Seattle and Laurell k Hamilton

I know don't talk about it all that often, but I love reading. Seriously.  I'm not that cliche 'girl who isn't like other girls because she reads and drinks tea' kind of girl, but I do like to read. And drink tea.
But I digress.

One of my favourite authors is Laurell K Hamilton.  She writes two awesome urban fantasy series, and has some 30 novels published as well as several short stories. This past week, one of her series-Merry Gentry fae princess-got its newest release, A Shiver of Light.  To support the release, she went on tour and I finally got to meet her in Seattle. 

This is my second time meeting an author and my first time going alone. I was pretty nervous what with crossing the U.S. Canadian border but it all went fine. I love taking the bolt bus across the border because its cheaper, the seats are more comfortable than greyhound, and they have WiFi and outlets for all your charging needs. Seriously, how awesome is free WiFi in a bus?

That is not all my luggage, don't worry! I brought a tiny backpack and a bag for food, that my husband made for me.

That's right, New York Time best seller-multiple times over!

This is Laurell K Hamilton, looking amazing, rocking a super sexy dress at University Bookstore, Seattle. 

The guy taking the picture did a crappy job, but I'm happy that we even got a picture. She liked my chest tattoo <3

I was only in Seattle for about 15 hours before I came back to Vancouver. I had a class to attend, and couldn't be late. I stayed in the Green Tortoise hostel, which is at 1st and Pike, and is such a great, central location for any traveler, and was perfect for what I needed, location wise. I admit, I didn't sleep at all, mostly because the other people in my room were noisy as fuck, and I didn't expect there to be both genders in my 8 person room. Kinda threw me off. I also was paranoid as hell about waking up in time for my 6:30am bus back to Canada. But, the hostel provided breakfast, which I left too early for, and WiFi, that didn't work on my phone. So, it has the potential to be a great, cheap hostel.

But, anyways, meeting Laurell K Hamilton was just awesome.I found out a week before the event that she was coming this close to my side of the country, and I had to go. I miss a lot of cool events because they aren't close enough to me, or they are on days where I have class or work, but I think its important to do things that you WANT to do, you know?

But, seriously though, meeting her was just awesome. She as a person and through her characters inspires me daily to be comfortable with a lot of aspects of myself that are not pretty, or socially acceptable. Through her words, I learned that being me, and just me, was okay. 

So, if you guys want a new cool urban fantasy series to read, I highly suggest anything by Ms. Hamilton. If you're into vampire hunters and zombies, go with the Anita Blake series, starting with Guilty Pleasures, and if you are into fae, fairies and a little bit of torture, go with the Merry Gentry series, starting with A Kiss of Shadows.

My new Project

I know I mentioned that I had a project on the go before, and now, here is its official (?) announcement. Or something. That project is put on hold. Here is a new project instead!
It's still in its very early stages, and there is still a lot of planning to go, but I feel that it's time to let the world know what I got going on. I guess.

I am writing a book. Well, in a way. I am collecting stories and photos and, along with my own stories and photos and commentary and compiling them into a book.
What kind of book, you ask?

A book about cutting.

Not bodybuilding cutting, but, blade to skin, blood welling kind of cutting.

This is something that is very personal to me, and I think that its important that the truth gets out there, so that the people who suffer can get proper help. The media has demonized cutters, and those who suffer from self hate, and most of it simply isn't true. Instead of helping, most people end up hurting us even more, driving us to hate ourselves more for not being perfect.

This needs to stop.

That said, I am looking for submissions from current and former self-harmers. Short stories, thoughts, feeling, blurbs, photos, poetry ANYTHING. So, please, spread the word to anyone you know that can help out. Those who submit have the option of being credited for their input, or remaining anonymous. I will never give  out the identity of someone who wishes to remain unknown.

Once this book gets made, majority of the proceeds will go to various mental help clinics, and help groups.

So, please help me with this project if you can! Spread the word, submit, and do whatever you can!
<3

Submissions can be sent to
http://thecuttingtruth.tumblr.com/
maliceochid@gmail.com

Fall semester-we are done

For better or worse, this semester is finally done. About damn time, too. This is awesome for a lot of reasons, mostly because I have had about 8 hours of sleep in the last 3 days, and I could really use a nap, rather than another 12 hour study session.
I could also use a solid workout at the gym. Which I will be doing shortly. This will be one of my last workouts at the YMCA because I cancelled my membership.

Why, you might ask?

Well, today is special for more than just the end of finals. It's also my last day at my current college. I am transferring to SFU for next semester, and that university has it's own gym. It does mean that I'll be working out at home for the next few weeks, but I got some awesome workout already planned out.

