The day I felt fancy

The following is the account of my grand day yesterday at the 10th and last annual Presidential Sculpture Unveiling.  {As you may already know my brother and I as well as my friend Luseach* were to play lobby music.}

My day began early in the morning. I stumbled half asleep down the hall to my parents bedroom where Mum curled my hair; the first step to my rather dramatic transformation from the groggy, tousle-haired morning me, to the poshed** up musician that followed two hours later when we arrived at the theatre.
 The car ride there was long, so I made the most of it by sleeping most of the way.
*I translated her name for privacy purposes
**British informal word: stylish, upper classy, etc.

The theatre was done-up with all sorts of patriotic things for the day, bulletins and presidential brochures were handed out at the door.
Feeling a bit over done, we unpacked our instruments only to find that the theatre had no place set up for us. It was three minutes till we had to start. We scrambled to the manager's office and he sent one of the staff to get us chairs. We waited but she soon returned chair-less. They apparently had been moved to heaven knows where.
 At five past nine we had finely tracked down someone who knew where the chairs were and set up, beginning the song almost before we had adjusted the music stands.
 Not to brag or anything, but I think we were fantastic! {says modest me ;)} At least for pulling it together in two days, not bad at all.

The ceremony was grand in itself, and slightly emotional for the president of... well, the presidents project, it being the last real unveiling and all. Yes, it was nice to listen to the speakers and sculptors{my Da included} talk about the newest stationary members. But afterwards I shall remember always. Afterwards was the VIP Presidents-associated people only dinner at a five star hotel, complete, may I add, with foreign waiters.
 For someone used to going to steakhouses the elegant chandeliers, white linen tablecloths, and waiters with accents{I could listen to them talk all day}, it knocked me sideways! Don't think I don't like the rustic ranch restaurants we usually visit, heaven's above no! I love the atmosphere there! But this, this was something completely different. And the food was so beautiful and carefully made..! Of course I snuck pictures, even though the dark-haired lady gave me several disapproving looks. She probably thought I'd never been to such a place. Which of course is true.

Dinner was three courses(!) First, a light appetizer of french bread and garlic butter, and lemon water{above}. I admit that because I had had no breakfast I consumed five pieces of bread and three glasses of water. I would have eaten more bread but Mum said I had to share with my brothers.

 I was hungry!

Second was the main. Gourmet tender steak {which I didn't care for. Meat should taste like meat, not plants} and a whole lot o' salad. How ever much I may hate eating greens, in the spirit of experiencing new things I bathed the leaves in Italian dressing and gave it the heave-ho. On reflection, I should have realized that they would have made the dressing fancy in some way and that I should have tasted a tad before sticking a forkful of saturated foliage in my mouth. But I didn't and therefore the taste I faced was not the tangy make-your-mouth-tingle taste I love that comes from plastic bottles, but the strong bitter flavor of white wine. It was so strong that I could actually feel my sinuses clearing. What an awful surprise. Especially to someone who has just plucked up courage to eat salad after years of refusing its dreadful leafy bits.

 After that unfortunate event and the main course was over coffee was served. *angel chorus* What delicio café it was too! Yumyumyumyumyum! I cannot drink plain house coffee, I just can't. But if it comes from a coffee shop or some place like this *sighs*. There are just certain things in this world that are set high above their kinds. Food: Çhocolat  Animal: Horse  Drink: Coffee  :)

I like my café best with about a third cream and two table spoons sugar or even black with honey.

I love this photo, by the way. Doesn't it just look so warm and cozy? Perfect for the chilly autumn days ahead.

 *Takes deep breath* And then there was dessert. *needs another deep breath* 

Okay, I am not a food person{though I do have a sweet tooth}. At all. If I could survive I would probably go days without eating because I simply don't care for food. But this..! Dessert was just so beautiful! This was my Mum's Cremé Brulé. She let me taste it. It's like the best vanilla pudding on the planet with a crunchy, sugary, caramel-y top. 

I got about two and a half cups of the richest apple cobbler ever. The cinnamon alone was to die for! And as an artistic touch they spiraled caramel over it. I'm making myself hungry now.

My younger brother had apple cobbler too, and my older one had chocolat cake, which he described as like a muffin -- but not!

 Oookay... Moving on!

 Having artistry in the blood, us children of course took the opportunity to 'play with our food'. This is Older Brother's plate. Sadly, I had no chocolate sauce to draw with.

