Simple Truths

Caturday

2012-01-28T09:24:00.000+01:00

http://www.lomography.de/photos/tags/67-cat/popular/13447847

Frost

2012-01-26T11:04:00.003+01:00

Dust of Snow

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

(Robert Frost )

Walter Moers: Der Schrecksenmeister

2012-01-25T16:38:00.000+01:00

Der Schrecksenmeister by Walter Moers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Eigentlich wollte ich mich beklagen, dass ich einfach dieses Mal nicht in seinen Stil gekommen bin. Und überhaupt waren mir die Beschreibungen teilweise viel zu langatmig und der Erzähler hätte sich ruhig etwas kürzer fassen und das Ganze etwas zügiger erzählen können. Aber dann kam das Nachwort von Moers und alles ist gut. Er hat sein Bestes gegeben, Mythenmetz Erzähltempo zu beschleunigen.

Ich schließe das Buch also mit einem wohligen Gefühl und voller Liebe zu Echo. Ich will auch ein Krätzchen (wobei.. wenn ich denke dass meine beiden Mietzen anstatt zu miauen diskutieren könnten und noch klüger wären als ich...mh).

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Speyer in black and white

2012-01-23T10:08:00.000+01:00

Come, take a trip with me and my old Revueflex to Speyer. As you can see, Speyer is a rather old city. It has a cathedral, the Speyrer Dom, which is really beautiful.

It also has wonderful little shops and bookstores.

And of course many more things to do: museums, its very own Sea Life, food and atmosphere. So if your are ever in the area, have a look.

Caturday

2012-01-21T09:23:00.000+01:00

http://www.lomography.de/photos/tags/67-cat/popular/11270061

George R.R. Martin: A Feast for Crows

2012-01-18T20:53:00.000+01:00

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Half of them are probably praying for a good raping.
This annoys me so much. In my opinion a bit more thought on rape would have been helpful. No woman would seriously think that, not even Cersei. It has been made clear that this is a world full of evil and apparently all good must perish. The people have no regards for life, animals, women. Obviously. They are also disrespectful. I get it. But I think these 'hints' or ways of showing the cruelty of the world have to be used with care and don't have to be flung about wildly and all the time. Tyrion doesn't always have to waddle. I take offense increasingly. Rape is not something you lightly add. Have it matter or have consequences. I have understood very quickly, that the majority of characters do not share this view. But the author should not have such careless narrators and even though it is the 3rd person narrator... that one isn't very consistent either (I have spotted him slip into the omniscient or switch POVs during one chapter).

Also.. please stop comparing the author with Tolkien. Tolkien's work was about good defeating evil, we all know what historical time it is referring to. In Tolkien's books people are tolerant and work together out of love and respect. This is Tolkien's message. To me, so far, the message of these books is: go ahead and rape and maim and slaughter, it doesn't matter, the world fucks you up anyway and the bad and most scheming people win no matter what you do.

Anyway... continuing to read now. (Also please do not introduce further random character's POV.. because if I have never even paid a mind to them or heard of them before, I do not want to read about them. I want to read about those that I have come to know over the last thousand and more pages.)

EDIT: I'm finished and boy this one was a waste of time. In the author's note he said "that the readers would be better served by a book that told all the story for half the characters than half the story for all the characters". Well, I think you made the wrong choice.

Because:
a) I wasted 900 pages on a story of mostly side characters which could have been told in 100 pages. The story did not progress. I was forced to witness the loooong events happening to and destroying some of the characters I previously haven't invested any second thought in. (And yes Arya and Sansa, who has now a personality disorder it seems, turned up briefly.) What do I care for the Princess of Dorne? Can you tell me that? I know it serves a purpose but it could have been told quicker. Length is not always a good thing.
b) I have to re-read it again in the next book... in a way. The timeline will repeat itself. Seriously, bad decision.

During the whole read I felt that the narrator (and thus the author.. yes I know, not the same thing) has been telling me: "Hey, look these are the protagonists, I call them the Starks and we will focus on their lives. That over there is the evil enemy (remember the Others anyone?). And also, winter is coming." Only to then go: "Naaah fooled you. Let's what else we can talk about and who else and oh, snow will wait..." I feel cheated. I really do. And I'm annoyed.

View all my reviews

I heart...

2012-01-16T09:06:00.000+01:00

Owls:

http://daily-owls.tumblr.com/post/14993602323

http://daily-owls.tumblr.com/post/14993333202/submitted-by-maybetheyreninjaturtles (even though that one frightens me...)

http://gingerlivingpurposefully.tumblr.com/post/15118685895/look-a-leaf

http://daily-owls.tumblr.com/post/15062133250

http://daily-owls.tumblr.com/post/14993763069

Shop Update: Iphone

2012-01-15T13:37:00.000+01:00

I took detailed photographs of some of my paintings. Rendered them black and white or left the color and uploaded them to my Society 6 Shop. The cases are also available for laptops and as prints.

