http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:PheobeMeryll&section=today deviantART RSS for by:PheobeMeryll en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:33:26 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/21177115/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/21177115/ Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:04:48 PDT
Basically, my life here at the music school, when not filled up with classes, lessons, masterclasses, and ensembles (which take up at least 60% of my day), consists mainly of practicing and homework. Mostly practicing. I'm working up to five hours of practice a day. A lot of people say that four hours of practice a day is all you can absorb, but I'm extremely skeptical of that. As long as you take breaks every hour or two, you can stay fresh for a long time. And I heard a really good musician say that you can't know your full potential until you've practiced seven hours a day on a regular basis - and there's no chance that I'm going to miss out on the chance of living up to my potential. I'm determined to squeeze out every last little scrap of talent I may posess here at music school. I want to be able to compete and say that I did my best, at the very least. I have a long way to go, but I'm not going to stop working for a moment.

Since I have all my general studies completed, next semester will be nothing but music classes for me. My parents let me drop my English Minor, contingent on the fact that I'm planning on going to grad school (of course I want to go to grad school!). I'm so glad.

OMG guess what!! I'm signing up for secondary voice lessons next semester! I'm going to study with an upperclassmen from the best studio in the school. I am sooo excited. I've wanted to take voice lessons since I was like twelve (ever since I started listening to opera). Next year I'm going to join the women's chorus here, and maybe by then I will be good enough to study with a faculty member. Eeee!!

Oh, I'm planning to dress up as a vampire for Halloween...I actually have fangs and everything. XD So maybe I'll put them on my LJ or something. I'll post a link if I do.

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/20717356/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/20717356/ Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:36:54 PDT
How are all my friends on DA? Some of you I've been in touch with, but others I feel like I haven't talked to in forever! I miss you guys! College is really great, though. I feel so at home here. In fact, when my parents came to visit me yesterday and took me off campus, I actually felt homesick for college. Is that not insane? LOL

Anyway, that's my explination for never being on here. I'm in music school studying violin performance, which means 9+ classes and hours upon hours of practice (4 minimum). But I'm not gone forever! I can still have hobbies...I just might not have as much time as I used to.

And I can still do memes...once in a while. XD

Pick ten favorite bands/musicians. List the first song you ever heard of theirs, the song you fell in love with, and your current favorite song.

1 - Nightwish
- I think it was their cover of "Phantom of the Opera"
- "Nemo" <3
- omg. "Dead to the World." They sang it at the concert I went to. Marco was so amazing. I love him. omg.

2 - Bryn Terfel
- I heard him singing "la ci darem la mano" with Cecilia Bartoli, and it was instant love.
- "Madamina!" from Don Giovanni. Ahhhh. xD
- "Die frist ist um" from Hollander. I want to hear more Wagner!!

3 - Muse
- "Stockholm Syndrome," of course
- "Starlight"
- "Cave" or "Hysteria"...

4 - The Beatles
- Pshh, who knows? Prolly "I wanna hold your hand" XD
- "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is one I obsessed over for a long time.
- "Across the Universe" <3

5 - Andrew Bird
- "Measuring Cups"
- "Scythian Empire"
- "Lull"

6 - Weird Al
- "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?"
- "White & Nerdy"
- "Your Horoscope for the Day"

7 - Cecilia Bartoli
- "Lacia Chi'o Pianga"
- Either "Voi Che Sapete" or "Non so Piu" - of course, because it was my first time hearing either of those lovely songs; later, I decided that Frederica Von Stade had a better voice for them.
- Anything Baroque.

8 - The Mamas and the Papas
- "Make your own kind of music" (on LOST!)
- "Make your own kind of music!" XD
- I still like that song best, but I also love "Dancing Bear" and pretty much everything else they did.

9 - Stravinksy! xD
- Firebird Suite
- "Gently, Little Boat" and "Love, too Frequently Betrayed" from "Rake's Progress"
- "I go to him" (Cabaletta)...I LOVE this song SO much. Dawn Upshaw performs it amazingly, too.

10 - Enya
- "Orinoco Flow"
- "Orinoco Flow"
- "Only If" <3

XOXOXOXOX from Pheobe.





my friends!


http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/20479811/ Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:51:28 PDT twenty-two.

Will you be married by then?
most definately not.

Who was the last person you hugged?
either shelly or courtney

If you could be anywhere, where would it be?
right here in the school of music studying violin performance.

What was the last thing you drank?
a cup of milk.

What's your favorite ice cream?
chocolate, prolly. i'm not a big ice cream fan.

Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
i tend to go toward the wall because otherwise i'm facing the door and my roommate's friends tend to like to come in while i'm sleeping (including the guys) and i drool while i sleep which i'd rather them not see. xD

Ever stolen a street sign?
not yet

Do you know how to drive a stick?
yes, but i haven't in a while

Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
four earrings

Who is the funniest person you know?
i don't know...lol, the entire violin studio here is damn funny.
david (our gay concertmaster, trying to get the attention of the principal second to change a bowing): asa! asa! hey, girlfriend!
asa (finally noticing him): hey, girl.
ROFL

What are you mad about right now?
i'm irritated at people who don't take responsibility for themselves and waste their time and effort on useless crap...and the drama that ensues, which i am forced to live with. *steams and boils* ...oh yeah, and people who aren't quiet during quiet hours. --;;

Are you a jealous person?
i admit that i get jealous feelings sometimes, but as a rule, i banish such thoughts as soon as they appear.

What song lyric, if any, is stuck in your head at the moment?
"another saturday night and i ain't got nobody" - cat stevens

Do you enjoy traveling in airplanes?
ick, noes.

How many siblings do you have?
four lovely siblings whom i adore.

Are your parents still together?
yes, and i feel insanely lucky for it.

Do you know what you are going to wear tomorrow?
eh, not really...it's the weekend. ^_^

What do you think of the last person you kissed?
rofl...i don't remember who i last kissed.

Is your current hair color your natural hair color?
yeah. i wanna get highlights! i need money for hair dye...lol.

Song playing right now?
"don't stop me now" - queen xD (my theme song in life)

What are you thinking about right now?
about how excited i am for my special expedition of d00m next weekend...mwahahah

What were you doing an hour ago?
ear-training homework

Where were you friday night?
in presser hall, practicing (it's great to practice on friday nights because everyone else is out partying and all the practice rooms are open and quiet)

Do you wear the seatbelt in the car?
yeah

What is something you really want right now, be honest?
well, i just started listening to "frank mills" and now i really want to just listen to the entire soundtrack of "hair"...and i kind of feel like drawing or dancing or something expressive.

Who did you last talk to on the phone for over 20 minutes?
my big sis. ^_^ i walked all around the borders of campus today and we talked for a long time. it was nice.

Where will you be in an hour?
either still listening to music/doing homework, or sleeping, or maybe watching anime if i decide to finally break down.

Do you ever turn your cell phone off?
no, i just put it on silent.

When was the last time you were in a car with someone besides family?
friday, going to wal-mart with asa. ^_^

Will you ever hug the last person you hugged again?
i'm sure i will.

Do you have a tan?
not currently. it's easy for me to get tan, but i never go out so i don't get any. i'm considering buying tanning lotion for my legs. LOL...yeah, my roommate is a bad influence. xD

Have you ever cheated while playing a game?
i don't play games.

Last restaurant you went to?
moe's. >.>

Are you an emotional person?
unfortunately yes

Did your parents spoil you as a child?
unless not being spanked counts as being spoiled, no. there were too many other kids to take care of.

Who can always cheer you up?
pompey.

What do you notice first about a guy/girl?
body type, then personality, then face once i start to converse with him.

What were you doing at 8:00 this morning?
sleeping! it's saturday!

Do you have any brothers?
two of them.

Name everyone that made you smile today?
co... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/20103175/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/20103175/ Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:30:12 PDT [link] if you happen to have the strange desire to read about my college life. LOL, okay, that's about it. Loff!

Friends:


Clubs:


]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19848335/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19848335/ Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:48:52 PDT
Prepare thyself.

OMG I finally have Microsoft Office on my computer! Which means I have Microsoft Word!!! Which means I can get back to working on my story projects with such comforts and reassurances as spellcheck and word count!!!!!!! <333 Ahhh, happiness.

I’m leaving for college in eight days. The night before last, I didn’t sleep at all. I think I tried to make myself not sleep because whenever I sleep these days, I dream about college. >.<; So I read all night and listened to Muse. By the time the sun was rising, I realized I was tired, so I tried to nap and couldn’t so I had a ton of caffeine and then practiced for three hours and then left for work. And I didn’t sleep again until at least 3 o’clock last night. But I feel better now, somehow. At least I didn’t dream.

I hate Praise and Worship music. My sister was playing it on the piano this afternoon while I was reading “Watchmen” and it sucked because I was really into the book, but I just can’t concentrate on reading when I’m hearing songs I know the words to, particularly when they are songs I don’t like. So I got here and put on my earphones and I’m listening to Muse really loud to block it out. That’s why I’m journaling…because there’s nothing else to do while listening to music, except draw, and I don’t feel like drawing.

