Monday, July 29, 2013

The Last Of Us

I've been pretty busy these last few weeks, while at the same time trying my best to take some time off.

Apparently, time off is a good thing. Time off is necessary. We released The Maleficent Seven at the start of the year, and we're gearing up to the release of Last Stand of Dead Men in EXACTLY one month's time. That's two books out in the same year, one written straight after the other, not to mention one or two other short stories for various things yet to be announced. So I've pretty much been working nonstop since November of 2012. Wow. When I say it like that, I suddenly start to feel very tired...

I'm still waiting to hear back from Harper Collins on things like the back cover reveal, and possibly putting up a sample chapter or two. I also need to pick a date for a VERY informal reader get-together in Dublin over the next few weeks. When I said I'd do this back in April I had no idea I'd be so busy, so hopefully I'll still be able to fit it in. Oh, and in a matter of days I'll be posting the tour schedule for LSODM, which will be kicking off at the Edinburgh Book Festival on August 25th- where copies of the new book WILL be on sale.

I normally HATE early releases, but seeing as how it's only a difference of four days PLUS the fact that the Edinburgh audience never reveal spoilers, I don't mind this at all.

Er... I think I've strayed from the point of this Blog entry... what was it again?

Yes! Time off! That's it!

So, I haven't ACTUALLY been able to take any time off, but then I've never been one for taking holidays. However, I have managed to watch a few movies in the evenings, and watch a few TV shows to relax, and to play a few video games. And THAT is the point of this Blog entry.

Over the past few months, I've played two very good games. Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider. I've talked about these games in an earlier post. Of the two, I preferred Tomb Raider. It just felt more visceral. The gameplay was excellent, the atmosphere was amazing, and the tension was nerve-shredding. But apart from all that, it was the character work that stood out. Tiny emotions flickering across Lara Croft's face, paired with such wonderful voice acting, meant that I really cared about her. I liked her, and I didn't want anything bad to happen to her. In contrast to the gritty, naturalistic world of Tomb Raider, Bioshock was hugely imaginative fun with great gameplay, stunning visuals, and a great supporting character. The best supporting character in video games, I reckoned.

And then came The Last Of Us.

The Last Of Us is survival horror. 20 years after the outbreak of a fungal virus that latches onto a person's mind and drives them insane, the world is in ruins. Survivors gather in quarantined cities. Life is miserable. Life is cheap. Death is quick, cruel, and common. But outside the walls of the cities, it's even worse. That's where the Infected roam.

(A fungal virus sounds pretty laughable, right? Type 'Cordyceps' in to any search engine. Read up on what it does to ants. Now imagine what it'd do to people.)

You control Joel, a man in his 50s who has to escort Ellie, a 14 year old girl, across America. They go from city to town to suburb to countryside to mountains, and not only do they have to avoid the Infected, they have to avoid most of the other survivors as well. Because these are NOT nice people.

This is a game that combines the best elements of both Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite. The world is grim and gritty but so, so beautiful. Lush greenery spills up from cracked cement. The sky is a million shades of orange at dusk. But the action is brutal. And the supporting character is astonishing.

Play this game for a few hours and you'll start to really care about Joel and Ellie. Play it for a few hours more and you'll find yourself terrified. You'll hear the clicking of the Infected around you as you crouch in the darkness, and you'll freeze in fear. Why? Because you want to keep Ellie safe. That's ALL you'll care about.

This is one of the best games I've ever played. Is it the most fun? No, that'd probably go to one of the Uncharted games, just for sheer entertainment. But this is definitely the scariest, the most tense, and the most involving. It sucks you in and it doesn't let you go. This is a masterpiece of gaming that will be used as a benchmark for all games that come after, and as a piece of storytelling it succeeds where so many other stories fail.

It's brilliant. If you're over 18, then ready yourself, and go play it.


4,948 comments:

  1. Time off is a lie in general.

    THE BACK COVER. O.O I NEED TO SEE THIS!

    OH AND I TOLD EVERYONE ELSE AT THE PARTY YESTERDAY THAT THEY HAVE TO READ SP.

    BECAUSE THEY DO. THEY'LL LOVE IT.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  2. First again? WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?!

    HELLOOOOOOOO! [Waves]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  3. FABIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII YOU GOT FIRST . . .

    WHATTTTTTTTTTT. *cries* *has never gotten first on a blog post in my life, and is a whole blogyear older than Fabi*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  4. DEREK WHWRE ARE MY QUESTIONS, MAN?

    ReplyDelete
  5. AVENGED SEVENFOLD HAVE A SONG CALLED SCREAM!