I'll upload more in the course of the next weeks. If you like them, please tell your friends :-)

Caturday

2012-01-14T09:19:00.000+01:00

Too Small?

2012-01-12T13:21:00.000+01:00

No, look I really fit. The box isn't too small.*squeezes in*

365 project

2012-01-10T13:19:00.000+01:00

Two years ago I did the 365 photo project. Last year, sadly I decided against it but this year I gave myself the challenge to shoot 365 double exposures.

I'm not very good at those and I really want to learn how to rock them. So I loaded my first film into my pimped Diana+.

My Diana Edelweiß Edition is now adorned with the 35 mm wide angle lens and the appropriate view finder.

Hopefully I will have minimized cut off heads, since the Diana is originally intended to function best with 120 film.
Furthermore I added the 35 mm back because it is way to expensive to shoot rollfilm on a daily basis. I keep that one for my Hasselblad.

Sadly.. on Monday said 35 mm back just dropped off exposing the previous two shots I have taken to light and also the next two or three frames. It was my fault I think. I didn't lock it properly. But I stood there for a second wanting to sob and give up.

But then that's the thing about film. You never know what will happen. It is also extremely difficult to stop shooting. Because I really want to only shoot one frame a day with the Diana. And not everything else that I find interesting.. so I guess I'll just take two cams with me. :-)

Do you have any art projects planned for this year? Or other daily excersises?

Caturday

2012-01-07T09:18:00.000+01:00

Look what I did:

2012-01-06T09:43:00.000+01:00

I set up an account over at Society 6. These are the first prints I have uploaded and I really like it over there. I shall keep you posted.

You know that I already have set up a prints account on Deviant Art, but I like to have all the options available that are out there.

Now... heads up. There will be a give away soon. I'm still thinking through the details and then I shall keep you posted. I'm excited, it's my first.

Until then, why don't you just have a look around Society 6? There are wonderful prints out there.

Lomography: you're doing it right

2012-01-04T18:05:00.000+01:00

The Lomography community is all about communicating and the appreciation of photographs. You can search the site using different methods to find photos that could be of interest to you (because lets face it, not everyone is that crazy about cats as I am). You can look for tags, type of camera or film, the time when the photo was taken etc.

Now there is also the Hex option. This means you get a palette of colors and once you have selected a color you like, you get all the photos that have that color in them.

Have two examples.

1. The color is called "Shakespeare" (happy accident or what?)

this is the randomly selected blue color

and these are shots that have it

2. You don't like blue? Have some random green.

That is so neat. I could spend entire weeks with the thing. I have to go there at least once a day, pick a random color and add all the pics I like to my favorites.

What do you think? Helpful or not? And don't you just wish this was available for other digital shots?

I heart...

2012-01-02T08:56:00.000+01:00

because it is refreshingly different

red lips

wolves

this

her photos:

Society6 because it has the best prints available

http://society6.com/product/Dream-hKR_Print/

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T13:28:00.000+01:00

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." -Neil Gaiman

He can never be quoted enough. :-)Anyway. I wish you the above and I thank you for spending the last year with me. I'll see you all on the other side and we'll make 2012 a year to remember, okay?

Resolutions 2012

2011-12-30T10:19:00.000+01:00

In 2012 I will

promote my business excessively
go horseback riding regularly
move out
find a better job
watch my weight to never lose as much as I did ever again
structure my days and weeks
do my photography projects
have an exhibition
save money
do the 365 photos thingy
go on a vacation
go on a trip to one European capital for a weekend trip
never lose myself
live
be more patient

Do you already have your resolutions?

What is this?

2011-12-29T08:35:00.000+01:00

Not weird enough? Head over to Peculiar Vintage Snapshots at Flickr. But beware... you will only leave once you saw it all in its glory...

My plastic year

2011-12-28T15:41:00.000+01:00

My Plastic Year 2011 by Jennifer Renner | Make Your Own Book

You did well

2011-12-27T08:22:00.000+01:00

What, no butter OR salt? by Barb D'Arpino

What I have accomplished in 2011 or what I can be grateful for:

worked as a photographer than last year
started on some of my photography projects
flew to Madrid
saw Viggo Mortensen live and in person
went to the second 30 Seconds to Mars concert and stood 20 cm from Jared Leto
got 3 tattoos
wrote a novel
published several photography books
read even more books
gained weight
didn't give up
finished the National Novel Writing Month successfully

What about you? Do you have a list of "you did well"-reminders? Because whatever we did, we tend to forget out accomplishments easily. What we remember best are out failures. At least I do. So it is important to remember the good as well.

