I'm sitting in my hotel room in... where am I? Melbourne? Adelaide? Wherever. Anyway, here I sit, tapping away at my laptop, about to go to bed and I figured I'd drop by and say hi.
So, y'know... hi.
The tour continues to go well. In fact, it's going great. Brilliantly. The response has been incredible, with so much energy and enthusiasm at each event. Signing queues have been massive, which is slightly less cool, because I just don't have the time to chat to each person as much as I'd like to, or even sign all of their books in some cases. Next time I'm over I'm going to INSIST that more time is left for signing. Some of these Minions-with-funny-accents go through an awful lot to get to me- some have been driving for 7 hours, some have even FLOWN in... The least I can do is have a chat and sign whatever they have. Sometimes that's just not possible, but I try my best.
I've met so many people from this Blog and the Forums and the Facebook pages (and the old Bebo page! Which I must reactivate... maybe... The Bebo page was DAUNTING because of the amount of comments and emails I'd have to answer every time I logged in... Every time I opened the Bebo page I'd spend HOURS there... no such thing as a quick dip in and out...)
Where was I? Oh yes, meeting a load of people I've only seen online. That's pretty cool, to be honest. I had no idea, for example, that Nixion or Calamity were Australian (well, maybe I did have an idea once, but I'd totally forgotten it). It's always so weird when I meet people and realise I know them from somewhere online- it's like we're old friends, and yet we've never met...
Another nice thing about being on tour is the amount of hyperventilating teenage girls who arrive in front of me. I swear, if Teenage Me ever found out what Adult Me is confronted with every day on tour, he'd be so insanely jealous... You're all hysterically funny and quite, quite odd.
When I get home I'll post pictures of some of the cool stuff I've been given (really, you'll have to see them to understand the coolness of some of your fellow Minions), but suffice it to say that I'm really glad I only packed half a suitcase worth of stuff- because I'll be going home with a LOT more than I came with.
Right then, just a few things before I go... According to the Facebook page, some stores in the UK and Ireland have already released KOTW. Naughty, naughty stores. On its OFFICIAL release date I'll put up a special Spoiler blog where you can discuss it here openly, but until then, please keep doing what you're doing and don't spoil it for the others. I'm very grateful to you all for the restraint you've shown so far.
Because of the fact that some schools are back early, some of the Irish times have been changed.
Thursday 30th August
Public Signing: Easons, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge, TIME CHANGE FROM 12 noon to 2PM start.
Friday 31st August
Public Signing: Dubray Books, Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny, TIME CHANGE FROM 2PM TO 4PM start.
And one last thing- the competition winners from, ahem, last year. Yes yes, it's taken me ages to send you your books, but now you're also going to get a signed KOTW too, so, like, yay...! But I need you to send your names and addresses to us again, because SOME of you, hilariously, decided not to include your real name the last time, and instead insisted that the books be sent to your online taken name... which would have confused the nice people who deliver the parcels. Also, I know that at least one of you have changed addresses since winning, so we're gonna need an update.
So, send your real name, and your real address (and also your online name so I'll know who you are) to this email:
kids.marketing@harpercollins.co.uk.
It's the only email address they could find that wasn't being used for anything else... Sorry...
EDIT:
Here's the list of winners, in case you've forgotten.
Miss Arianna Dark
Skulduggeryaddict
Octaboona
Asteria Wing
The BookNommer
Necros
Andrew
Silke Gronau
Lauren Longbottom
Mar-Chu
Valkyrie V
Kallista
Thalia
Posts
4,893 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 3601 – 3800 of 4893 Newer› Newest»Claire: Much? Ew!
Bethany: I don't understand...
Liliana: *she sighs* Yes. Fine.
(xD my cat just fell off the bed!)
*blushes and coughs*
Claire is being dirty minded.
Onwa: *tiles head*
You sound...exasperated? Or irritated?
*Presses against Alastair, hiding behind him*
Claire: Me? Me?
Bethany: But it's a cage I made to stop Silente... I don't... *she frowns* Oh... Right.
Liliana: Hardly. I just think it is fair that you should get to choose what I wear given the fact I am doing likewise to you.
(Anddddddddddd Gemma's going to sleep.