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  6. DEREK YOU'RE RELEASING IT ON LIAM'S BIRTHDAY

    OH LORDY LOUIS

    I AM INSTAGRAMMING THIS TO LIAMMNMM!!!!!! *screams*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  7. STAR
    *liaughs*
    THAT IS SO LIKE YOU

    DEREK PLEASE COME ON BLOGLAND D:

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry Star! [hugs]

    I did have the advantage of being psychic, though, and knowing that Derek would post this morning, if that makes you feel any better. Granted, I didn't know it until this morning, but...

    MARA YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT ENDING! D':

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  9. *cries in a ball*DEREK COME TO US PELASE YOU NEVER DO ANYMORE PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

    I'VE DON'T MY WAITING
    12 YEARS IF IT

    IN AZKABAN

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Maraness: It is? :O

    WHAT HAS MUSIC DONE TO MY LIFE. :P

    I said about when I screamed in McDonalds because I saw the word 'rev' in a sectence about revving up for summer on the back of my Sprite cup, didn't I? I think I did . . . Maybe not. :P

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Fabi: It's not your fault. :P
    It's mine. XD
    I just always read the post before I post a comment. XD
    BAD STRATEGY, STAR. :P

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  12. [Gets out chocolate and cheddar cheese]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  13. *frowns at the cheese*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fabi - *laughs evilly*
    It had to happen :P
    WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE REAL ENDING >:)

    Star - Yep, you did XD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  15. DEREK
    DEREK
    DEREK
    DEREK
    DEREK
    DEREK
    DEREK
    ONE OF US
    ONE OF US
    ONE OF US
    ONE OF US

    ReplyDelete
  16. what even was i before one direction

    holy mother of nando's


    *screams* SPAM DEREK'S TWITTER! GET HIM TO COME ON BLOGLAND!

    #chaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Maraness: WELL I'M ALLOWED TO SAY IT AGAIN BECAUSE I AM A BUBBLE . . . oh wait no i'm not blaze turned me into a caterpillar NOOOOOOOOO.

    (Does anyone know how to turn me back into a bubble? :/)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  18. I read the post first as well. I just read quickly. :-P

    [Cheese frowns back]

    MARA IF I WASN'T PLANNING A DEATH SCENE OF MY OWN SUBPLOT, I WOULD BE ATTACKING YOU WITH A CHEESETHROWER, DO YOU HEAR ME? D:

    I tweeted him once!

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  19. DEREK GET OVER HERE THIS INSTANT, MISTER. (PLEASE).

    My brother was given The Last of Us last week. I'm planning on waiting a few months, until he'll more likely let me use it. :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  20. OMG JONNY WHERE

    *laughs because nobody will get her joke because she is a sad little fangirl who spends her days obsessing over a band who don't know she exists sigh*

    FABI OMG THERE IS THIS THING ON THE COMPUTER CALLED THE LITTLE MIXER AND YOU MAKE YOUR OWN SONG USING LITTLE MIX CLIPS IT'S SO COOLLLLLL

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  21. Omg, one month to LSODM.
    AHHHH!!!!
    I notify my friends about the countdown everyday XD

    Me and my friends did the 'pass out' challenge today, which is highly dangerous.
    I found this out afterwards though.
    I fainted and it was fun and then it kept not working and then I had a flashback and it was so scary that I stopped being dizzy and then yeah and then I forgot what happened, because I was going to tell my friends, but I forgot.
    But it was so cool, even though it's dangerous and stuff.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  22. *HUGS MARA*

    IT IS OKAY. EVERYONE KNOWS HANNIBAL BUT NO ONE KNOWS SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

    IT PUTS THE LOTION ON ITS SKIN OR IT GETS THE HOSE AGAIN

    ReplyDelete
  23. IENI [hugs]

    I AM NOT ON THE COMPUTER RIGHT NOW! D: I NEED GO TRY IT THOUGH.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  24. Actually, Derek, come to think of it, it seems that you and my brother have pretty similar taste in video games...
    He favours Uncharted, too. :3 ^^

    @Adra: I'VE BEEN TRYING TO WATCH SILENCE OF THE LAMBS FOR SO LONG.
    BUT I PARTIALLY DON'T WANT TO BECAUSE LIKE HANNI WHEN HE'S YOUNGER AND UNDERCOVER-LY AND HAS MIKKELSEN CHEEKBONES. BUT I MOSTLY NEED TO WATCH IT AT SOME POINT. :P
    ANd, also need to read the Red Dragon, and the other books. And the other films.
    Ugh. I need more time for Hannibal in my life. :P

    #ChaseForBOok9

    ReplyDelete
  25. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS OMG DONT EVEN

    MIKKLESEN AND CUMBERBATCH HAVE CHEEKBONES THAT CUT LIKE A KNIFE ON DEAD SKIN

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey, Fabi!:) *ninjaeroplanetacklehugs*

    I don't really play any video games. I'm silly like that.

    I think I look very ridiculous in these glasses...