George R.R. Martin: A Storm of Swords

2011-12-26T17:11:00.001+01:00

A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Let me tell you what I didn't like:

- enough with killing off all the characters I come to invest in. Some of them need to make it out alive (And I mean alive as in really alive!). Some of them need to win. You cannot always maim and hurt and kill, dear author. You will say that you can but I answer: you piss me off with it. Granted, the world you create is a cruel one. But even in a cruel world, people occasionally succeed and experience moments of happiness... and they aren't always the evil ones because it makes the good ones look incompetent and stupid and this lets the evil ones lose some of their cleverness and you see where I am going with this? Plans work out and not only for the antagonists. Maybe I am rooting for the wrong team, but you are to blame for that as well since you made me be on team Stark in the first novel. Now you cannot switch me around. I'm a faithful reader.

- Sansa. Sansa pisses me off to no extent...that is because I think the author fails her. Nobody goes through whatever she has gone through unchanged. And yet, miraculously, Sansa manages to remain this naive girl without backbone. Grow some balls, girl. Or maybe, if the author would actually be on those character's side that he has originally established as the protagonists, Sansa and Arya might meet and then some of Arya might rub off on her little sister?

- the pace. It is way too slow. I know, sooner or later, Arya and her wolf will meet up or she wouldn't have wolf dreams. Do I have to wait until book 12762?

- I wonder why I should bother reading the next volume. I know I will, but... I expect the remaining characters that I care for (the Hound, Tyrion, Arya, Jon, Ghost) will probably be maimed and killed in it anyway.

What I would like to say is... I see the work that went into it, I also see the typos in the print (yes, I know it is tough work but there is a difference between "Catelyn opened the windows" and "Catelyn opened the widows"... I can even remember that one), and I hope that it won't stay as hopelessly grim and depressing. The bad guys cannot win (and they can be as clever and as layered as they are...they are still the antagonist), the originally established protagonists must have some success as well. Throw them a bone. Throw me a bone but one you don't snatch away when my fingers are already brushing it. Because it isn't good story-telling when it is the only thing you do. We got it: everyone can die. Fine, sing me a new tune, maybe the one that is called "some of them can survive".

View all my reviews

Christmas 2011: Day one and two are done

2011-12-25T14:21:00.002+01:00

this present I made myself :-)

so yummie

the weather has room for improvement

the cats liked their present

the cats fell asleep on the table

still tired

My presents by various people :-)

Tomorrow my aunt will come over and today my other aunt, uncle and little cousins were here for breakfast.
Link me your Christmas posts?

Are you ready?

2011-12-23T17:18:00.000+01:00

Do you have all your presents? Your cards are all written? Have managed to uncoil the christmas lights?
Kudos. I think I'm set. But I never know until the day. Something always comes up. One last idea. One last card I need to write.
Christmas is always so sudden. *lol*

Last Minute shopping

2011-12-22T14:13:00.003+01:00

pretty isn't it?

the weather... not so much

we had snow two days ago which lasted for about 5 hours :-/

these are no present...

these are essentials *g*

I also bought a new winter coat because they are for sale (I wonder why... winter hasn't even really begun). These are just the basics.

Now I'll finish drinking my vanilla flavoured black tea, read a bit and then bake the last Christmas Cookies.

contemplating

2011-12-21T14:47:00.000+01:00

.. a give away. I'm finishing a book and I am considering giving one copy away. Either of that or of another one. Not sure yet, which. But keep your eyes open if you'd like one. :-)

Books 2011

2011-12-20T09:18:00.000+01:00

Booklist 2011:

D. Cadbury: Dinosaurierjäger
T. Pratchett: The Last Hero
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great GAtsby
Lauren Groff: The Monsters of Templeton (Abandoned after 1/3)
Hilde Domin: Hier
Ray Bradbury: The Small Assassin (still finishing this)
Lewis CAroll: Alive in Wonderland
Amy Tan: Saving Fish from Drowning
C. Dickens: David Copperfiled (Half through)
W. Moers: Rumo
Khaled Hussein: A thousand Splendid Suns
T. Pratchett: Wyrd Sisters
A. Miller. Death of a Salesman
c. Miéville: Perdito Street Station
R. Castle: Heatwave
R. Castle: Nikki Heat
Harper Lee: To kill a Mockingbird
C.S Lewis: Narnia (abandoned after the first two books)
L. Banner: MM Personal
Fragments
T. Pratchett: Witches Abroad
T. Pratchett: Lords and Ladies
T. Pratchett: Masquerade
N. Gaiman: Coraline (re-read)
T. Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum
A. Christie: The Man in the brown suit
Naomi Novik: His Majesties Dragon
T. Pratchett: The Wee Free Men
N. Novik: Throne of Jade
N. Novik: Black Powder War
S. Chobosky: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
N. Novik: Empire of Ivory
N. Novik: Victory of Eagles
N. Novik: Tongues of Serpents
Geroge RR Martin: Game of Thrones
George RR Martin: Clash of Kings
Ray Bradbury: The Halloween Tree
Susan Hill: The Woman in Black
T. Pratchett: The Amazing Maurice and his educated Rodents
George RR Martin: A Storm of Swords

What about you? What were your books? SHow me your lists, maybe I can find something to read for the next year?