This is also the last day that I am an English major. I start my new major in Spring, and, I, for one, and looking forward to it.

But, after I get a few solid hours of sleep, of course.

This also gives me time to get all my projects started and stuff. I am starting some really cool stuff soon, and, when I have more to say, I'll make a post, but for now, just know that awesness is afoot.
I have also got myself a new artist for my comic. I just don't have the time, or the artistic talent to do it, and my readers deserve better. The girl that I'm going to be working with is awesome. She sent me a few sketches and, guys, this will be great! I am super excited.
I've also been in talks with a few other artists for a few more comics. I can't draw for anything, but, man, I can write. I actually find it hard to stop creating stories. It takes a bit of time to finish them all, but I have loads of them. Hopefully one of them becomes super awesome, and I can go to comic cons as a guest. Wishful thinking, I know.

Now, for that gym and then sleep I so desperately need. Enjoy this video if you are feeling down, or need a quick fix for adorablness.

Happy Birthday to me, Part deux

To jump right in

Japan

Seriously, lifelong dream accomplished right here. Going to Japan has been on my list of things I wanted to do ever since I discovered anime and manga (it was early in life, let me assure you). Not only did I get to visit Japan, but I got to go to, what, 7 different cities? I got to see so many things, experience so much, and-perhaps more importantly-reconnect with some friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG time. Some things are important, and those things, no matter how distant, should be kept close.

Vietnam

Vietnam was never in my list of places to go, but, the opportunity presented itself, and I am not the kind of person who will turn down travel. Ever. Out of all my adventures this past year, I think this one has the biggest list of 'bad' against it. That said though, having this unique experience was eye opening and well worth it-despite the down sides. Seeing a war torn, 3rd world country is something that everyone should do. It has a profound effect on the psyche. 

2 year anniversary with the hubs

I feel like this one is sort of self-explanatory. How could I not be excited about being married for 2 years, without there being any violence or straight up murder? I never thought I'd get married in the first place. To have it last this long is sort of a surprise. A pleasant one, yes, but a surprise nonetheless. 

World Expo

Another one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that I got to do. Since the expo is only held every few years, and never in the same country consecutively  the fact that I was in the right place at the right time is just amazing. I don't think this will be my last expo though, since there is still YEARS left for me to travel. Who knows when this will come up again though, but that chance is still there. It had its bad points, but it was still a unique experience to be able to have some part in. 

Acceptance into SFU

As I mentioned in the 10 things you likely didn't know about me post, I was not really great with that whole education thing when I was younger. It took me a while to get the swing of things, what with this being my 3rd stint in post secondary education. But, my acceptance into SFU (Simon Fraser University NOT San Francisco University) proves to me that I have grown into my intelligence. I am not a stupid person-I'm just full of hate and rage and, sometimes, laziness. But acceptance into university on my own merits, on my own terms, it's something to be proud of.

And in this vein-being asked to have an editing part-hell, even being allowed to read-a now (at the time, soon to be) published novel...well now. If that isn't making it, i don't know what is. The fact that it was an awesome book by one of my favourite people just made it that much better.

10 things you likely didn't know about me!

For those who want to know more about me! Friends, or otherwise, will likely find something here that they didn't know. And it you don't want to read it all (TLDR-I get it) just read the points in BOLD.

1. I am extremely introverted
        I mean, like woah. I can spend time with my friends, but, even with my best friends, when I spend too much time around people, I need an alone break. Sometimes, it gets bad, and I need to spend days alone. I've got enough of a handle on it that I can do a few days, but, it takes its tole on me.
People exhaust me.
The inside of my head is my favourite place to be.

2. I am a militant vegetarian
        While I AM allergic to meat (seriously, actually tested), I wouldn't eat it anyways. I think its gross; bad for the environment; inhumane; and just unnecessary. And people who eat meat, but refuse to be told-or reminded-of what they are eating make me sick. If you can't accept the fact that you are eating a dead animals carcass, then you don't deserve that life that has been given to you for food.

3. I am an environmentalist
        I am huge on the environment. I'm pretty sure that since humanity fucked everything up, its our responsibility to fix it. Global warming? Fact. Wide spread pollution? Fact. Lower air quality on a global scale? Fact. Sushi eating dickbags eating the entire ocean dry of life? Fact. People are doing this, and its about goddamn time people took responsibility.

4. I am currently in college-but I already have a diploma
        I am in school for both English, as my Associates, and Earth and Ocean science (or Physical earth science). But this is not my first stint in post secondary education. Nor is it my second. Way back when I finished high school-a complete failure, barely passed, not even college worthy-I tried to sneak into university be doing Distance classed at the University of Guelph. Now, that didn't work out, for a lot of reasons (but not my grades, surprisingly) and I jumped ship. I worked for a while, and then went to the Ottawa Academy of Beauty for advanced aesthetics and cosmetology. I graduated with honors, and did that for a while. Which didn't work out because of 1.

