tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34352390660418711452024-03-05T20:58:19.160-08:00The Reluctant DragonThe Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-64382036597495708572009-12-31T16:12:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:14:11.958-08:00Time to say Goodbye!As Christians, our lives are not ours. Our time is not ours. My time is not mine.<br /><br />Lately, I have felt a call on my heart to devote the time that I spend blogging to God. That may mean volunteering or just studying the word, or praying, but I know that I am finished with blogger.<br />I would also encourage you to take a look at the time that you spend blogging, or looking at blogs and see if you can put it to better use.<br />So, as a set-in-iron resolution this year is to not blog. It is kind of an odd resolution, but I am going to stick to it.<br />New videos that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bracie</span></span> and I make will be on <a href="http://locketkeeper.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bracie's</span></span> blog. </a>The two posts below are some of my best videos and posts. I hope you enjoy them!<br /><br />2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.<br /><br />I have the time that I spend blogging. I can spend it 'abounding in good works' and by God's grace I will try it this year.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Remember</span> everyone: April 22 is talk like Shakespeare day<br />December 8 is Act like a Time Traveler day<br />September 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> is Talk like a Pirate Day<br />December 5 is day of the ninja<br />August 8 is sneak some zucchinis on your neighbors porch.<br /><br />Stay Weird!The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-18867271234673877942009-12-31T16:05:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:06:59.136-08:00Some of my favorite posts...<a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-fear.html">I fear.</a> In which I reveal my fear to the world...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-grand-adventure.html">I go on an adventure</a> In which I save the world. Sort of.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/so-much-for-birthday-wishes.html">Wishes. </a>In which I turn 14.<br /><br /><br /><br />My fan club. <a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/reluctant-dragon-fan-club.html">1,</a> <a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/second-meeting-of-reluctant-dragon-fan.html">2,</a> <a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/11/third-meeting-of-reluctant-dragon-fan_22.html">3 </a><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/01/reluctant-dragon-fan-club-35.html">3.5</a> Ha! You didn't think I had one, did you?<br /><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/12/typical-bracie.html">Typical Bracie</a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/12/country-bumpkins-visit-big-city.html">The Country Bumpkins Visit the Big City</a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/12/with-every-christmas-card-i-write.html">With Every Christmas Card I Write...<br /></a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/02/fish.html">Fishynessishness</a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/01/ophelia-car-jacking-hoodlum.html">Ophelia, the car-jacking hoodlam. </a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/01/pedantic-pedagoge-instructs-his-puerile.html">Story</a></p><p><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/02/mr-leif-b-gonn.html">Mr. Leif B. Gonn</a><br /></p>Enjoy!The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-22657860138866317442009-12-31T15:53:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:06:17.893-08:00Hope you enjoy!<a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/05/battle-of-armrest.html">Battle of the Armrest</a><br /><br />The Latest to Today Show Episodes:<br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/01/latest-to-today-show-2-alphabets.html">The Alphabets</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/09/celtic-zucchinis-latest-to-todays-show.html">Celtic Zucchinis</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Annnnddddd...<br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/04/elderly-elevator.html">Elderly Elevator </a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-which-we-clean-our-room.html">We clean our room!!</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-birthday-mom.html">Happy Birthday Mom! </a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/12/let-it-snow.html">Let it Snow</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/10/formal-introduction-to-bracie.html">I'm gonna...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-little-brother-charlemagne.html">Giles </a>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-26101975548165012692009-12-30T20:52:00.000-08:002009-12-30T21:07:03.794-08:00Horse vs. ChickenHabitat. The word conotates a natural home, a perfect environment, the right place, a sense of belonging. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB54PRP5WJCBk7KoZgBcPsns5RphVAwMkVK7ChTAgGWqTPN66-lysw1Idx3A02mN5z4oEnyp0LMAlkEG_BbZG60vVMog1g_fvoo6sjanc_qWDYouF9SadV8RnkncTwoBVywcTCkjsGd19r/s1600-h/5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421258966931890706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB54PRP5WJCBk7KoZgBcPsns5RphVAwMkVK7ChTAgGWqTPN66-lysw1Idx3A02mN5z4oEnyp0LMAlkEG_BbZG60vVMog1g_fvoo6sjanc_qWDYouF9SadV8RnkncTwoBVywcTCkjsGd19r/s400/5.JPG" border="0" /></a>Today, when I went out to feed the pets, I was unnerved to discover clucking coming from the horses' stalls. We own four chickens, and I found two inside.<br /><br />Hm. 4-2=2. I trotted over to the chicken coop/run to see if the others were already inside.<br /><br />I discovered a little more than I bargained for. Trapped in the tiny coop was my beautiful horse! He was caught, held inside by my two evil chickens, who would flap their wings every time he attempted to get out.<br /><br />Eventually, I got the poor dear out, but the event made me laugh: I found the chickens in the horse stall, and the horse in the chicken coop.<br /><br />I never would have guessed that in the scenario: horse vs. chicken, chicken would come out on top!The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-12287986072573079012009-12-30T20:49:00.001-08:002009-12-30T20:52:19.616-08:00Help!Help! I need a name for a male villain.<br /><br />He is very, very awesome. He just doesn't have a name. =(The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-89090192641329633852009-12-29T18:33:00.000-08:002009-12-29T21:38:48.005-08:00Pizza Pranks #2<em>As promised... </em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>Tonight, Ophelia (me!) neglected to defrost the chicken need for the night's dinner. (Wait, did I say that was</em> me?<em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">heheh</span>.) Consequently, there was no dinner. Therefore, her Mom made an executive decision to</em> order pizza<em>. Can you imagine the reaction? </em><br /><br /><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bracie</span>, Gabby (who happened to be over) and Ophelia crept to a corner and feverishly began to whisper. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Conspiratorial</span> grins snuck over their faces, and Ophelia rubbed her fingers together. </em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>Gabby's eyes gleamed. "</em>Something must be done<em>!"</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>"</em>Singing!" <em>Bracie hissed.</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>Ophelia cackled. "We should sing sppspspspspspspsps [insert movie-ish whispers here] and then spspspspspspppsppppspspppstchhhhhh? [etc.]"</em><br /><p>"What?" Bracie said, and Ophelia abandoned whispering and switched to giggling. </p><p>"We should sing Time to Say Goodbye!!!" Ophelia said. </p><p>Bracie countered her. "No! We should sing When You Say You Love Me!"</p><p>Gabrielle asked, "But what if it's a pizza delivery girl?</p><p>Bracie shot her a withering look. "Then we sing Happy Birthday."</p><p>"I am all for singing When You Say You Love Me- as long as we make it obvious that we are singing to the pizza."</p><p>When the eagerly anticipated knock came, we crowded around the door. After commencing such details, as... paying... we burst into operatic song. Our voices rose, melodious (well, more or less,) and enthusiastic (to say the least.)<br />The look on his face? Priceless. As he walked away, rather quickly (for some odd reason), we switched songs. </p><p>Time toooooooooo say goooooooodbye!!!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QbN0g8-zbdY&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QbN0g8-zbdY&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-47558394834382858412009-12-22T10:40:00.000-08:002009-12-22T10:42:52.951-08:00And now the famous...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Torvill</span> and Dean. Because today it snowed. And then it melted.<br /><br />It left me in a wintry mood, so I had to post this quintessential ice dance.<br /><br /><br /><p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t2zbbN4OL98&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t2zbbN4OL98&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p></p><p></p>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-12861523543423940142009-12-18T23:10:00.000-08:002009-12-18T23:11:47.667-08:00Dreamy, aint he?<a href="http://www.fabrics.net/colpics/GR_1A300.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.fabrics.net/colpics/GR_1A300.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love Schroeder. </div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-1975767283458921312009-12-17T18:14:00.000-08:002009-12-17T18:16:21.776-08:00Merrily on high...