5 Random things today that you did:

-Plotted out Baby Gopher Kickoff Week with my siblings (don’t ask…
-Watched some female Olympic fencers online with my brothers. My gosh, have you ever seen really good female fencers? They’re horrifically vicious! And they scream really freakily! The guys are different, I hear; they throw off their masks and growl constantly…rofl
-Read another third of The Once and Future King, and a lot of Watchmen. Good books, both. ^_^
-Listened to Stockholm Syndrome about 5 zillion times and tried to convince my brother that the screaming in it is totally Beatles-style (he doesn’t appreciate oldies at all >.<;.
-Um…ate scrambled eggs? XD

you are planning to do:

-Practice violin
-Read more! <3
-Call people…
-Possibly finish watching one of my animes
-Possibly write

you are actually gonna do:

-Ummm…lol…bother my brother, prolly. It’s rare that we have similar tastes in a band, so I’ll go and obsess with him.
-Eat some sort of dinner
-Take a shower
-Definitely read Watchmen some more
-Practicing at least my audition music…

you are thinkin':

-I love the rhythm of this song (Starlight). *bounce* And omgosh I love the piano parts.
-Black holes are freaky.
-I hope I don’t dream tonight.
-Ugh I hate job searching and I’m not looking forward to it next summer.
-“Goddam money. It always ends up making you depressed.” – Holden <3

you are hearing/seeing/tasting/touching/smell ing right now (while doing this):

-“Assassin” by Muse
-Beyond my laptop: the wallpaper, a mermaid picture Stephanie drew for me, a picture of Trogdor Sean drew on the back of my algebra study guide like three years ago, my Youth Symphony lapel pins from each season, and a print-out of something from Megatokyo.
-Nothing.
-The keyboard. I love how a keyboard feels under your fingers.
-Ummm…my room? You never notice what your room smells like until you walk into it. It usually smells like my candles when I do, though, and they’re cherry-scented, so it’s nice.

you are thinking about who? (fictional):
-Kyon from Haruhi! I LOVE him. I want him to be my friend. :]
-Nite Owl from Watchmen. He’s so awesome.
-Merlin…I wish I could time travel like that, and get it all mixed up in my head. I kind of feel like I do, sometimes, at least with past events. Teehee.
-Kaname from Vampire Knight (he’s always on my mind…LOL)
-Pagliacci from the opera, for some reason…I think I read a reference to him in Watchmen and I keep thinking about him because his story is so sad.

you want to say and do but cant:
-Read all the time without having to be distracted by everything
-I’m scared about college life
-I really wanna hug Adam. dammit why do the friends who give the best hugs have to live on the other side of the country??
-I hate all the people who tell you that you are certain not to get a job in your field, while at the same time encouraging your passion. F****** double standards.
-::Why is it always what will I do? "What will he do", "What will he do," "Oh, my g... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19745635/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19745635/ Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:36:22 PDT
1. Hi, welcome to the Writer’s Meme! First, describe yourself in three-to-five words. (Shall I use adjectives? *bends the last one*)

Rebellious
Enigmatic
Bipolar
Cynical
Daydreamy

2. Okay, good! Now how long have you been writing for?

Since I was five years old. My first book was a comic book entitled "The Little Dinosaur Runs Away" - only a lot of the letters were written backwards since I hadn't been properly taught to write yet.

3. There’s always the dreaded subject of “Writer’s Block”. What do you do to overcome it?

The way I usually deal with it is to take the opportunity of the time I would have spent writing to read/listen to music/watch movies, etc; in other words, give myself some inspiration. And I try to make myself at least journal so that I'm still writing a little at least.

4. Okay! So, what do you like to write about most?

Fantasy! I have fics including high fantasy/mythology/fairy tales/sci fi, etc. I like epic stories with original characters. But I'm up for writing any kind of story, as long as the characters are engaging and original.

5. Aha! What about the bad? What kind of writing do you like the least?

Poetry, when I'm forcing it. I hate having to write a poem if I'm not inspired.

6. Do you have a favorite-FAVORITE author? Or just somebody/something inspiring to get you motivated?

I really don't have a favorite author. I've learned so much from so many authors. But reading books from my childhood by people like Hilda Van Stockum, L.M. Montgomery, Maud Hart Lovelace, E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, and Louisa May Alcott usually inspire me a lot. Movies from my childhood inspire me, too. I think it's because my imagination worked so much better back then.


7. So, what is the most you’ve ever written at once, or what is your longest piece?

My longest story was "Butterfly" and it was 27,268 words, to be exact. Pathetic, huh? Barely half the size of a proper novel.

8. Alright, writers tend to ‘baby’ certain characters. What are one or two characters you simply could not live without currently?

Currently? Idreth and Gareth. I swear I put them through more angst than any other couple in the history of the world. *shakes head*...I really couldn't live without them.

9. Well, how do you go about with writing? Any particular format or process?

I have to have some emotion I need to get out to start writing. If I have no reason to vent some feeling of my own in my characters, I have no inspiration. If that criterion is met, nothing else matters. I can write anywhere, anytime, in any situation. And if I don't have a pencil and paper, I'll rehearse it over in my head so that when I get home I can write it all down perfectly.

10. Gasp! You’re faced with the dilemma of killing one character off. Which one is it and why?

Ummm...I've killed useless characters in the past. But it was an immature thing to do. If I were to kill one of my currect characters, I'd have to kill Damon. I might do that eventually. He definately deserves it.

11. Well, is there any particular advice you would give to other Authors?

Yes...try not to self-insert. That is, you should insert your emotions and point of view into all of your characters whenever possible, but try not to put it all into one character, because you'll definately end up with a Sue. And try to keep a check on the grammar! Make some effort.


12. So then, where do you see your pieces in anywhere from 5-25 years from now?

Wow, that's a big time frame! I would love to write for music or fiction-related periodicals. It is also kind of a dream of mine to publish a series of essays on the Savoy Operas, but I have no idea how long it would take me to have something worth publishing there. As far as fiction goes, if I ever had time to complete one of my fantasy stories, I would love to try to get it published...but that's a less important and much less realistic pursuit.

13. You’re stuck on an island with a character. Who is it and why?

Oooh. I choose Igor, Idreth's older brother. He's really sweet and nice and he would listen to me ramble and he'd let me adopt him as my big brother. *big brother complex* <3

14.Any Final Comments at all?

Fiction is realer than reality. - An Original Quote by Pheobe Meryll, Esquire.

15. Alright, now go tag some people and thanks for doing this Meme.

You're welcome.

http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19687664/ Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:47:04 PDT
For the past few weeks, I've been going on a lot of road trips with my mom to my college (it's about three hours north from where I live) and the towns nearby. It's my first time driving on the highway, so I'm trying to get used to the routes I'll be taking during the school year and school breaks. I woke up early to practice yesterday and then left the house at twelve with my mom. I drove to my school and then to Stephanie's apartment and had dinner with her out. We experimented a lot of different routes this time and went back and forth, so it was nine o'clock by the time we got home. As we turned onto the street of our house, my cell phone rang and it was my dear friend, Adam.

"Hey!" I said, excited. We'd been planning to talk for months.

"The new Harry Potter trailer is out," he greeted me.

So of course I went insane and told him to hold on until I got inside and turned on my laptop and went to mugglenet.com. HBP looks amazing. I'm totally re-reading the book for the occasion (not that I forgot any of it). OMG I am so excited about Draco. Okay, I know. But I love the angst he goes through in this book and I'm really happy that the actor is now my age so I don't feel like a pedophile when I think he's sexy. LOL...anyway. *cough*

So then of course we end up talking about a zillion other things and by the time we're through an hour has elapsed and I'm all hyper again. And I'm going to go to sleep but then I look at my lamp table and "Eclipse" is sitting there. I had read half of it the night before on a whim, thinking I'd make an attempt to finish it and its sequel before the new one comes out this weekend. Everyone should know by now that I hate Twilight. But I admit that it's hard not to get hooked on her stories. You just want to know how it turns out. So I read all but like three chapters. I finished it this morning before work. -_-;; I don't really want to get started on the criticism. It wasn't any better than the first one. Besides the obvious problems of repetition of phrases and the occasional grammar mistake, the characters really piss me off. At least Bella and Edward. I admit, I am a bit of a Jason fan. At least his story seemed real. And I like Carlisle, as much as we see of him, though like Edward he is too perfect. Anyway, I'm going to read the rest of them, and yes, I am going to see the movie, etc. And I will still complain. So make fun of me and say I'm secretly enjoying it or whatever you want. I'm a critic. *sigh* It makes me want more Vampire Knight. That there is a much better vampire story. A bit ickier, and a bit more mature, but so much better. What is up with the Artemis sword?? I want to know! >.<;; I can't wait to read more...

So I was really tired - in fact, dead - at work today. My boss kind of woke me up, though. She has a way of doing that, you know; high-energy people always do. I basically just processed a ton of paperwork (what else is new?), wrote letters to people, took out the mail, brought in the mail, and filed. Fun stuff. Then I went home and had dinner and argued with my brother about the nature of superheroes. Ugh. He hates all superheroes, basically. He just hates the idea of superpowers, which I understand; however, I told him that superhero stories were basically "fantasy" stories because they involved the same struggle between humanity and magic, and a chosen one, etc. For instance, Bilbo's ring gives him the power to become invisible, but that power could corrupt him and turn him into another Gollum. Harry's powers allow him to talk to snakes and make things happen with his mind, and he risks becoming another Voldemort (or Voldemort himself, if you want to get technical). Likewise, people with superpowers face the same struggle. Some become superheroes and some become supervillians. But it's basically all fantasy with lots of action and usually more than a touch of sci-fi. Anyway, he didn't want to argue because he was busy helping my sister learn how to string a guitar (lame excuse). I practiced for a bit and then my exhaustion came back in a heavy wave. I tried to sleep but ended up laying in bed for three hours, tossing and turning. So I got up and have now tried the warm-milk-and-anime ordeal, but it's not working. I'm in some stage of awake-ness, although how awake I cannot be sure, since I've had no actual human interaction for the past few hours.

