Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Get A Copy
Title: Grave Dance (Alex Craft #2)
Author: Kalayna Price
Published: July 5, 2011 by Roc
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy
After a month of down time, Grave Witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But when her new case forces her to overuse her magic, it might be the last mystery the Grave Witch ever gets to solve...
Preorder your copy today!
7 . 5 . 11
After a month of down time, Grave Witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But when her new case forces her to overuse her magic, it might be the last mystery the Grave Witch ever gets to solve...
Preorder your copy today!
7 . 5 . 11
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
In Which I Only Pay For Tape and Shipping
I'm still feeling a bit lethargic today and the overcast weather is not helping. Though I have to say, I don't miss the heat. We're having crazy weather here though. (A thunder storm just started while I'm writing this)
Anyways, today I am going to provide a tutorial on how to ship books securely without having to pay for any packaging materials except for tape. I often hate it when my books arrive in an undesirable state due to bad packaging and the postal service's careless handling. This guide will help prevent most damage done by the post office and rainy weather.
Step 1: Raid your local post office of its free supplies.
You're looking mainly to get your hands on the free 12.5" x 9.5" cardboard envelopes and the Tyvek envelopes.
They look like this
Or, you can visit your domestic post office's website to order the supplies for free. Here are the links to get the above materials from the United States Postal Office.
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Express Mail Tyvek Envelope
Step 2: Take apart one of the 12.5" x 9.5" cardboard envelopes
Step 3: Flip over the cardboard so that the colored side is facing you
Step 4: Take your book and line it up to the already creased edge
Step 5: Mold the cardboard to the shape of the book
Step 6: Remove the book and crease the new edges so that they can be more defined
Step 7: Place the book back on the cardboard. Make sure the side with the adhesive strip is under the non-adhesive strip side when folding the sides back into place.
Step 8: Peel off the adhesive backing, fold the other side over on top of the adhesive side, and press firmly down. Either cut off or tape down excess cardboard.
Step 9: If you have excess cardboard on the sides with the openings, trim it away so that you can more easily fold them down later. A good way to determine how much to cut away is to think about whether or not two-thirds of the book is covered when folding one side over.
Step 10: At the opening, cut along all four creases until you hit the four corners of the book
Step 11: You should now have four flaps. Fold down the smaller flaps then fold down the larger ones. Make sure when you're folding the flaps down that the creases are snug against the edges of the book.
Step 12: Stick one piece of tape over the top flap and press firmly down.
Step 13: Repeat Steps 9-12 on the other opening. In the end, you should have something that looks similar to this
.................................................................................
You can stop now, or you can continue on to water proof your package
.................................................................................
Step 14: Take a Tyvek envelope and cut along all the sides so that you have two separate pieces. One with the writing all over it, the other with a blank side. Toss away the side with the writing. In case your book is too big or you're packaging more than one book together, you may have to cut up multiple tyvek envelopes and tape them together.
Step 15: Flip the tyvek sheet over so that the colored side is facing up and then fold the sides toward the middle. The blank side should now be facing you. Tape down the side that is on top.
Step 16: At one of the openings, fold the shorter sides inward so that the longer sides now look similar to a triangle. Afterwards, fold the longer sides down. Cut off or fold any excess tyvek that sticks out.
Step 17: Tape down the top longer flap
Step 18: Repeat Steps 16 and 17 on the other opening. You are now finished!
Anyways, today I am going to provide a tutorial on how to ship books securely without having to pay for any packaging materials except for tape. I often hate it when my books arrive in an undesirable state due to bad packaging and the postal service's careless handling. This guide will help prevent most damage done by the post office and rainy weather.
Step 1: Raid your local post office of its free supplies.
You're looking mainly to get your hands on the free 12.5" x 9.5" cardboard envelopes and the Tyvek envelopes.
They look like this
Or, you can visit your domestic post office's website to order the supplies for free. Here are the links to get the above materials from the United States Postal Office.
Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Express Mail Tyvek Envelope
Step 2: Take apart one of the 12.5" x 9.5" cardboard envelopes
Step 3: Flip over the cardboard so that the colored side is facing you
Step 4: Take your book and line it up to the already creased edge
Step 5: Mold the cardboard to the shape of the book
Step 6: Remove the book and crease the new edges so that they can be more defined
Step 7: Place the book back on the cardboard. Make sure the side with the adhesive strip is under the non-adhesive strip side when folding the sides back into place.
Step 8: Peel off the adhesive backing, fold the other side over on top of the adhesive side, and press firmly down. Either cut off or tape down excess cardboard.
Step 9: If you have excess cardboard on the sides with the openings, trim it away so that you can more easily fold them down later. A good way to determine how much to cut away is to think about whether or not two-thirds of the book is covered when folding one side over.
Step 10: At the opening, cut along all four creases until you hit the four corners of the book
Step 11: You should now have four flaps. Fold down the smaller flaps then fold down the larger ones. Make sure when you're folding the flaps down that the creases are snug against the edges of the book.
Step 12: Stick one piece of tape over the top flap and press firmly down.
Step 13: Repeat Steps 9-12 on the other opening. In the end, you should have something that looks similar to this
.................................................................................
You can stop now, or you can continue on to water proof your package
.................................................................................
Step 14: Take a Tyvek envelope and cut along all the sides so that you have two separate pieces. One with the writing all over it, the other with a blank side. Toss away the side with the writing. In case your book is too big or you're packaging more than one book together, you may have to cut up multiple tyvek envelopes and tape them together.
Step 15: Flip the tyvek sheet over so that the colored side is facing up and then fold the sides toward the middle. The blank side should now be facing you. Tape down the side that is on top.
Step 16: At one of the openings, fold the shorter sides inward so that the longer sides now look similar to a triangle. Afterwards, fold the longer sides down. Cut off or fold any excess tyvek that sticks out.
Step 17: Tape down the top longer flap
Step 18: Repeat Steps 16 and 17 on the other opening. You are now finished!
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Busy Monday
Good evening fellow blog world!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! My pale self developed a tan this weekend since I dared to venture outdoors instead of staying cooped up indoors with the air conditioning. Today it reached 90 degrees and I was unfortunately getting cozy with the sun once again. :(
The good news is, I got to meet up, catch up, and shop with one of my friends from college! I also finally gifted one of the Nene Thomas prints to a different friend, so now I can post a picture of it here!
So, here it is!
Moon Amethyst by Nene Thomas 12x17 Ornate Silver Frame
by Craig
Well, that's all for today. I'm way too tired to write or draw anything relatively amusing.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! My pale self developed a tan this weekend since I dared to venture outdoors instead of staying cooped up indoors with the air conditioning. Today it reached 90 degrees and I was unfortunately getting cozy with the sun once again. :(
The good news is, I got to meet up, catch up, and shop with one of my friends from college! I also finally gifted one of the Nene Thomas prints to a different friend, so now I can post a picture of it here!
So, here it is!
by Craig Well, that's all for today. I'm way too tired to write or draw anything relatively amusing.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Book Review: Hexed by Ilona Andrews et. al.
Title: Hexed
Author: Ilona Andrews et. al.
Published: June 7, 2011 by Berkley
Format: Paperback, 336 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Four of the bestselling names in romance and fantasy come together in this collection of thrilling novellas featuring powerful women who know how to handle a hex or two...
New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews spins "Magic Dreams." Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau finds herself in deep waters when she must challenge a dark being to a battle of wits or risk losing the man for whom she secretly longs.
Warning Picture Spoilers (sort of)
What I Liked: Dali's crazy family and her cross eyed tiger-shifter self.
(Note: If you save the picture above, Dali is much more detailed when you zoom in)
What I Disliked: It ended too soon!
What I Disliked: It ended too soon!
Rating for Magic Dreams: 4.8/5
Overall Rating for Hexed: 3.5/5
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Annihilation of the Creepy Crawly
Holy mother@#$%&#!!!
There was a HUGE spider in my room last night!