All too soon the glamorous party dinner came to an end, alas. But I shall always have fond memories of my first really fancy dinner. The whole thing was a little surreal; I kept thinking that in a few hours I'd be back in my blue jeans seeing to Roanie, cleaning her feet and applying smelly ointment to the sores on her belly and back where the flies ferociously gather, knowing their pathetic days are numbered.
 It was like for two hours I was two very different people. Kind of a fun sensation. :)

 Now it is Sunday night and yesterday already feels so long ago. But if there's one thing I learned yesterday{besides taste gourmet things with caution} it's that you don't always have to be outdoors to experience an adventure.

-Gwyn

Busy, busy! Dreadfully busy..!

Anyone remember that VeggieTales song? I can't believe I do. :P But it's true none the less; my week has been packed with a capital "P". I think I mentioned in my last post that my sister who moved far away for college is back in between her semesters. We've been doing some fun stuff, and yesterday was my other sister's birthday {I'm really just going to have to name everyone - it's getting confusing even for me! I can't imagine what you guys think. I'm crazy, right?}. She is so hard to shop for so I ended up beading her a really cool necklace. I almost kept it -- almost.

 Shopping has been almost daily. Ugh. Once and a while I like it, but right now I would welcome never seeing another clothing dummy. Ever. Again. And today we went to the Big City far, far away to hit the mall to stock up on clothes. I've never been a fan of fashion trends, tending to create my own thing, and this Fall is no exception to my taste.  I was glad to see that the girl's clothes are slowly becoming more modest, pulling away from the deep cleavage that used to be so "in" awhile back, and now going more for scoop necks -- some of them aren't great, but better.
 I cannot believe some of the colors in the young men's section: pastel purples, barbie pinks, and lady-looking blue hues -- heeeellloooo! These are for guys, people!

 Alas! Areopostal(sp?) failed me this day by taking out their clearance rack. Nooooo! I loved their clearance and got many a good bargain on tees. I even got my favorite pair of jeans for $10 on it. And now it's gone. *sad face*
 I bought a bleached purple jacket there that I really like, and of course jeans. I always need jeans. :)


Great news!! The camera is functioning again! That means I'll be able to do another Little Fun Thing tutorial soon. I'm thinking of doing one on how to draw realistic eyes... Any thoughts?

 Also, this week is Fair week. I'm kind of excited -- yet not. My 4-H group is very "community service minded", i.e. that's all. we. ever. do. Cleaning up highway ditches, selling hotdogs at grungy gas stations {eep! Never do, people! Never do!} and the like at least once a month. It wouldn't be so bad if we did something fun too, but we don't. So, I'm thinking this is my last year. Heck, I've been in 4-H for 11 years!
 Anyway back to the fair... I'll be showing three necklaces - two beaded{and soon for sale!}, and one horse hair; several photographs; breads; drawings; the basket I made in weaving class at church; and... hmm... something else...? I'm sure I'm missing somethings...

 So there you have a full update on the goings on in my life. How do you like the colored text? Is it a keeper? And about the how to draw eyes, would you be interested in learning that?
 I'll try and keep in touch.

-Gwyn

A summery of my busy week and ANOTHER story I've started - Excerpt!

Whooooie, my week was busy!!
Last Saturday I spent alll day shopping in the City. This week is the Stock Show and Rodeo so it's really hopping down there! I really hoped to go to the Rodeo but ticket prices have spiked: $38 an adult{+12} O.o Since I don't have that much money to blow at one place I instead took full advantage of the huge rodeo sales going on in all the Western stores{3 shirts for less than $25!} And came away happy - though with purse considerably lighter... *sigh* I always feel a pang when I hand over money to the clerk. Not for the money's sake but because I think "there goes a part of that violin...." or{a new want} "There goes my chances of getting a colt this summer." And oooooh I want to soooo badly! I want to learn to break my own horses! But money never fails to get in the way. I hate the stuff. We should go back to trading beaver skins and sugar! lol!

  Monday Youth Orchestra started up again. We're playing Viva La Vida. Sound familiar? :) Tuesday the College Chamber Orchestra started; and Wednesday was my usual violin lesson. Oy. And it doesn't end there: In a few minutes I shall be heading off to play at a coffee shop's 'Open Mic Night'. Wish me luck!

Right. Now down to the good stuff! Another story decided to make itself known to me this week -- one that I'm already inthralled by. Here's a doodad I put together for it{note: I didn't make the pic itself -- I just added the words}

Here's also a rather long{*coughs*} excerpt -- enjoy!! {I haven't edited any of it yet}

  -THE STOLEN WORD- (c) SJM

 “Sooo...” Trent tapped the granite counter top. “Do you want anything to drink or... something?” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

Senira was gazing unabashedly around, as if she’d never seen the inside of a house before. She sat slowly in one of the stools by the counter, putting her ever present backpack on the one next to her. Her eyes eventually focussed on him. “Oh, sorry. What did you say?”