I heart...

2011-12-19T22:19:00.000+01:00

... my recent tumblr faves:

http://rollrumble.tumblr.com/post/14014799681/i-hate-it-when

http://fyeahwall-e.tumblr.com/post/13685735795

http://thepegelow.tumblr.com/post/13585433679

http://lady-lancelot.tumblr.com/post/13552240627/characters-that-i-love-aragorn-lord-of-the

http://art-avenue.tumblr.com/post/13456970114

Tattoo #3

2011-12-18T17:17:00.000+01:00

I seriously need to stop. It reads 'choice', in case you find it difficult to make out on the pic :-)

Caturday

2011-12-17T22:17:00.000+01:00

Madrid - once upon a time...

2011-12-16T11:23:00.000+01:00

Madrid
Revueflex
Kodak Plus-X Pan, exp 3/1981
125 ISO

And that's it. I'm done. :-)

This is cool and it is about Whales

2011-12-15T14:19:00.000+01:00

Go to http://whale.fm/ and do awesome stuff. You can help. Let me quote:

The communication of killer whales and pilot whales is still poorly understood. While we know for some species the general context in which sounds are made (reproduction, contact calls for finding each other) many of the calls remain a mystery to us. To properly understand the implications of these responses, we need to know more about why and when animals make specific calls. This process is very challenging especially for vocal species such as killer whales and pilot whales.
The increasing size of current acoustic datasets and the large call repertoire make it very difficult for scientists to address these questions. A single person would take months to go through the data, and the outcome would still depend on a single persons’ interpretation.
For this reason we want to ask you to help us solve this problem, by categorizing the calls of killer whales pilot whales that you find on this website. The dataset generated by this project will allow us to address interesting questions, such as:

How well do different judgements of volunteers agree, and how well can we categorize calls of vocal species such as pilot whales?
How large is the call repertoire of pilot whales? (is size repertoire sign of intelligence?)
Do the long and short finned pilot whales have different call repertoires (or ‘dialects’?).
Does this repertoire change during sonar transmissions? if so, how does this related to changes in behavior of the individuals and the group as a whole?

365/2010

2011-12-14T13:39:00.000+01:00

365/2010 by Jennifer Renner | Make Your Own Book

Finally I got around to turning the photos into a book. That year was a difficult one but it taught me a lot. And thanks to the project I became a better photographer and a stronger person.

Feel free to have a look. And stay tuned because next year, I will do it again in a completely new fashion.

Madrid part 3

2011-12-13T10:33:00.000+01:00

Am almost done collecting the films from the lab. But I just love that shot so much:

Madrid Super sampler II

2011-12-12T10:25:00.000+01:00

Plaza de Mayor. Having a Christmas market and people in costume.

Madrid Supersampler

2011-12-11T10:22:00.000+01:00

Taxi ride:

Caturday

2011-12-10T22:16:00.000+01:00

found on tumblr and had to steal
If you know the source, please let me know, thank you.

Half

2011-12-09T11:21:00.000+01:00

Snow Patrol

2011-12-08T19:42:00.000+01:00

Might I point out that I LOOOOVE the new album. It could just be their best. And so far nothing could touch the Polar Bear one :-) because there were no songs like Run (you know the song that Leona Lewis butchers every year?)on it.

But this:
Snow Patrol -- This Isn't Everything You Are - MyVideo

Just look at his face. Just do.It is so perfect.

don't blink

2011-12-07T19:37:00.000+01:00

Anyone know the weeping angels?
Look them up...now. Just in case you need to know how to save yourself.

I heart...

2011-12-05T19:13:00.000+01:00

http://onebigphoto.com/mom-i-cant-reach/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billadams/1100327860/

http://ohsopictures.com/

magazine13.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alaskafreezeframe/

animals :-)

2. Advent

2011-12-04T17:03:00.001+01:00

Zweiter Advent. Da ich letztes Wochenende in Madrid war, habe ich heute zum ersten Mal sowas wie Weihnachtsstimmung erschaffen. :-)
Und wie geht das besser als mit Plätzchen backen?

Die Katzen sind sind nicht wirklich begeistert :-)
Und der Dauerregen heute war auch nicht wirklich toll. Aber gut. Das ist nichts was eine Tasse Tee nicht besser machen kann.

Caturday

2011-12-03T10:35:00.000+01:00

littertray.tumblr.com/post/12686814621/for-more-cute-cat-photos-and-gifs

shopping

2011-12-02T19:30:00.000+01:00

Nanowrimo: done

2011-12-01T15:06:00.000+01:00

And I am a winner. Sort of. At least that is what the graphics tell me.

And yes, I think I am because I sat down and wrote a story that wasn't there before. I invented people and places. But now.. well now I have to edit it.