I swear there's been an influx of spiders this year because I've been killing a lot lately. The one last night scared the bejeezus out of me! Did I mention it was HUGE? It blended in with my carpet as well, and the bloody thing moved swiftly! Thank goodness I had my creepy-crawly exterminator near by (i.e a dense flip-flop with a ridged bottom). I was almost too afraid to get near the thing since it was so BIG. But than the alternative would be to let it live and let it roam free in my room. I thought "OH, hells NO" with multiple exclamation marks!!! So I built up the courage to smash the spider with my flip-flop and grind it with its ridged bottom. When I removed the shoe, it still looked pretty whole and not in the usual decapitated state past spiders were in, so I left the heavy flip-flop there and then stacked some even heavier materials on top of that just in case the spider decided to reawaken and seek revenge. Finally this morning, I vacuumed that sucker up and some of it's smaller friends with it since I vacuumed my whole room. Hopefully I'll be spider free for at least a week. Here's a picture of how the spider looked like. Don't ask me why I even bothered to render a drawing of the nightmare.
There was a HUGE spider in my room last night!
I swear there's been an influx of spiders this year because I've been killing a lot lately. The one last night scared the bejeezus out of me! Did I mention it was HUGE? It blended in with my carpet as well, and the bloody thing moved swiftly! Thank goodness I had my creepy-crawly exterminator near by (i.e a dense flip-flop with a ridged bottom). I was almost too afraid to get near the thing since it was so BIG. But than the alternative would be to let it live and let it roam free in my room. I thought "OH, hells NO" with multiple exclamation marks!!! So I built up the courage to smash the spider with my flip-flop and grind it with its ridged bottom. When I removed the shoe, it still looked pretty whole and not in the usual decapitated state past spiders were in, so I left the heavy flip-flop there and then stacked some even heavier materials on top of that just in case the spider decided to reawaken and seek revenge. Finally this morning, I vacuumed that sucker up and some of it's smaller friends with it since I vacuumed my whole room. Hopefully I'll be spider free for at least a week. Here's a picture of how the spider looked like. Don't ask me why I even bothered to render a drawing of the nightmare.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I Want Sexy Arms Too!!!
Hi blog world!
I don't feel much like writing today, so I'm going to basically finish off the last post with a few simple comments and pictures.
Basically after about two months of Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones and Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six-Pack
Without giving up this:
This happened:
However, I had to suffer through moves like these:
Overall Rating for No More Trouble Zones: 5/5
Overall Rating for 6 Week Six-Pack: 4/5
I don't feel much like writing today, so I'm going to basically finish off the last post with a few simple comments and pictures.
Basically after about two months of Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones and Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six-Pack
Without giving up this:
This happened:
However, I had to suffer through moves like these:
Overall Rating for No More Trouble Zones: 5/5
Overall Rating for 6 Week Six-Pack: 4/5
Monday, June 20, 2011
Puff...Puff...Puff: A Backgorund Story in Exercising
Hello everyone! I hope you have enjoyed your weekend! =)
If any of you have actually read my profile (*hint: it's on the right side of this post, unless you're reading this on a feed than I can't really help you there) you will know that I have been exercising quite a bit recently. It all started early this year when I realized I had too much spare time on my hand and I looked down at my tummy and thought "Aren't you jutting out quite a bit all around?" After talking to my stomach about its increased physical volume, a sudden scenario flashed through my conscious of me in the near future and snooty relatives telling me I have let myself go while searching for a job. Once the thought passed, I apologized profusely to my stomach, for I knew it would soon have to endure much pain. However, I promised it that it could still digest whatever it wanted because I knew in the deepest recesses of my heart I could never give up any type of food let alone carbs.
Soon after, I contrived my own exercise routine that specifically targeted my abdominal area. I worked at it for a few months for 3-4 times a week about 20-30 minutes each day. Some of the moves looked something like this.
How I initially felt looked like this.
A few weeks into it, I felt more like this
Sadly, as things go the way they do, my love handles and muffin top stubbornly stayed mostly the same. I glared at it and gave it a good tongue lashing whenever I felt it made its presence known to the world by stretching a shirt and in doing so, emphasizing its rotund state. Despairing for a bit that I may have to indeed give up certain foods, I decided to embark on a journey to my sister's place and seek comfort (i.e. bitch-it-out). But lo and behold, guidance was found and a new regime tested to my utter pain but shockingly positive results.