<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4i-VlUiGxEQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4i-VlUiGxEQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p>Because, as I heard in an impromptu speech at club today, bells are important.</p><p>Bell choirs, yes or no? </p>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-17678322328847371012009-12-15T20:55:00.000-08:002009-12-15T20:59:28.380-08:00Erg.And by erg, I mean ahrg, to those of you who speak pirate rather than English.<br />I didn't maliciously stop following your blog. My following box just <span style="font-size:180%;">POOF! <span style="font-size:100%;">ceased to be filled with all the marvelous blogs that I usually visit. I guess I followed one too many or something? </span></span><br /><br />Anybody know how to fix this?<br /><br /><br />Update: Nevermind! It magically started working. I am sure you can imagine my grin.The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-89298805331627363562009-12-15T19:48:00.001-08:002009-12-16T08:17:19.954-08:00Excuses.Ahem. Following this announcement, let it hereby be known that the author of this blog, (in name, Ophelia. [But I'm sure you all knew that.]) is taking the following weeks off of blogging to do the following:<br /><br />Making utterly ridiculous (and hopefully delightful) movies.<br />Writing dramatic and tragic short stories. Okay, so maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">there'll</span> be a couple <em>slightly</em> humorous ones.<br />Polishing her school work<br />Reading the Grapes of Wrath<br />Riding her lovely horses through the snow<br />Romping with her magnificent (and maybe smelly) doggies through the mud<br />Caroling until someone throws tomatoes<br />Stuffing her face with holiday baked goods<br />Wishing random persons a Merry Christmas<br />Putting together presents<br />Slapping together strange and mysterious and likely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">awe striking</span> Christmas crafts for her siblings to do<br /><br />And altogether banging people on the head with Christmas cheer until they join her or perish.<br /><br />This isn't to say she will not post. Hopefully that will happen. Hopefully. But rather to state that Christmas is taking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">precedence</span> over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">internet</span>, which is right and good and proper.The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-82045238619913059302009-12-12T13:17:00.000-08:002009-12-12T13:22:35.544-08:00My current motto:<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Procrastinators unite! ...some time later.</span><br /><br /><br />I already have several ideas up my sleeve, but does anyone have extra ideas on how to soak a pizza person without harming the pizza? (Hehe! You have got to love my priorities.)The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-69898725328010409112009-12-04T16:06:00.000-08:002009-12-04T22:16:00.443-08:00Pizza Pranks #1<a href="http://www.pizzahutpizza.com/menu/_images/3_pan_pizzas.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 365px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.pizzahutpizza.com/menu/_images/3_pan_pizzas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours</em>. ~Doug Larson<br /><br />If you establish pizza as your dinner, you establish it as a goal, yes?<br /><br />Which is alright. If you don't let it deprive you of interesting detours. Any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">experienced</span> mischief maker will tell you that pranks are (at the very least) interesting detours.<br /><br />So <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cometh</span> a series of posts. I call "101 ways to make life miserable, Oops! I mean <em>interesting, </em>for pizza boys." By writing this series, I hope to provide some excitement in dreary routine. I promise to fill your mind with some delightful ideas which can be practised on your local pizza person.<br /><br />Let's establish that by pizza boy, I mean the-person-who-shows-up-at-the-door-bearing-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Italian</span>-bread-circles-topped-with-tomato-sauce-and-other-such-deliciousness, be they man, woman, boy, or girl.<br /><br />The inspiration for this fantastic scheme was provided when, two days ago, we ordered out for pizza and the world's Most Boring Pizza Dude in the history of the universe delivered the food.<br />Bracie, Gabby, and I looked long and hard at each other and decided that something had to change. Break the monotony! Salvage these humans from dullness! Provided a spark of hilarity!<br /><br />You. <em>Be</em> the change. When I post Pizza Pranks, dare to detour! Hurrah! Huzzah! And all that.</div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-89522622783391750052009-12-03T07:10:00.000-08:002009-12-03T07:31:36.948-08:00Protest gravity!The forces of nature and the principles of science have been conspiring against me.