5. I kinda want to save the world-an by world, I mean just that. The planet. Not the people.
        This related back to 3. People are dicks. There is only 1 earth, and things are finite. If I could, I'd wipe out over half the population-preferably the stupid half-and then live in a global, sustainable manner, with no over population, no useless killing/poaching/etc, and all that. I want to sorta save the oceans, and all those animals that humans have caused to be endangered.

6. I have an almost psychotic hatred of kids and people who sing in public
        Kids? I fucking hate kids. No, I will NOT change my mind. I'm 28 years old, so fuck you and your fucking biological clock bullshit. Not gonna happen. Singing in public? You can actually thank Korea for that one. There was this one annoying little shit that would sing EVERYWHERE, and i sorta wanted to murder the little shit.

7. I am exercise-aholic.
        Does this need explanation? When I was younger, I hated working out. I was lazy, and liked drugs, I was an outcast, and sorta hated all the jocks in the world. Now? I work out with the best of them. I lift weights, I run, I do yoga, I like martial arts-all of it. I am at the gym usually 4-6 days a week. I don't generally talk about it since I believe that I can be, and do whatever I want without having to tell the whole world.

8. I almost married a woman once. But she said no. And that's all you need to know about that.

9. I have this thing where I have low self esteem, but I still think I'm better than everyone else.
        And this has been proven. Both parts. I've won awards for my writing, and my art. I've participated in some awesome community projects, I don't litter, and I'm pretty honest. So I'm awesome. But I have this crippling low self esteem thing where I feel like I could be more awesome.
Or something.

10. I collect books and teddy bears.
        I used to read like it was going out of style-which it was. I don't AS much, which I would like to change, but I have been busy. And all my reading lately has been for school. Teddy bears? Man, I love them. I have so many, its almost embarrassing.

BONUS!
11. I came into my 'geekdom' late in life. Not because I didn;t enjoy geeky things, but because I thought it was shameful to be into video games, books, anime, and comics when I was a teenager. I blame my friends, and the crowd that I ran with ie. the drug kids
But, now that that is over! I love comics, and anime, and geek stuff, and movies, and fantasy, and sci fi, and cute things, and video games, and, chances are, I can beat your ass at Mario kart.

The Smallest Narrowest Places

This post requires a little bit of an introduction, I believe, before getting into the good stuff.

I believe I mentioned at one point that I was helping a friend with his book. Helping, as in doing some editing and writing the book jacket thing. If I didn't mention that...well, I did. And it was a lot of fun, and one hell of an experience-one that I would do again in a heartbeat.

My friend, whose name is Derek McPhee (website right here), wrote a book that is now, officially published! As I am, as of this moment, one of a very few, who have read the book, I would like to offer my (somewhat) biased thought on the book, The Smallest, Narrowest Places.

**Side note** I would give you all the book jacket synopsis...but I wrote it, and it seems a little self serving to do that. But it's available in the links above, so please feel free to peruse that as you will <3

The good stuff.

Everyday, history unfolds around us-but how do we know what will matter in the future? What makes history memorable....what makes history?

It is the stories.

The stories of the events that will be remembered, the stories of the things that touched people, and it will be their stories-the participants-the survivors-that will matter.

The Smallest, Narrowest Places is a collection of those stories that history will remember. This debut fictional novel by Derek McPhee explores the events and the stories that sprung from 3/11-the Japanese earthquake and tsunami as viewed by a foreigner in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The stories contained within the novel touch on family, love, loss and suffering in the events that came before, during and after the Japanese disaster. There is a myriad of feelings throughout the novel-but the pervading feeling is one of hope. Hope for understanding, love and-most importantly-hope for the future. 

The stories explore the lives of foreigners living in Japan , in a realistic, no holds barred, blunt, honest sans sugar coating way that can only be described by someone living that life. And yet, there is a deep understanding and respect of the Japanese people and their culture in a way that escapes many foreigners, and yet creates a bond between the different cultures in a global society. The author, a Canadian who moved to Japan upwards of 5 years ago, has assimilated into Japanese life as best a foreigner can in Japan, and has a deep understanding of Japan, its culture, and how it views the foreigners who call the island nation home.

The stories are connected in a way that creates a whole picture, without seeming to. And yet, there is also a fragmented feeling that comes from a disaster of the magnitude that was 3/11. The stories stay with the reader in a way that only a good book can do, and, even long after reading the novel, those stories are remembered.