I'm thinking it's because I chose to watch Lucky Star. It's kind of a high-energy choice for when you're trying to make yourself fall asleep. The theme song makes me want to commit suicide, actually. But it's an amazing anime. I love Izumi...omg she reminds me of my friends and myself SOOO much. (nerd ) I'm not a gamer, but I'm a ner... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19638919/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19638919/ Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:53:29 PDT
I blame
1 - the weather
2 - stephanie moving out
3 - the weather
4 - i don't know...

Oh well. I'm going to go practice.

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19508798/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19508798/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:33:16 PDT My darling friend lent me her scanner, so I have a dump of deviations (finally)! I'm very happy because I think a few of these might actually be good! ^_^ I am greatly enjoying my last month of summer. I hope everyone else is doing well!

from :mj0621:

Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die:
1.) Play in an opera orchestra
2.) Publish a book
3.) The other thing is none of your business.

Three Names You Go By:
1.) Pheobes
2.) Beckula
3.) Cocoa
[and many others...]

Three Screen Names You Have Had (Other Than This One):
1.) pheobeconbrio
2.) pittising_15
3.) petunia_815

Three Physical Things You Like About Yourself:
1.) Lips
2.) I kind of like my hair...I don't think it's pretty, but somehow I think the fact that it's long and wild sends some kind of a statement...welcome to my deranged mind.
3.) Um, well, if you really want to know, I like my breasts. *girl pride*

Three Parts Of Your Heritage:
1.) Greek Cypriot
2.) Polish American
3.) And, I hear, a bit of German somewhere in there.

Three Things That Scare You:
1.) The dark. i really don't like being alone in the dark.
2.) Penguins (I blame Batman Returns!)
3.) Myself

Three Of Your Everyday Essentials:
1.) Internet access
2.) Music
3.) Lip gloss

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1.) Blue pajamas
2.) My earrings?
3.) My glasses *pushes them up higher on bridge of nose*

Three Of Your Favorite Bands/Musical Artists:
1.) Bryn Terfel
2.) The Beatles
3.) Epica
(I just chose three random ones because there's no way to choose just one)

Three Of Your Favorite Songs:
1.) Winterborn - The Cruxshadows
2.) Lull - Andrew Bird
3.) Gently, Little Boat - Stravinksy (The Rake's Progress)

Three Things You Want In A Relationship:
1.) I don't want pressure...whether to be or do or whatnot. I would only want someone who wants what I am now.
2.) Innovation/uniqueness (we'll go places and do things that normal couples won't).
3.) ...that's about it.

Two Truths And A Lie:
1.) I've been to Egypt.
2.) I've written a comic book.
3.) I'm a communist.

Three Physical Things About The Preferred Sex That Appeal To You:
1.) Facial hair.
2.) I like it when guys tease me...but they have to know their limits.
3.) Confidance.

Three of your Favorite Hobbies:
1.) Reading
2.) Writing
3.) Drawing

Three Things You Want To Do Really Badly Right Now:
1.) Watch "Gotham Knight" and read my bro's Batman comics
2.) Write a blog for LJ
3.) Eat something *HUNGER*

Three Careers You're Considering/You've Considered:
1.) Politician/lawyer (I was actually seriously considering it for a while)
2.) English teacher/editor/journalist
3.) Professional musician
(FYI, I am planning to combine the last two for my actual career.)

Three Places You Want To Go On Vacation:
1.) The library (dead serious here)
2.) Europe
3.) NYC

Three Kid's Names You Like:
1.) Xavier
2.) Xenia (you pronounce the "x" like an "x," not a "z")
3.) Sophocles
(Yes, I would name my children names like these. We have enough Nicoles and Johns in the world.)
------------------------------------------

from: :mj0621:

Music Lover Meme

PART 1:

1. Rank yourself on how much you love music, 1 -least 10 -most:
=10,000. I'm dedicating my freaking life to it, you guys.

2. Genre of music you love:
=Classical/opera/leider/symphonic/e... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19378849/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19378849/ Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:04:26 PDT
I've started a Livejournal, and I was just wondering if any of my friends on DA had one, or were planning to have one. (*PRODS ADDIE-CHAN* <.< *cough*)...Anyway. Even if you don't have one, it's going to be my open blog, so you can view it if you happen to be interested in my weird thoughts. ^_^ Here it is:

[link]

Please add me as a friend if you're on there!

Okay, that's it.

my friends!


]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19320787/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19320787/ Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:42:34 PDT

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag three people.


If someone says, "Is this okay?" you say?
"Why Have You Brought Me Here?" - Phantom of the Opera
(ummmm...okay so this sounds like an interesting situation)

How would you describe yourself?
"Your Fault" - Into the Woods
(it's my father's fault that the curse got placed and the place got cursed in the first place!!)

What do you like in a guy/girl?
"Little Wild One" - That Thing You Do
(well, apparently i like them to be a bit wild. XD)

What is your life’s purpose?
"Stars" - Les Miserables
(OMG this is a good one because it's actually a song about Javert's life's purpose...to hunt down and put jean valjean behind bars. is this my life's purpose? news to me. lol)

What is your motto?
"I Hate Men" - Kiss Me Kate
("he may have hair upon his chest, but sister, so has lassie" LOL...no, but i like men. @_@)

What do your friends think of you?
"I've Grown Accustomed to her Face" - My Fair Lady
(LMAO...that's amazing.)

What do your parents think of you?
"He's a Very Nice Prince" - Into the Woods
(O_o;; wait...what??!)

What do you think about often?
"At the End of the Day" - Les Miserables
(hmmm, I don't think I'd disagree with that. I tend to think about the future, and I'm pretty pessimistic.)

What is 2 + 2?
"They Say It's Wonderful" - Annie Get Your Gun
(do they, now? ROFL! XD;

What do you think of your best friend?
"The Bed" - Hair
(*cough*...)

What do you think of the person you like?
"America" - West Side Story
(*sigh* this one has absolutely no significance.)

What is your life story?
"Marian the Librarian" - The Music Man
("heaven help us if the library caught on fire and the volunteer hose brigadesmen had to whisper the news to maaaaaaaaaaaaaaarian..."hm, well, i've spent a lot of time in libraries. O_o)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Somewhere - West Side Story
(please don't tell me i'll end up being a puerto rican girl who falls in love with an american gangster who gets killed in a fight...how sad...)

What do you think when you see the person you like?
"Jig" - The Little Mermaid
(LOL OMG *gasp* ...hahaha. idk if i get THAT excited. XD)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
"Do You Love Me?" - Fiddler on the Roof
("maybe it's indigestion"...so romantic.)

What do you think of your friends?
"A Puzzlement" - The King & I
(LOL perfect! "there are times i almost think i am not sure of what i absolutely know/very often find confusion in conclusion i concluded long ago...")

What will you post this as?
"The Barber's Song" - Man of La Mancha
(For the title of this entry? Oh okay...I'll pick a line from it. I this song.)

How are you feeling today?
"Master of the House" - Les Miserables
(HAHAHAHhahahahahhahaha.)

Where will you get married?
"The Farmer and the Cowman" - Oklahoma!
(No, God, please, not on a farm. Pleeeeeeease no.)

What is your best friend's theme song?
"Always True to You In My Fashion" - Kiss Me Kate
(wow...i'm glad i don't have a best friend, because she sounds like a slut. XD)

What is high school like?
"The Rain in Spain" - My Fair Lady
(uhhh...yeah, that's high school for you.)

What is the best thing about you?
"Cool" - West Side Story
(YES! )

How is today going to be?
Three-Five-Zero-Zero - Hair
("Ripped open by metal explosions..." oh dear o_O)

What is in store for this weekend?
"Hippie Life" - Hair
(sounds good)

What song describes my parents?
"All Er Nothin'" - Oklahoma!
(Oh my freaking gosh...well, the phrase fits them.)