I do not like editing. Never have, not during my time at uni, not ever. But it has to be done because I don't doubt the story. I like it. And I think it has potential.

So the plan is this:

1. try to eliminate typos and terrible new ways of spelling words.
2. try to eliminate stupid sentences. Make them prettier. Improve style.
3. There is such a thing as plot. Make it work.
4. Now that you have plot, wonderful words and sentences... give it a spark.
5. hand it out to people you trust. Ask them for their opinion.
6. Decide whether you want to burn the thing after all or whether it could be something wonderful.

When this is done... finish the other story. I think I might do that during Camp Nanowrimo.

See: plans. I have them. Now I just need: time. Anybody know where to get me some?

And while I'm at it.. get ready for new photography books. I have 2 in store and I will upload them for the world to see in the next week.

Terry Pratchett: The Amazing Maurice and his educated Rodents

2011-11-30T10:34:00.000+01:00

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Discworld, #28) by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this so much!

First it is funny.

Second it is important. It is one of those books that everyone should read, I think. Because it is about humanity, and respect and tolerance and friendship and life and stories. Because it made me ashamed of being a human being because clearly, we really suck most of the time (don't argue, we do.. I mean, really, the things we do to each other every day?).

It's beautiful. And I encourage everyone to read it.

View all my reviews

Madrid

2011-11-29T19:15:00.000+01:00

I spent the weekend in Madrid. I had tickets for a play with my beloved Viggo Mortensen and I regret nothing.

Here are some impressions:

beautiful weather to fly in

Plaza de Mayor - Christmas Time

uhm... I wasn't fast enough to run

Parque de Retiro- might I point out what I wear in 20 degrees C

This just cracks me up!

the former slaughter house from the hotel window...

which now holds the theater Matadero

sunset

Legazpi

on my way to the play Saturday

Sunday at 8 a.m.

back at the theater for a photo

he looked very convincing and he moved very Sparrow-ish

do I spot a theme?

to the Natural History Museum

flying home tired but good

The photos aren't the best quality because I took them with my smartphone or they were taken with a small pocket cam.

I have shot some film though and I'll post them when they are developed.

Sadly there wasn't enough time to do some shopping for instance. But I might just be back.

Caturday

2011-11-26T10:29:00.000+01:00

http://kittenskittenskittens.tumblr.com/post/11492304527

greenish

2011-11-24T12:56:00.000+01:00

Don't quite know what happened there.. but I approve.
Canonet, expired film.

the long wait

2011-11-23T12:55:00.000+01:00

Same film.
I love long time exposure. So why not in black and white?

Expired and Locked

2011-11-22T12:53:00.000+01:00

Expired 1981

2011-11-21T12:51:00.000+01:00

Revueflex
Kodak Plus-X pan, expired 3/1981, 125 ISO

I love expired film. It is grainy: yes. It sometimes doesn't produce anything useful. But it also does things like this. Early morning, fog.

I heart...

2011-11-21T10:23:00.000+01:00

....Brothers because the actors are fantastic and I love movies that can hold silence.

... Evanescence is baaack! This is so wonderful (not the official video but still pretty):

Evanescence - Lost in Paradise HD (lyrics) - Funny videos are here

...Stephen Fry:

http://natreides.tumblr.com/post/11768428170

... this is magical:

... this is creepy and awesome:

http://hypnosa.tumblr.com/post/8437641299/long-exposure-shots-in-st-petersburg-russia

Nanowrimo Week 3: The Finish Line

2011-11-20T09:20:00.001+01:00

40212 / 50000 words. 80% done!

Just some 9800 words left. I already wrote the Epilogue. There is only that one chapter left.

One ridiculous chapter that gives me hell because.. I know the content. I have established the setting, the people, the everything. But I just have to make it good. As in: spectacular. As in...the characters have an epiphany, all the knots are tied, all issues resolved. And I also have to make it funny and with lots of atmosphere. It is the last chapter! I hurried through the middle part. I wrote a beginning that I love. Now I need to end it, leaving the reader satisfied and feeling good.

So I continue to stare at the blank digital sheet (oh typewriter how I miss you sometimes). And I browse tumblr. And I write this entry. And I contemplate looking out of the window because the sun is shining and it looks crispy cold. Also, I'll go horseback riding again later, even though I am still going lame from last week.

I consider applying a facial mask. Anything as to not write that last chapter.

On the other hand.. being done, at least word count related would be so awesome. (I try to ban the fear of 9800 words being too much... because let's face it... one chapter and that many words?)

The finish line seems to recede the more I approach it.

Do you have that feeling too?

Caturday

2011-11-19T10:28:00.000+01:00

http://animalblog.me/post/11562935389

autumn: black and white

2011-11-17T10:44:00.000+01:00

autumn: yellow

2011-11-16T10:43:00.000+01:00

Susan Hill: The Woman in Black

2011-11-15T20:05:00.000+01:00

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Entertaining, quick and creepy read. Don't want to say too much since I don't want to give anything away :-)

View all my reviews

the autumn post: red

2011-11-14T10:42:00.000+01:00

Nanowrimo: Week 2 or My novel and I get a divorce

2011-11-13T10:30:00.000+01:00

21368 / 50000 words. 43% done!