Trent repeated his question from the inside of the fridge. “We’ve got coke, grape juice,” he made a face. He didn’t remember his mom buying grape juice in awhile. “chocolate milk, Monster,”

   “Monster?” Now it was Senira’s turn to make a face. “What in star’s heaven is that?”

“It’s an energy drink,” he answered, closing the fridge door. Where was she from?

   “Hmm...” Senira leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand; her ice-blue eyes were still flicking around the kitchen. Trent closed the fridge and stood expectantly.

   “Do you have any tea?” she said at last. Long pauses in conversation didn’t seem to bother her.

“Yeah, I think so.” Trent turned his attention to the cupboard. “My mom’s big on natural stuff like organics and recycling,” he continued, glad to find something to talk about. “Dad hates it, though. Thinks she’s taking it way to far. That’s one of the things they fight about a lot.”

  Senira looked at him with pity. She had just witnessed one of those fights. And from Trent’s dismissive air it was normal. 

  Trent felt uncomfortable with the look of sympathy she was giving him and quickly grabbed the box of ‘Coconia Green: Every leaf makes a difference’ the label went on to say that each bag was made of 2500% recycled fibers. He also grabbed a packet of instant cappuccino for him self and stuck two mugs of water in the microwave punching “80” on the number pad.

  Senira was shaking her head, a smile flitting across her lips. “It’s amazing what you people come up with,”

Trent couldn’t quell his curiosity any longer. “Where do you come from, then? I mean, you’ve told me you don’t have family and that you’re living in the City Park, but where did you come from?”

  She stared at him a long moment as if weighing something in her mind. 

The microwave beeped.

   “It’s... complicated,” she said at last, taking the now steaming mug from him and tearing into a packet of green tea. She seemed momentarily puzzled by the bag until she saw Trent ripping his packet of cappuccino and dumping the powder into his water, then she followed his example and tore the tea bag and dumped in the leaves.

  Trent thought about saying something, but Senira began speaking again before he could comment.

“I know you won’t believe me. Your kind is very close-minded about seemingly impossible things,”

Trent was about to protest, but she smiled and continued,  “I am not...” she chewed her lip, trying to find the right words. “I don’t belong to this world at all,”

Trent blinked and stared at her for a moment. Not from this world? “What?” he said aloud.

  “Oh, how do I explain this?” she wondered aloud, rubbing her temples. “You must try and understand that your world -- this world -- isn’t the only one.”

Trent didn’t believe her for a moment, but decided to play her game a bit. “Really? How many are there, then?”

She shrugged, seemingly surprised by his acceptance of the fact of more than one world. “We don’t know yet. There could be thousands. Or maybe just two -- Earth and Palendaí. We have only discovered and Written Earth so far. ”

 By this time Trent allowed a snort. “Really?” Sarcasm dripping from the word.

  Senira sighed impatiently. Seeing he had lead her on purposely, she said tersely, “You’re kind is so thick! Must you have to see everything before your very eyes before you believe it!” 

“Yes!” Trent said, becoming rather hot himself. 

  Senira jerked her backpack on to the counter and unzipped it, still muttering at the stupidity of humankind. She pulled out a thick leather bound book, ornately tooled with swirling designs and intricate knots.  

  Curious in spite of himself, Trent leaned closer to look at it. A change had come over Senira. Delicately she fingered the cover and her eyes had a soft light in them. “Well, open it.” Trent pushed.

“I only hope that my judgment is right,” she said solemnly. “You must tell no one of what I’m about to show you. No one.” Then she laid back the the leather cover. Trent’s jaw dropped. Instead of paper lined with words, he looked down, or rather up, at a carved ceiling; its swirls and spirals echoed those on the front of the book. It wasn’t like he was looking at an electronic screen of some sort, it was real. It was a window, an open window to another world.

  He reached his hand forward, unable to believe what he was seeing.

  Senira watched him wordlessly as he passed his hand through.

How can this be? Trent thought, his mind numb with disbelief. His hand was inside another world! He could feel a cool breeze wafting over the back of his hand. He felt the impulse to reach further in. Abruptly Senira slammed the book closed, trapping Trent’s hand between the cover and what felt like ordinary paper.

“Ouch!” he said, more out of shock than pain.