<br /><br /><br />It's true. They are malignant, always seeking to bring me down. Why? I don't know. Go ask a hurricance. But, every morning for the past week, they have sought to keep me from waking up at a decent time. I want to get up at seven. It is an apt time, because much earlier, and I won't get up at all. *blushes* Yes, it is too true: I am sadly um, sad, when it comes to getting up. The malicious forces of nature and principles of science know this, and are using it to my disadvantage.<br /><br />How? It's all a matter of alarm clocks. Through a startling discovery I made in the past couple days, I now know what the lowest point of gravity is on an alarm clock.<br /><br />In researching the subject, I found this poignant quote: "“Gravity is a myth, the Earth stinks."<br /><br />First of all, that quote can't be true, because, well, people in Australia aren't falling off the side of the earth. Secondly and more importantly, it is true because my alarm clock doesn't wake me up at 7 in the morning. It wakes me up at the lowest point of gravity. 6.<br /><br />Yesterday, (at 6 a.m., I might add) I found that the spring which holds the alarm in place on my analog clock is broken. Don't even think of that! It was gravity's fault, not mine! It broke when it <em>fell,</em> and the world <em>fell </em>determines that gravity was involved.<br />So every morning, the alarm sets itself to six and wakes me up too early, which in turn causes me to fall back asleep, which in turn causes me to wake up at eight, not seven, which in turn causes me to miss my morning run, which in turn causes me to not be tired at ten p.m. when I'm supposed to be going to bed!<br /><br />In conclusion, alarm clocks are ruining my life. I am now protesting gravity.<br /><br />(And in case you know me, yes, this is the clock that I got from Z at a white elephant gift exchange two Christmasses ago.)The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-83446797963027387352009-11-30T11:14:00.000-08:002009-11-30T11:34:19.907-08:00Today is the end.<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNo</span>: Lately, I've been feeling so lost and alone. My soul is woeful<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span>: [Mutters] Absolutely<em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">clackety</span>-click.</em> Forty-seven thousand, three hundred sixty three.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNo</span>: My heart is so heavy! It seems as though I have no where to turn. Except for you. We haven't talked much this past month, and I miss our heart to heart conversations.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span>: Absolutely. [feverishly] Forty-seven thousand, three hundred seventy two.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNo</span>: They improve my outlook so much! So, what's your advice for me?<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span>: Absolutely. Without a doubt.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNo</span>: Are you even listening to me? Life is so empty! No one cares about me.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span>: [in a preoccupied manner] Absolutely.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNo</span>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uhg</span>! The anguish! What shall I do?<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span>: If you were an elf being chased by a Minotaur, and you were about to fall off a cliff, what would you do? I need help. I'm stuck in my story? What shall I do? I have four thousand words to write. Help!<br />NonNaNo: [draws up from the floor on which she had been sobbing] Absolutely.<br /><br /><br />Today is the day. Today is the time. Today is the day that all you poor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNoWriMo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">ers</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">desparately</span> scramble to scratch out those last three thousand words. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">NonNaNoers</span>, let us take a universal moment of silence to pity those souls.<br /><br />Perhaps not, let's rejoice! Family of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">NaNo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">ers</span>, let's unanimously throw metaphysical hats in the air. Huzzah! After today, our siblings/relatives will return to us! Gone will be the days of lonely contemplation as my beloved sister types and clacks away at the old keyboard.<br /><br />Tomorrow we celebrate the return of the authors!The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-36370850902449231492009-11-27T11:45:00.000-08:002009-11-27T12:12:54.336-08:00Ready yet?Ready? Huh? Huh? Huh? How 'bout now? Now? NOW?<br /><br />Can you tell that I am EAGERLY anticipating Christmas? The following are several comics that <em>resonate beautifully</em> with my frame of mind this season of joy, festivity, etc. etc. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/calvin_xmas.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/calvin_xmas.gif" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/kids/wp-content/calvin-hobbes-christmas-tree.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/kids/wp-content/calvin-hobbes-christmas-tree.gif" /></a></div><div>Right. </div><div> (Click to make bigger) </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><div></div></div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-3293444480025288392009-11-24T22:19:00.000-08:002009-11-24T22:36:33.338-08:00Up.<a href="http://www.mlmfiresale.com/images/uparrow.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.mlmfiresale.com/images/uparrow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.edb.ups-tlse.fr/equipe3/NE/Images/up-arrow.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.edb.ups-tlse.fr/equipe3/NE/Images/up-arrow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.kwministries.org/arrow-up-red.png"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 643px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.kwministries.org/arrow-up-red.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Up is the new cool. Cool is not up. Up. </div><div>No, I am not talking about a fantastical children's animation. No, I am not referring to a weird song by the second rate country singer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shania</span> Twain. No, I am not mentioning the name of the United <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Polictics</span> party. </div><div>Up is the new positive adjective. </div><div>So, Lib, from Random <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jotdowns</span> beat me to writing it in a blog post, but I am now announcing the eve of a new term for what used to be "cool." I even have the effrontery to suppose that it could unseat the vague, "awesome. " </div><div> </div><div>WARNING:</div><div> </div><div>"Up" is not for wannabees or for the fainthearted. It must be said with a lazy assurance that conotates absolute conviction. After it is uttered, it may NOT be followed with an explanation. Otherwise, you're trying too hard.<br /></div><div>By the way, I am calling down the fury of a thousand evil poodles on whoever wrote the Very Personal Tag that's been going around. Blech. =P</div><div></div></div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-53877376201525085912009-11-23T19:42:00.001-08:002009-11-23T19:45:25.777-08:00AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!I AM LISTENING TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I just had to let y'all know. Usually, we wait until atfter Thanksgiving, but I couldn't resist. =D<br /><br />Interesting question:<br /><br />Do you think that Thanksgiving will slowly become forgotton because it's not a very marketable holiday?The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-27023314693205176352009-11-22T21:03:00.001-08:002009-11-22T21:18:15.228-08:00Tournament Attire.At speech tournaments, we are all required to wear professional... wear. You know, suits and sweaters and pencil skirts and that sort of thing. The type of garment that induces everyone to suppose you are older than you really are. The sort of clothing that, combined with a brisk walk, sends everyone running out of your way, because you look like you have somewhere to be, some deadline to fill, something IMPORTANT to be doing. Professional wear.<br /><br />Anyhow, as I sat waiting outside of my Apologetics room, I overheard a interesting conversation. A young man woefully said,<br /><br />"It's not fair. Girls don't have to worry about keeping their shirts tucked in all the time."<br /><br />"No kidding!" his friend responded. "Plus they don't have to wear ties."<br /><br />HA! If only they knew. HA! Why? Because girls are supposed to wear hose to be professional. And you can't get much worse than that. Ties and tucked in shirts don't even compare.<br /> Wincing from the pain from my Very Professional, Very Uncomfortable high heels, I turned back to my apologetics box and said nothing.<br /><br />Hehe! I can't believe I typed out the word: hose! Don't tell anybody. =DThe Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-23389476855827201352009-11-21T21:09:00.000-08:002009-11-21T21:11:07.847-08:00Home Sweet Home!I have sore feet. From walking around in high heels for a day...<br />I have chapped lips. From talking way too much...<br />I have incredibly messy hair. Good thing that's not on the ballot.<br /><br />G'Night!The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-62678930099860408302009-11-21T08:15:00.000-08:002009-11-21T08:18:23.106-08:00Speech Tournament!"Of course, people are silly to worry. Just because one of of every four boats hits an iceberg, it doesn't mean that <em>we</em> will." ~Dick Winters, Drama on the High Seas. (Bracie and my interpretation piece.)