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  27. DEREK PLEASE WE LOVE YOU

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  28. Apparently he's gone to see his nieces.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  29. O.O

    I typed that, and iTunes just started playing the Mads Mikkelsen song. ITunes wasn't even /turned on/. And I mentioned Mikkelsen's cheekbones and BAM.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  30. BULLSHIT

    DEREK DONT ABANDON YOUR MINIONS

    ReplyDelete
  31. *does air quotes irl*
    Of course he's "playing" with his "nieces".

    *scowls*

    HE DOESN'T LIKE US :(

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  32. @Adra: Did you watch the Hannibal tv series? :3 ^^

    Cheekbones - agreed. :3

    Cumberbatch was on a television show a couple of weeks ago - don't remember what - but my mum just, like shook her head and said "He is a weird looking guy", and I'm like: ._.

    xD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mara, we are too peasanty for him - he's the Golden God;)

    He's not come back on on Twitter, so I don't think he is coming on:(

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  34. I don't really play video games either...

    D: WHYYYYYY DEREK?

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  35. I AM NOT A PEASANT

    *is insulted*

    WHY, I LEARNED MY SASS FROM THE SASS MASTA OF DONCASTA;)

    seriously though i am such a peasant like gosh

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  36. *hugs everybody who appeared*

    *hugs everybody who was already here*

    *hugs everybody else*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  37. I can't control my anger and I've been
    About to explode far too many times
    I've seen my dreams becoming more violent
    Every time that I see you
    No matter how you try to define it
    I have been broken too many times
    Too much emotion, too long confined has
    Weakened the wall that protects you

    Ease your mind
    This moment will pass if you just . . .

    Leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My dysfunction is one your mind
    When you find that you're at odds with your desire
    Just leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My destruction is on your mind
    Before you find that you have
    Tested my resolve one too many times

    I am no stranger, you know that I've been
    Pressed to the wall far too many times
    Huard your behaviour or you will find my
    Murderous nature surround you
    Others have wandered over the line that
    Awaken the monster too many times
    Leave it unspoken and you will find an
    End to the violence if you can

    Ease your mind
    This moment will pass if you just . . .

    Leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My dysfunction is one your mind
    When you find that you're at odds with your desire
    Just leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My destruction is on your mind
    Before you find that you have
    Tested my resolve one too many times

    Ease your mind
    This moment will pass if you just . . .

    Leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My dysfunction is one your mind
    When you find that you're at odds with your desire
    Just leave it alone
    Leave it alone
    Every time
    My destruction is on your mind
    Before you find that you have
    Tested my resolve one too many times

    . . . I stil adore this song's lyrics.

    SOrry for my distance, string art claimed me. :P

    Oh wait. Brb. :/

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  38. Im going to the festival in edinburgh because Im scottish and I can...and Ieni is saying some very nasty words to me...

    hey guys :)

    #chaseforbook9

    ReplyDelete
  39. [hugs Taia back]

    MEL ITS BEEN FOREVER.

    I have to go soon... :-(

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  40. STAR STARSTARSTAR STARRRRR

    I FINISHED LIGHT!

    *sobs*

    *sings along to Pretend It's Okay*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  41. HEY FABI! I know, I decided to take a break from the blog and then I went to Tenerife :)
    YOU DID IENI. AND YOU ARE THE PEASANT. NOT ME. :)

    #chaseforbook9

    ReplyDelete
  42. MELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL *tacklehugs*

    IENI HOW DARE YOU
    POOR MEL :P

    lads these imagines are making me cry i mean what no my eyes are just sweating shut up

    *sings along to F**king Perfect*
    I LOVE MY PHONE IT HAS AWESOME SONGS XD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have to go now, will not be back for...time.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  44. hey Mara!!!!!!
    guys have I missed anything important in the last three months...?

    #chaseforbook9

    ReplyDelete
  45. *hugs Mara because Light and feels and what*
    *HUGS AND SOBS*
    I ACTUALLY WANT TO RUN TO IRELAND AND HUG YOU

    So are you back now, Mel O'Peasant?
    I AM NOT A PEASANT O'PEASANT
    You know they built Hadrian's Wall to keep the Scottish Barbarians out.
    YOU BARBARIAN!

    I have that on my MP3, Mara:)

    YOU MISSED THE ROLE-PLAY CRISIS THING
    I'll explain on Facebook:)

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  46. Bye Fabigail! *hugs* :(


    oh god
    "The Letter He Leaves You After He's Died From Cancer"
    doN'T YOU DARE DO THIS TO ME WATTPAD I SWEAR TO GOLDEN GOD I WILL BAWL MY EYES OUT OH GOLDEN GOD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hiya Mel! :)
    It's awesome to see you! :3
    How're you doing?