This is where I'm at. So far so good. I didn't get as much done as I had hoped because my novel decided that it didn't like me anymore. Or was it the other way around?

I told it to shut up, because, look, I have a structure. I have a plan. The novel kept ducking the plan. And it always thought it should be narrated in the past tense. Which is a wonderful idea, in the beginning but not half-way through. So I was busy re-writing paragraphs or I would have written the rest in the past and completely confused myself. I want the present tense, you stubborn thing.

I plan to write a lot today. I always plan that. And then things happen. Yesterday, for instance, I went horseback riding. And now I am immobile from the hip down because my legs are numb and my butt hurts. The things I do.

Today's novel quote:

“DidI mention that I fell on a Dragon once? Big fella. Lots of teeth. Badbreath.”

And that Dragon will re-appear. (So far, no Vampires though. Thank God I had them last year. I'll focus on the Dragon this year. When in doubt... add something big you can describe elaborately.. I think...)

Today I will totally write. Or I might go to the stable and then I might edit some photos because I have collected a wonderful film with black and white photographs that just make me happy.

And of course, I have to play with the cats. Actually, I should do that right now.

Caturday

2011-11-12T10:25:00.000+01:00

http://felinefriends.tumblr.com/post/11551993082

Thought I'd post some other cats as well, since they are too adorable to pass. :-)

golden walk

2011-11-11T10:48:00.001+01:00

magical places

Christmas present idea

2011-11-10T14:25:00.000+01:00

Ray Bradbury: The Halloween Tree

2011-11-08T09:17:00.000+01:00

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Again I am in need for 1,5 stars. Not that I have anything against Bradbury, but I was bored by this. Maybe it works for younger readers, but I was expecting a bit more creepiness and less education. Also, he reused the mummies in Mexico :-) Have read about them in a short story before.

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I heart...

2011-11-07T10:13:00.000+01:00

... this. I need the album now.

... Moon. Great performance and wonderful Soundtrack by Clint Mansell:

... this:

http://observando.net/post/5183632850

http://deatheating.tumblr.com/post/8974242829

http://society6.com/product/Duel-in-Space_Print

Nanowrimo -week 1

2011-11-06T08:45:00.000+01:00

It is Sunday, 8:35 and I got up and sat down at my computer to have an early start. That was about 30 minutes ago and so far I have browsed my tumblr-dashboard and had the idea of writing a journal entry instead of typing words into my novel.
I copied photos into it though. As points of reference for the world I'm failing to create. I have come to realise that I suck at description. Scenery, people, landscape, the weather. Not gonna do it. I write "it snows", "they are in the mountains", "he" is enough to describe the protagonist. But somehow those photos could help... I think.

My wordcount last night was:

11989 / 50000 words. 24% done!

This doesn't suck too badly. About the content, well I cannot say as much. I set out with an idea, started by writing something completely different, ended up by stealing a character from an old novel fragment and am now trying to steer the thing back onto my original plan.. whatever that was. I had a feeling, an idea of a certain mood and atmosphere. Somehow I have yet to create that.

I have some days to go. We'll see what turns up.

Have an excerpt:

He quickly spoke: “So, where can I find youwhen I need to be busted out of prison again?” “I don’t know.Depends on where I am.” Cal thought that communicating with her waskind of frustrating.

Yes, thank you. Wonderful dialogue. *lol*

How are you doing? Anything your novel has thrown at you and which you now have to deal with?

Caturday

2011-11-05T10:24:00.000+01:00

last photoshoot

2011-11-04T14:49:00.000+01:00

Patrizia, her dog Simba and Franziska were my models again and I am very happy with the results. These are just some of them. You like?

need a present?

2011-11-02T16:25:00.000+01:00

I created two journals or notebooks. The first one is adorned with my best cats and dogs photographs and I really love it. Again, the other pages are blank for you to write on. Have a look:

Cats and Dogs -a journal | Make Your Own Book

The second notebook holds selected landscape and nature photographs by me. It has a total of 100 pages and I am sure it'll last a long time and can record all your adventures.

my journal | Make Your Own Book

This is a warning:

2011-11-01T10:30:00.000+01:00

Do I have to say more?

It's that time of the year and I am prepared... well.. kinda.. I have a word.. that's something right?

Anyway. One or all of the following things could happen the next weeks:

- I vanish. As in forever because I will lose my mind over the story or in it or due to the lack of it.
- I will win this thing!
- I will moan and bitch about it every day. In here. I might even post excerpts god help us all.
- I will lose at it and never speak of it again. In fact I will pretend I have never even thought of going it and what is it anyway?

