje bij beetje begon ik je te
snappen. De wanhoop die je dreef, de uitzichten waar je zo van genoot, de
toekomst die je voor je zag.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Maar het boek heb ik nooit begrepen,
hoe vaak je het er ook over had. Je wilde het hebben, je wilde het per se aan
je binden omdat het het enige ter wereld was wat je de waarheid kon laten zien.
De waarheid die je nodig had om te overleven. En nu kronkel je op de grond,
schreeuwend, kruipend...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Ik heb je ooit een belofte gedaan
waar jij niks van wist. Terwijl je lichaam rood kleurt van de tekens neem ik
langzaam een stap naar voren. Je schreeuwt iets, maar ik versta het niet. Ik
weet niet eens of het wel woorden zijn. Je waarschuwt me dat ik weg moet
blijven, misschien. Alsof dat nu nog een mogelijkheid is. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Sylus...” Waarom je me meenam heb
ik nooit begrepen. Misschien omdat je wel wist hoeveel ik om je gaf, wat ik
voor je zou doen. Misschien omdat je begreep dat ik het alleen niet zou redden.
Ik kruip naar je toe, hopend dat je me herkent, hopend op een teken... De aarde
zit om je heen, je kleren zitten onder... De boom achter je heeft al zijn
bladeren verloren. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
“Ik beloofde je...” fluister ik
terwijl ik naast je kniel, “dat je bij het einde niet alleen zou zijn.” Ik leg
mijn hand op het boek en het valt uiteen in duizenden asdeeltjes. Het heeft geen
papier meer nodig. </div>
Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-7320161220248737912012-06-04T05:47:00.002-07:002012-06-04T05:47:36.934-07:00Bronies and FangirlsOkay so first of all I have to say this out loud somewhere: I absolutely -love- the Avengers! I've seen it in cinema 4 times now and I kind of want to go for another round (I love the number 5) (it's like a rollercoaster ride, that movie).I'm usually not the superhero kind of person, I prefer characters with a bit more background and depth, but the Marvel cinematic universe has really succeeded in giving these heroes a believable and layered personality while still having them being fun superheroes you can root for, and all of this comes together in the Avengers. Great job, Joss Whedon and Marvel studios!<br />
<br />
Recently I've been having fun<a href="http://aienhime.tumblr.com/"> over at Tumblr</a> (shameless self-advertising). I'm still figuring that stuff out but it's such a fun way to share things you like with people who like similar things (and to discover new things in the process). Through Tumblr I've kind of fallen down the avengers-fandom-rabbit hole. And oddly enough, this fandom consists of mostly women (on there, at least), who have a whole different reason for liking Avengers. <br />
<br />
It's not really about these heroes (and villains, let's not forget fan-favourite Loki) being heroes and fighting bad guys and being cool. It's not even about saving the day. Fans have turned these characters into <a href="http://you-got-loki-d.tumblr.com/">almost romantic versions of themselves</a> who sacrifice their own wants and needs for the good of others and who have a romantic interest in each other or other people. And, of course, about how horribly attractive these people are (both the characters and the actors). Can't argue with that one.<br />
<br />
This entire thing has reminded me of bronies and their struggle to have people accept that they like a show not intended for them. Now I have absolutely no idea what older Marvel fans think of all these girls swooping in and romanticizing their superheroes, but I do see some similarities; an audience not meant as the target audience comes and makes a product their own through fan-made products (pictures, stories etc.).While the subject is different and the groups of fans are different I think there's a similar trend going on.<br />
<br />
I love it. I love seeing franchises being able to break down gender-stereotypes and being able to appeal to both boys and girls, men and women. Of course everyone enjoys a fandom in their own way or with people who enjoy it in a similar way, and I think it's awesome that people come out and say "Hey, I like this show in a certain way" and find other people with the same ideas. I think it's one of the great things the internet has brought us, the ability to find things you like and find other people who like the same things in a way that's easier than in real life. It doesn't and shouldn't replace any offline interests and friendships, but it's a nice addition.Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-81946148693772100462012-05-07T04:11:00.003-07:002012-05-07T04:24:37.312-07:00The card game contradiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6789005393_73c3be27ea_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6789005393_73c3be27ea_z.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
This weekend I attended a Legend of the Five Rings Kotei, organized by my boyfriend and his friends. Legend of the Five Rings is a story-driven trading card game with an Asian theme and a kotei is an official tournament where the winner gets to influence the storyline behind the game in some way. I made myself useful in the months leading up to the event by taking charge of the Facebook and Twitter profiles of the tournament, but to be honest I didn't play the game. No matter how awesome I think collectible card games like Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and Legend of the Five Rings are, I can never get myself to actually playing them beyond a casual game once a year (which I always lose, of course). <br />
<br />
The lore behind these games, especially Legend of the Five Rings, is amazing and constructed really well. In Legend of the Five Rings there are 9 clans in the Empire and each player aligns himself with one of these (you can switch of course but your deck of cards usually works with one clan). Every clan has its special traits and characteristics and there's a lot of dynamics going on. With players being able to influence the storyline somewhat it keeps things fresh and there's really something you achieve when you win a tournament beyond just winning a prize. There's loads of little stories about characters you can play which can be read on the <a href="http://www.l5r.com/">official site </a>and there's also a really amazing roleplaying game which allows you to further explore the lore of this game, which I've played with friends a couple of times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4051/4561705836_2d2cc32d82_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4051/4561705836_2d2cc32d82_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But the card game itself... doesn't work for me, which I am pretty sad about because every time I see my boyfriend and his friends play they just have so much fun! The truth is that L5R is a rather complicated game with so many different ways to play (there's 2 decks you play with and 4 ways to win a match, to start with), but that's not the real problem for me as I can't get myself to play easier games either. The fun of any card game lies in the time you invest in it; if you play a lot, you'll get better, and by learning the game you understand not only your own but your opponents cards better, how they work together and how they interact. I think for a lot of players one of the fun aspects of card