    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  48. Aw, bye Fabi! *hugs*

    Distant - writingness-things.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  49. I AM NOT A BARBARIAN. I AM A CIVILISED MEMBER OF MY COMMUNITY. AND I DO NOT APRECIATE BEING CALLED A PEASANT. I AM MIDDLE CLASS PERSON. and I returned because I missed you peoples is that ok?!? but I may dissapear and return in a million years because I can mwahahaha :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. *hugs Ieni back*
    *wails* BRIANNA AND ORC AND CAINE AND JACK
    B R I A N N A AND C A I N E
    MY TWO FAVOURITE CHARACTERS
    LORD SAVE US
    MY WINDOW IS OPEN YOU CAN CLIMB IN TO MY ROOM
    just try not to die bc 1D and LM posters everywhere
    i like my SP corner though :)

    I HAVE ALL 1D'S SONGS AND COVERS ON MY PHONE AND LIKE 19 VIDEOS LOL XD
    brianna said lol
    *sobs*

    Mel - You missed roleplaying and stuffs... :P but that's it *nods*

    IT'S LIAM'S BIRTHDAY IN A MONTH
    AND NOW LSODM IS OUT ON THE SAME DAY
    OH LORDY LOUIS I WILL BAWL

    *sings to Up All Night*
    ZAYN'S GOING BREAKING TABLES, LADS! XD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  51. Its awesome to see you to! Im good how are you? :)

    #chaseforbook9

    ReplyDelete
  52. when will we get a one direction ice dispenser that sings "i've tried playin' it coooooool" whenever it dispenses ice

    i'm serious

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  53. @Mel: I'm grand, thanks. :)

    @Mara: I think I'd buy one of those, and I'm not even slightly Directional. xD

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  54. *IS BACKKKKKKKKKKK*


    IENIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! :)
    MELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A BILLION YEARS WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN. *hugs*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  55. STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!! TAAIAAAAA!!!!!!!!! *ninjaeroplanetacklehugs*

    STAR BE CAREFUL OF MEL SHE'S A SCOTTISH PEASANT.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  56. I WOULD FORCE EVERYONE TO BUY IT XD

    omg seriously though i would keep that in my room and press the button just to hear liam sing

    bc who doesn't like liam

    come on

    liam james ian payne is physically unhate-able

    daddy direction is perf

    you heard me correctly

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  57. @IENI: WELL I'M A BUBBLE CATERPILLAR.

    I HAVE DECIDED THAT I CAN'T POSSIBLY HAVE STOPPED BEING A BUBBLE BECAUSE I AM A BUBBLE OKAY SO WHEN BLAZE TURNED ME INTO A CATERPILLAR IT MUST HAVE BEEN A BUBBLE ONE.

    AND BUBBLE CATERPILLARS ARE WORSEEEEEEEEEEEE THAN SCOTTISH PEASANTS. *Nialldles*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  58. 23, 19, 37, 40, 57, 39, 79, 4! *dances*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  59. Mel had to go:(

    YOU WHAT STAR I AM NOT GETTING THIS
    Sorry, my mind is dead from a whole day of Brahms, Smetana and Tchaikovsky.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  60. @Ieni: Blaze turned me into a caterpillar and trapped me in a container . . .

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  61. Can we fall one more time?
    Stop the tape and rewind?
    And if you walk away
    I know I'll fade,
    Cause there is nobody else.
    It's gotta be youuuuuuuu!
    Only yoUUUUUUUUUUU!
    IT'S GOT TO BE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
    ONLY YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUu!

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hello.


    I am far too busy playing Mass Effect to by ANOTHER game... except for maybe GTA V and Battlefield 4. They're my treats to myself for... hm. Fun.

    ReplyDelete
  63. AND I'M LIKE OW!
    NEVER THOUGHT IT'D HURT SO BAD
    GETTING OVER YOU-OOH
    AND OW!
    YOU'RE GIVING NE A HEART ATTACK
    LOOKING LIKE YOU DO-OOH
    CAUSE YOU'RE ALL I EVER WANTED
    THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE THE ONE
    IT'S OW!
    GIVING ME A HEART ATTACK
    GETTING OVER YOU-OOH-OOH-OOH!~

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  64. @Maraness: *smiles*

    @Dragona: You seem to be obsessed with this game, but that isn't a bad thing. :P

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  65. *me

    *facepalm*

    *is probably either not here, or extremely distant*

    Heh heh. WMYB Laughing Version...
    WHOEVER MADE THAT ILY.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  66. Oh god damn it. Not again...


    Sorry I have to comment a lot to refresh the page. Yay. At least when we get to page 2 I'll be able to comment at a normal pace.

    ReplyDelete
  67. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Yes I'm obsessed with it. It's a great game. Big on story, big on shooting, lots of things to see and do...

    ReplyDelete
  69. When I'll be in Dublin, you'll be in Edinburgh, when you'll be in Dublin, I'll be in Edinburgh.
    So much luck for an overseas fan.