“You were starting to drift,” she explained, then smiled. “Do you believe me now?”

  After trying to speak without success, he waved the hand that had seen  the other world, Palendaí. 

   “How?” The words came at last. Senira’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling. “It is a difficult thing to explain, but I shall try and give it to you in a nut shell: I am a Writer. Part of a selected few who divide fact from fantasy until all that is left is pure fact.”

  “What?” Trent had no idea what she was talking about.

  “When we have gathered every single fact we write it down, creating a gateway to another world, you see?”

   Trent stared at her blankly. “No.”

  “Hmm. Well, take your world for an example. In Palendaí we had many myths and legends about a place called Earth, and every story has at least one grain of truth in it, so we set out to find it.”

 “Using a pen?”

  “Of a kind. When we had gathered everything - the very essence of your world - we wrote them into a Book. One just like this,” She fingered the leather binding gently. “But there is a danger in Writing things down. Once you have something in solid form it can be destroyed, though not as easily as an ordinary book.”

Trent pondered what she had said. “So,” he began, thinking aloud, “This Book. It’s your whole world?”

  “Yes.”

  “So,” he said again carefully. “If I threw this on the fire in the grate, it would destroy Palendy?”

  She raised an elegant brow. “Palendaí. Yes it would.”

  He smiled mock-evilly. “But,” she emphasized, “Keep one thing in mind. We have yours.”

Trent was about to reply ‘isn’t that risky’, but before he could speak their attention was caught by the Book. Its spirals were shining with intense blue light, piercing their eyes.

  Hurriedly Senira threw back the cover revealing the face of a young man. He was fair like Senira, with the same ice-blue eyes, but his hair was jet-black. “Oronin!” Senira exclaimed. 

“Senira!” The young man’s face was full of fear.  “You must come back!”

  “What’s happening?” Senira’s eye were wide as Oronin appeared to pick up the Book and hide behind what looked like a bookcase. The light from an explosion not ten feet away illuminated all three of their faces. “The Book! Earth! It’s been taken!”

Please note that ALL{that means EVERYthing - ideas, etc.} is OFFICIALLY COPYRIGHTED by me, SJM. 

Thanks;) Just a precaution. Please send feedback!! By the bucket loads! Pleeeease!!! :D 

Must dash to the next musical event! ~Gwyn

Guess what i got...!!

Ho, yes! Today my eldest sister and I went to 'The Big City' {see city adventure} to go Christmas shopping and stuff like that. Well, I took a bit more money than I usually do{anything over $2o :P. What can I say? I'm cheap!} and we 'happened' by Computer Village on the way back A-and... I'm writing you from the newly christened 'Newton' iBook. *squeals!* My own laptop! I bought it with my own money so I shall be *very* careful with Newton:) Like the name, by the way? I thought it appropriate considering he's an Apple. Comically sophisticated; I call it:) Or simply Me-ness.

On another note; yesterday the weather took a turn for the WAY worse. It is now snowing profusely and bone-chillingly cold. 16* and a wind chill of around -10* and blowing real hard. And this isn't our normal dry-cold either; to make us more miserable {it seems to me} it's very damp too. Yuck. There's about a 2 inch layer of ice on the water troughs mornings and nights; that's always a good sign telling you it's really to cold, if you are somehow unable to feel the icy daggers of the wind.
I was chopping the ice this morning and splashed my Carhart covered leg; the water froze in less then ten seconds. O.o I hate winter.
Well, now that I've rejoiced and ranted with you guys I must charge head first into said hated weather in order to feed my poor fuzzy ponies. Cheers!Gwyn

p.s. Sometime I have got to share a book with you. Its an amazing true story...! Okay, okay. Enough procrastinating.... well, here I go.... Maybe... Its getting dark out....

A FULL weekend

After 23 weeks two of our hens have finely started laying! My mum was ecstatic! It was hilarious; she opened the coop door and let out this loud "WHOOOP!!". She never made that noise before! She's usually quite laid back....

Anyway, after that she and I went to town to put my name on my 4-H group's bank account because last month I was elected Treasurer and Secretary. The whole switching over names and info took an hour, and I got to know "June" pretty well.:)

 Along the walls of the bank are big framed pieces of leather with lots of area ranch brands burned into them. I stared at those a lot as June straightened the records. There were some I knew and most I didn't. I tried deciphering them too. Brands are like a whole language of their own: There's the Walking J, a j with little 'feet'. The Triple C, three c's stuck together. The Flying E, or Lazy E, an E on it's back with 'wings'.    And those are just a few...! (the ones I can explain :P) Many of them I couldn't begin to read. A heart on a stick, the odd squiggle-bar-letter, and so on.

