PandoraofBrushia

We-hell,

Its been a year since I last posted a journal; literally a year which I find weird.  I guess I will update this as much as I possibly can, but, things have changed so much since my last entry, this will either be obnoxiously long, or frustratingly brief. 

We'll see how it goes, I suppose. 

UPDATE:  LIFE

I've been in relatively good health, so have my husband and children.  I usually post this first, because though everything else can go to crap; being in good health makes everything a little more bearable. 

I myself have dropped two dress sizes so it's pretty awesome for me.  I'm still volunteering for a local no-kill shelter and enjoy the simple labor.  I'm now thirty, and as such have a little less patience for the drama of those around me, and even less for senseless whining.  Strangely, I've only become more of the person I was before.  I suppose it's true that people don't really change much.  I've a pixie hair cut now, I was always told I had the cheekbones for the cut, so I took the leap and did it.  Frankly, I'm happy I did, I'm far less annoyed with my hair. 

My daughters are still doing ballet, and I wish I could post a picture, and as soon as I find I will.  Their recital when off with little problems, each doing well in their respective part of the event.  They attended a dance summer camp and are now actively into their second year of dance, both passing their Russian Ballet Exams this past November and going up a level.  I say this only because now my days four times a week revolve around taking them to this commitment, thus, it is my commitment as well.  I don't mind it though; the women, the families involved with this studio are very down to earth and not as snippy as what I've heard they can be. 

UPDATE:  LITERARY AND CRAFT WORK

Okay, I've still been writing, everyone!  I have over 1200 pages in two separate novels and a short story I am writing!  I'm simply not posting much anymore because I feel that this stuff I will keep close to me until I'm ready to publish it.  I've been going full speed ahead, writing at least thirty pages a day, which isn't bad for me.  I know I wrote one entire novel in one month last year, so I'm pretty stoked about it!  I'm now only refining my ideas, working out what works and what drags on. 

My husband has been a great aid to me in this; since he and I, talk out the dialog and see if there is any flow to what I've written.  There are a few other pieces that I may be able to post, just because like my rants, they are nothing more than observations. 

My craft work is actually something quite new.  I'm sure you've seen tutus around everywhere, or at least pictures of them, I have too.  I checked out how much they were and it blew my mind.  I figured, well, I can do that too, and so I went ahead and did it.  It actually worked out really well.  I've learned to make flowers, to add embellishments and I'm now working on making these elaborate confections out of ribbon to sell them off as bows.  I'll post pictures as I go!    I have no idea what I will call my new endeavor, but I most definitely take ideas from anyone!    I may in fact need help coming up with a logo too! 

UPDATE: GAMES

*SIGH* I find myself on the other side of the coin with this new, Assassin's Creed game.  I don't like Edward Kenway at all.  I don't hate the guy, per say, I just don't like his personality, his greed, well, his overall not giving a shit about anyone but himself is what bothers me. 

As we played through the game (we meaning my husband and I) I kept trying to find some redeemable quality about the chap, and I couldn't find anything other than passing nods at qualities Ezio and Connor had in scores.  He's not overly loyal, not overly giving, not overly passionate about anything other than himself...he seemed like a poor man's Ezio. 

What's worse, I find that though some may argue that he has flaws; so did Altair, after all, he gets demoted for his arrogance, cold and seemingly uncaring attitude.  Still, the man had standards.  Edward doesn't seem to have any, or frankly care overly much about anyone until everything blows up in his face and only then follows through, only because it aligns with his sense of vengeance and because he'd look like a dimwit if he turned his back on James' last request. 

I was glad to hear that he was not actually Desmond's ancestor.  I'm glad it's Haytham's mother that carries the Auditore line.  I felt at ease after finding this out, mostly because I couldn't fathom such a person being an ancestor of Desmond's.  Now I kinda understand why Haytham had no sense of loyalties and strives for some order and thus joined the Templar Order.  With a father who was as willy-nilly as Edward seems to be; I would have chosen a side that would give me some hope for a structured future. 

Also, Castlevania; Lords of Shadow 2 is coming out this month, and I'm pretty excited about the game.  I don't have much to say about it, I just wanted to note my happiness and anticipation.  I hope everyone is doing well, and I hope that this year brings good will to everyone. 

Talk to you all soon (hopefully not a year from now)

~Pandora

...about Connor Kenway from AC3, why all the hate?

I've heard people say he's not as interesting as Ezio, not as awesome as Altair, and I'm like;

Are we playing the same fucking game?

