IT'S ALIVE!!!!

Holy crap-buckets I forgot this existed...

I guess work, school and life just caught up with me. Well let's see if I can get you all caught up without having to write a three part novel for it. When I left you all I was complaining about Religion... what else is new. I ended up having to replace my Mac this year, yes my poor Giles is no longer functional and had to be replaced by a Lenovo, whom I've named, following the Buffy timeline, Wesley. Wesley is not as awesome as Giles was... Giles never highlighted things while I was typing making me erase paragraphs of work (aka I hate trackpads).

 A new problem arose two years ago in february, one that has yet to be solved. I have a strange knee injury that no one in the medical profession can seem to agree on what's actually wrong with it. My physiotherapist believes it to be a baker's cyst plus tendinitis, one of the doctors on the East coast didn't believe me when I told him that it swells up and causes me great pain when I try to bend it after work -since I'm not a permanent resident I had to go to the after hours clinic and of course my knee wasn't acting up that day. My campus physician said my knee didn't line up with the rest of my leg, and my home doctor, who I only just got to see, has yet to get back to me with results. Needless to say, I'm a walking health hazard.

On another note I've had a pretty exciting last year. I spent part of my summer in the province of Transylvania, Romania (excited squeal) and got to see Castle Bran. I don't think I've ever been so in love with a country before. I went there are part of an archaeological dig so I kinda got to kill two birds with one stone; go on a dig and get to see a country that I probably would never have a chance to go to otherwise. I spent five weeks living in a tent on the side of a mountain, where the nearest village was a 5km walk away and the only form of modern comfort we had was a propane stove. We bathed in the rivers, drank from a fresh water spring, and probably smelt worse than when your dog rolls in something by the end of it. Still, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

I did a lot of writing while I was in Romania -well, I've done quite a bit since my last update in general- given that once we were done work for the day and there was still light in the sky, there wasn't really much else to do other than read, chat, drink, and/or write. I tended to read by headlamp after sundown, drank with the gang in the beer ponds when I felt like it, and wrote most afternoons as long as there was nothing else going on in the campsite -such as soccer games or spear fights. Either way my page count is now up to 81, if I were to shrink the page sizes to be normal novel sizes that number would probably grow by at least a third so I'm pretty content with that number. Some major plot points have been reached though before I continue going forward with my novel I've decided to do some editing and revising in some earlier parts -namely those that I fell could use a little more beefing up. Like Venice... not overly happy with the Venice part as of yet -should mention that the characters themselves are no longer in Venice and storywise moved on to another plot point.

I ended up changing Kat's name to. She is no longer Katrina but just Katrine. I can't really explain why but I like it better. I'm also planning on changing her last name eventually, once I think of a better one. A new character has been introduced as well, nothing major as she might not ever actually make another appearance, might just have her mentioned every now and again. That's pretty much all that has been updated in that department.

I have discovered a new series of books, well not all that new but new to me as I had only started reading them this past summer. It all started with me watching a show called Rizzoli & Isles while I was visiting home,  I don't get the channel that it is on over on the East coast so I couldn't really keep up with it, despite how much I was enjoying it. Now, it should be mentioned that I'm normally not a huge fan of the crime genre, I enjoy watching crime shows just not reading crime novels, despite that I decided to give the book series since it was easy for me to get (my mum decided to get me a kindle for my birthday so that I wouldn't have to fill half my travel pack with books for my trip). And so I read the first book... and then the next one.... and the next one... and the- okay you get the picture, I was hooked. The characters are great, the writing is fantastic, and the stories are compelling.
So, if any of you happen to be crime lovers I highly recommend The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen; I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Happy reading.

K.A.Becks

Completely Off Topic...

Dear fellow bloggers,

today I came across a very disturbing article in my newspaper. To some it may not seem disturbing, but for me, it left the words "are they serious?" in my mind. As I was flipping through the Life section of my paper, I came across the religious views section and one headline caught my eye. "Did sinners cause quake?" An entire article dedicated to the view that because the Haitians don't follow the Christian/Catholic view, God punished them with an earthquake.

Upon further reading, the article took extra care to state that to save ourselves we must all -this is taken in my own words and in no means meant to insult anyone- become literalists who follow the bible to the very last detail.

What bothers me the most about this article is that, I know people will take it seriously when it shouldn't be. It's almost as bad as when Pat Robertson stated that the earthquake was caused by the Haitians worshipping the devil back when Haiti was a French Colony.

Another thing that bothered me a lot was the section of the paper. A section that was labeled "Religion" when all I saw were articles promoting Christianity and Catholicism. Last time I checked, those were not the only religions in Canada.

A note to the editor, if you are going to include Religion in your newspaper, your going to need to go a little farther than the Church.

Getting Them Cogs in Motion

Hi all, sorry to leave you all in the dark for so long, getting back on track took a little longer than I thought. For starters, I thought for sure I would get some blogging and/or writing done over the break but low and behold being back at my parents house in central Canada, I was not allowed to use my microsoft word because someone else in the house was using a microsoft project on their computer. That's what you get when you install the same OS on three computers.

But that wasn't the only reason writing was not done. Family stuff and activities with friends seemed to be happening everyday and soon enough it was time to fly back out east.

Oh well, I am back now so no worries. I return to the land of snow and crows, leaving behind the big cities and the constant happenings. I do not regret my decision.

Anyways, now on to the real reason why you all read my blog, an update on Hunter. Although I said I did not get any writing done over the break that does not mean I did not get some done before and afterwards. During study breaks I did some editing, finally fixed the page layout that was pissing me off, and wrote a tiny bit. Coming back I enlisted my friend who is working towards a Bachelor of Arts specifying in English to read over certain passages to make sure what I'm saying in them is clear and that it is grammatically correct. After much confusion, both of us referring to different things using the same word namely, she understood what I was asking of her and readily helped me fix one glaring problem in my more recent passage.

One problem I find with writing, is that when you want the characters to travel, you have to be careful -especially if you've never been to the locations in which you want your characters to travel to. For example, I've been to England, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA; all of which I could easily pick a location and not worry too much about proper description since most of the places I would pick are still quite clear in my mind (because I've taken so many pictures). However, I've decided not to send Kat and West to any of those places. Instead, I have sent them to, wait for it, Verona, Italy.

As much as I love Italy and I would like to go there someday, I'm quite clueless to the actual layout of the city. Any and all help in this department would be appreciated, not because I'm too lazy to look up pictures for it, but I think it would be more beneficial to hear a description from someone who has actually been there.

Luckily though, with my novel being set somewhat in the future, description of some buildings can differ, but I still would much prefer to hear how Verona looks now and compare to how it might look in like 40 years after various supernatural beings have taken over.

Although right now I have hit the dreaded stalemate of the story -that is where it is nothing but boring information that, unfortunately, needs to be there to advance the story... there are usual a good number of these- I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and my good friend West is helping me move it a long. Yes, I do like to think of my characters as real people, for that, I feel, helps give them more personality.

Kat's as helpful as soggy mop to moving these parts a long, but she is key to the plot so I cannot simply stick her in a corner and tell her to wait until it's done -though I wish I could at times.

Anyways, enough about that. Just wanted to let you all know that YES I am still alive and working diligently on Hunter.

Now for another part that you all have been waiting for, book recommendations. YAY!

Today's book is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel -which was given to me as a Christmas present from one of my sisters. There are not enough words in the human dictionary to describe how much I love this book. The story is based in the 1500's, during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, and follows the life of a cunning man by the name of Thomas Cromwell and his own rise to power during this time. I fear if I get started in trying to summarize the plot I will not be able to stop and thereby ruin the story so I shall leave it at that. Honestly, a great read!

And for you classic lovers, I do recommend Ovid's Meamorphoses, a collection of myths and stories from the Greek and Roman period. It contains a creation story, the story of the first werewolf, Lycaon, Pygmalion, Perseus and Andromeda, and the fall of Troy. From my own opinion, though I enjoyed the book, it is a good read, not a great one. Though that may differ depending on what one likes to read.

And finally, for the history lovers. Although I am not finished it... frankly I'm only on the first chapter, but nonetheless I am enjoying it, Lindsey Hughes last historical work, The Romanovs. Although more of a textbook than the other two I am referring tonight, it's an interesting read for those who are into the history of the Tsars and of Russia. I will add more information on the text as I read more, but like I said I am still on the first chapter.

With that, I shall leave you, as I always do.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

So It Begins...

Well fellow bloggers, it has begun. The month of nonstop work that drives University students to the end of their rope. I am locked inside a cage and the key has been placed within view and only just out of reach. A cage that consists only of research books, paper, a blanket and pillow and the occasional appearance of food and water... possibly a toilet as well. So with that, I say. Good bye for now, I shall speak with you all again in December.

In the meantime, all of you who are into Celtic mythology or Folklore, I recommend Celtic Myths and Legends by Rolleston and Folktales of Ireland which was edited by Sean O' Sullivan. Both are fountains of information regarding the old beliefs -watered down by Christian Monks, of course- but there are still some elements left from the oral tradition.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

Back From the Grave

Huh, so it appears I am not dead just being very neglectful of my blog, my sincerest apologies for all you who are waiting ever so faithfully for updates. To put things in retrospect, I have had so much going on lately that it is a miracle that I am not actually dead... or that I updated.

First of all, there was Thanksgiving weekend. A time where my family comes from all corners of the world to gorge on turkey, fish, and other meals that you cannot get at University... or at least cannot be prepared to your liking at University. Although my family was missing one member this year, a silly sister who decided to remain at her University rather than going home, we still had fun. Most importantly, I got to see my sister who lives over in the Middle East and went hiking with her in hopes of working off the potential Thanksgiving tummy. I think we were successful.

Secondly, Midterms started up the week following Thanksgiving, meaning that I spent majority of my life either in the classroom or reading chapter upon chapter about the Celts, studying Gaelic terms, and reading Greek Tragedies -like most University students. On top of that I was also making my Halloween costume, which had to be done by this past weekend. I was successful in that department and have discovered a great hatred for drawing teddy bears and colouring with crayons.

And lastly, this past weekend was my second horse show as an English Rider. It was much more successful than my first. My horse, who is not really my horse but I'm the only one who rides her every week so she might as well be, won her first 3rd and 2nd place ribbons -note, this is also only her second show- and she and my friends baby -a 4 year old Thoroughbred/something cross... also not really belonging to her but once again she is the only one who rides him- got first place in the costumer pairs division.

If anyone wants to know, we were Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Anyway, back to the most important part of this blog -and the whole purpose of its creation- updates of Hunter. Truthfully, I haven't really worked much on it and I don't think I will be seeing as I got a job recently and I have about 100 million papers due in the next month... but not really. I've got 3 papers and 1 project... but it feels like 100 million... I'm sure every University student out there will agree with me on that statement.

I am trying to write quite a bit right now to make up for the lacking of writing, but seeing as it is dinner time, and I am currently writing this post I am sure all of you can imagine how well that is going. I think I shall have to leaf through my Now Write! book in hopes that it will save me from my writer's block.

Now... book recommendations... (ahem) for all of you nonfiction/history lovers, The Fall of Empires is a great book to read. It touches on everything from the fall of the Pharaonic Egypt to the Mayans. Any teachers -or students- involved in Ancient Civilizations might want to take a look at this book for project information or essay ideas.

Well that's all for today!

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

A New Month, A New Post

I realize it has been ages since my last update but I assure you it was not because I was neglecting Hunter... I've just been neglecting the blog. I am well into the writing of Chapter 3 and have, somehow, also managed to keep up with all the reading I have for my Celtic Civ course and my Celtic Paganism. I may have to take a break from Hunter for a bit due to Midterms, essays and presentations, so I am writing as much as I can to ensure that my absence from Word does not affect my goal.

I decided, while working on a map for Celtic Civ, to watch Dracula last night -a movie that stars Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, and the guy who plays Wesley in The Princess Bride. I don't remember who actually played Dracula, but I can assure you that it was none of the above actors. Anthony Hopkins was very good in the movie, Keanu Reeves -surprise surprise- was not. The movie kept true to the book through most of it, though there was one point where I could not tell if I was actually watching Dracule or The Wolf-Man... so I double checked the DVD case and discovered that I was, in fact, watching Dracula. Could have fooled me.

One thing I really liked about the movie was that, at the beginning, they had a whole scene of the real Dracula, Vlad "Tepes" Dracula and his fight against the Turks. I was only slightly disappointed about the death of one of his wives, the one who through herself out a window and into the river because in the movie they say it was because she got word of Vlad's death -even though he wasn't dead- when really, she was just crazy.

On the topic of halloween-ish movies, I watched GhostBusters a couple of nights ago and discovered that, no matter how hard you resist, the end of the movie leaves you desperately wanted melted marshmellows. What a great movie :D.

I claim that the reason I have not updated recently was due to my neglecting the blog, but that is not 100% true, I also have been dealing with presidential issues... or vice-presidential issues. I am the vice president of X Against Horse Slaughter Society at my University, which basically means I have to make slideshows, send e-mails and manage everything while the President oversees and books things when necessary. Our society is in place to let the public know that horse slaughter does happen -over 100,000 horses last year in Canada alone- and that we are trying to stop it. Our goal is to raise as much money for Horse Rescue Centers as possible.

You may ask, why is this going in a blog about the supernatural? Well, I feel that the more people who know the more of a chance we have to, hopefully, stopping the mistreatment and the slaughter of horses.

Anyway, I think I have taken up enough of your time with my blabbering. Today I shall recommend two old classics to read; Dracula and Frankenstein. Both are well worth the time, especially to those who are interested in the Supernatural and/or monsters.

Happy reading!

Kim A. Becker

P.S. I have recently discovered that my library has online articles dedicated to werewolves, vampires, ghosts and witches, my love for my University increases.

Don't You Hate...

I absolutely hate when you want to listen to a song, but you don't know the name of it or who it's by... or even what it sounds like. It makes everything that much harder. ... I also hate trying to convert a powerpoint -with audio components- into a movie file... took me 4 hours to get it right...