games is discovering the strengths and weaknesses of their cards and
utilizing those, which I think is awesome, but it's just not for me. I just can't get myself to invest this time in it, because I rather spent my time on my other hobbies such as writing or photography. But if I can't have an equal match with my opponents I don't really enjoy playing, so I end up not playing much at all because everyone is a lot better than me (really, I have no insight in this stuff whatsoever). <br />
<br />
That being said, I love Legend of the Five Rings for so many other reasons. I love the story as I mentioned and the roleplaying game is a lot of fun, and it always makes me so happy when I see people I care about enjoy playing. But also, maybe most of all, I love the players. Every time I tag along to a kotei I'm amazed how friendly everyone is and how comfortable I feel. A lot of players are pretty loyal to the game and I've seen them at tournaments for over five years now! I'm not a big fan of big groups and events in general, but the kotei is always an exception to that. I think it's kind of fun how I can enjoy this game without actually playing it!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-42808482921165183152012-03-12T13:08:00.002-07:002012-03-12T13:08:49.007-07:00The living picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6830347888_62fac3f27d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6830347888_62fac3f27d_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The other day I was in the park, enjoying the nice weather of early spring and taking doll pictures. A little girl of about 10 years old came up to me and asked me what I was doing. When I explained that I was taking pictures of Japanese collectible dolls she looked at me like I was crazy and asked "What the hell I did that for". I kind of laughed it off and just said I liked doing it, but when I got home and was editing the pictures I started wondering what I was doing it for, apart from the general 'I like it and it's my hobby'.<br />
<br />
The truth is that photography became my hobby only after I started collecting dolls. Not that I didn't like taking pictures before but I never really cared much about settings or camera's or composition until after I got into doll collecting. I saw all these wonderful pictures of pullips online and I wanted to show off my dolls too, because they're simply gorgeous and I wanted to share them with everyone else! However, as with many other new collectors, I found my own pictures lacking. They just weren't good enough, and not just because I was using an old camera or because I didn't know how to use light properly (still figuring that out now, btw).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The truth was, my dolls looked like dolls. I realized this when I was re-reading my old picfic the magic chronicles. Their poses were unnatural because I was forcing them into positions their plastic bodies simply couldn't make. I was posing my dolls in ways that were impossible for them to do naturally, so they looked fake, like dolls. Which is not what you want to achieve when you want a picture that's colourful and alive. <br />
<br />
So I started doing things differently. Instead of forcing my dolls to stand in the way I wanted them to, I decided to go by what they can do naturally. How far can you push a doll and still make it look natural, alive instead of like a puppet? Of course, this depends on body type. What some bodies can pull off easily, others can't do at all. I'm really beginning to understand why people obitsu their dolls because it just makes them so much more poseable, but it's a fun challenge to see how you can make the stock bodies look natural as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6830351730_72f051e79f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6830351730_72f051e79f_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And this is exactly why I like photographing dolls. It's a challenge to make such an unnatural plastic object blend in the environment and make it look like it's there out of it's own free will, like it's alive, like it has a story and a reason to be where it is. It's a creative process that goes beyond the picture; it's creating a story, creating a scene that looks natural, taking your limitations into consideration.<br />
<br />
I'm not there yet, not by far. There's so much more I have to learn, both technical and inspirational. But I love learning and criticizing my own work. And through this, my love for photography is expanding beyond photographing dolls into other fields like animals and nature. I also really want to try taking pictures of other toys in different environments, out of the lightbox. It's an amazing learning curve and I'm happy with the progress I've made so far! It's fun to enjoy my collection like this, outside of just having them on display and generally looking pretty.<br />
<br />Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-80284185411026313452012-02-28T02:03:00.005-08:002012-02-28T02:12:05.309-08:00The brony issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6916463763_e43b3cacd3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6916463763_e43b3cacd3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So I recently joined a Dutch brony forum after some Dutch bronies were featured on a tv show. I don't really consider myself a brony - I absolutely love FiM and the gen4 toy line, but I would have loved it without the wholy brony hype anyway. I've been a MLP collector for 20 years, and I don't suddenly label myself differently just because My Little Pony is the hot thing right now. However, I think it's absolutely amazing that my little pony has gathered so many new fans in such a short time - and from a completely different audience no less! It's great to be able to say I love my little pony without being considered completely insane right away, and my non-collecting friends also like the series, so that's absolutely fun!<br />