The character is a good man, a good man who despite having had a harsh beginning, with losing his mother and never really knowing his dad; he values people, he values hard work and those who strive to be good people, what the hell is wrong with that?

I've also heard people say he was boring.  

Again, are we playing the same fucking game?  Not only does he move with an agility that would make Ezio, weep, but he also has these combat skills that own.  My husband who is playing through the game right now said that he has not enjoyed getting into fights as much as he does with this character in this game.  

I think if we're going to compare characters, we have to compare them to their time frame and compare them as, well, men.  Ezio did not become an attractive figure to me; in game play or as a woman, (let's be honest, he is eye candy for girls, and you all know it) until Revelations.  He was too much of a cocky prick for me in AC2, though the story was awesome.  In brotherhood, again, he seemed to me a little toned down, but still strutting around like a peacock.  

He never seemed to really radiate that whole, "I"m only as strong as the people who follow me...." vibe I would expect a playboy turned potential Grand Master, and maybe that's the problem.  He always seemed too conceited to me, which was a big turn off as a gamer and as well, a girl.    That is, until Revelations.  I find it funny that out of all the women he fucked, in the end, the woman he wrote to most was his sister.  In the end, he realized, I guess, that his time with all those women was, well, I think, wasted.  

Altair, I liked, I really did, because he was relatable.  He was relatable because he fucked up, because he was young and cocky. (Who hasn't been there?  I certainly have) He got put in his place and learned temperance through humility and through his wife.  He realized that he could only go as far as the people around him who believed in him would allow.  Now, do I think that Ezio was less important than Altair, hell no.  Ezio was needed to bridge that gap between dedication to your cause (Altair) and passion (Ezio) for it.  Ezio's charisma was essential to bringing the Brotherhood back.  

Now we come to Connor, and if you really think about it; Connor is a personification of America at the time.  Young, Naive, Dedicated to this idea that we  need to have a say in our own lives, and live them the way we see fit.  His look on life is simplified, wrong is wrong, right is right.  As you go through his story, you start seeing his disappointment with people, his disillusionment with those he thinks are following the same cause.  Isn't that what we usually feel with our elected officials?  

He's a good man, I've thought so from the get go.  This character has a benevolence to him that I would honestly hate to see altered.  I guess because in a way; I see a little of that hopeful person in myself.  I like that character, genuinely want to believe that people are good and worth fighting for.  So, Connor brings conviction to the Brotherhood.  He is willing to kill his own father to bring about what he believes every person needs; freedom to do, what by nature, is their right.  

His naivete sometimes becomes cute, sometimes painful to see, because I know in a way he'll be heartbroken.  History, of course, does not lie, and he and his people will face the decision to assimilate or perish.  Again, I guess for people who aren't American, it's difficult to relate to these things; because to most, the history of their country doesn't vibrate as ardently as it does in most Americans.  When you see us cheer, when you see is with our flags, it isn't our might that we're truly celebrating.  I think it's our passion to pursue these ideals, to try and become better for everyone within our borders, that we cheer for.  When we fight, most of us think of the greater good, I think.  That is what Connor represents.  

So, with all this said; do you all really think he's boring, not interesting, or not as badass?  

I apologize if these seemed long and overblown, but, I'm a writer, and I always like to see, heartfelt, believable character development, and when I see people knock a good character, well, I'm all over that.

...seriously, I didn't think I'd have enough momentum to get to where I am now with what I've been writing.  I kid you naught, I have over 225 pages in total, since the last time I posted a journal about it.  I am so stoked!   I Just had update this!  

O.M.G. guys!    I've written over 100 pages in about a week, and that's with two kids going to school, to ballet and my volunteer work at the animal shelter .  Not to mention Halloween and all that awesome stuff!  I am so stoked to be up to my usual again!  Fuck yes, I am happy!  

There really was no other point to his other than my gushing about writing.  Yes, it is of my vampire story, unfortunately it's not of the one I will be publishing online, so I can't show it to anyone other than a beta.  I wish I could share it, but, this one is best left until I am done and ready to send it out to get published!  

I'm thinking about making one.  Mostly because I've been seeing way too many young girls walking around like a jack-o-lantern.  A little overzealous with the bronzer if you know what I'm sayin'.   So, I figured since I've gotten quite a few compliments about HOW I apply makeup and such, I can offer some advice.  

Not to mention most of the makeup tutorials I've seen are for white women, not for women with olive tone complexions.  I dunno, but I am thinking about it.    Lemme know what you guys think....