{{Can I just say right now that I love living the Western life? Just 'cause I really do! ;)}}

  

  After that it was off with my brother(who plays cello) to play at a special Mass for a friend's parent's anniversary. That went very well and I'm quite happy with my performance, if I do say so myself:) Yeah, I really enjoyed it :)

Sunday was the big violin concert. The very one I have been dreading. The one where... the Youth Orchestra plays! Ahhh! We were soooo not ready...! And yet... by some miracle we pulled together at literally the last second and sounded fine! Whoo! God is great!! I had been worrying a bit. Just a bit. O.o How fruitless it was! And I'm glad it was(:D

Em and I played The Lover's Waltz again and afterwards got asked to play it at a wedding, a concert, and a talent show! And almost every parent at the concert came up to us to say we did real well. That felt really good. I get a warm fuzzy feeling thinking about it:)

Yes. 'Twas a good, if packed, weekend.

I had regular violin lessons today and I discussed getting a better violin. The one I have now is good quality and good for starters, but now that I'm getting really, seriously into fiddling, I need one with not just good sound but great sound. I'm saving my money up and I hope to get one *maybe* by Christmas or later... Cross fingers! The one that I would really like is $9,000, but I don't think I can afford that so I'm shooting a bit lower. Okay, way lower. Like, less than $1,000. We'll see!! My birthday is coming up *gasp!* next week?? That snuck up! Yup, next Friday! Yay!! I'll have to stick one of those count down clocks up...! :D

~Till the next exciting thing!~Gwyn~

My city expedition :D

Like I mentioned yesterday I got to visit the city because of the sculpture dedication for The City of Presidents. I don't think I've ever mentioned my Dads a sculptor..... Well, he is! ;D

This year he did Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad.

This is after the unveiling in the theater. It's not very good quality because the lighting in there was horrible for pics.

Outside the theater there was a bum playing the harmonica. To be obscure, I took the photo while walking. lol!

The statue in the left is Ronald Reagan, another of my dad's for the Presidents deal.

This here is the theater where the presidents were unveiled.

Across the street was a Celtic shop! Mum and I really wanted to go in, but we didn't have time. Drat.

Another president. This one not done by my Da :)

My favorite pic! My first ever parking meter!! How exciting!!:D

An alien landing site! Well, that's what occurred to me when I took this.

An interesting... turret... thing...

Wall mural...

An awesome mural on the wall of the old fire house that's now a restaurant that we ate at.

The sign of said restaurant we went to with fellow sculptors, donors, and history buffs from the unveiling.

The bar in the restaurant. It was really loud in there, but the food was good and it was so cool inside; full of old fashioned fire engines and things like that.

My tea and lea-a-mon;)

Apparently The Fire House also has theater dinners on special days. For Halloween there's one for Dracula. Ooo! Scary! :P

That's the last of my pictures, but afterwards we went shopping.

I got a grey tee and a pair of jeans. Hopefully these will last longer than the others. I also got a brown tank, or, as my elder sister informs me, a 'cammi'. O.o Whatever. Shows how much I know about fashion and all that. XD

We had to stop at the book store and everyone but me found a book worth buying. I can't believe all the terrible sop that goes on the teen bookshelves. A lot are just run-offs of Twilight and other such drivel.

The only thing I came out with was disgust. There were some rather *ahem* air headed girls my age in the same aisle as me and they were talking about how much they disliked Christians. When asked why they said because of all the witch burnings in the past and because we are 'so narrow minded'. They said if they had been back in the middle ages they would have been burned too. I can only guess they meant they practiced witch crap too(scuse moi).

I didn't say anything because, quite frankly, I though I might say something rash. My emotions were on the high anyway so I simply stomped out of the store and fumed in the kitchen shop next door. That helped; looking at the tea pots and the scent of coffee wafting in the air... It gave me time to think. But it still bothers me a bit; should I have said something?

Other than that it was a great day, though I'm glad I don't live there. All that noise! Ugh! And so many people crowding about... I don't know how some people like that stuff. But its cool to get out there occasionally.

My times up! Later!~ Gwyn

Weekend in the City(coming tomorrow)

Whoohoo! Saturday I had quite an adventure in a real city! My dad deticated a sculpture and we went shopping and(biggest part!) I got to use my first parking meter!!!!

Look for all that to come tomorrow! I've got loads of pics!

I would post it today but I'm out of time...

Till tomorrow!~Gwyn