How is your life going?
"It's All The Same" - Man of La Mancha
(T_T how sad)

What song will they play at my funeral?
"Who Do You Love, I Hope?" - Annie Get Your Gun
(well, at least it would cheer everyone up LOL)

How does the worl... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19284444/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19284444/ Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:25:40 PDT

-----------• × • A L L | A B O U T | M E • × •--------------

- Name: Pheobe
- Single or taken: single
- Gender: female
- Birthday: May 27
- Sign: Gemini
- Hair color: dark brown
- Eye color: dark brown
- Height: 5'2"
- Are you straight/bisexual/gay?: very straight

------------• × • F A S H I O N | S T U F F • × •--------------

- favorite place to shop for clothes?: outlets and such...places i can find odd things for less than the usual amount.
- Favorite designer?: i really don't care.
- What is your sexiest outfit?: a short sage green skirt and a low-cut green tank that i wear under a peasant top. >.> well, i feel sexy in it, anyway...
- What is your most comfortable outfit?: aside from my lovely pajamas...cargo pants and a loose blouse.
- What do you usually wear?: it depends on the day. my wardrobe is a bit spasdic. could be a blouse with a skirt, or jeans, or capri pants...
--------------• × • S P E C I F I C S • × • -------------------

- What kind of shampoo do you use?: garnier fructis.
- What are you listening to right now?: my squeaky fan and the clicking of the keyboard as i type.
- Who is the last person that called you?: ashley-chan. ^_^

-------------• × • F A V O R I T E S • × •-----------------

- Food: cypriot food! all kinds! stifado, psido, coupes, souvlakia, keftedes, sheftelia, resi, lyko...
- Girls names: Pheobe, Xenia, Ernestine.
- Boys names: Xavier, Leonidas, Sophocles, Orion.
- Subjects in school: English!
- Animals: cats, dogs, any type of rodent that is not a rat

----------------• × • H A V E | Y O U | E V E R • × •-------------

- Given anyone a bath?: yes...some kids i used to babysit.
- Smoked?: never, not even a tiny puff.
- Bungee jumped?: no!
- Made yourself throw up?: ...
- Skinny dipped?: YES! ^___^
- Ever been in love?: i've been obsessed with boys but i don't think it really counts as love.
- Made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: i can't make myself cry.
- Pictured your crush naked?: ...shut up. xD
- Actually seen your crush naked?: ...no xD...half-naked, yes.
- Cried when someone died?: yes.
- Lied: um, no duh. (who hasn't?)
- Fallen for your best friend?: almost fell for a close friend. i caught myself early.
- Rejected someone?: no.
- Used someone?: of course not.
- Done something you regret?: again, no duh.

------------• × • C U R R E N T • × •--------------

- Clothes: pink nightgown with french kitties on it? o.O; please don't visualize it...LOL
- Desktop picture: miaka and tamahome from FY
- CD in player: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears by the mamas and the papas
- DVD in player: Mr Bean's Holiday <3

----------------• × • L A S T | P E R S O N • × •----------------------

- You touched: my friend kiki
- Hugged: prolly my brother
- You IMed: emerson
- Talk to online: emerson
- Sex it up with: wait what

---------------• × • A R E | Y O U • × •---------------------

- Understanding: i try to be. people used to say i was very judgemental, and i still get that sometimes, so i don't know. i guess i'm just outspoken about what i think, and i don't like people to bs.
- Open-minded: yes - i don't see any conflict in holding my own beliefs and respecting the views of others.
- Arrogant: i hope not.
- Insecure?: yes.
- Random?: yes!
- Hungry: right now? no.
- Smart: i'm as smart as i want to be.
- Moody: extremely. i'm more than 100% sure that i'm manic-depressed; however, no one believes that someone with a 4.0 can possibly be really depressed, and so i continue on my merry way.
- Organized: not really
- Shy: if i'm around people who don't share my vibe
- Difficult: i'm an extremely difficult person. ask my parents.
- Bored easily: strangely enough, yes.
- Obsessed: yes. i get obsessed with anything and everything that interests me.
- Angry: very. i'm angry at a world that sets limitations, stifles creativity, forces people into cookie cutters, and desicrates the sacred.
- Sad: not really...more angry. lol
- Happy: very! at this point in life, more happy than i've been in a long time.
- Hyper: oh man...not at the moment, but earlier i was.
- Trusting: not at all.

---------• × • W H O | D O | Y O U | W A N N A • × •--------

- Kill?: i couldn't p... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19118458/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19118458/ Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:41:50 PDT
*floats around like a dustbunny* (don't you just love the dustbunny floating music from Totoro?) *hums it*

Tell 10 things about boy/girl you like...

(does this mean I am describing my ideal? really? okay.)

1. Understands all the puns in "brush up your shakespeare" and finds them all hilarious.
2. Facial hair...please?
3. Is a nonconformist, an individualist.
4. Has a passion (besides me).
5. Nerd.
6. Can sing, or at least is not afraid to try.
7. Reads.
8. Is interesting to converse with.
9. Is bigger than me. Or taller. You get the idea.
10. Likes my odd qualities, obviously. He'd have to.


*floats around some more*...

So...
-I was going to do another meme, but I can't think of anything.
-I did another sixties mod makeover today. I'm still getting down the technique of making the eyes really big. I have to do the darker streak above my brow line in order for it to show when my eyes are open. It's really tricky. But I love how it looks. I'm really into this vintage makeup thing. Maybe I should post some experimental pictures here on DA? After all, it's face art, right?...
-Last Tuesday I saw "The Happening" in theaters. It really freaked me out. I need to stop watching M. Knight Shamaylan's movies! I NEVER like them, and they always end up either disappointing me or freaking me out. *shivers* This one especially.
-Okay, this is something I had to resolve. I never watch movies with Angelina Jolie in them (they just don't interest me), but lately so many people have been telling me I have Angelina Jolie lips that I looked up pictures of her to compare us. And omgosh, her lips are the same size and shape as mine exactly. Well, I think my lower lip is a bit more square-shaped. But it's really funny. I don't know...I kind of like my lips, but I think they're too big and my eyes are too small. Whatever. *bites lower lip*
-I bought a little statue of Athena Nike when I was in Argos. It's so beautiful. I remember reading about a statue of Nike in "Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown" when I was really little...they called it The Winged Victory and it inspired Betsy to write this horrible story about a girl named Flossy whose head gets broken off in a bobsled race...Andrea and I used to make fun of it all the time. She never read the book, though. Wow, good times.
-My dad's cousin also bought me a little bronze statue of an owl. And I already have a statue of Pallas Athena, so now I have Athena in three forms. yay!
-Howard Roark is my hero.
-I want to draw a picture of Howard Roark, but in the opening scene.
-But he's naked in the opening scene.
-Dangit.
-Well, maybe I'll draw him where Dominique first sees him in the grotto, then.
-Ayashi no Ceres is a very angsty anime. I think it especially appeals to my sense of angst because I have twin siblings who are a boy and a girl. And they're 15! Just watch me be all paranoid when they turn 16 next year...
-Speaking of which, why is it that every shojo manga/anime I like recently has to end up having undertones of incest? I'm refering *SPOILER ALERT* to Vampire Knight. It's so unclear right now...it might not even be that way...but I tend to think that's because of the translator. ~_~;;
-I was unpacking my clothes from the trip, and I smelled the ones my Yiayia had washed before I left. The smell made me miss her. Why are smells such emotional triggers??
-It's so rainy recently. I hate rain, and I hate how the sky gets all gray. You can't see anything but clouds. It's so depressing.
-But I'm fighting it. I'm not really depressed at all. I'm happy to be back with my friends, back at my job, and going to college really soon to be immersed in music!
-I've been listening to Phillip Glass' violin concerto over and over recently. It's such an amazing piece. I really want to play it.
-I love Phillip Glass.
-Who says you can't like Phillip Glass and heavy metal and Gilbert and Sullivan? Says who? Why can't I like all different kinds of music? *poubts*
-I'm really tired now.
-I need to go to sleep.
-I watched the original star wars movies over with my sister this week. We're going to start on episodes 1-3 next. It had been over a year since I watched those movies! I'd forgotten how much I love them. Han Solo, my love forever.
-May the Force be with you.
-Hehe. That was sheer etiquette, by the way.
-In m... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19070107/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19070107/ Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:29:43 PDT 's comissions, all the pictures I mentioned to , and some other fan-related material.
- I have no scanner.
- Which means I may have to mooch off some of my friends again.
- which means it may be a bit before i put anything up
- which of course, really doesn't matter.

Oh yes, and I'm trying to write a lot more, so let's see if "Dogwood Petals" doesn't get an update soon, okay? Okay.

I'm really enjoying these character memes.

Choose twelve of your original characters, in any particular order. Then, answer the questions that follow, but DON'T LOOK AT THE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU PICK THE CHARACTERS!

1. Cruetia
2. Moryn
3. Clebyn
4. Pieta
5. Ishmiel
6. Reginald
7. Spetha
8. Anhelm
9. Gareth
10. Idreth
11. Infanta
12. Dolion

1. Who would make a better college professor, 6 or 11?
Wow. Infanta would have trouble since she's mute...so I guess Reginald. He's seasoned, literate, and smart. The only problem is his class would have to be either a class in con-artist techniques or illegal weapons dealing.

2. Do you think #2 is hot? How hot?
Umm, if you asked Nocturne, he might say yes. But I wouldn't describe her as such. She's more cute - she has a soft, maternal face and the body of a very young girl with wings.

3. 12 sends 8 on a mission. What is it, and does it succeed?
LOL...this sounds so hilarious! Dolion would probably send him to do some trivial but nasty errand, like cleaning up a mess of dead spiders in the woods. Anhelm would definately fail. He would lose the note or sprain his ankle on a log or get attacked by spiders. But he would fail either way. And Dolion would be pissed, but happy he didn't have to deal with Anhelm anymore.

4. What is or would be 9's favorite book?
Gareth's favorite book is probably some sort of adventure tale he used to read when he was a kid. Awww.

5. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
Ummmmm...hmmmm. Reginald's mission is to free people like Moryn, so it wouldn't make much sense for her to swear fealty to him. However, Reginald would never swear fealty to anyone, so it doesn't make sense that way either. Moryn would be more likely to subordinate herself, for whatever reason.

6. For whatever reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should 5 share a studio apartment with 9 or with 10?
Oh my gosh. This is something I've thought about a lot, actually. Ishmiel and Gareth would get along so well. They'd be the perfect roommates. Of course, that would create problems for Gareth's marriage...

7. 2, 7, and 12 have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?
Dolion would carefully choose the place, which would be some high-class restaurant appropriate for the ladies he's taking out. Spetha wolfs her dinner down and Moryn doesn't eat anything but bread dipped in water. Dolion is scandelized at their unladylike behavior. The two girls and up becoming best friends, discussing everything from the fate of the magical creatures of the world to how annoying their brothers are while Dolion ignores them and smokes his pipe, glancing at the clock impatiently every few minutes.

8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel. What happens?
The only way this could happen is if the two were in a very intense argument, as Velkries don't fight. Especially not someone as weak as Clebyn. Idreth would realize that he was upset and apoligize before things got any worse.

9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would 8 get it back?
He'd try to track her down and steal it from her, but since his most precious possession is also his tracking device, he would not be able to find her. Hmmm...

10. Suggest a title for a story in which 7 and 12 both attain what they most desire.
"The Liberation of Felton and the Triumph of An Ardent But Denied Love" (...I think I just let the cat out of the bag...)

11. What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 and 1 to work together?
I wouldn't, because they are both too mild of characters to make an interesting story. But if I had to, I'd station Adam and the rest of Pieta's gang in Cruetia's woods and make the two stumble upon each other.

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?
I get the feeling she wouldn't like me. She doesn't have many fri... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19026628/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/19026628/ Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:12:26 PDT
I've been to the Cyclades islands of Mikonos and Santorini (the center of which is an active volcano), Crete, and all over the mainland of Greece. I visited the Acropolis of Athens, the Acrocorinthos in ancient Corinth, the old road to Argos along which Hercules performed his fabled twelve labors, and Palamidi Castle in Nauplion; I sang the Pirate King's song by Gilbert and Sullivan while standing in the center of the ancient amphitheater in Epidaurus; I saw the exact spot that Pythia gave her oracles at Delphi, and I walked over the original olympic stadium in Mount Olympia. I visited Mycenia and saw the tomb of
Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's treacherous wife. And I walked through the hills of Arcadia! Arcadia - the idyllic Arcadia - a synonynm for paradise, utopia, eden, etc. Looking at the fabled landscapes, I felt like piping Pandaen pleasure or giving a Daphnephoric bound...(LAWL)...okay, enough Gilbertian poesisms. <--(new word I invented <3) And of course after that were the ten long days in Cyprus with my relatives. There is so much to tell about! But I got really homesick towards the end. I am speaking in utter truthfulness when I say that there is nothing like traveling abroad to make me realize how much I love America. And I don't mean that in a negative sense; I think that everyone must feel the same way when away from his or her homeland for a long time. We all want to come back to what is comfortable and familiar.

-------------------------

MEME: from (thank you! XD)

Rules:

1.Choose a few of your own characters. five at the most.
2. Make them answer the following questions.
3. Then tag three people.
4. Feel free to go ahead and add some questions yourself!!

a. Gareth
b. Idreth
c. Hud
d. Cruetia

Q&A
1. How old are you?
Gareth: Older than you.
Idreth: *politely* Sixteen.
Hud: Man, that is a very good question, but you know, it really begs the answer, is time really so important as we make it? Or is it just a consequence of our corrupt system? I mean, think about it...
Cruetia: *stares, not quite understanding*

2. What's your height?
Gareth: 6'7"
Idreth: I don't know...
Hud: Who the hell are you, man? An army recruiter?
Cruetia: Go away.

3. Are you a virgin?
Gareth: Haha, very funny.
Idreth: *blushes* Not anymore.
Hud: My purity lies in my acceptance of the beauty of life, brother. It's not about the flesh, the mere physical. You must rise from it in order to gain true...*Pheobe forces him to shut up and hands the microphone to Cruetia*
Cruetia: Yes.

4. Who's your mate/spouse?
Gareth: That little girl over there.
Idreth: Gareth. We were married last Saturday.
Hud: It's complex.
Cruetia: I don't have anyone like that, and I don't want anyone.

5. Do you have any kids?
Gareth: Not yet.
Idreth: *echoes* not yet.
Hud: Um...I think so...
Cruetia: Hamadryads do not procreate in the fashion human mortals do.

6. What makes you happy?
Gareth: Doing what I want and doing it well. What else could make a person happy?
Idreth: I don't know...I guess being with people I love.
Hud: Standing under the open sky on a cloudless day.
Cruetia: Being with my tree and among my sister dryads.

7. What is your favorite food?
Gareth: Steak.
Idreth: I really like sweets. Any kind, really. I never had any while I was at the convent.
Hud: Marshmellows.
Cruetia: Clear, sweet spring water.

8. Have you killed anyone?
Gareth: Of course. Stop asking stupid questions.
Idreth: Never! *shudders*
Hud: I burned that draft card.
Cruetia: No.

9. Do you hate anyone?
Gareth: Useless people. There are a lot of them in the world.
Idreth: Half the time, my husband. *blushes* Don't tell him.
Hud: I'm free from that kind of thing, brother. It's not worth the time it takes to think about it.
Cruetia: Damon.

10. Have any secrets?
Gareth: Pshh. Would you tell me again who the hell you are, and why you're so full of shit?
Idreth: I just told you one.
Hud: I keep no secrets from the world.
Cruetia: I've been forced to keep secrets from some, as unnatural as it is to me.

11. What is your job?
Gareth: Military commander.
Idreth: Housewife.
Hud: Job? What job?
Cruetia: I've become a tool - a spy - for the man I hate the most.

12. What do you do to relax?
Gareth: Drink and play cards.
Idreth: I don't k... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18907238/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18907238/ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:14:51 PDT
For those of you who didn’t know, that’s why I haven’t been on much recently. The only reason I have computer access right now is because I had to finish a report for the study abroad part of my trip. I was touring the Cyclades Islands and Greece for the first two weeks, and the rest of the month I have been spending in Cyprus, where my dad grew up. The last time I visited here was nine years ago…

Don’t get me wrong, I love Cyprus, and especially my family here. They’re my favorite relatives. And I loved Greece and I have so much to tell about it. But I am so homesick right now! A combination of not knowing the language very well, having only my sister and cousin for friends, and natural displacement are contributing to that effect, I think.

So basically I wanted to update everyone and tell them I miss them a ton (more than you could imagine), and that I will be coming back this Monday.

Five more days to go!

And now I will peel myself away from the computer…Yases bethia! S' agapo, philagia mou! heart:

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18344617/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18344617/ Thu, 15 May 2008 23:01:39 PDT
Sometimes fiction is realer than reality. I don’t care if that statement makes me look like a naïve, bookish little nerd…it’s true. Fiction doesn't substitute for, but rather amplifies truth. I can’t stand those people who aren’t touched by a good story. The kind of people who "don't get" the Orwell or Steinbeck or Salinger that they have to read for lit class. The kind of people who “hate sad endings.” People like that really are afraid of the dark. They’re afraid of the darkness of the human soul. The darkness of mortality. Wasn’t it Truman who said “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen?” The sad part is, the world IS the kitchen. So if you can’t stand the heat – or at least look it in the eye and understand it enough to acknowledge its presence – if you can't even do that, you are screwed, because there is no escape. We are all encased in the broiling hot kitchen of mortality. We are all in the same situation. And to ignore that fact is to be in denial.

For what’s the sound of the world out there?
Those crunching noises pervading the air!
It’s man devouring man, my dear!

Am I even making sense?

I hate these little rants. They’re just pieces of my brain…my brain that goes every which way and is nothing more than a scraggly, lumpy patchwork quilt of songs lyrics, books, animes, dramas, historical quotations, and philosophy. I don’t blame anyone who gets a good laugh out of what I just wrote here. I have no pretenses. It’s exactly what’s going through my head. And it’s probably crap. Oh, well. At least I feel better now that I wrote it.

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18066754/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/18066754/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:21:06 PDT
Anyway, I have exactly a month off before I have to go anywhere or do anything besides work and practice. I’m going to catch up big time on all the things I wanted to do this semester and last but didn’t have time for.

Books to read:

-Children of Hurin
-Franny and Zooey
-The Inner Voice
-The Red Pony

Animes to watch:

-Magic Knight Rayearth
-Cowboy Bebop
-Neon Genesis Evangelion
-The Vision of Escaflowne
-The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
-Rave Master
-Flame of Recca
-Hellsing
-DN Angel
-Buso Renkin
-Fruits Basket
-Azumanga Daioh

Mangas to read:

-Fruits Basket
-Buso Renkin
-Hellsing
-DN Angel
-Cheeky Angel
-Magic Knight Rayearth

Music to listen to:

-Debussy’s La demoiselle clue
-G&S’ The Grand Duke
-Bob Marley
-Dresden Dolls

Things to draw and hopefully post on DA:

-Batman
-More Lost fan art
-All the chars from my latest story

Things to write:

-Revise “Guardians”
-Work on and pick a name for the new story!!
-Work on G&S book, if I can get myself in an analytic mood. (I'm writing a collection of essays on the relivancy of Gilbert and Sullivan operas to the modern audience - something I believe strongly in. )

And if I can get around to re-watching the shows…
-Fushigi fanfic (I want to do something with Nakago/Soi )
-Possible Mononoke “alternate ending” fanfic
-And, of course, expanded version of my Lost fanfic

And hopefully I’ll be able to get the scanner working and some art up soon! <3 ^_^/

Before I go, I just read a marvelous phrase in Franny and Zooey that I thought I should share. “He lacks testicularity.” LAWL.