Nighty night everyone...
*Hugs everyone who wants to be hugged tightly*)
Yes, you! Why do you even know about that stuff, you're ten or something!
Onwa: Mmm..
*closes her eyes, clothing slowly growing over herself*
*a short, tight skirt which would reach just below her underwear line, were she wearing any*
Short enough? I do so hope I'm not required to bend over..
(Night night gemma! *hugs tightly back*)
*wraps her in his coat and continues to hold her close*
(Anddddddd Iris is going to join Gemma. Byeee!)
(Bye Iris!)
(Good night, Gemma!)
Yeah, I think I'm fine. So...should we go for a walk? I'm dying to get away from this place.
(Good night, Iris!)
(My right eye has been inexplicably tearing up since yesterday so it looks like I'm constantly half-crying and you have no idea how annoying it is having to wipe away tears every other second. At least it's only one eye.
Hi.)
(Hey J)
Claire: I've killed people. You get to see a whole lot of weird stuff.
Liliana: Perfect length.
*she sighs, clothes like Onwa described appearing on herself*
Claire! And you complain about us kissing.
Onwa: *gently cradles her face, only half dressed*
What's wrong?
*Closes her eyes tightly*
Claire: Just because I've seen it doesn't mean I like watching it.
Bethany: I'm a little... disturbed?
Liliana: Nothing, why?
(I will be back soon.)
So am I..
Onwa: You keep sighing..
*kisses her hair*
(I am back.)
Bethany: But how would we use the cage?
Liliana: The collar is not exactly my choice of attire.
(*gently hugs Noelle*)
Ow..
(*stops hugging*
*looks at her, concerned*)
Are you alright, Noelle?
:/
Is there any way we can help you, Noelle? That you can tell us, I mean? If not, it's okay, just, if there is something we can do that you know helps, that would enable us to help you better so would be good?
(like always, not really here. Wbd, msd.)
*wraps Adra in a hug as much for himself as for her*
Mnyergen.
(*nods at Star's words*)
(Hey, Trip!)
(Herrow Tia. How are things?)
(As good as they can be, I guess. How about you?)
(Eh. Nothing wrong with me, but the guys at school are all a bit... hormoney.)
I don't think so, Star- I'm sorry. I feel unreachable
(What do you mean?)
Iy's okay, Noelle.
Also, just because something seems unreachable, because it's at the top of a little and the hundred possible paths leading to it have all been blocked off for example, doesn't mean there's not a way.
*addresses Blogland as a whole* It's half eleven. Should I go to sleep or stay and talk a bit?
(They're adolescents and are doing adolescent things. I don't really fancy any more details, but you know, drama. I can't stand drama. Well, I can in certain circumstances, but when following my advice would have directly avoided the drama, I can't stand it.)
@Trip: :)
I mean I can try, but even still, I'm not good at it.
When I say I'm depressed, I'm not doing the faux teenage-girl depression that comes out of a stupid break up. This is different- this is actually because of a chemical imbalance of serotonin in my head, and those neurotransmitters aren't working. I'm not getting serotonin, and I'm sad, and lonely, and secluded, and so on and so forth. I feel like the theory of Relativity: life is moving infinitely slowly, and the gravity of the black hole crushes me from the inside out.
Basically, I feel unreachable because... Because no matter how hard I try to break my cycle, i can't.
What does your heart tell you, Star?
*hugses Adra, sending a you're awesome vibe*
Yay!!! I have a delay tomorrow!!
*is allowed to wake up at 8am now*
-Zaf
@Star :)
How are you, friend?
Do you have antidepressants?
Er... good for you, Zaf?
*sighs* I probably should just not come on...
-Zaf
My heart doesn't know, that's why I'm asking you. :P
I think talking rn might be worth being tired, but idk I might regret it tomorrow.
I'm good, danke, Trip. I've got lots of homework, but it's art homework so it's all cool, and we've moved onto biology and my biology teacher is awesome and I get to sit next to C and what we're doing is similar enough to surgery-related that it sets me off fangirling about the Stormlight Archive, so . . . it's cool. :P
I would ask you, but you already just said I think. :)
Hey Zaf...
No, but I'm seeing my psychologist in a few days about it...