I have pre-dated some posts but who knows what will happen. So you are warned.

Are you writing too?

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T17:22:00.000+01:00

*does not see the point in sitting there*

Omg make it go away *buries it*

George R.R. Martin: A Clash of Kings

2011-10-30T10:39:00.000+01:00

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm still amazed at the details and realness of the story. Also I am somewhat confused by the backstory of the different families. And it made it difficult for me to have new POVs opened up, e.g. Davos.. I couldn't remember who he was no matter how often his POV came up.

I'm glad my favorite characters survived (even though they aren't that well) and I might embark on the next one after I have done Nanowrimo. :-)

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Caturday

2011-10-29T09:57:00.000+02:00

Super.. home

2011-10-28T13:42:00.000+02:00

Super... abstract

2011-10-27T13:41:00.000+02:00

alles Glück dieser Erde...

2011-10-25T09:13:00.000+02:00

Super...city

2011-10-24T13:39:00.000+02:00

Caturday

2011-10-22T09:57:00.000+02:00

Super... fleamarket

2011-10-21T13:38:00.000+02:00

Lomography SupersamplerIlford HP 5 expired

Trip: Juchhöhe, Odewald

2011-10-19T09:05:00.000+02:00

We went to the Juchhöhe to go for a walk (and pet horses). If you are ever around this place, stop and have a look. I love it.

Wir sind auf die Juchhöhe gefahren, um ein bischen spazieren zu gehen (und Ponies zu streicheln). Wenn ihr mal in der Nähe seit, rate ich zu einem Zwischenstop. Es ist wirklich sehr schön da und man kann gut essen gehen.

I heart...

2011-10-17T13:45:00.000+02:00

... Mr.Nobody because it is all the more beautiful the more I watch it:

http://fuckyeahmrnobody.tumblr.com/post/7103223680

... The Lord Of The Rings because every year I have to re-watch (I already have this year but I might do it again)

http://thedesolationofsmaug.tumblr.com/

...The Fall. Have you seen it?? Do now! No special effects really, all filmed on location and fantastic, magical and wise! Plus: Lee Pace.

http://seventhworld.tumblr.com/

... Pushing Daisies. That series should have gone on forever. So funny and witty and it makes me so happy. Plus: Lee Pace. Have a quote:

“Everything we do is a choice. Oatmeal or cereal? Highway or side streets? Kiss her or keep her? We make choices and we live with the consequences. If someone gets hurt along the way, we ask for forgiveness. It’s the best anyone can do.”
— Pushing Daisies

... Once. But you have seen that right?

Falling Slowly - Once (2006) from spedkey on Vimeo.

...The King's Speech. This scene makes me laugh so badly.

Caturday

2011-10-15T09:56:00.000+02:00

Shutterlog

2011-10-13T10:12:00.000+02:00

Shutterlog is a youtube channel that makes me happy. Not just because my video of my Hassi is currently on display (well it is on the 6th of October, as I am pre-dating this entry), but also because it features cool people who live a photographic lifestyle.

And lets face it, those shutters sound perfect.

I love the sounds she makes.

and my Contarex is positively the heaviest I have.

Something Wonderful

2011-10-11T09:32:00.000+02:00

My favourite author Neil Gaiman has started a tradition. And I would like to tell you about it. It's called:

All Hallows Read

Basically it is about giving someone a scary book for Hallowe'en as a present. Fantastic, right?

Let me copy the FAQ from the official website:

So what is All Hallow’s Read?

All Hallow’s Read is a Hallowe’en tradition. It’s simply that in the week of Hallowe’en, or on the night itself, you give someone a scary book.Scholars have traced its origins as far back as this blog post.

Is this instead of Trick or Treat? Because I don’t want to get egged, and the kids around here are mean.

Not at all. Trick or Treat is Trick or Treat. This is All Hallow’s Read, a great excuse to give someone a book.You can give out scary books or comics to trick or treaters on Hallowe’en if you want to, obviously. (We recommend looking the child in the eye and saying, “Take it. Read it. Trust me… around here… a book can be… safer than candy.” Then chuckling to yourself, as if remembering something unfortunate that happened to some of the local children only last year.)

What kind of scary book?

An appropriate one. If you’re giving a kid a scary book, make it a kid-appropriate scary book. You wouldn’t give the same kind of scary book to one person than you would another, any more than one book is right for everyone. People like different things.

Do I have to buy it new?

Nope.

Obviously, we support bookshops and authors, but more than that, this is about making a holiday tradition of book-giving. So feel free to give second-hand books or books from your own shelves. And feel just as free to buy a beautiful new book from a small independent bookseller, or from online or… look, there’s no wrong way to buy a book. You can even gift it to their Kindle.

How do I choose an All Hallow’s Read book?

If you do not know what scary book to give someone, talk to a bookseller or a librarian. They like to help. Librarians will not mind even if you admit that you are not planning to take out a book, but instead you are going to buy one and give it to someone.