    ReplyDelete
  70. @Ayse: Oh, that sucks! D:

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  71. Me: *walks into class*

    Teacher: you're a little late.
    Me: i'm already torn
    Teacher: What? Who do you think you are?
    Me: you only love to see me breakin'
    Teacher: Get out.
    Me: get out, get outta my head

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  72. @Maralie - lol.





    YAY I FEEL PROUD I USED @ :D

    ReplyDelete
  73. *waves* Okay so I was at a zoo. But I'm here now. Or, at least until the RPers return

    ReplyDelete
  74. That's meant to be,
    *Teacher: What? Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? :P

    {Le pic of Josh and Niall fighting over a segway}
    "niall give me a go"
    "no josh stop"
    "i want it"
    "it's mine"
    "niall no"
    "JOSH STOP THAT'S NOT THE CRAIC"
    harry in distance: "fightstagram"

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  75. @Ayse: That's just unlucky, :c
    Similarly, last week, when a certain artist would've been playing a show up here that I'd have liked to see, I was in London. The day after I returned home, they were playing a show in London. Awesome can be very annoying. :P ^^

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  76. @Mara: *laughs* That's awesome. :P

    @Dragona: Congratulations! :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  77. @DRAGONA: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY @! :)

    Or should it be @YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY? :P

    @Taia: THAT ALSO MASSIVELY SUCKS. O_O *hugs*



    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  78. *CRASHES THROUGH YOUR BEDROOM WINDOW AT 3 IN THE MORNING* DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONE DIRECTION

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  79. :( Sorry Taia! When I went to Sicily we saw a set up for Santana

    ReplyDelete
  80. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


    Ok, that IS too far.



    Ahem.




    Cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Paul had to be escorted out of the venue by security last night because so many fans wanted a picture with him.

    Directioners; the only fandom that has created a need for security guards to have security guards.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  82. *laughs* Mara, I think every band fandom has its... Nuances. I mean, have you SEEN the things that Beatles fangirls did back then

    ReplyDelete
  83. Meh. I probably wouldn't have been able to go, anyway. :P

    *hugs Star back*
    *hugs Adra also*
    Thanks, though. :3

    @Adra: Awesome. :)

    LOL, Dragona. :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  84. *1D3D movie in cinema*

    *eleanor comes on screen*

    "aw elounor"
    "beard"
    "larry is real"
    "shut up"

    *huge fight*

    *popcorn everywhere*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  85. Gotta go.

    bbl maybe.

    Bye!

    *hugs*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  86. Ong.

    *bites into a taco seductively*

    ReplyDelete
  87. pfft, over 18
    ha
    haha
    ha

    ReplyDelete
  88. I wish someone could invent a word that you say when you don't know what to say anything else...



    I COULD DO THAT!



    The word is... FLUMP.



    CHEESE YOU ARE NOW GONE. FLUMP AWAY!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Liam: *gets hate on twitter*
    Liam: *gets ignored at m&g*
    Liam: *gets told to shut up at concert*
    Liam: "i'm sorry"

    do you see what's wrong here

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  90. HARRY LIKES TACOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  91. Dragona, I think the word is supercalifragilisticexpiallidocious

    ReplyDelete
  92. @Dragona: @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ IS SUCH A PRETTY PATTERN. :O

    And, FLUMPPPPPPP. *nods*

    @Maraness: *laughs* XD XD XD XD
    And - :(

    AND - I just added three vids to my playlist all at once, different versions and that, so yaaaaay. :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  93. 26, 19, 37, 40, 57, 39, 79, 4.

    *grins at the number 26*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  94. {pic of louis on a jetski or whateveryoucallit}

    "louis where are you going"
    "to find the tea"
    "but lou they dumped it 240 years ago"
    "she can't go to bed w/o a cup of it tho"

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  95. I DON'T LIKE THE TERRY DATE MIX OF WAIT AND BLEED . . .

    (Sorry, I'm spamming and not really saying anything. D:)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  96. MIX

    LITTLE MIX

    I LIKE LITTLE MIX A LOT

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  97. I ALSO HAPPEN TO LIKE LITTLE MIX QUITE A LOT, BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT. :P

    Not that the point I am trying to make is my point.

    And of course I am not near the point, least it pop me.

    POINTSSSSSSSSSS. D:

    #ChaseFOrBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  98. ((I'm leaving for a bit- bbl!))

    ReplyDelete
  99. I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed
    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed

    GOODBYE!

    I wipe it off on a tile
    The light is brighter this time
    Everything is 3D blasphemy
    My eyes are red and gold
    The hair is satnding straight up
    This is not the way I picture me
    I can't control my shakes
    How the hell did I get here?
    Something about this, so very wrong
    I have to laugh out loud
    I wish I didn't like this
    Is it a dream or a memory?