My one medicine, which is supposed to help stop the impulsivity of self harm Doesnt do much as evidenced... And my lexapro is used for anxiety and major depression disorders, but it only solves the former of the two.
Or you could take note of the situation and try and fit in it, rather than forging your own. It'd lead to greater happiness for all.
Aye, Star, I did. Puny mortal teenagers won't follow my plans for their happiness. :P
*nods* Because in my limited, unprofessional opinion, you should be . . . and, no, I wouldn't, in my secondhand limited unprofessional opinion, say it's working either.
I guess it's good you're seeing your psycologist about it soon, though. :)
Hey, Danni. :)
@Trip: :P Let the puny mortal teenagers be puny mortal teenagers. They'll learn someday, and their happiness will feel vetter for having been earned or some shit like that. :P
Yeah...
(@Noelle ...
*wants to gently hug and reassure her everything will be alright*)
(Hey, Danni...)
*has basically no medical knowledge*
*would like to help*
They'll learn some day, yes. But it's a lot easier to merely learn from the mistake of your forebears.
Hey, Rose.
And yeah perhaps I shouldn't, it seems whenever I do come on after a lot of people go to bed it just is all saddness and doom and gloom.
-Zaf
(@Trip have you ever seen Brainiac? It was a British "science" series with Richard Hammond.)
(Hey, Zaf.)
*huggles Kas warmly*
Zaf, I think you should stay around. It's not all that bad.
(Of course I've seen Brainiac, it was the bees knees when I was a youngster. And it had Oliver from that Top Gear special in it, which was amazing.)
Damn...
>.<
And do nothing works really
Yeah, Zaf, and I think your doomand gloom over the doom and gloom adds to the doom and gloom. :P
I have no problem withdoom and gloom. Everyone please feel free to doom and gloom on me all you like. :)
Yes, Trip, but . . .
. . . Pretend I'm not tired and as such managed to form a decent reply meh. :P
DID YOU KNOW YOU'RE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO ACCIDENTQLLY DROWN IN A SWIMMING POOL IN THE US THAN YOU ARE TO BE ACCIDENTALLY KILLED BY A FIREARM IN THE US???
http://www.m1-garand-rifle.com/gun-safety/firearms-versus-swimming-pools.php
There.
The stuff AVEN links me to, I swear. :P
Yeah, but you're much less likely to be killed deliberately with a swimming pool than a gun. :P
(*hugs Danni and observes Blogland*)
*Doesnt like the phrase doom and gloom....*
*Has to go now*
*cuddles up against Kas*
Neither do I, really, Noelle. It makes it sound awfully negative n a hating way. :/
..* nod*
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DorcFBk4sf8
The Patrick steward Macbeth is good..
*Nods*
*Curls up*
I use it jokily when talking about news, these days I find doom and gloom has rather humerous connotations.
Goodbye, Death. *hugs*
*cuddles Noelle*
That was nuts, Adra. So much, weirdness.
A really good use of the camera to do in a play what otherwise could not be.
I can't really do video - on my phone, low battery, after midnight. I canwatch tomorrow, though. :)
I guess it depends how it's used, TripTripTrip.
Maube slightly random, but my friemdship grounp uses the word 'dead' to mean 'ill'. Like, B's ill now, so when telling us she was off school for illness, D said "B's dead." And when someone comes back of school for being ill we go "You're not dead!" and they're like "No!", or we're like "Why were you off?" and they're like"Oh, I died."
:P
Idek.
*Stewart
>.<
It doesn't matter Beth..
Onwa: *unlatches the leash and removes the collar, whimpering and breathing a little raggedly from pain*
(*cuddles against Danni sleepily*
Good night...)
(Good night, guys!)
(Wb Silente)
For us, being ill is being on a skiing holiday. :P
(Sleep well, Tia.)
@Trip: XD
Okay
I'm going to sleep now. :P
Fours! Sweet dreams, everyone. :)
Sleep well, Star.
Ow..
*sighs*
-Zaf
*hugs Adra, doesn't really know what to say*
I'll be available tomorrow, if you want to see me?
*holds Noelle*
I'll try my best, Trip...
my weekend has an ACT and a dance competition, so I must do homework that evening.
I'll try...