However, this new fanbase seems to exist almost separately from the more traditional my little pony fans. They have their own sites, their own fora. Now this isn't all that weird considering that the bronies are completely different people than the original collectors (young men vs. women in their early 30's, generally speaking) and because they are interested in different parts of the MLP universe. Bronies focus almost solely on the TV show, while collectors seem to be more into the collectibles and consider the show only a part of the gen4 franchise and gen4 only a part of a larger MLP legacy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6829379641_9989a8c24b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6829379641_9989a8c24b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>None of this is weird. Or eye-opening. And there's nothing wrong with it. What does amaze me, however, is the animosity I feel between bronies and collectors sometimes. Bronies bash the older gens (just look up some clips of the older tv show on youtube) and collectors feel like bronies are taking over their hobby.<br />
To illustrate, let's look at the recent New York toy fair.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulnomad/6859939895/in/set-72157629279014291"> A group of toys based on characters from the tv show were announced</a>, together with a castle playset with the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulnomad/6859941917/in/set-72157629279014291">first boy</a> MLP in over 10 years. These ponies were quickly dubbed the brony-set because it is widely believed that Hasbro created these ponies to cater to the brony fanbase. This in turn upset some collectors who felt that Hasbro was only listening to bronies now.<br />
In my opinion, the problem isn't that there will soon be a "brony set". In fact, I think it's great that Hasbro is considering other demographics than just their target audience of little girls - and to be honest, I can see this set being very popular with girls as well! I don't believe for one moment that girls only want pink and princesses. The problem, however, is that bronies aren't the first who ever asked for less pink, more variety and boy ponies. Collectors have been asking for this for over a decade (ever since the gen3 launch) and Hasbro didn't listen even once. In fact, they did the exact opposite thing from what was asked; they released the core 7 which meant more pink and less variety.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6935479177_f6c382a249.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6935479177_f6c382a249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So, of course collectors are annoyed. I know I am. Not because of the bronies; I think they're great. But because Hasbro never once listened to people who have been a fan of this line for over 20 years, who have young daughters themselves, who buy their products and have done so for a very long time, who have seen this line change and evolve all the time and who know what works and what doesn't, and yet a new but vocal group comes along and they have more success than the collectors in only a year.<br />
Judging by the response online to this new set, it's bound to be a success. So why did Hasbro wait this long to release a set like this? Why do they seem to listen to bronies more than they did to collectors? Is it because bronies are simply a lot more vocal than collectors are? After all, collectors generally keep to their own fora and websites, while bronies seem to spam My Little Pony <a href="http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1073133-My-Little-Pony-Friendship-is-Magic-%28Part-5-Trixie-For-President%21%29/page3126">all over</a> <a href="http://bronies.memebase.com/">the internet</a>. Maybe collectors have been too timid and polite all this time, and Hasbro never considered them a group large enough to make profit of to warrant a large release like the brony-set.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6917052227_382e333da3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6917052227_382e333da3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Or is it a gender thing, like some female collectors seem to fear? I have heard the argument that bronies are trying to make MLP less girly because they don't want to be seen as girly men who like pink toys, and are upset that bronies can't accept that MLP is a strong female brand. Personally, I think this isn't true for most bronies; they like FiM for what it is right now, a girl show with a lot of universal appeal. I think it's also a bit silly considering collectors have been asking for less-girly toys for ages as well. Why would it be okay for women to ask for less pink but not for men? My Little Pony is a brand for girls and will always be. That's not going to change because of some hype, and if it did I am pretty sure the hype will die out soon enough. It's a show and a toy line for girls that appeals to both genders at the moment; this is great! When a show for boys appeals to both genders, you don't hear any complaints about there being some more girly aspects, so I don't see why it should be a problem the other way around. <br />
Or maybe Hasbro just needed proof that there was a different demographic for their line and simply couldn't believe that My Little Pony could have such a universal appeal until they saw it happen. Whatever the case, it's bound to be an exiting year with these upcoming MLP toys. I just really hope that Hasbro will also reconsider some other ideas collectors have had for a while; for example, release collector edition sets, make the fair pony a gen1 pony, more variety in the line with for example sea ponies or maybe a gen4 release of other gen1 ponies like Applejack? I'm exited to see what Hasbro comes up with and I think it's amazing that they seem to hear the voice of fans more nowadays!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-9037471273324330192012-01-17T06:31:00.000-08:002012-01-17T06:31:59.909-08:00Sylvanian Families<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6405110655_3c9f7ce46a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6405110655_3c9f7ce46a_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I think everyone agrees that the last thing I need is something else to collect, what with my Ponies and Pullips and Monster High and all. Unfortunately late last year my boyfriend decided to introduce me to Sylvanian Families which is just about the cutest thing ever.<br />
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The basic idea of<a href="http://www.sylvanianfamilies.com/"> Sylvanian Families</a> is pretty simple; it's just families of anthropomorphic little animals (bunnies, dogs, cats, mice, hedgehogs etc.) that live in beautiful houses and mansions. Of course there's also schools and shops and cars and all available. These families are available in sets of four (a mom, a dad, a baby boy and a baby girl) but many playsets also come with their own little character like the Village Gift Shop set which comes with a saleslady and a customer.<br />
