Also, I am doing at least a couple of entries for the Blizzard holiday card contest. I say at least a couple because, well, my first one is close to being done and I have more ideas.

This first one is stupid and cartoony, of course, because that has just turned into my niche. And it's adapting a joke sketch I did earlier for the general forums. But by god it makes me laugh!

( In part because Tyrande is making this expression. )

My Yuletide assignment is in exactly the fandom (out of my 25 offered) that I thought it would be, involves my two favorite characters from the source material, and the specifics of the request look like a hoot. And I've never written in this fandom before.

Fun!

*eats more fudge-based cookies to get into a holiday mood, then goes off to work out like a responsible little writer*

I have exciting news guys for anyone that may be interested: clamp_icontest is now affiliated with tcg_exchange! TCG Exchange is an online graphic based trading card game where you can collect and trade cards from various anime, manga and video game series. More detailed information is provided within the community itself.

There are many decks to choose from (including lots of CLAMP themed ones) and many different ways to earn cards, but the main way is by participating in affiliated communities. Now that we're one of them, you can add to your collection through the following:

Submission: Submitting one icon will earn you two random cards. Submitting two icons will earn you two random cards and one choice card

Voting: Voting will earn you one random card

Winning: First place will receive two random cards and 1 c cert. Second place and below will receive one random card. Moderator's choice will receive no cards

If you are already a member of tcg_exchange then all you need to do is keep participating here then leave a comment at our official claims post (link to follow once it's up) to receive your reward(s). If you're not a member then you can sign-up here to get started. I just joined recently myself and it's a lot of fun so far I promise!

Oh and feel free to leave a comment here with a link to your card post so that other members can find and trade with you, this is mine :P

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P.S. There is still a little bit of time left to submit an icon or two to the current lyrical challenge if you wish. However, I don't believe that prize claims take effect until next week's theme and subsequent submission etc. post is up, so don't expect any cards for entering or voting this time around unless I hear otherwise...

This week's theme is Green. This theme can be interpreted in any way that you choose. As long as the theme is conveyed clearly, it's all good. I'll give you until Wednesday since this is up a few days late.

Your icons will be due by Wednesday, Nov. 18th at 10 PM EST.

( Rules and such. )

Good luck, and have fun!

I'll have the new theme up in a sec. rosalen_knight has banners for this week.

( Congratulations! )

This is a final reminder that you don't have much longer left to submit your icon(s) for this week's challenge. The theme is The Islander by Nightwish and we still don't have any entries at the moment, so your participation is definitely needed and would be greatly appreciated in order to hold standard voting without an extension. To submit simply leave a comment with your icon(s) at the submission post by later tomorrow night Saturday, November 14th at 8:00 PM EST. Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to submit an icon or two.

It would have to be the ability to teleport from one place to the other. And I base my answer entirely on Deadpool in the Wolverine movie. He is the someone I aspire to be. And hopefully with the way technology is progressing, one day I will achieve my dream.

Hey folks we only have 5 icons for challenge 102, come on guys don't let me down!! Enter HERE.

Hey guys, here's your midweek reminder for Week 248: Distant Crop! We currently have 5 fantastic icons, but more would be awesome, so if you haven't submitted yet, be sure to drop off an icon or two over here before submission closes on Saturday night!

8 icons this week!

The special theme of the week will be Best Color. Cast your votes in a comment (it'll be screened) to this post. Example:

First Place: 32
Second Place: 61
Third Place: 74
Special Theme: 78

or like this:

32,61,77
78

Things to remember:
-Don't vote for yourself.
-Don't vote for the same icon twice.

( All right, who's been touching my materia? )

Dear yuletide writer,

First of all, thank you a million times over for offering to write one of my tiny non-existent fandoms! As far as I know, there's no fanfiction for any of the fandoms I requested, so you're striking out into new territory for me, and I can't begin to say how happy I am that you're willing to do that. It automatically makes you awesome!

Secondly, I do hope you have fun writing my story – please, if any of the requests below give you any angst, ignore them. Optional details are optional!

On the other hand, optional details can be really handy, so I'll give you as many as I can! Just be sure to remember that they're suggestions, not hard and fast ' I must have this in my story or I won't be happy' demands.

( someone's writing my tiny fandoms! \o/ )

This is a reminder that you have until Saturday, November 14th at 8:00 PM EST in the evening to submit your icon(s) for this week's challenge. The theme is The Islander by Nightwish, we currently have 0 entries so more are definitely needed and appreciated. To submit simply leave a comment with your icon(s) at the submission post, where more information is also available.

And don't forget that you are allowed to submit up to two icons; check out this post for some series titles and galleries. Also, each icon you enter earns you one ballot for November's Submitter of the Month contest.

I love being stupidly happy, even if friends tell me I'm grinning like a loon.

Life makes me happy today. A coming three day weekend in London makes me happy. A friend doing something nice for me out of the blue makes me happy. Hearing great things about Stark Sands in Bonnie and Clyde last night makes me happy (even though I may never get to see it). godofwine and dark_reaction doing prompt posts, and templemarker running a USMC happy birthday prompt/fic free-for-all makes me happy.

Doing a job that might be long hours and hard work, but lets me go home at night knowing I'm doing something good with my life makes me happy. Sometimes I imagine what it must be like to work in great conditions and get a fabulous pay packet, but, at the end of the day, I know which is more important to me.