*Curls up tighter*
*Cries sightly*
alastair, will Aretha be able to join?
Thank you. Don't worry if you can't, but I'm here if you can.
Okay, Trip. I'll try to get what I can finished,
Do you mean to ask if she will be here tomorrow?
If she would like to come into the g+ hangout with trip and I..
Thanks. I should probably go to bed...
I see. That would likely depend on the time, actually. Fridays are busy for her, so she will try, but I am afraid that if I were to make any promises I would only disappoint you. After school she will have to teach her ballroom club, after that she has agreed to help a friend with her presentation for a science competition, and later in the evening she has her own ballroom lessons. If her friend leaves before she has to go for her lessons, she will be there, though I regret to say that usually, that doesn't happen. Apologies...
:( ok
Sleep well. *hugses*
*Nods*
...
*lays flat on the ground*
I never got to meet Ari...guess I'm not privleged.
Then again, probably never would want to meet me.
-Zaf
*Curls with her kitten in her corner, with her razor too*
*cuddles against Noelle so she can't hurt herself*
I will choose not to respond to that, Zafira, because you are making assumptions that I would have to put in some considerable effort to rectify.
*Holds it in her hands, making a small sound*
*sighs* I pretty much know how liked I am with people.
-Zaf
Sorry....just....not....doing well
-Zaf
*Lies flat*
*cuddles Noelle*
*Waits for cars to come* *Closes her eyes*
*a car would have to hit them both, if that's what she's implying* *suspects that, in this world, he could heal them, anyway*
:/
Damn
The only way to be hit by a car, would be to run in the middle of a road, and even then Alastair and I would heal and revive you, in this world at least. Even then, Alastair could keep you safe.
-Zalf
Alastair, trust me...
If I were courageous, perhaps.
:/
But I'm fairly not courageous
[tiptoes in]
[hugs Noelle]
[tiptoes out]
Now unless we have a major crisis I am letting Loki and the others have their fun.-Zaf
*Loki and Zanida are sparring down by the training area, the siblings are taunting each other, Thor and Astrid watch, laughing at the two fighting*
Astrid: It's weird, Zan is a goddess of fire, but yet she can summon ice. It's like a paradox.
Thor: Remember, water was deadly for her before, she couldn't be exposed to large amounts like now.
Astrid: Your father did something for her, didn't he?
Thor: Yes. Her and Loki were fighting and Loki nearly drowned her, I remember Mother yelling at him for that as I pulled Zan out. I thought she was going to Valhalla...she was so weak from the water. I do not know what happened, but when we took her to the healing room, Dad did something and from then on she never was hurt by large sums of water.
You can only NOT be something, if you believe you are not somthing. You have courage, you just do not see it within yourself at the time.
-Zaf
I dedicate this page to Noelle, may she find the stength to overcome her depression.
-Zaf
*Whispers* Alastair?
Alastair.
*Lies down instead*
*Retrieves the small grey bag with her new one*
200..
I just had my audition...
And I think I did okay.
(*Tumbles in*
*Hugs Danni*
*Tumbles off to sleep)
*appears quickly, letting people know she made it okay*
*leaves hugs, snacks, and tea*
*vanishes with a pop*
(Hello.)
Bethany: Okay...
Liliana: Thank you. Are you alright?
(Hey.)
*kisses her gently*
Mm..
Onwa: I'll be fine. I may have to numb my pain receptors slightly so I can walk..
*shrugs, grimacing at the movement*
*a corset flows over her body, tight as it can be without killing her, tucking her stomach in and her bust up*
*puts the collar and leash around her own neck*
*the skirt is black leather, the corset silver with black lace*
(Hello, Jaimie. *she hugs her tightly*)
Bethany: *she kisses her back* How long until Phaestra will be here?
Liliana: Much better. *she smiles*
(*hugs her tightly back*)
Oh. I'd forgotten about that. She said call her when we're ready so...
Onwa: *smirks*
Mmm, I REALLY hope I don't have to bend over. I doubt the corset would survive the trip, nor the townsfolk with the view.
*studies her own figure for a moment*
Would you prefer I were this skinny?
Claire: You can call a goddess?
Liliana: *she shakes her head* You look good, but you are soft, warm and comfortable normally. I love the way you are.