Sylvanian Families figures are pretty small (the tallest ones are about 10cm), can move their arms and legs and have flocking, so they're all really soft. They all come dressed in quite traditional clothing (or in the case of theme packs, clothing appropriate to the job/holiday/school activity) which is usually of nice quality.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6574387031_6ae1803c51_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6574387031_6ae1803c51_z.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>This toy line is originally from Japan and known as Calico Critters in the USA. It's kind of nice to realize that the American and Japanese lines carry different versions of (or altogether different) products, so it's a nice challenge for collectors to hunt down those pieces that they want for their collection.<br />
What I absolutely love about Sylvanian Families is the innocence of it all; they're just cute critters living in a brightly colored world where they do happy things like shopping and going to school and camping and such. Their playsets really make the world come to life. You can buy their houses, shops and accessories for those separately which is both frustrating and nice. Frustrating because it costs a fortune to collect enough furniture to decorate a house but also nice because you can buy whatever you like personally and you're not stuck with extras you don't need.<br />
There is a large variation of playsets and themed sets, so this line really has something for everyone. The <a href="http://www.sylvanianfamilies.com/index.php?cPath=42&osCsid=da03f57364f5a1240d6221045b728dfa">nursery</a> and baby lines really put more emphasis on pastel colors and cute but not very realistic buildings and toys, while for example the<a href="http://www.sylvanianfamilies.com/index.php?cPath=73"> Regency Hotel</a> has furniture that is based on real furniture and the entire set seems to be targeted towards collectors. Needless to say the latter is pretty high on my want-when-I-am-rich list! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6574391923_0d4abac61a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6574391923_0d4abac61a_z.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>I am amazed with the quality of these toys. Not only are they sturdy, well-made and properly packed (without using excessive plastic like I have talked about in my previous blog post), but also because of the details. Especially the smaller playsets come with so many little things that you're not wanting for anything if you want to make a display or scene come to life. To illustrate, the Village Gift Shop (pictured at the top of this post) comes with all the little things you can see on the packaging! Downside of this is that it's ridiculously easy to lose any of this stuff because it's so small; I'm sure especially kids who play with these will easily lose things.<br />
One of the things that I both like and dislike is the traditional family message this toy line is carrying out. On the one hand it's a nice contrast between all the battle- and fashion oriented toys that flood the market nowadays, but on the other hand families don't just exist out of a mother and father anymore.<br />
What about single parent families, or same-sex parents? Those are real families too, but this toy line is staying far away from it, which is a shame in my opinion. Not only because I think it would be a wonderful and positive message to show children that a family can consist of different members, but also because I think a lot of children grow up in a reality nowadays where there's simply not just a dad and a mom and a sibling. I'm not sure if this is something that belongs to this kind of toy line, but it was one of the first things that came to my mind.<br />
All in all, I really like this innocent, cute toy line which I'm sure inspires creative play in many children and which is a great collector's item. Toys that manage to appeal to both collectors and children, without having to create special collectors editions, usually are of a special quality and this line definitely qualifies!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-70995525353178224912011-11-18T03:44:00.000-08:002011-11-18T03:46:33.927-08:00Ponies Against Plastic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6357694079_46dc2ecd80_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6357694079_46dc2ecd80_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was really happy this week as I found a new pony!!! please meet Blossomforth, pictured on the right. To be honest I think she looks kind of dopey, but I am really happy to have her. One more pony of wave 3 to go!<br />
However, after I purchased her, I was once again confronted with the horrible task of deboxing her. Now don't get me wrong; unwrapping a new addition to my collection is always fun and exciting, and I'm sure that collectors everywhere can agree with me that it's one of the best parts of collecting!<br />
It's a horrible task, however, because Hasbro uses entirely too much plastic and other packaging material to keep her boxed. In the box, the toy is stuck in plastic to keep her and her accessories in place, which is held to the cardboard back by another plastic cover. If this wasn't enough, her hair is tied in a plastic wrapper as well and the comb is stuck in yet another piece of plastic, and her tail and a part of her mane are also held together by a rubber band.<br />
All of this is waste, as it's impossible to take the toy out and to save the packaging so you can put her back in <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6357697321_39d35b5360_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6357697321_39d35b5360_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>for storage or display, as is the case with some Japanese statues and PVC figures. So basically, for one little pony, there's a large pile of waste that will have to be thrown away. While the cardboard can be easily recycled (and is of some value to some collectors), the plastic is horrible for the environment (think, for example, about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_soup">Plastic Soup</a> that exists in our oceans)and has little to no value.<br />
What's more, this way of packaging is potentially harmful as the plastic used is often sharp and if you're not careful you can really hurt yourself (I know I did a couple of times), even as an experienced collector or adult. Imagine a child opening this! They can get hurt on the rough edges of the plastic or even swallow the little pieces.<br />
In my opinion, this has to change. These toys are made for the next generation and carry out an amazingly positive message (Friendship, caring, be yourself, take care of your environment) but the way they are packaged is very damaging for the environment which the next generation needs as much as we do, and toys carry out an important message to children. There's absolutely no way Hasbro can justify wasting this much in this age where it's becoming increasingly clear we need to conserve our beautiful planet. Companies like<a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/lego-shows-leadership-in-tackling-deforestati/blog/35625/"> Lego </a>have already decided to drastically reduce the impact their packaging has on the planet.<br />
I'm actually planning to start a campaign to convince Hasbro to reduce the amount of waste on their products. The recent Brony movement is incredibly creative and vocal and I'm sure that if this is combined with the creativity and care of the collector community, we can convince Hasbro in a fun and engaging way that we care about and love their product but that we would love to see them reduce the waste it creates so we don't hurt both ourselves and the planet!!!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-5284340166736585692011-11-06T06:36:00.000-08:002011-11-06T06:36:15.971-08:00Nanowrimo, week 1.Yes yes I know, this is only the sixth day of Nano so "week one" doesn't really make sense yet, but as I just crossed the 10.000 word mark I decided it was time for a little blog-rant-update after all. I have just finished chapter 345 and am one/third into chapter 346. So far writing is going well enough - not as well as last year, but as I have lots of things going on in my life (which is also the reason I delayed updating RD the past couple of months from once every week to once every two weeks, but more on that later) I am rather pleased I have made it so far already.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/twinklestar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://rd.aien-hime.com/twinklestar.png" width="400" /></a></div>The chapters so far have focused mostly on one character (3 of the 5 chapters I have finished have been written from her POV). This is mostly because of her intense storyline; I had planned this to be a part of the end of part four originally, but it didn't quite fit so I moved it to the start of part five. The result is that part five jumps into action a lot faster than any previous part; things start happening quite soon which is quite different from the other parts but also makes the story more engaging. There's nobody I need to introduce and everyone's position in the story is clear. I really like this style more than endless introductions of new characters which I kind of overdid in the early days of RD. Anyway, enough cryptic talk about upcoming chapters of RD; you'll all get to read them soon enough anyway.<br />
What is most surprising to me in this year's Nanowrimo is that I'm beginning to look forward to starting new adventures with other characters in different worlds. Don't get me wrong; I love the world I created with RD and I love writing it, but now that the end is coming closer, I find myself wandering to different places more often. There's so many other stories I want to tell and so many characters who are dying to share their adventures! I really hope that with next year's nano I can start a new story, but there's 54 chapters waiting to be finished before that can happen.<br />
On the subject of updating the site: I am planning to resume weekly updates in December, so expect weekly updates December 2nd onwards. I have quite a bit of backup already but I want to make sure I can make even more so that I have something to read for you all even when real life is causing me to not write for a while.<br />
And now I'm going to catch a little break from writing by taking out my gen3 ponies. I have completely lost touch with my MLP collection (more on this in a future blog post, I'm sure) because they've all been stashed away except for a lucky few, and I want to reconnect with what I already have!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-85310197459258813182011-10-30T01:46:00.000-07:002011-10-30T01:46:18.250-07:00The End is coming closer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/AienhimeCD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://rd.aien-hime.com/AienhimeCD1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Yesterday evening I finished the last chapter of part 4 of Royal Destiny, and I also wrote the Epilogue. When I had finished that, I realized that this was the last Epilogue I was going to write for RD, ever, as part 5 doesn't have one. <br />
It took me a while to realize this was the first "the last one" I have written for RD. Only sixty chapters are remaining which will keep me occupied for a while still, but after that it's done. After eight years, RD is finally coming to an end.<br />
I'm happy with the way Part 4 turned out. I made up most of this story as an adult (I had a general outline for parts 4-5 from my childhood, but that was really vague and I ended up removing quite a lot of stuff, except for the very end of part 5, and I redid most of it) unlike parts 1-3 which were heavily based on what I had come up with when I was 14. This meant the tone of part 4 was quite different; there wasn't a general bad guy or threat that had to be vanquished, it focused mainly on the main characters and their personal problems, and the effects of their actions on others. I really like this way of writing more, to be honest; it allows for more character development and more interesting plot lines.<br />
Part 4 and 5 are heavily related to each other, even more so than the other parts were. Part 4 was mostly the setup for what will happen in part 5, where all the storylines will come together. This meant that at the end of part four not much is resolved yet, but I hope I managed to give an ending to the part none the less, because the events at the end of part 4 will be a turning point in the story.<br />
So what's in store for part 5? Of course, it'll be the end of RD, so you'll get a lot of answers and closure. The characters will be revisiting old places and you'll get to discover a bunch of new ones still. Also, there will be a new POV character. She'll be the POV for the end of part 4 as well. Can you guess who it will be? I hope you will all stick around with me until the end of RD and I really, really hope you will enjoy the final part!!!<br />
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I'm going to write a large part of part 5 in Nanowrimo, so look forward to hearing me rant about writing struggles as well! <br />
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Also, the picture at the top of this post is an insert drawing for chapter "The Mysterious Pony" (Princess Awakening, chapter 81). 3 insert drawings will be added to each part eventually! I'm really looking forward to what Lunacat will make! If this picture is any indication, I'm sure it'll be -amazing-!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-25610014482314351892011-10-18T10:24:00.000-07:002011-10-18T10:24:00.778-07:00Colorful inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6257525332_270fce3657_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6257525332_270fce3657_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's probably no big secret to my readers that My Little Pony has always been (and still is) a great inspiration for me. These innocent and colorful ponies always manage to make me calm and help me relax so that I can go to that silly inner place where stories come from. In contrast, my pullips always make me more excited and I want to show them off in photographs, telling their stories through pictures instead of words.<br />
My Little Pony is a wonderful brand that is reaching out to a lot of different people; not just little girls and collectors, but also to a new audience of young people, mostly boys, who are greatly inspired to not only make awesome artwork but also write an amazing amount of My Little Pony fanfiction. I think it's amazing that these little toys have touched so many people! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6257518262_4b5ebaaa2b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6257518262_4b5ebaaa2b_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The current My Little Pony line (gen4) has never inspired me to write, however. My Royal Destiny is very different in setting and tone than the Friendship is Magic television show (which I completely love, don't get me wrong), and the toys don't really represent the kind of characters I would love to write about, be it in RD or another setting. While the show's characters are awesome, I don't particularly like to write fanfiction with characters that are made up by someone else; all the characters in Royal Destiny are of my own creation and I love that I can just make them grow in whatever direction they're moving into without having to take someone else's ideas into consideration. I do have a great amount of respect for people who can write fanfiction like that and pull it off nicely; it's hard to take a character and write your own story while still remaining true to the character someone else created.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6159164601_c902342a8f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6159164601_c902342a8f_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That doesn't mean that the gen4 ponies don't inspire me to any creativity, however. Oddly enough I absolutely love photographing them! I never really liked this with older ponies, because My Little Ponies are really quite static; it's hard to have them express any kind of emotion as you can't move their limbs or eyes like you can with dolls like Pullip and Monster High. The gen4 ponies, however, seem to have more of a personality to each individual pony (I think it's because of their eyes) so it's more fun to take pictures of them in different settings. It would be nice if a wider variety of ponies would be released instead of just ponies in the same pose in different colors (what I'd do for boy ponies!), but that's maybe something for next year. I'm already happy enough that I can go to toy stores hoping that they have a new pony I want to have; that's something I haven't been able to do in over 2 years after all!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-32723544724736903212011-10-09T05:05:00.000-07:002011-10-09T05:05:10.417-07:00The dark abyss...Hi all!<br />
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Wow, I know, it's been ages since I last posted on this blog. I got a new job which took a lot of my time and I had some personal stuff going on which totally took my mind off blogging. I'm back, though! I hope things have finally settled down a little bit.<br />
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Like last year, I decided to participate in Nanowrimo this year. I even took a week off to do just that! Like last year, I will use it to write more RD. My goal is to finish part 4 before November (only 5 chapters left, so that should be doable) so I can make a fresh start on part five and hopefully get a large chunk of it done so I can get back to updating RD once a week again. <br />
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I will use this blog during Nanowrimo to ramble about my writing progress and to sometimes distract myself with other fun toys!<br />
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Also, I will make a post soon on all my new dolls that I've gotten since I last updated this blog!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-36459956778455973682011-06-18T10:40:00.000-07:002011-06-22T05:29:43.536-07:00Royal Destiny Cover!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/RoyalDestinyCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://rd.aien-hime.com/RoyalDestinyCover.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>Here it is, the Royal Destiny cover for the main page of the Royal Destiny site!!! Lunacat finished it yesterday evening. I don't even know how to begin to thank her because it is beyond what I could have possibly expected. Thank you Lunacat, thank you so, so much!!!!<br />
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As you can see, the cover isn't really a scene from the book but a collage from several characters. Aras and Taira are the most prominent of course, with the five guardians in the sky in front of the moon. I seriously love Taira's expression - it is exactly like I imagined it in the story when she realizes what Aras has done to her. Aras looks like his evil self, of course. I especially love the details on his wings.<br />
I'm glad the guardians in the sky remained so vague and distant. It's how they are in the story as well. If you look closely you can make out small details between them though!<br />
At the bottom you have the breach, of course. On the right you can see Twinkle Star with her adoptive daughter Câlin and on the other side are Takato and Ruki. Twinkle Star needs no explanation of course. I always really loved writing about her special relationship with Câlin and I'm happy it comes across in this drawing so well, you can really feel the attachment between the two ponies.<br />
And Ruki... What can I say? My beloved little girl looks so amazing. Her sad and cold expression match how she feels in part 2 and 3 so well!!! I especially love how wild and unattended her mane looks. It's such a great little detail. Takato is his proud young self of course. I love how Ruki clings to him.<br />