Even last weekend, which I spent sick and miserable on my couch (bad reaction to the swine flu jab), makes me happy in retrospect, because feeling like doing nothing more strenuous than watching TV all day led me to discover that Castle is great fun. Great team chemistry, and an adorable family - yeah, you've guessed, that makes me happy!! \o/ (And you can say "I told you so" if you want. It won't stop me being happy!)

Yes, I'm obnoxiously perky in the morning too! In case you were wondering! *g*

Alright, alright. I'm doing this again, I'll be pimping out the series with the ever-expanding fandom once more. But this time, this time there'll be more for you to chew on

Here's the deal, I'll be scanning a chapter of the translated edition like every so often. I can't give a consistent time because it's a lot of work and time consuming They won't be the best scans, but they'll be good enough for you to read, have a look and enjoy.

I personally buy both the imports and domestic releases as soon as they're released, I enjoy the series that much (It's so good to see the series finally getting some recognition) If you're buying a lot from Amazon, I totally suggest getting them there since it's cheaper with the combined shipping and all. Though if you're just buying the books you're probably better off just snagging them up at a bookstore since with shipping it pans out to be about the same.

Zone-00 is a series by Kiyo Qjo, who you might recognize as the manga-ka for the shoujoesque releases of Trinity Blood. So if you like that style with a little more gore, this is something you'll really enjoy It's got quite a lot of high points. If you'd like a little more coverage with picture samples, you could mosey on over to magnet_dance's review over here. You get to see some highlights for volumes one through four there.

And for added flavour, ellen_grieves posts raw scans of the series over at cauchemarshoppe. They try to get them out as soon as the chapters are released, so that's always a treat. Please keep in mind that the scanner's currently having some computer troubles, so don't pester them for new scans so much

As I said, I'll be scanning the English editions one chapter at a time; since chapter one was already scanlated and up at mangafox, I'll just link to the site for that and will be continuing onto my own scans after that.

As a bonus, I've gone ahead and scanned the already translated profile pages for enjoyment As soon as volume three is released you'll be sure to see me carrying on.

Soon I'll be getting the image album, and as soon as that arrives I'll be sure to rip it and share it for those that are interested

Not feeling all that well today. But when I saw this, I did cheer up :D



Woohoo!

Live long and prosper!

xoxo

Today the new hairdresser came over and I have a new haircut! Cheap too! We payed 43 euro for both Nicks and my haircut and dying my hair too. Normally I paid like 75 euro just for myself at the hairdressers so I love this option. And she has serious skills!

( before & afterpics here )

I'm going to extend this week's theme Yuffie. There are currently 5 excellent icons, but we still need a few more. I'll put up the voting post on Wednesday, Nov. 11th. I know you guys can get a few more in by then!

Submit

First of all, don't forget to check this post to see if you were one of our recent Submitter/Voters of the Month and claim your prize!

Week 259 is behind us, thanks to all those who submitted these lovely icons and/or took the time to cast your vote! A wonderful job by everyone but special congratulations to this week's winners:

( without further ado )

If you have placed (1st, 2nd, 3rd or MC) this week and would like a banner, please go to custom_banners and request one as this community no longer maintains a staff of bannermakers. If you are interested in volunteering to help make banners for this and other icontests, then submit an application here with some samples of your work as they can always use the help.

This week's challenge has already been posted, the theme is The Islander by Nightwish. More information is available at the submission post. Remember your icon(s) is/are due by Saturday, November 14th at 8:00 PM EST in the evening and that each icon you enter earns you one ballot for November's Submitter of the Month contest.

Have signed up for yuletide, but my first two fandom requests don't have any offers. Not one. No one wants to write me Tennessee Williams - Fugitive Kind¹, or Rocket Science (movie)? A great little play, and great little movie... *puppy dog eyes*

Yes, this is totally shameless begging.


¹With Stark Sands playing the role of Leo, a disillusioned, angsty college student - isn't that tempting? ...

Have a truly brilliant day :D

I had a really great birthday night on Saturday. We went to a Moroccan/Lebenese place in London with belly dancers and everything! And for the first time in my life, I had a martini.


And once I had a martini (and I mean one only) I was more than happy to 'dance' with them. I have no hip action and not much rhythm. But I gave it  go! And then the giving it a go finished and I just posed with them.


But I have to talk about the martini again. It wasn't a dry martini or anything like that, it was a fruit mixture - but that's all I can remember. And frankly after a few sips I didn't really care. It was soooo strong. With one glass of martini I had 7 to 8 glasses of water - the waiter just kept topping it up (my theory is that he wanted me to pee). I felt so sophisticated when I drank it! Look at the picture, don't I look all grown up?


We booked the table for late on Saturday night and I thought that before I go I will be able to get me weekly TV fix. Which equals Strictly and Merlin. Guess what? Virgin Media died. AND I MISSED MERLIN. I missed MERLIN.



I missed THEM. I think me heart broke a little. The plot lines are ridiculous, the special effects laughable, yet it is one of the best shows I have seen in ages. I am in LOVE with Arthur (he is delicious) and I love Gwen and the actress who plays her. In this series they are starting to explore the various love shapes and I am loving it. And as I side note, I am going to go see Twelfth Night  in the theatre in December and Giaus is in it!

WOOOHOOOO

Thanks to all participants this week! Here are your results for Week 247! (:

( I will be your hero )

Week 248 has already been posted here, so go and be sure to submit! (: