Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Pygmy Pirate

Picture of the Day: 
Ca' D Zan, the home of the Wringling Brothers

Quote of the Day:
"Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made."
- Robert N. Rose

So, the semester is almost over, and it is time for the plans of what to do over break to be solidified; and slowly but surely such dreams are becoming reality. Friends, I tell you that I have a reading list worlds long, and plans to physically get myself active and try to go camping. But, the largest and most monumental feat of break shall be none other than the Pygmy Pirate!

That is right, my father and I are going to build a day sailer; 8 feet long, by 4 feet wide. I cannot be more excited! After all these years, I shall have my own boat to bring out and sail with him. It is going to be epic. 

Now, I personally have already named the boat, and am therefore readily designing aspects of it that I would like, which my father is adamantly declaring we shall not do. None the worse, though. Maybe I will just have to build two! 

It is going to be a PDRacer, and for those of you that have never heard of them and are slow on the boating world, I will link the name to the site for you to poke around. Basically, it is a shoebox that floats. But I am excited anyway--after all, what girl doesn't love shoes??

It is literally going to fit in the back of my truck and make me a little more eager for boating adventures. And I want it to look like a pirate ship! (I already bought a pirate flag for it. Dorky, I know. But hey--I have established and embraced the fact I am a little quirky.)

Once it is done, dad and I plan on taking it out to small boat meetings, where we will sail in minimal style to enjoy a day on the water! Life is good!

Now, by idea of my Pepa, I am going to keep y'all updated on this, and perhaps start a new blog just devoted to boating endeavors. Anyway--consider this post one on the birth of the Pygmy Pirate. Soon, we shall be acquiring the wood. 

I am so excited!

So, my good reader, SAIL ON!



Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Final Countdown!

Picture of the Day: 
A room in the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg

Quote of the Day: 
"The real danger may be your stupidity."
-My fortune cookie last night.

So we are in the final push for my second to last semester of college. Can you say dreadful? I have much to do, and still not enough time. Nonetheless, I am pleased: for throughout all of this I am finally acquiring my muse back! (This is making concentrating on homework a tad difficult, but alas, such are the plights of a writer.) 

I have two papers to write by next Friday, and two finals left to take. Then, it is break time and I shall be happy to spend my days finding  fun things to do, and preparing a resume in anticipation of job searching!

I have not done much updating, so I would like to present you all with a fine excerpt from my novel The Legacy of Elysia. So here it is! Do make sure to last these last two weeks, and may your break come without much event!

“Again!”
            A great sweep of pleasant laughter circulated through the eighteen-year-olds who had gathered around the large sparring ring, providing a light underscore to the lovely day. The sun shone brilliantly in an azure sky; it was a cloudless and cool canopy to the sixth-year students of the Training School as they stood gathered around the fence of one of the training rings. But even brighter than the golden sun were the spirits of the two boys flecked with sand and sweat standing within the ring. “Have you not had your fill of defeat, Caelan?” The lilt was light and friendly, reflecting the dark-brown eyes that jeweled the handsome face of the speaking teen.
            “What? Are you afraid that I’ll beat you this time?” A boyish grin inched its way across the other’s face as he shifted himself to finish brushing the sand from his clothes.
            “Beat him?” A voice called from the sidelines, drawing both pairs of eyes outward to the wooden fencing about the arena. “Octavian has run rings about you.”
            “Well,” Caelan called in response, laughing good-naturedly. “He can’t beat me every time.” A sly glint crept into his green eyes as he turned his gaze back to the dark-haired teen beside him, eyebrows rising in a taunting manner. “Not even Octavian is perfect.”
            Octavian grinned himself, turning away as if he were uninterested. “Am I not? What was that? My fourth win over you today?”
            “Fifth!” Another student clarified, sending another wave of laughter through the spectators. It was no secret amongst the boys at the Training School that Octavian was the most gifted student when it came to combat with a blade. He was near unbeatable, and most of his classmates could not recall the last time he had lost to any of them. It did not deter challenges from his peers, though, nor their friendships. He was also recognized for his care and humble demeanor, a trait that led him to be one of the most well-known students at the academy. All spoke well of him behind his back, often saying he would make the best soldier out of the lot of them.
            A challenge, as young Caelan took it. “I figure if I can beat Octavian, I am ready for any opponent that could possibly come my way.” The green-eyed teen shifted his gaze away from the sidelines once more, and added with a boyish ambition, “And I know we’re best mates, but I do intend to beat you someday. And when I do, I shall feel no guilt in letting myself enjoy it fully.” 
            Octavian sighed in mock-boredom, swinging his sword about absently as he appeared to ponder the idea of what to do, though inwardly his mind had been made up upon the moment of the fist utterance of a rematch. “Then I guess this shall be a long day, won’t it?” The smile that crossed Caelan’s face in response was made up of utter accomplishment and excitement, as if he was a child that had won his way and gained some great reward.
            “Get ready to lose,” Caelan forewarned playfully.
            “That’s good advice. You should heed it.”