    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed
    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed

    Get out of my head coz I don't need this
    Why didn't I see this?
    Well I'm a victim -
    Manchurian candidate!
    I have sinned by just
    Making my mind up and taking a breath away

    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed
    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed

    GOODBYE!

    You haven't learnt a thing
    I haven't changed a think
    My flesh was in my bones
    The pain was always free
    You haven't learnt a thing
    I haven't changed a thing
    My flesh was in my bones
    The pain was always free

    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed
    I've felt the hate rise up in me
    Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
    I wander out where you can't see
    Inside my shell I wait and bleed

    AND I WAIT FOR YOU!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zagSV7fToc&list=PLTslNdjmKxFvz82_82YflzFzAn1Nltzi7&index=13

    (More random lyrics may follow, sorry.)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  100. "doctor what's wrong with my daughter?"

    "well ma'am i'm afraid she has a serious case of... the feels"

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  101. Back! :)

    And I just found this interview with Matt and Justin from MCS which I've not read before, and this one question:
    If you had to marry a male celebrity, who would it be and why?

    Matt: Well, it would have to be someone who could, you know, sing me a nice love song... so with that in mind, some sort of crooner, let's go with Jeff Buckley. That man could sing. I'd need some songs in life.

    And I'm just sat here, like, squeeing. x3

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  102. I'm just finding all these different versions of songs and therefore getting so many videos so quicklyyyy . . . :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  103. HEY STAR!

    Awesome~~ :3

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  104. :P

    What did you want to be when you were little?

    Matt: An astronaut or a musician.

    Justin: A hamster.

    :3

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  105. (Sorry for my distance, confusion happened).

    @Taia: :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  106. I figured out what was wrong with that video ded from nearly a month ago...

    [Tries to decide whether to reupload it as it is or update parts to fit better with what's happened since then]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  107. AHAHAHAHA

    {Niall and Louis at le concert, Niall with his hands crossed above his head}

    "louis"

    "what niall"

    "when you're ready"

    "oh god"

    "come and get it"

    "niall stop"

    "na na na na na"

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  108. Taia - Niall wanted to be a potato when he was little...

    "POTATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

    I'd eat that potato...;)

    ON AN UNRELATED NOTE FABI HI *hugs*

    Are Irish people the only ones who call potatoes "spuds"? Thought so :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  109. Mara, a car with One Direction, 1D and hearts all over it in spray paint drove past right as I saw that comment.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  110. [hugs Mara back]

    I think I'm just going to upload it as it is, and you'll all have to remember it's a month late. :-P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  111. OH LOUIS' BUM

    HOW THE

    FABI

    *laughs*

    OH LORDY LOU

    ibetthatwasthewantedssecretcar *cough* ;)

    BUT OMG I WOULD LIVE IN THAT CAR

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  112. Oh well, at least we can see it XD



    ugh the feELS *screams into pillow*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  113. @Mara: *laughs* :3 (We call 'em spuds here, too. :P )

    Hiya Fabi! :)

    Sorry for distance. :3

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  114. 30, 19, 37, 40, 57, 39, 79, 4 . . . *has done so much playlisting today it's untrue*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  115. THE VIDEO DIARIES ARE BACK *cries tears of joy*

    MEMORIES OH LORD

    CUDDLY HARRY IS MY FAVOURITE HARRY

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  116. *smiles at Mara* :)

    IT'S SO ODD HOW LIKE YOU'RE RANTING ABOUT MUSIC AND I'M RANTING ABOUT MUSIC EXCEPT LIKE YOU'RE RANTING ABOUT 1D AND I'M RANTING ABOUT SLIPKNOT AND LIKE POLAR OPPOSITES LIKE . . .

    And hi to you as well Fabi! :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  117. *is irl sobbing and laughing*

    Oh goshness..

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  118. @Maraness: Please don't forget how to breathe! :) *hugs*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  119. no it's just

    star

    help

    please

    i'm crying and idk why

    LOUIS TOMLINSON YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF THIS
    "MORE INTENSE" MY ARSE

    *whacks head off wall*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  120. NO NO NO NO NO DO NOT HURT YOUR HEAD! :P

    *coats wall in cushions*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  121. *whacks head off ceiling*

    it hurts that i'll never be able to meet these five boys that have made my life worth living again

    sigh

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  122. I don't even know what you guys talk about anymore

    ReplyDelete
  123. Hi! I'm new on Derek's blog (actually on everything blogger). Sooooo... Hi!