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17916197/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17916197/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:56:59 PDT
There's a song from Hair that completely describes me at this point in life. It's all taken from Shakespeare, but they "remixed" the verses a bit and it gives it new meaning. The melody is very simple and spiritual. Look it up; it's by Galt MacDermot.

What a piece of work is man
How noble in reason
How infinite in faculties
In form and moving
How express and admirable
In action how like an angel
In apprehension how like a god
The beauty of the world
The paragon of animals

I have of late
But wherefore I know not
Lost all my mirth
This goodly frame
The earth
Seems to me a sterile promontory
This most excellent canopy
The air-- look you!
This brave o'erhanging firmament
This majestical roof
Fretted with golden fire
Why it appears no other thing to me
Than a foul and pestilent congregation
Of vapors

What a piece of work is man
How noble in reason

So here's a thingummy that I stole from Addie. I needed the introspection.

Ten Category Random List:

Give Five Random things about you as a:
(If not applicable, skip or leave blank; if can't fill in all blanks, chill. It's not the end of the world.)



1You, yourself:

-If I like something, I LOVE it. There are very few things (from books, historical figures, music to real people) that I can like without obsessing over. If I like someone/something, I feel that I must like it/him/her thoroughly, I guess.

-I make up stories and tell them to myself at night. I've done it since I was really young.

-When I compare myself to other people my age, I often feel completely trapped and insecure, to the point where I want to just hide in a corner and cry. But when I look at myself as an individual, I feel absolutely happy and confidant. It's really weird how my confidence swings from one direction to the other so easily.

-I hate math. So much that I'd rather look like an idiot when someone asks me what a discount price is than do the math. It hurts my brain. I hate it.

-For some reason I always end up thinking about philosophy at the most random times. I think about fate a lot. I like to think I'm an existentionalist, but when I feel the cold, clammy hand of what seems to be destiny constantly upon my shoulders, it's hard to keep believing that I still have free will. It makes so much sense in theory...



2Family member:

-I'm your typical second child. Seriously. I live up to all the stereotypes. I'm the rebel of the family, and I am opposite from my older sister in every possible way. It makes people laugh to see us together.

-I'm a complete Daddy's girl. Which is weird, considering we had a really bad relationship when I was younger. But we are very close now.

-I have four siblings - two sister and two brothers.

-My oldest little brother is my confidant when it comes to boy talk. It's really weird because you typically discuss such things with your sisters...but my sisters have never been into that. He doesn't mind, though, and he talks to me about girls, so it all works out. XD

-I always wanted an older brother. I have an older sister, a younger sister, and two younger brothers. Almost perfect...damn.



3Student/Employee/Worker:

-I have a 4.0, and I hate it when people stereotype me as a "model student." Truth be told, I honestly hate working with the system, and I wish I had the guts to be a rebel and flunk a class or two. I absolutely hate students who tout and are all over their good grades and achievement awards and crap like that. The only reason I do well in school is for my personal benefit, so that I can succeed in life. I'm not trying to please anyone or make anyone proud.

-People say I have a good work ethic, but I'm the opposite of a workaholic. I have to have fun once in a while, or I get depressed and loose motivation. I kind of feel like there's more to life than success, and I want to enjoy it while I still can.

-I HAVE to contribute to class discussions. Even if I hate the subject, hate the teacher, have a headache, am sleepy...no matter what, I think of something to say and raise my hand. Compulsive chatterbox, I guess. XD;

-I am a paper-pusher. I get paid nine dollars an hour for it! My bosses are married, and they're really funny and random. I love my job.

-I work really hard at violin. It's not my only interest, and I... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17805486/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17805486/ Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:32:22 PDT tagged me again.

Otaku much? Try answering these questions: NO CHEATING (i think i broke this rule...shhh!!!!)

Name 10 anime you LOVE: (No order needed)
-Fushigi Yugi
-Inuyasha
-Azymanga Daioh
-Rurouni Kenshin (I only like the manga, though, so does this count? O__o)
-Legend of Basara
-Death Note
-Vampire Knight
-Fruits Basket
-Sailor Moon
-Buso Renkin

Do you know the difference between TokyoPop and ShonenJump?
-TokyoPop is more expensive by like a dollar at least. LOL. And they seem to publish mostly shojo whereas ShonenJump publishes (you'll never guess) shonen!

Give 5 TokyoPop anime/manga:
-Loveless
-Kare Kano/His and Her Circumstances
-Fruits Basket
-Tokyo Mew Mew
-DN Angel

Give 5 ShonenJump anime/manga:
-Naruto
-Bleach
-Yugioh
-Rurouni Kenshin
-Shaman King

Give 5-10 Jpop/Jrock songs, what anime they came from and if it's opening/closing theme song:
- "For Fruits Basket" (self-explanitory) - opening theme (i LOVE this song, it's so sweet)
- "Sobakasu" Rurouni Kenshin - opening theme (I'm the only one in the world who actually likes that song)
- Tonari No Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro - closing theme
- Fuse of Excitement - Fushigi Yugi - closing theme (*dances*)
- Asue No Yuuki - Magic Knight Rayearth - opening theme (I think?)
- "Change the World" - Inuyasha - opening theme

Name 3-5 Jpop/Jrock singers/bands:
-Nightmare
-Glay
-Judy and Mary


Give 15 anime/manga characters you love and what anime/manga they came from: (no order needed) GOOD I cant decide.
-Saito Hajime - Rurouni Kenshin
-Hiko Sejuro - Rurouni Kenshin
-Momiji Sohma - Fruits Basket
-Yukari Tanizaki - Azumanga Daioh
-Nuriko - Fushigi Yuugi
-Shippo - Inuyasha
-Kagura - Inuyasha
-Sailor Mercury (Ami) - Sailor Moon
-Yahiko - Rurouni Kenshin
-Tsubame - Rurouni Kenshin
-Zero - Vampire Knight
-Shigure Sohma - Fruits Basket
-Shido - Basara
-Soi - Fushigi Yuugi
-Pikachu - Pokemon
-L - Death Note
(yes, I can count, but I added more XD)
How many mangas do you have? And what are they?
Rurouni Kenshin 1, 3-7, 18-28 (spasdic, but I'm almost there)
Buso Renkin 1-10
...that's all. I'm poor. D:

How many Japanese words do you know? (Applies to non-Japanese peeps only)
hmmm, let's count!! konichiwa, -chan, -kun, -san, baka, hime, gyoza, sushi...you get the idea...


What is:

The longest anime you watched? Fushigi Yuugi
The longest manga you read? The longest I attempted to read was Inuyasha (I didn't finish it b/c it was so long)
The shortest anime you watched? Legend of Basara (because they didn't finish it *SOBS*)
The shortest manga you read? Azumanga Daioh
The most horrible anime you watched? Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X ...it's not like the manga at all! >.<;;;
The most horrible manga you read? ...let's just say I'm not into anything slash, even the softer stuff.
The first anime you watched? The first anime I ever saw would have been either pokemon or sailor moon when i was leetle. But my first anime that I watched all of was Fushigi.

Do you like:

Shojo/Shounen? Yes, both.
Yuri/Yaoi? NO, thank you (I revert to my former statement)
Subbed/Dubbed? Subbed!!
watching in the internet or tv? Internet! (only place you can get subs)
older/newer anime? Older, mostly

How long do you spend reading/watching anime/mangas (per week)? I have no idea. Not very much, obviously. I'll be lucky if I have a few hours on the weekend to spend reading manga.
Been in any anime convention? No! I want to @___@;;;
Cosplayed before? Yeah, but not for an anime (who would I be?)
Spent more or less $500 on anime/manga stuff? Ummm, not quite yet lol
Own at least ONE ORIGINAL DVD anime set? Nope.
Can you name a character you look look alike? Haha, I would like to know! Any suggestions?
Can you draw anime/manga/chibi characters? No, I can't. I've never tried. I have my own drawing style, so I don't really care to learn how.
Do you watch OVAs/movies? When I get my hands on them, yes.
Do you read/write fanfictions? <.< >.>
DO you know what ka... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17745989/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17745989/ Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:45:30 PDT and I'm still in denial that spring break is over...so here's a quiz/survey-ish thing.

Art Block...(I don't know what this is. Help?)