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So yes, if you didn't catch it yet, I LOVE the cover! It's up on the main site now of course, and so is the cover of part 5 (tho there's not much to see yet otherwise on the part 5 page). I'm writing chapter 329 right now, which only just got its name changed. I'm getting close to the end of part 4 which I promise will be a lot of fun (can't wait to write it!). And then it's on to part 5... I can't believe it's the final part of RD!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-21847709739374602712011-06-15T06:35:00.000-07:002011-06-15T06:36:04.361-07:00A bed of roses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5835535001_a001a82771_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5835535001_a001a82771_z.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>You know, one of the things I love most about my pullips is making them things like clothes and furniture. It's just a lot of fun to make them dresses I would -never- wear myself or to give them a room that I would never live in. It's just a nice way of expressing yourself in ways you wouldn't do otherwise. Making these things yourself instead of just buying them on the internet somewhere means your things will be completely original and a lot cheaper, as doll clothes tend to be extremely expensive.<br />
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That being said, I'm absolutely no good at making clothes. I have plenty of brilliant ideas, but to make them work with real fabric requires a kind of skill and patience I simply don't have (and a sewing machine would help). I did make my dolls some clothes, especially back when I first got my first few dolls, but I ended up buying them most of their wardrobe because the things I made simply didn't look all that good.<br />
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So I was a bit reluctant to try out<a href="http://www.mlparena.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=266638.html"> Knottykitty's tutorial</a> on making an infinity dress. She claimed it was super easy and as I have loads and loads and loads of fabric lying around still I figured why not?<br />
So here's Raia showing off the result. For something that requires so little effort, I think it looks pretty well! I really know where to pay attention next time so I hope my next effort will look even better. I actually quite enjoyed making the dress. I should do things like this more often but alas, so little time.<br />
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On a slightly unrelated note: I know I am a week behind on the Magic Chronicles, but I've been a bit sick and didn't have the energy to make new episodes. Hopefully I'll be able to make a new ep this weekend.Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-7474851892349330282011-06-06T07:50:00.000-07:002011-06-06T08:01:10.436-07:00Rainbow Forest update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr75/aienhime/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr75/aienhime/IMG_1746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I finally found time to get back to working on the <a href="http://pony2.aien-hime.com/">new gen2 site</a> again! Now the coding for the site still isn't finished yet so I'm still kind of limited in what I can uploade to the site for now, but it's good to get back into things.<br />
I uploaded some ponies over the weekend (especially in the later years, some royal ladies, some princesses) and I was kind of shocked at how bad the quality of the pictures was. I took them with my older camera. I managed to photoshop some into looking better. Thankfully I now have access to an amazing DSLR camera (and hopefully I'll have my own soon!!!) so I can make better pictures. The ponies above are waiting to be photographed and expect these to have higher quality pictures on their profiles. I hope I can get them on the new site today or tomorrow. <br />
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As for the new features: we're still working on a lot of things. An advanced search will be implemented where you can search on, for example, colour or symbol. There will also be more general information like an overview of each year at the top of each year page. I can't spoil much more, but it will be great!<br />
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So feel free to look around the beta site! Just make sure to keep in mind that a lot of things are still either missing or not working. Of course I'm always open to suggestions and questions so do let me know if anything comes to mind!<br />
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Also, I am looking for people willing to help on a few parts of the site I can't write myself (such as tutorials on, for example, replacing eye gems), so if you think you have something that can contribute to the site, do let me know!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-15700740430577094012011-06-02T00:46:00.000-07:002011-06-02T00:46:00.230-07:00Review: Monster High Gloom Beach DraculauraFinally, after wanting one for like a year, I got my first Monster High doll! I finally cracked and ordered two online. Of course 2 days later I find out they're actually getting released here as well (only took them a year...) but that's okay because I love this line and there's plenty more that I want!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/5772711254_0836898331_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/5772711254_0836898331_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So here she is, my first MH doll: Gloom Beach Draculaura. She came with everything you see in this picture (and a stand and a card with a cute text from this girl to another MH character, Lagoona), which isn't that much, I know. I'm sure the normal releases come with more items (and a cute pet) but I guess for a cheaper re-release with a beach theme it's okay. I would have liked a little towel or so too, though; would have made it a bit more complete. All her items are of proper quality, which is nice for a play line doll.<br />
When I took her out of her box the first thing I noticed was that her hair is very soft and of great quality, something which both play line and collector dolls don't always have. It's easy to style and to play around with a bit. I really like the pink touch in her hair. Her bangs have glue in them to make them stay in place, though. I'm not sure what to think of this. It does help in keeping your doll displayed nicely, but I can imagine this becoming icky when played with. I'm also not sure how it'll look if I wash it out so I'll keep it in for now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/5772176965_3b71561b8f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/5772176965_3b71561b8f_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Her faceup is pretty detailed although I do think these dolls have entirely too much makeup, but that seems to be a problem with more playline dolls these days (Moxie Girlz, for example). I like the expression on her face and how close it matches the cartoon Draculaura. You can tell they put an effort in the face mold (I've been told each of these dolls have a unique one, which is great!). Her vampire teeth are painted on but that suits me just fine, I think molded ones would have looked pretty weird. <br />