Can it really be that simple?

Not necessarily. It’s All Hallows Read, a tradition we just made up. You can fancy it up as much as you like. Just make sure you give someone a scary book this Hallowe’en…

I would like to contact the web goblin concerning something related to All Hallows Read.

That’s not a question. Never the less, you may do so here.

And while you are at it, why don't you download and print one of those adorable gift tags?

And finally and most important: watch because Neil Gaiman is wonderful:I'm in. Are you?
Go tell the world about this :-)

George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones

2011-10-10T11:48:00.000+02:00

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I tried watching the TV show and for some reason I didn't bother (which is weord because it has everything I love in TV shows except maybe an abundance of hmor).

I gave the books a try though because people who have a wonderful taste when it come to literature recommended them to me.

And I loved it. It's quite amazing how many details there are and how real this world it. The characters are interesting as is the plot (I even managed to keep up with the different names and so forth, which is usually my weak point).

I cannot forgive some of the characters short lifespan but in the end, it makes the plot even more realistic. When nobody is save to survive the story, it is even more exciting.

Off to the next one now.

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Photoshoot Christine and Sarah

2011-10-09T08:51:00.000+02:00

I was Christines wedding photographer and she liked the photos so much, that she booked me for a shooting with her and her friend Sarah. As you can see, October has been very good to us, we had about 30 degrees Celsius that day.

Ich war Christines Hochzeitsfotografin und da ihr die Fotos so gut gefallen haben, hat sie mich gleich nochmal gebucht für ein Freundinnenshooting mit Sarah. Das Wetter war traumhaft. 30 Grad im Oktober hat man nicht so oft.

Caturday

2011-10-08T09:55:00.000+02:00

feel the world move

2011-10-07T13:32:00.000+02:00

Taken with the lensbaby.

Naturpark Neckartal - Odenwald

2011-10-05T10:08:00.000+02:00

Went there a couple of days ago. To take some breaths. Restoring myself.

on the road

2011-10-03T09:59:00.000+02:00

I spent way too much time in traffic jams these last days.

Caturday

2011-10-01T14:52:00.000+02:00

Autumn starts

2011-09-30T08:57:00.000+02:00

The best thin gin the world: A morning walk.

2011-09-29T09:58:00.000+02:00

Haflinger. I happened to drive past the paddock and just had to take some shots.

Trying to breathe

2011-09-28T09:59:00.000+02:00

The last weeks have been hard.
My aunt died on September 11. Didn't talk about it, needed time to deal.
Dayjob kept me busy.
I have a ringing in my ear and was panicky it would be tinnitus.
Everything was sore.
So I kept breathing. Did Yoga as best as I could. And went onwards.

Naomi Novik: Tongues of Serpents

2011-09-27T08:10:00.000+02:00

Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This one was imho the weakest of the series so far. It still entertained me but I was unhappy with the following:

- Temeraire and Iskierka did not have an egg. I want them to have an egg. I think it would be a splendid egg and I'd love to see them quarrel over its education.

- Australia. I don't know why I seem to find stories set in Australia not as catching (see e.g. that one Discworld novel). I know so many wonderful Australians and I want to travel there asap but somehow, with stories, I just don't get hooked.

- I wished Laurence and Temeraire went with Iskierka to America. I was just as disappointed as Temeraire. The Australians can have one revolution after the other for all I care, I'm not really interested. The best part was the part on that port, near the end of the story.

However, I like Emily. She kicks ass. And I'm interested to see what'll happen to Kulingile. Also I love how that world gets more flashed out and real. As do the characters.

So I am impatiently awaiting the next installment in the hopes of them going away to America.

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I heart...

2011-09-26T14:38:00.000+02:00

... autumn

autumn sun by `ssilence on deviant ART

Autumn and colors by *ferrohanc on deviant ART

Cane Creek autumn by ~theon07 on deviant ART

Film tip: Boy A

2011-09-25T08:09:00.000+02:00

My heart is still not able to deal. Such a fantastic movie (you might know Andrew Garfield from The Social Network which I haven't seen yet. And he is brilliant. The movie as such is just...a treasure.

Trailer:

Caturday

2011-09-24T09:49:00.000+02:00

a world of his own

2011-09-23T17:08:00.000+02:00

Naomi Novik: Victory of Eagles

2011-09-22T11:54:00.000+02:00

Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was again much more grimmer I think. But this is understandable given the situation the protagonists find themselves in. I love how the universe gets more and more complete and how the characters evolve and grow through it.

Also, I am not ashamed to say, I love Temeraire and Iskierka together. I hope there will be an egg and cannot wait to meet it :-)

Plodding on straight to the last one published. The series is my new drug it seems.

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last days of summer

2011-09-21T17:06:00.000+02:00

Took my Revueflex out, loaded with an expired film of which I have about 30 more rolls. I love the colors!