Well...mentally.
Onwa: *smirks, one eyebrow raised*
Soft, warm and cuddly? Hmm..I like it.
*grins, kissing her passionately, tensing up and groaning at the immediate pain it causes, still kissing*
Claire: How?
Bethany: Every goddess, and to some extent, their sons and daughters, have the telepathic capacity to tell when a mortal is thinking about them. To be able to home in on their position, though, they need to repeat their name three times in their head.
Liliana: *she kisses her passionately back, moving against her*
*nods*
It's basically like a pager.
Onwa: *gasps into the kiss, trembling slightly*
Claire: Right. Okay. I suppose that makes sense.
Liliana: ... I am sorry for hurting you. *she takes out a vial of black liquid from her pocket* Open your mouth.
*nods*
Yeah. Didn't know it worked with their offspring though..
Onwa: *shakes head, grinning*
It's fine. I'm enjoying this. Show me your wings?
Bethany: Just a little...
Liliana: *her wings appear, with a single feather on each of them*
Hmm. Might be a good idea to remember that..
Onwa: *gently plucks off each feather, igniting them in her hand*
*smirks*
I believe we have a feast to arrange?
Bethany: Why?
Liliana: *she winces a little* I would like to heal you first, Onwa.
In case of separation, or danger.
Onwa: *sighs*
*glows moonlight silver for a moment and when it fades almost all of the cuts have closed, although the bruises haven't faded*
Better love?
Bethany: Our souls are linked, remember?
Liliana: *she pockets the vial* Indeed. I do not like seeing you in pain.
(I have to go now. Goodbye.)
Might bsmile for Claire to remember.
Onwa: *smiles, gently stroking up her back*
Mmm..Good. That means if you plan to kill me it'll be painless.
*grins*
(Bye! *cuddles*)
*is feeling jealous of her friend's drawing skills*
She draws SUPER well! I so wish I could draw like that!
*poofs again*
(Hello.)
*pops in again, for a moment*
She taught me how to draw a dragon wing!
*whispers*
I'm worse than you think. dX
And she draws awesome wolves!
*pops out again, because she's showing me a song*
...
Okay, I'm in trouble.
*wishes she could hide from the aunt who's about to call*
*is probably overreacting but still*
(*hugs Hope*
You'll be okay. *nods*)
It wasn't... I messed up. I messed up really bad...
*hides her face behind her hair*
*vanishes and reappears in her treehouse and sits in a corner*
*needs to think, so she disappears again*
(You can tell me if you want... email?
I know what it's like to mess up. *hugs Hope gently*)
(It's nearly Valentine's Day ._.)
And I will go for my 16th year running without a Valentine.
Ah, but then again, I do prefer to watch Titanic and eat a tub of ice cream alone.
(*cuddles Danni*
*doesn't really know what to say*
*is also single*
*has never seen Titanic*
Hey...)
His HAVENT you seen Titanic??
*cuddles gently*
*curses and remembers she has work tomorrow*
*slowly falls asleep against Kas, hiding her nose from him*
(*cuddles warmly*
Good night, Danni...)
There's always a lighthouse.
There's always a man.
There's always a city.
(Hello.)
Bethany: True...
Claire: I'll remember it.
Liliana: I enjoy hurting you, but I do not like seeing you in pain.
And they all lead us to the same place.
Where it started.
(Hello, Tia.)
(Hey, Sophia!
*tackles her*
How's your day going?)
(*she steps out of the way of Tia's tackle* Rather boring, your own?)
Same. Let's liven up the day with an impromptu hand-to-hand combat exercise! *looks hopefully at her*
(Why, exactly?)
To relieve boredom while doing something that is pretty useful.
Also, which branch of the Alliance did you serve in? I mean, you're a Commander in which branch? Marines? Navy?
(Hand to hand combat will not benefit me. I have already been trained in such things.)
So you don't need practice?
(I am a Commander in the Navy. I served in the marines for a little while but nevertheless. I was part of the 5th Fleet.)
(Yeah, I realised that. Marines don't get command of warships.)
(Indeed they don't. And as far as practice goes... *she shrugs* I suppose it can't do any harm.)
That's the spirit! Do you want to do a little role-play with that? Or just a straight-up fight?
And you'll have to ditch the armour. *nods*
(A straight up fight is preferable. I find it rather difficult to roleplay as myself as I have changed since I first came on.
Fine, I shall remove my armour. *she does so, and she is wearing a hoodie and cargo trousers underneath* And do not worry, I will not use my biotics.)
(Ooooooh Kas is undressing Soph now is he? *grins*)
Good girl.
Onwa: Then I shall start blocking my pain receptors.
(The idea is somewhat revolting, Jaimie.)
Claire: *she smiles*
Liliana: Hm... I'd like that.
A little role-play won't hurt.
*picks up her armour and puts it on.
You're in a Cerberus facility, trying to escape after being captured. Normally, you'd sneak out, but the facility is in lockdown because of an imminent Alliance attack. You plan to don a Cerberus armour and join the first wave of Cerberus defenders to leave the facility, only to shoot them in the back, join up with the Alliance Marines and return to the facility, capturing and destroying it.
To do all that though, you need one of the Cerberus armours. Cerberus ensured that you cannot use biotics or tech powers for the next few hours, but you managed to ambush and disarm a Cerberus trooper, destroying the weapon in the process.
You prepare for hand-to-hand combatagainst an armoured opponent.
(Forgive me, I couldn't resist pointing that out.)
*smiles back*
Onwa: *nods*
Good. It's hardly complicated really.
(@Jaimie Hi and don't even go there, Sophia doesn't like that...)
(I have to say, Tia, you look somewhat odd wearing armour designed for a female.)
Claire: I like being called a good girl...
Liliana: I am glad. I wouldn't want you doing anything too complex.
*comes in, sits by a tree, sipping some tea that appeared in her hand almost as soon as she came*
*is here while she waits for her iPod to charge*
Need the alarm for tomorrow.
*nods and sips her tea again*
*pulls her knees close and rests her chin on them*
*feels tuckered out*
(Hey, Hope!)
(@Soph ssshh, no-one has to know.)
Hi.
*waves to Kas, Soph, and Sil*
How are you all?
(*hugs Jaimie*
*smiles*)
(Okay. How are you, Hope?)
(*she immediately throws a jab at Tia's unprotected head*)
*has been in a defensive stance since the loss of his gun, so he brings up his hands to deflect the jab*
As I sort of said, I'm feeling tired.
...
Among other things...
One thing I hate most is how I don't take something seriously unless I give all my attention to it, so if I think about something else, I forget... The problem is still there, but it's easier not to think about it... But this time, I shouldn't, so I can't, but I do. So it's there, in the back of my mind until I call it to the front again.
*adds*
And I hate it.
(I understand. Ignoring the problem can be too easy, but bad in the long term.)
*adds more*
The fact that I forget something serious and important. A problem that I need to focus on in order to fix...
*nods*
(*hugs kas back*)
Well you are a good girl.
Onwa: Mmm.. *kisses her, grinning*
*says slightly hesitantly and awkwardly*
Love you, Liliana.
(*she swings a punch at his stomach, quickly stepping to the right, throwing a jab at his head*)
(Gtg for a bit. See you later, guys!
Good night, Hope!)
*guesses her iPod's charged enough*
*finishes her tea, gets up and hugs Kas and Sil*
*waves slightly to Soph*
I'll be going to bed now. Night guys.
Claire: Thank you...
Liliana: *she kisses her back* Is the big, bad Onwa in love? How sweet. I suppose it's good that I love you too.
(I will be back soon.)
(Okay Soph.)
You're welcome.
Onwa: *rolls eyes, smiling*
The big bad Onwa? You make me sound like a wolf.
*grins, baring her teeth*
(Happy Friday, Blogland!
*may be here*)
Anyone know of some funny, light books?
(*totally didn't poof there*
Hi Dug! Green eggs and ham!)
Hi Sil!!
Um, I was hoping for chapter books, soy :P
(Ahhh..
Ummmmmm..
Uhhhhhh..
Light and funny?
...
*frowns*
*checks entire bookcase*)
(I got nothing. Maybe 'Sabine')
(My father is such a prick.)
(*hugs Jaimie and holds her comfortingly*)
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