Her body is a bit cheaper than her face; the joints are sometimes pretty rough and she's not as flexible as most collector dolls I've seen, but then once again this is a play line doll meant for kids so it's not supposed to be delicate. What I really do love is her hands; they're in a great and life-like position so you can create all kinds of wonderful poses for her with them. I think her torso is waaaaaay too thin but it does fit the style of these dolls. They're not meant to be realistic. Still, for a playline doll I can't help but wonder what kind of message this will give to kids playing with them, especially combined with all the makeup. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/5772173437_4fc2a5906d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/5772173437_4fc2a5906d_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Her feet are a bit weird; they're positioned in such a way that you can't really put her down without shoes as they're made to fit these insane high-heeled shoes. Don't get me wrong I like her shoes (I love how the colors of the straps are reversed) but I would've also liked for her to be able to walk barefoot (especially for a beach-themed doll). Also the box said she can't stand on her own but she totally can with some effort, which is a fun little bonus.<br />
Overall, I'm really pleased with this doll and I'm sure I'll get some more of this line. I'm not sure if I'll get regular Draculaura as well, I'll have to see her in person in order to decide that. Meanwhile I also have Gloom Beach Frankie Stein here and I am planning on getting a Ghoulia, Lagoona Blue and someother version of Cleo de Nile but I haven't figured out yet which version of her I like the most. I really do recommend this line if you're looking for some fantasy dolls with a fun franchise (really, go check out the webisodes on the <a href="http://www.monsterhigh.com/">official website</a>)!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-29329238137591690942011-05-29T04:22:00.000-07:002011-06-18T10:40:41.522-07:00Royal Destiny 5th cover!So I decided to dedicate my first "real" post on this blog with a scoop: a wonderful piece of art that Lunacat has recently finished for Royal destiny. If you don't know Lunacat, she's the artist who drew all the ponies (and much more) for <a href="http://www.ponyisland.net/">Pony Island </a>and the author of <a href="http://www.pony.wallpaper-studio.com/Ponyland.html">Worlds Apart</a>, an amazing piece of MLP fiction. She's also the artist who drew all of the illustrations on the Royal Destiny site such as the cover pictures on top of each part. She'll do some amazing other drawings soon as well, but those will remain a secret for a bit longer!<br />
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Anyway, as I am close to finishing part 4, I asked Lunacat to draw the cover picture for part 5, The Daylight Star, and she outdid herself once again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/RoyalDestinyTDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://rd.aien-hime.com/RoyalDestinyTDS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I absolutely love it. The ponies are, of course, Caleantha in the background and Asteria, Firian and Meran in the foreground. Now I won't go into detail about this particular scene yet (considering it would spoil a lot), but I chose it for the cover drawing because of the symbolic meaning. I'm sure it'll be clear in time what I mean by that (and if you read RD, I'm sure you can figure out some things already).<br />
This might actually be the only cover that is not an accurate picture of a scene as I'm not sure if things will be like this in the story (in fact, I'm pretty sure they won't be), but I felt it was important to put it in one picture like this anyway (it's more like a combination of two scenes).<br />
I especially love how Meran looks in this picture. It's so accurate compared with how I picture her in my mind, I couldn't be more pleased. Not that the other ponies aren't accurate, because they are; Lunacat's ability to capture my characters is simply amazing. But when I saw Meran for the first time in this picture I immediately thought yes, that's my girl. <br />
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I'll upload the drawing to the website soon. Don't worry though, this won't be the last piece of art related to Royal Destiny for sure!!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709605941967971549.post-18374759130956151372011-05-28T08:33:00.000-07:002011-05-28T08:52:56.257-07:00About this blogSo, first post on my new blog! Why a second blog, you wonder? Well, I wanted to have a bit more clarity on what my blogs were for. The other blog was so obviously about two different subjects (the city I live in/work/photography and my toy collection hobby/related writing) that I decided to just split it up for clarity.<br />
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So here it is, my toy collection blog! What will this be about, you wonder? Well, first of all, of course, my toy collection. I am really passionate about both vintage and modern toy lines, and I love to talk a bit about them, so I'll be reviewing toys in my collection here (or things I really want but that aren't out yet/ I can't afford/ whatever). Toys that I collect include My Little Pony (all generations really), plush toys of all kinds, Pullips (and related lines like Taeyang and Isul), Moxie girlz and more recently Monster High toys. Of course this doesn't mean I won't look at other toy lines, but these will be the core of my blog.<br />
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Second, I will use this blog to write about my story,<a href="http://rd.aien-hime.com/"> Royal Destiny</a>. As that story was completely inspired by toys, I figured it'd fit in better here. I will also post here about my picfic The Magic Chronicles which can be read at <a href="http://pullipfiction.com/">Pullip Fiction</a>. <br />
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I also might be a bit philosophical sometimes and go into the hows and the whys of toy collecting. I do realize some people find it weird that adults collect toys (let alone play with them!) but for me it's a very natural thing to do, and I really would like to explain and discuss this.<br />
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Of course my other blog won't cease to exist but it will focus more on photography, music and hopefully in the near future my non-toy related writing. <br />
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Well, I'm looking forward to writing more about my collecting and writing!Aien Himehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10322712390323596810noreply@blogger.com1