1) Name: Pheobe Meryll <---pen name, you're not gettin the real one XD
2) Name Backwards: Eboehp!
3) Were you named after anyone?: Yes. I named myself after that nymphomaniac from "Yeomen." We have a lot in common.
4) Does your name mean anything?: I don't know what Pheobe means.
5) Nick Name(s): I have several in real life, the newest one being "chibi-face"...
6) Screen Name(s): I prefer not to disclose
7) Date Of Birth: May 27
8) Place of Birth: somewhere on a planet that's evolving and revolving at nine hundred miles an hour, that's orbiting at nineteen miles a second (so it's reckoned), a sun that is the source of all our power...
9) Nationality: Half Cypriot, half Polack, and all-American, yo!
10) Current Location: At my desk in my room surrounded by books and and books and books.
11) Religion: Roman Catholic
12) Height: 5'3"-ish, I don't really measure myself
13) Shoe Size: About 8
14) Hair colour: Dark brown. I'm thinking of dyeing it for a week...
15) Eye colour: Dark brown. meh.
16) What do you look like?: It depends on who you ask. Apparently Addie-chan thinks I look like a chibi. Nicer people have said Angelina Jolie (LAWL. I think the chibi thing is closer).
17) Innie or Outie?: Innie (LOL *pats Addie-chan's head*)
18) Righty, Lefty, Ambidextrous: Right, but my left can make dust outta a fingerboard
19) Gay, Straight, Bi, or Other?: Quite straight, actually.
20) Best friends: Pompey, Nicklausse, and Captain Hook.
21) Best friend you trust the most: Tinkerbell.
22) Best friends {your sex}: omgosh...my sisters...Stephanie...peeps I've known forever like Valerie and Kiira...Addie, Courtney...I love all of my friendses; don't make me choose betwixt them. *poubts*
23) Best friends of the opposite sex: My broffers...Adam, Sean, Scott, other peeps (again, don't make me pick favorites)
24) Best Bud(s): I just named them all, dumkopff.
25) Boyfriend / Girlfriend: Nonexistant. I guess I'm too mission-oriented to get out of my little world and find anyone. And I'm too dumb to detect signals, and too scared to initiate anything, so most likely I'll die a virgin.
26) Crush: Isaac Asimov, but he's dead. *sobs*
27) Parent(s): What about them? One is an g33ky electronics professor with a Cypriot accent who likes Monty Python and Ancient Greek, and the other is a home-educator who is an expert in cutting hair and reading aloud.
28) Worst Enemy/Enemies: I've never tried to make enemies...I do try my best to get along with people, even if I sometimes seem unfriendly. I know I have at least one real enemy, sadly.
29) Funniest friend: zomgosh. Prolly Sean.
31) Advice Friend: My broffer Chrys. (Mwaha, he knows all my dark secrets.)
32) Loudest Friend: Hmm. Crystal, maybe? lol
33) Person you cry with: I cry alone in dark corners. Well...I know some of my closest friends (Steph and Adam) have seen me crying, but only like once. >.<
34) Any sisters: Two - one older, one younger.
35) Any brothers: Two, but both are younger. WHY, GOD, WHY??? (I loves them, but I wants an older brother!! *sobs*)
36) Any pets: Rocky and Shelby (beagles), Scamper and Squeaks (kitties), Winky and Mrs. Frisby (mice)
37) A Disease: Lycanthropy. That's right. Watch out for me on the full moon.
38) A Pager: Wait, what?
39) A mp3 player/ipod: Adam gave me his old one, though I think I may have misplaced it.
40) A laptop: I have a borrowed Dell. I am soon procuring my own for college, though! (yayyy)
41) Gaming platform: I don't game. <---sucks at nerdiness
42) Surround sound: If that's what they have in the movie theaters, I likey it. >.>
43) A Personal phone line: est very important.
44) A Cell phone: My ringtone is Deborah Voigt singing "dich, teure halle" from Tannhauser. Hardcore, yes?
45) A Lava lamp: OMG I want one!! So groovy, man.
46) A Pool or hot tub: We have a pool but no hot tub. Those things are nice.
47) A Car: Green, slightly hurricane-damaged Kia Rio, 2001. http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17607408/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:13:34 PDT
The opera is now over! I have to say, it was an experience I’m incredibly happy that I had, and also one I hope never to repeat. All the makeup and glitz and sucking up to the right people is a bit much for this little fiddle-player.

But ...I'm still glad I got to do it. It was every bit the way I’ve imagined it would be backstage.

The makeup girls where funny. We came in, telling them that we were two nuns and two priests. The girl who did my makeup told me that my lips reminded her of Angelina Jolie. “We’ll make you a sexy babe nun,” she said, getting to work. They had the same feeling about my siblings, apparently, because Chrys came out looking like a David Bowie impersonator. Seriously! I could tell the makeup girls had fun blushing his cheekbones (he has those perfect cheekbones that every girl wants) and putting lipstick
on his pwetty little lips (yes, I made fun of him muchly). I think we all enjoyed it, though pretty much all of us broke out in an allergic reaction to all the foundation the day after the performance.

Anyway, enough rambling. I haven’t even gotten to the most amazing part, which was, of course, wandering around backstage amongst the singers! You could almost (mind you, I say ALMOST) pretend you were one of them. I was in the makeup room getting my face done while Turiddo/Canio was pacing around right next to me, his shirt open, talking to Santuzza while she got her hair curled. He was full of himself, of course (it’s a tenor disease), but he was pretty cool…he said “thank you” to my little sister when she held the backstage door for him (We both practically fainted afterward). Alfio/Tonio, now, HE was scary. He never broke character, even backstage! (LOL) He walked around with this scary look on his face, priming his voice by singing random notes in the lower register, and then when he was waiting to go onstage, he would take his whip and slap it on the ground while pacing ominously. He freaked me out, but he had an amazing voice. They all did – actually, I was betting on the tenor, because during rehearsal you could barely hear him over the orchestra, and he would go down an octave at all the high parts…I wasn’t sure if he was saving his high notes for the performance, or if he was just a bad singer, but as it turned out, I guess singers sometimes “save” their voices at rehearsals, because he was incredible on performance night, especially in “Vesti la Giubba." (Saving his voice, indeed! Can you imagine what would happen to one of us instrumentalists if we "saved our fingers" on rehearsal night? I'll give you a hint: something lingering, with boiling oil in it.)

Anyway, at first the whole thing was pretty intimidating for me and my siblings because everyone seemed to know what they were doing except for us, and we were just the extras, so nobody paid any attention to us. Plus the stage manager was a bit frightening; he was always arguing with the wardrobe manager (The soprano who played Nedda kept coming into the dressing room from backstage and going to the wardrobe manager, telling her that the stage manager kept insisting that she show more shoulder and cleavage! LOL). And when he was angry he would start speaking loudly in Spanish. According to the regular extras (they were all snobs) he was “really nice,” but I was scared of him. One time I didn’t know where I was supposed to be, and someone told me “ask the stage manager” and I guess the frightened look on my face must have registered with this one singer guy who was hanging out in the dressing room, because he asked me “do you want me to go ask him?” I just said “yes, thank you,” mentally thinking (“you’re my hero ” ) and from thenceforth referred to him to my siblings and in my mind as “Mister Nice Chorus Man . ” However, I had a surprise because after we were all finished, we went by the back way of the theater to the balcony to catch the very end of “Cavalleria” (we missed the ear-bite, MEH!), and then see the entire “I Pagliacci”…and to my surprise, Mr. Nice Chorus Man was actually playing Silvio! – not exactly a chorus man. Which is, you must agree, pretty dang awesome.

So that was amazing.

On a less amazing note, my list of Things To Do During Spring Break has officially died, because as it turns out I’m in a bit of a financial bind for college tuition next year. Basically, the really good school that wants me is a bit beyond my means. (Okay, maybe more than "a bit"...) But I'm determined to make this thing work. So scholarship and job-hunting are now the official highlight of my spring break. Thank God that I have the time off for it, because it looks like I’ll be doing a... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17510675/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17510675/ Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:23:38 PDT
If you know me at all, you must know that this has been a lifelong dream of mine. @_@;;; A dream that had absolutely no hope of fulfillment, since I have never had any kind of vocal training…

I’M SO EXCITED I could die!

PHEOBE’S GOING TO BE IN AN OPERA!!

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17178004/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/17178004/ Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:28:51 PST
“I shall never come back to La Scala.” – Roberto Alagna, after being booed by the so-called “loggionisti” at La Scala. That’s the spirit, old boy.

“If you can’t be an athlete, be an athlete supporter.” – one of the great lessons I learned from “Grease.” Other lessons include not forgetting your 25-cent insurance policy that you bought in the 7th grade, and doing anything to change yourself into whatever your lousy boyfriend wants you to be, even if it’s the exact opposite of your true self.

"I would have to say that I'm more of a pop singer right now, but I wouldn't want to rule out the idea of doing opera in the future. I have such enormous respect for opera that I've made the choice at 23 not to record or perform any of the major arias at this point because when I do them, I want to do them right. I want to do a certain amount of experimentation now, then do things in the beautiful, traditional way later." - Josh Groban in an interview with Renee Fleming. That just makes my little opera-lover's heart flutter with joy. A pop singer who respects opera! A pop singer who wants to keep things "beautiful" and "traditional." Music to my ears, if you'll pardon the pun.

“A prudent man must always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding….He must behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.” – Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, p. 22. Don’t judge me, but I love this quote, despite the fact that he uses it to justify acting like every tyrant who has ever conquered nations. It all depends on what you term as “great” and “outstanding.”