<br /><br />Today is a Round Robin speech tournament. AAAAAhhhh!<br /><br />This will be interesting. I suppose tomorrow I'll have lots of hilarious messups to write about. That's a rather disturbing thought.The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-61632945723574571662009-11-19T07:49:00.000-08:002009-11-19T07:57:24.602-08:00I. love. Gerber.<div>And I don't mean <a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2009/01/grab-your-torches-and-pitchforks.html">baby food.</a> <a href="http://lereticentdragon.blogspot.com/2008/12/country-bumpkins-visit-big-city.html">Here are three of my Gerber knives. Aren't they beauts?</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The latest acquisition:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTa_soPIaRk7NQ_Gi8tUrpwZUB-EzimQEf_o0IOSQe1T81MoqCxJX2wjnxTDC05x4O9ahzCZRrI6DrmKwl_6O_v8p-NB7j0X8Bq3HcprlNXrTEw1rM9SU8SEXBm3gFpn4inSbVvPCyA1B/s1600/gerberr.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405842538234780738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTa_soPIaRk7NQ_Gi8tUrpwZUB-EzimQEf_o0IOSQe1T81MoqCxJX2wjnxTDC05x4O9ahzCZRrI6DrmKwl_6O_v8p-NB7j0X8Bq3HcprlNXrTEw1rM9SU8SEXBm3gFpn4inSbVvPCyA1B/s400/gerberr.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ssE8tCU1OX5Amz4rPPU-lsFS1WH9J0QtqaR7UUva0GTwI61_febNU0oZGr7ZBV3GeHjvTUnUv33kOTdkz0axV26zZ75D-14GJoXcGSvZ2Q0NOSYBwgvhCYRdvVATu96HANLSmbhh5Ghx/s1600/gerberb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405842539242096674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ssE8tCU1OX5Amz4rPPU-lsFS1WH9J0QtqaR7UUva0GTwI61_febNU0oZGr7ZBV3GeHjvTUnUv33kOTdkz0axV26zZ75D-14GJoXcGSvZ2Q0NOSYBwgvhCYRdvVATu96HANLSmbhh5Ghx/s400/gerberb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1Gt4qQT7WxYiI_qAAWP4u7-Fk61BUiaKKfSaiWz5Tj9bWei9B7yRdR2I57u2GFyNrX2l6MTXlXgglI19NniHoRunxH_58AVL1LdcdBsElPM_fYyoYGI2JqWNtLUHPjZSt6PcyfYcrP9k/s1600/gerber.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405842534457397890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1Gt4qQT7WxYiI_qAAWP4u7-Fk61BUiaKKfSaiWz5Tj9bWei9B7yRdR2I57u2GFyNrX2l6MTXlXgglI19NniHoRunxH_58AVL1LdcdBsElPM_fYyoYGI2JqWNtLUHPjZSt6PcyfYcrP9k/s400/gerber.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sorry. I am in a violent mood today. Bear with me as best you can.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.worldofcharun.net/images/thumb/2/20/Swords4.jpg/300px-Swords4.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.worldofcharun.net/images/thumb/2/20/Swords4.jpg/300px-Swords4.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-13063662638503521312009-11-18T18:00:00.000-08:002009-11-18T19:20:19.361-08:00The fateful twelve...<div>First, list twelve characters from any fandom, then answer the questions below.</div><br /><div>1. Curdie, from the Princess and the Goblin He's the shorter miner. </div><a href="http://circulatinglibrary.net/images/109.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 463px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://circulatinglibrary.net/images/109.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>2. Bertie Wooster, from Jeeves and Wooster<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbXEYMCxsa4VpjRF9aZixCKk5Wu4R0JptMDxnqFfer1JP8h1qtonNggxe_emRwnlDg5QOYqNsdrFQWMfK-ELBy2ttddtnve4deDkrpA5eXgHs8V-iUk3MjzNnTFHypkC2Vf5B92hQiuY7/s1600/bertie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405635565859307330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbXEYMCxsa4VpjRF9aZixCKk5Wu4R0JptMDxnqFfer1JP8h1qtonNggxe_emRwnlDg5QOYqNsdrFQWMfK-ELBy2ttddtnve4deDkrpA5eXgHs8V-iUk3MjzNnTFHypkC2Vf5B92hQiuY7/s400/bertie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />3. Elsie Dimsnore from Elsie Dinsmore. (Prepare yourselves for some Elsie-bashing, people.)</div><a href="http://www.ellenpyle.net/1900s/elsiedins.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 471px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 539px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ellenpyle.net/1900s/elsiedins.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>4. Henry Huggins, from Beverly Clearly's work. </div><a href="http://www.redroom.com/files/images/Henry_Huggins.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 379px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.redroom.com/files/images/Henry_Huggins.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>5. Johnny Tremain</div><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/jtmain/Johnny%20Tremain.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 109px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.freewebs.com/jtmain/Johnny%20Tremain.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>6. D'Artagnan, from the Three Musketeers </div><a href="http://crossroadsmag.eu/images/d__artagnan.