It seems that I update my journal once a month or so. It also seems to be quite proper length of time.

My wanna-be art block is leaving. I can poetze around if nothing else. There are probably some manips coming, but I am not quite sure, since NaNoWriMo is approaching frighteningly fast. I am mostly writing background information for my this year novel.

'Astrin's Daughters: Cause of the Red Wars'
Indeed, the title makes even myself smile. I originally named it 'Eskiriel: Red Wars', but later realized that Eskiriel is not intriguing enough to have her as a main character all the novel.
In a world more or less resembling mid-nineteenth century, the ruler of Chaeral, king Astrin, is dying. His successor, prince Andair, is ten years old and his eight daughters, ranging from thirty-year-old princess Elwith, nicknamed The Sorrowful to the twelve-year-old Edieth who is more mature than some of her elder siblings, cannot inherit. Nevertheless, they are the regents council that must keep the throne in next six years.
Let us add the little fact that royalty marries with royalty (less than ten exeptions for that rule in last five centuries and six kingdoms) and every magic user has mental problems (no exeptions for that one. Most of them are sociopath). I think it should be fun.

About life:
I'm single again, after six month (minus six days, but that is being pedantic)of un-singleness. Not really whining about it. I suppose.

The steampunk LARP did take place and my character found -probably- her aunt. Which is epic, as her extended family has been getting smaller and smaller. For all she knows she hasn't had any blood relatives around since last winter.

I also finally organized my own LARP, named Tiair.
I was hectic before the game began and quite sure that it would go awry every possible and impossible way, resulting with my being drowned in the nearby stream. I am alive. It went rather well.
They thought it was a picnic... nevermind about it being mid-October. By the end of the game a coup d'etat had happened and unfortunately every person who might have been pregnant with the heir to the throne got killed. I actually intended to have them run away.
I think that some inside jokes from that game are going to last forever.
Last Thursday I was forced to kick some annoying girls out of the mathematics club. The other teacher of the club (and my fellow Game Master) said we must barricade the door with a broom and an ashbin. Those things were really and successfully used to barricade a door during the LARP. We had a laughing bout. When I repeated the advice to one of the teachers-in-training, who also participated, she started laughing, too. Others were verrry puzzled.

It also seems that one of my schoolmates is dead. It is really frightening. Having old relatives die is sad, but understandable. But a high school senior dying is plain creepy.
Elegy is written for her. I did not knew her personally, but the situation made me write it.

The best book I've read lately is 'The Iron King' by Maurice Druon. The first novel of the series of seven, it is about Philip the Fair, king of France who destroyed Knights Templar and had serious problems with adulterous daughters-in-law. I especially like the style of the book. It is easily flowing and engages the reader.
"The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray" is close in goodness. Somewhat steampunkish alternative history with its own version of Jack the Ripper and Cthulhu gods is way too good to put down.

It is feature time, since I promised to feature the winners of =Cataclysm-X's Couples and Duos Contest. I got no place and features are not very pretty without a sub, but who cares?
First place: [link] by =Darkona-Goth
Second place: [link] by *Lion83
Third place: [link] by =mitchellnelson
Fourth place: [link] by *asiajunkieasia
Fifth place: [link] by *aevitas
Sixth place: [link] by *fizzymilkshake This one is literature!

I hope you are having nice time.