To be continued tomorrow
If any of you have actually read my profile (*hint: it's on the right side of this post, unless you're reading this on a feed than I can't really help you there) you will know that I have been exercising quite a bit recently. It all started early this year when I realized I had too much spare time on my hand and I looked down at my tummy and thought "Aren't you jutting out quite a bit all around?" After talking to my stomach about its increased physical volume, a sudden scenario flashed through my conscious of me in the near future and snooty relatives telling me I have let myself go while searching for a job. Once the thought passed, I apologized profusely to my stomach, for I knew it would soon have to endure much pain. However, I promised it that it could still digest whatever it wanted because I knew in the deepest recesses of my heart I could never give up any type of food let alone carbs.
Soon after, I contrived my own exercise routine that specifically targeted my abdominal area. I worked at it for a few months for 3-4 times a week about 20-30 minutes each day. Some of the moves looked something like this.
How I initially felt looked like this.
A few weeks into it, I felt more like this
Sadly, as things go the way they do, my love handles and muffin top stubbornly stayed mostly the same. I glared at it and gave it a good tongue lashing whenever I felt it made its presence known to the world by stretching a shirt and in doing so, emphasizing its rotund state. Despairing for a bit that I may have to indeed give up certain foods, I decided to embark on a journey to my sister's place and seek comfort (i.e. bitch-it-out). But lo and behold, guidance was found and a new regime tested to my utter pain but shockingly positive results.
To be continued tomorrow
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Book Review: Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance
Author: Karen Chance
Published: June 7, 2011 by Signet Select
Format: Paperback, 432 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cassandra Palmer recently defeated a god, which you'd think would buy a girl a little time off. But it doesn't work that way when your job description is Pythia-the world's chief clairvoyant. Cassie is busier than ever, trying to learn about her power, preparing for her upcoming coronation, and figuring out her relationship with the enigmatic sexy master vampire, Mircea.
Warning Picture Spoilers (sort of)
What I Liked: Almost constant action...poor Cassie!
What I Disliked: Mircea being an a'hole with his power games
Rating: 5/5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I know they're not entirely accurate. It's just the gist of the scene. And yes, I drew both pictures myself using only MS Paint. Got lazy on the second one though. heh. A reminder to myself, do not use the Netbook to do the next book review, it will take way longer than necessary.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Height Difference
Reason's why I typically hate driving other people's car
1. Size Matters!
2. Foot-to-Gas Pedal Distance
3. It's Too Sensitive!
1. Size Matters!
3. It's Too Sensitive!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Music Review: Adele 19 & 21
A few posts ago, I gushed about a music artist for a few moments. Today, I'm dedicating a whole post about this amazing young woman! Here's a very brief description about her: young, British, charmingly funny, and most importantly, has a GREAT LIVE VOICE!!!
If you haven't figured it out from the picture and title of the post, I'm fan-girling about Adele!
Since words can't really describe how amazing she is, this post will be mainly based on YouTube embedded videos with a little commentary about the album. So, if you enjoy a bluesy voice, continue on.
19 is the first album Adele released back in 2008. I enjoy the whimsy in some of the songs like Daydreamer and Best For Last.
However, the most notable song, in which I like to call "The Wedding Song", is a cover of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love
.(Bob Dylan's original: Make You Feel My Love
)Overall Rating: 5/5
As I mentioned earlier, if you enjoy Adele's recorded songs, you'll definitely enjoy her live performances. Here's a video of Make You Feel My Love performed live on David Letterman.
Unlike some artists, Adele doesn't disappoint with her sophomore album 21. Released back in February of this year, Adele's newest album has been captivating new and old listeners with it's country-soul feel.
The most notable songs are Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You
I loved every song in this album except for her cover of Lovesong
. She does a great job with it, just that I will always love 311's version more. Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Here's a live performance of Someone Like You on Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Lastly, here's a funny interview with Adele on the Graham Norton Show. (You may want to forward the first video to the 2:25 mark) Enjoy!
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