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://crossroadsmag.eu/images/d__artagnan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>7. Faramir. Because I had to have someone from Lord of the Rings</div><a href="http://www.ageofthering.com/atthemovies/cast/faramir.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ageofthering.com/atthemovies/cast/faramir.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>8. Alice, from Alice in Wonderland</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkB64fvTEa9TbGbqU3uYxycA7G3A0D1Rjh-PuNrdphcEbByAKniID6jfPAZRkMgPxyO0Kk54mpsl9wdXpNkwmvSnT01HnyisnUr2b4-RXU5y09zz7CPSIObql3P1Vz2m3eIdE-W94g__b/s1600/alice.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405637800765721746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkB64fvTEa9TbGbqU3uYxycA7G3A0D1Rjh-PuNrdphcEbByAKniID6jfPAZRkMgPxyO0Kk54mpsl9wdXpNkwmvSnT01HnyisnUr2b4-RXU5y09zz7CPSIObql3P1Vz2m3eIdE-W94g__b/s320/alice.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>9. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle</div><a href="http://charlottesfancy.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/mrs-piggle-wiggle.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 546px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://charlottesfancy.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/mrs-piggle-wiggle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>10. Sunny Baudelaire Series of Unfortunate Events</div><a href="http://sunny-baudelaire.navajo.cz/sunny-baudelaire.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://sunny-baudelaire.navajo.cz/sunny-baudelaire.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>11. Fay, from That Thing You Do. She's the wardrobe management. Oh yeah. Actually, her job is to hold sunglasses for Guy. (She's Liv Tyler in the middle)</div><a href="http://www.channel4.com/film/media/images/Channel4/film/T/that_thing_you_do_xl_01--film-B.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.channel4.com/film/media/images/Channel4/film/T/that_thing_you_do_xl_01--film-B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>12. Ludovic Lavenham ~The Talisman Ring. He's a exicitable smuggler who likes to shoot people. Tragically, I could not find a picture for him, but he's awesome. </div><br /><div>1. Who would make a better collage prof, 6 or 11? D'Artagnan is rather lacking in the brains department, so probably Fay. She could teach music I guess. </div><br /><div>2. Do you think #2 is hot? Okayyyyyy. Not my preferred adjective. Bertie Wooster? He thinks mustaches are goodlooking. Need I say more? </div><div>3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed? Ludovic sends Alice on a mission. Hmmm. I think he would tell Alice to marry Beau Lavenham so that she could inspect his jewelry collection for a talisman ring. Yeah. Actually, that's scarily realistic. </div><div> </div><div>4. What is or what would be 9's favorite book? Mrs. PiggleWiggle's favorite book would probably be 1001 Recipies for Delicious Cookies. That woman is a gem. </div><div>. Would it make more since for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around? Bertie Wooster would swear fealty to any scary-dude with a sword, and then promptly forget about it. D'Artagnan would swear fealty to any pretty girl who chanced his way. As Bertie is not a pretty woman and as D'Artagnan is a scary-looking dude with a sword, I think Bertie would swear fealty. And Jeeves would get him out of it, of course. </div><div>.6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he room with 9 or 10? Johnny Tremain should stay with Mrs. Piggle Wiggle so she can cure him of all his vices. Everyone should stay with Mrs. PW. </div><div> </div><div>.7. 2, 7 and 12 are going out to dinner. Where do they go and what do they discuss? Bertie Wooster, Ludovic Lavenham, and Faramir. Wow. First of all, Bertie only came because his Aunt Agatha made him. He takes everybody to the "Mottled Oyster" a cheap nightclub. Although he tries to tell the party about the prize he won for scripture knowledge in grammar school, Faramir and Ludovic start fighting. (Of course.) Faramir is convinced that a flaming arrow can do as much damage as a pistol. Ludovic disagrees. They start firing projectiles at the candlebra in an attempt to prove their marksmanship. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel, who wins? </div><div>Sunny easily wins. In the first place, Elsie is such a coward that the only person she can challenge is a baby. But right before Sunny immobilzes Elsie with her razor-teeth, Elsie calls for her daddy. Coward. </div><div> </div><div>9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would (s)he get it back? Curdie would never, ever, ever steal. It goes against everything in him. </div><div> </div><div>10. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they desire. Hmmm. Faramir's desire is Eowyn. Ludovic's desire is a golden ring. How to fit that in a title? </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>11. What kind of plot device would you have to use if you wanted 1 and 4 to work together? I'd tell Curdie that Henry Huggins was surronded by goblins who were mussing his hair. Then Curdie would appear, full of powerful rhymes to drive 'em away. </div><div> </div><div>12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go? Great! We'd give each other haircuts. And go riding. And I'd make Faramir teach me archery. Plus, we'd get into metaphysical discussions on the proper method for running a nation. </div><div> </div><div>13. If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be? What could Elsie do for me? I don't think she CAN do ANYTHING! I know: I'd get her to knit a purse for me, just so I could keep her occupied and AWAY FROM ME!</div><div> </div><div>14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11? Nope. Poor Sunny isn't exactly a romantic figure. </div><div> </div><div>If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, what side would (s)he choose? Bertie would ask Jeeves, and then do whatever he'd say. </div><div> </div><div>16. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle? Sunny can't talk yet. </div><div> </div><div>17. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be? I haven't a clue. </div><div> </div><div>18. 1, 6 and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese Restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it? </div><div>Curdie, D'Artagnan, Ludovic. Hmmm. D'Artagnan would challenge Ludovic to a duel over it. While they fought, Curdie would promptly snatch and eat it. </div><div> </div><div>19. What would be a good pickup line for 2 to say to 10? I think Sunny is a little young for Bertie. </div><div> </div><div>20. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?</div><div>Well, he WAS arrested for stealing a silver cup, but he was innocent. </div><div> </div><div>21. What is 6's secret? D'Artagnan likes to fancy himself full of secrets. Which one to choose? </div><div>22. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first? Definitely Fay. Athletics isn't Mrs. PW's thing. </div><div> </div><div>23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you feel more comfortable walking with, 7 or 8? Absolutely Faramir. Alice isn't exactly physically powerful. </div><div> </div><div>24. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic? Curdie and Mrs. PW, team up against Henry? No. They like children. Fay isn't subtle enought to spy, Henry is incapable of capturing Ludovic, and Elsie couldn't complete anything. Coward. </div><div> </div><div>Whew! That's a long tag. I hope I didn't bore you to tears. I hope you actually know who some of those characters are. </div><div> </div><div>Anywho, I tag:</div><div> </div><div>Phil Wordy, </div><div>Bethany </div><div>Equus Delirus</div><div> </div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-25172871617885594022009-11-17T22:18:00.000-08:002009-11-17T22:38:16.939-08:00SPLUFF!SPLUFF! Spluff.<br /><div>Spluff. It is the melodiac sound of...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/images/coconut%20cream%20pie.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/images/coconut%20cream%20pie.jpg" border="0" /></a> A cream pie hitting you in the face!<br /><div>My friend, <a href="http://ifbyhappyyoumeanderanged.blogspot.com/">Quipster.</a> came up with that particular onomatopoeia. Many thanks. I'm addicted to saying it. If I had more time, I think I would bake a cream pie exclusively for the pleasure of spluffing some hapless soul in the face with it. </div><div> </div><div>Speaking of time, I don't have much of that elusive stuff to spend blogging. So, go read <a href="http://problematicraining.blogspot.com/">Problematic's awesome blog.</a> She does things like waltz in the rain and ponder the meaning of gummy bears. </div><div> </div><div>Besides, if you read my blog too much longer, you're liable to get hit in the face with a cream pie. </div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435239066041871145.post-48123519371768489162009-11-16T22:49:00.001-08:002009-11-16T22:56:33.343-08:00Swamped.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdJ-06iTo2APVaVB0ghWDWCzVTj3qu6-1ZDFB0CDsJ53bbSSof9pJNMV99DWid03IvzL8WudoJRGB8RmI4guceI67rC9oRpmwBSA7KPm-M-jjEX_v-SpY6azaUWV2kH_P9EHPhoTIZGeM/s1600/506.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404961222720055602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdJ-06iTo2APVaVB0ghWDWCzVTj3qu6-1ZDFB0CDsJ53bbSSof9pJNMV99DWid03IvzL8WudoJRGB8RmI4guceI67rC9oRpmwBSA7KPm-M-jjEX_v-SpY6azaUWV2kH_P9EHPhoTIZGeM/s400/506.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Properly practiced creativity can lift your claims out of the swamp of sameness and make them accepted, believed, persuasive, urgent. William Bernbach. </div><div> </div><div>Just so ya'll know, I am in the swamp of sameness. Up to my waist in it. Expository essays are the epitome of the swamp of sameness. </div>The Reluctant Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304962914366160092noreply@blogger.com3