    ReplyDelete
  124. *coats ceiling in cushions*

    ARGHHHHHHH SOME GUY SAID THAT THE REV IS THE BEST DRUMMER ON THE PLANET AND EVERYONE WAS COMMENTING POINTING OUT HE'S NO LONGER ON THE PLANET . . . :(

    @Adra: I talk about more when I'm actually HERE. :P RIght now, I'm in distanceandrandomspammode. I think most of us are. :P

    *starts conversation to kill the mode*

    HOW IS EVERYONE? :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  125. I have to go now. Hopefully the ded will finally be up when I'm done with this. If not, I'm going to just forget about it, it's been a month already.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  126. *screams*

    *runs around blindly*

    VAS HAPPENIN' KEVIN?!

    *wallops into wall*

    *stumbles backwards*

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  127. HI SAPPHIRE! :)

    Welcome to Blogland! :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  128. Hello Lore! Nice to meet you!

    Goodbye Lore! Bye everyone!

    [vanishes]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  129. No I mean all the 1D stuffies... *shrugs* that's why I tend to RP a lot because I really don't know a lot so

    ReplyDelete
  130. Hello Lore! I'll have to call you that because there already is another Saph

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool. Just double checking, we're all crazy here right? Because I definitely am. And actually I have to go.

      Bye!

      Delete
  131. drummingblue 2 years ago


    The Rev did not actually die, god just needed drum lessons.

    Reply · 128 Vote Up Vote Down

    :P

    *hugs Fabi* :( FOURS!

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  132. *waves, handing her a skulcake* Bye?

    ReplyDelete
  133. Bye Fabi! *hugs*

    @Sapphire Lore: Welcome! :)
    *offers a cookie*
    It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
    D'you mind if I/we call you Lore, or have you a preference? Just, there's another Saph around already. :)

    @Adra: YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW ANYTHINGS :P
    I know about 1D only what I hear from Mara and my Directioner friend/s.
    I'm distant, but always happy to talk about pretty much anything (within fair reason. :P) :)

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  134. :( FOURS SAPPHIRE!!!

    And NOPPPPPPPPPPPE. I'm not insane, I'm not insane . . . *is singing along to the song I was just playlisting*

    Kidding. XD WE'RE ALL MAD.

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  135. @Lore: I like to think of us as a bunch of psychopaths, helping each other out. So, yes. :P

    Bye! *hands her a cookie*

    @Star: :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  136. Yeah yeah, I know that it's 1D and those bands that Star adores, I'm just saying- no one really knows who Kerli is, or wants to talk Aerosmith or Led Zep. That's all.

    Not that there is a lot to talk about anyways....

    *RPs*

    ReplyDelete
  137. I know so much from Maraness. I know more about 1D than my friends who are into 1D. XD
    (They aren't really that obsessed, thoughhhhhh)

    #ChaseFOrBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  138. Sorry...

    *disappears because she seems to be annoying too many people today*

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  139. @Adra: And who talks about anyone with anything? :P
    You can randomly spam if you want whilst we're randomly spamming. No one knows who anyone is. :(

    BUT ANYWAY. THE RANDOM SPAM WILL HOPEFULLY MOSTLY STOP.

    *frowns at screen*

    Btw, msd. I'm always msd at night, because the wifi could get switched off . . .

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  140. I really wanted to play it but it's PS3 exclusive :(
    Also BACK COVER ASDFGHJKL XD

    ReplyDelete
  141. ... I need to stop using Hannibal quotes to describe things. At some point, it's going to start getting creepy. :P

    @Adra: Nobody knows the majority of what I listen to, either. But random spam goes on, and sometimes one thing can be related to another, and, IDK.
    If there's anything you want to say, say it, I guess. :)

    Even if it's just like "CAAAAAKKEEEEEE."

    Because cake is nice. :3

    Possibly msd.
    #ChaseForBook9

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  142. And, of course you forgot to mention that you're not coming to Australia, Derek...
    *Fumes*

    Still sick. Another sick day...

    ReplyDelete
  143. *waves to everyone who left?*

    Okay then.


    I finished the video btw

    ReplyDelete
  144. I PREFER BUNS AND MUFFINS TO CAKE.

    CAKE IS ALL AWKWARD TO HOLD.

    PLUS I LOVE THE TOPS OF BUNS AND MUFFINS AND THAT.

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  145. Snoogy! Hi! :)

    *hugs Mara*
    :/ Bye~

    @Adra: Was this the video you were editing yesterday? :)

    Hi Death!

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  146. DEATHHHHHHHHHH! :)

    Sorry about the fact he lives over here. :(

    *could quote numerous things to do with the fact she's sick, but doesn't, because it might encourage the sickness*

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  147. Okay, I think I'm back now...

    A bit...I don't know.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  148. @Adra: Yay for videoness! :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  149. @Star: THAT DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE CAKE ITSELF.
    But buns and muffins are nice, equally. :P

    Hi again, Fabi! :)

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  150. Hello Taia, Star, Adra, anyone else.

    [hugs all]

    [Rocks back and forth uncertainly]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  151. *laughs* Yes it was. *pauses* What's wrong, Fabi?

    ReplyDelete
  152. MY DAD MAKES THE BEST-TASTING CAKES IN THE UNIVERSE.

    ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WILL DIE.

    AND MY MUM ICES THE BEST.

    MY PARENTS ARE THE BIRTHDAY CAKE OVERLORDS.

    (Seriously. We've had fairies and hedgehogs and rockclimbing and all sorts.)

    But I still prefer buns and muffins. :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  153. I'm just...

    Worried, I guess. And wondering if I made the right decision or not.

    It still feels like something's going to explode. Like it's not realt over. I mean... I don't know, and I'm sorry if that offends anyone, I just feel...tension of some sort whenever I come on here anymore.

    Maybe it's just my imagination...?

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  154. I want cake...

    I don't remember having lunch today... I don't think I did.

    Meh, I'm not hungry anyway.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  155. [is tackled]

    [hugs Adra]

    [hugs everybody who wants a hug]

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  156. *crawls up onto Fabi's back* *whispers* I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

    ReplyDelete
  157. @Fabi: . . . I hate to say it, but I sort of get what you mean.

    I guess it'll take a while for the memories and that to die down . . . :/

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  158. Oh, the video ded from a month ago is up. Too lazy to get the link. :-P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  159. @Fabi: *looks at numerous YouTube tabs open already* I SHALL CHECK THAT SOON. :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  160. [smiles sadly]

    It's almost eight minutes long, just a warning...

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  161. Cool Mr Landy! Cool! It sounds good ... but I'm not over 18 so I can't play it :(

    ReplyDelete
  162. @Star: My dad makes no involvement, but my mother rules, to some extent, when it comes to cake.
    We've had a toadstool-fairy-house, we've had pokémon, we've had spongebob and trains, we've had lightsabres and tigers and a circus and the best damn dalek you'd ever see made out of cake, icing, and bronze/gold dust. :3
    Not that I'm disagreeing, but I think some of ours were pretty cool too. :P
    And, hedgehogs and rockclimbing both sound awesome. :)

    *high-fives for the arts of cakeness* :P


    *huggles Fabi*


    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  163. Hi Misti!

    My mom made a chocolate potato-based cake once...

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  164. @Taia: . . .
    OKAY, YOUR MUM CAN BE ONE OF THE OVERLORDS TOO. :) *hugs*

    THEY SOUNd VERY COOL. :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  165. @Fabi: WHAT. O_O
    AWESOMENESS! :) :) :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  166. Hi Misti! :)

    @Fabi: Awesome! :)
    I've had potato-based chocolate cake before, but not made by a relative. ^^

    @Star: *laughs* *hugs back* YAY! :P

    The dalek was pretty awesome, though... Until it was accidentally decapitated by somebody's bag. :P

    That said, the Pikachu wasn't much of an achievement. :P
    It was a sort of squished sphere, with ears and a tail, basically. :P

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  167. OCTABOONA! HELLO! :3

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  168. THE EVIL BAG. O_O

    HEY OCTA! :)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete
  169. *screams* I SWEAR TO JESUS I WILL BE HOPEFULLY SKYPED AT THE DUBLIN GET TOGETHER

    ReplyDelete
  170. OCTALALALALALALALALAAAAAAAA *tackles* HULLO!

    And my vid is almost 18minutes

    ReplyDelete
  171. Yeah, it was good. She lost the recipe, though, and now denies she ever made such a thing.

    BUT IT WAS FOR MY BIRTHDAY

    SO SHE FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY.

    Or actually my unbirthday, I think it was. But we were celebrating my birthday, just really late. SO IT AMOUNTS TO THE SAME THING

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  172. TAIA,STAR ZAF, ADRA, FABI *huggles*

    Hey :)

    I hope the Dublin thing is actually happening.

    ReplyDelete
  173. @ Adra, is the video uploaded yet?

    If so link?

    ReplyDelete
  174. *huggles back*

    How're you doing, Octa? :)
    It's been forever again. :P

    *nods* It'd be awesome if it was to go ahead. Not that I'd be able to go, but for those who can, I'd still be happy to know that they could. :)

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  175. I WILL BE AT THE DUBLIN THING




    ...in spirit. :-P



    Wbd, recording.

    #ChaseForBook9

    ReplyDelete
  176. It has been ages, indeed.

    And hopefully I am one of those people who are able to go :)

    But since I'll be at the Edinburgh Festival I don't suppose it matters too much if I can't.

    Also I'll be getting LSODM four days early, and probably won't be online because I am terrible at resisting spoiler requests.

    ReplyDelete
  177. HI ZAF! :)

    I WILL BE IN DUBLIN IN 2014. *nods*

    IT IS HAPPENING.

    (See, because I never ask for anything, when I DO on the very rare occasion ask for something, I usually get it. :P)

    #ChaseForBookNine

    ReplyDelete