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16850490/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16850490/ Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:18:55 PST
Anyway. As far as real life goes, I'm doing alright, too. I've been networking for the Newman Club and I think I've made some good contacts. We may be getting new members soon, which makes me very happy! Since I'm graduating at the end of the school year, I may not be around to see the club blossom, but I think we're getting it set up for success next year.

There's no point in talking about school. It's not particularly exciting, and I can't wawit until I graduate. Once my studies are all centered around my major, I know I'll be much more involved. Right now I'm just bent on learning the material I have to, and maintaining my GPA.

Auditions couldn't be more welcome. I feel like I'm at a standstill with my musical abilities right now and I need some inspiration and challenges.

Getting somewhere...bit by bit!

Here's a story survey I found on my friend's blog (thanks, Jennifer! XD):

1. What time frame does your story take place in?
It's fantasy. I would say the time period feels rather medieval, although I use a lot of aspects of Greek mythology in it.

2. Who is the main character in your story?
Ishmiel is the protagonist of the main plot, but I have a lot of main characters (think Alexander Dumas or something).

3. What three words best describe your main character?
Emotional, vulnerable, aggressive.

4. When was the last time you had an inspiration for your story?
This particular one? Umm...during history class last week, and then driving down to violin lesson the next day.

5. What caused you inspiration?
The look in a certain person's eyes and the sound of a certain person's voice, and my reflections on it while driving in the rain listening to Evanescence.

6. What music do you usually listen to when writing your book?
I don't usually listen to music while writing. I may listen to a song that reminds me of a character or situation to get me in the mood for writing, but not WHILE I'm writing. It distracts me from feeling the realism of the story.

7. What book/movie most influenced your story?
None, really. Of course I've drawn on archetypes and Greek Mythology, but there isn't one particular book or movie that influenced me in any huge way.

8. How long have you been working on your story?
This one has only been going on for a year.

9. Do you think better while laying down or sitting up?
Sitting up...because laying down makes me sleepy!

10. Which place inspires you most?
Hmm...random places. The ocean always inspires me a lot. And so does my backyard in the middle of the afternoon when the breeze is cold and the grass sparkles with spider webs.

11. Who do you tag? Anyone who's working on a story!

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16698122/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16698122/ Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:00:09 PST
And by the way, I’ve just realized how much I really despise psychology class. I really don’t care all that much about transduction and optic nerves and the myelin sheath. I really don’t. I care much more about Shostakovich’s 14th symphony, for instance, or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, or superheroes, or politics. Why can’t I study interesting things like those? Mehh. *poubts*

Okay, I need to stop complaining. Sorry...o.<;;

Stolen from AJF-chan:
8 random facts about me.

1. I find male falsetto voices – rock or operatic – quite sexy. Very sexy, in fact.

2. My longest written work was 27,268 words (I'm still a n00b).

3. I have a cat whose name is Squeaks, and a mouse whose name is Mrs. Frisby.

4. I used to sew really fancy doll dresses, but I don’t have the time or patience anymore.

5. I LOVE nerdy NPR shows, especially Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Says You, A Prairie Home Companion, On the Media, and (of course) Live From the Met.

6. I’m the only girl I know of who took a male saint’s name for her confirmation: Sir Thomas More of Henry VIII legacy. Yes; my church name is Thomas. teeheehee.

7. I believe dreams are very significant; I write my dreams down in a diary, and I have been known to consult those dream-interpretation books.

8. I have carefully traced my first experience with Gilbert and Sullivan back to an old Disney kids’ songs tape I used to listen to that had a blasphemous parody of “Rising Early in the Morning” on it. (The chorus went “oh, I’m just a little kid/yeah, I’m just a little kid/and the duties are delightful and the privileges great/but the privilege and pleasure that I treasure beyond measure/is to get up very early while my folks are sleeping late.” )

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16620258/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16620258/ Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:10:13 PST 2) Daydreaming
3) Cold January nights
4) protoplasmic kisses (neurons at the synaptic gaps)
5) Male falsetto renditions of Flyleaf songs
6) Ana Netrekbo performing the mad scene from I Puritani
7) My new brown shoes
8) Latin II third quarter being entirely review
9) Evgeni Plushenko
10) My amazing composer brothers who will one day make the world amazed at their genius
11) People who know better how to be the “catcher in the rye” than I do because they haven’t lost their a priori sense of justice
12) Politicians who don’t play politics
13) Sexy scientists
14) Rose-scented candles
15) PBS’ Masterpiece Jane Austen series
16) My digital camera
17) Across the Universe!
18) Sharp pencils
19) My blue pencil box
20) The way the spider webs glint in the grass when the sun shines on it in the middle of the day
21) Anime nerds
22) Magic Girl anime
23) Speed Metal
24) Pizzicato
25) Being alone
26) Being with friends
27) Medieval polyphony
28) The boy from Illinois who was inventive enough to become Andrew Bird
29) Colors
30) The Sidney Opera House
31) Greek mythology
32) My dad
33) Father Michael
34) Kitty-cats
35) Being eighteen and finally old enough to vote and call adults by their first names…mwahhahaa
36) My flagrant abuse of my library card and the five-foot-long receipts I get every time I take a trip there
37) Action/adventure dreams
38) Hippies
39) Jell-o
40) When the black of the fingerboard rubs off onto my fingertips after I’ve practiced for a while
41) Phone calls from friends
42) LOST this Thursday!
43) Stylistic practices…when they make sense
44) Shoujo manga, especially when it’s read secretly and then related to a genuinely interested brother (XD)
45) Giving my friends grammar lessons over AIM
46) Semicolons and independent clauses, for that matter
47) Contraltos
48) The new Met Children’s production of Magic Flute with Nathan Gunn as Papageno!
49) Role-playing
50) Beatrix Potter
51) The name Beatrix
52) Pet mice
53) Captain Hook as portrayed by what’s-his-name Isaac something or other
54) Wilfred/Pheobe
55) Melissa/Florian (“and – oh, thier chins! How curious!”
56) Karl/Alex
57) Fanny/Edmund
58) Ships from obscure fandoms that no one argues with me about because no one has ever heard of the story, let alone the characters
59) Flowers
60) The beatitudes

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16135250/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/16135250/ Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:28:22 PST
]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/15796072/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/15796072/ Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:20:44 PST
Warning: literary rant about to ensue.

So I’ve been watching the 2006 BBC “Robin Hood” series and have become very interested in the “updated to modern sensibilities” aspect of it. I’ve been enjoying it; however, I did wonder exactly how sacrilegious was it that they

• Made Much (the miller’s son) into Robin’s right-hand man in place of Little John
• Completely omitted the character of Friar Tuck
• Made Allen A Dale a prominent character – with absolutely no musical abilities
• Upon reading reviews online, I found some scathing reviewers who were also unhappy with Maid Marian’s role as “the night watchman” – so I suppose I will have to address that as well, although it was not an issue I found to be glaring.
• Admitted a new member of the band who is not only Moslem, but female (Djaq)

I have to say that the issue I cannot and will not forgive in the BBC
interpretation is their portrayal of Little John as nothing more than an older, slightly less interesting, and brutally strong member of the band. Much (also known as Midge, the miller’s son), instead, is the right-hand man, the sidekick, the object of Robin’s brotherly affections. This, my very blood told me, was not right.

I am a Little John fan. I admit it wholeheartedly. My favorite part of each Robin Hood I have watched or read is seeing how Little John is portrayed. My first – and favorite – story in the traditional ballads is the story of their meeting on the bridge. Robin is not Robin without Little John at his side, and Little John is nothing without Robin. Little John is Robin’s chief lieutenant. End of story. This has always been so. He is the most prominent Merry Man of the original ballads. His grave exists in Hathersage. There are many candidates historians believe him to be based off of, including an outlaw from Yorkshire known as Littel John, a sailor in command of a royal ship known as John Little, and a criminal called John le Litel. Much (or Midge), on the other hand, was mentioned twice in the original ballads. Some retellings name him as Robin’s kinsman. He has nowhere near the firm historical background and long-held literary esteem of Little John. His prominence in the BBC production is therefore troubling and, when it overshadows Little John, unacceptable to my personal sensibilities.

We come now to Friar Tuck. His omission in the BBC production led to some indignant viewers – and I must say that I myself was fairly devastated at the lack of the jolly holy man. The Friar of the Curtail Fountain! Where art thou? Who brewest thine bright October ale? What happened to the most famous scene of all times – Robin on the back of the pudgy old monk? What happened to the beloved friar of the famous ballad, the man so famous he made it into Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe? What have they done to our precious story?

First of all, in the time of Richard I, there were no friars in England. Second of all, the famous ballad that features Friar Tuck was written way later than most of them, and there are suspicions that he was based on an actual chaplain who went AWOL and joined a band of thieving, murdering outlaws. The fat, jovial monk that most Robin Hood fans are familiar with was actually a stock character from the May Games, just like Maid Marian, who somehow got entangled into the story. He was a more recently added character. Does this mean that he can be omitted entirely? Well, as much as I hate to say it, I don’t see why not. In Howard Pyle’s rendition, he served as little more than a person to marry Allen and his love, Ellen. In older versions, he is there to fight. In this new one, they apparently don’t have a need for him. It is undoubtedly cool to have a man of the cloth part of the band, and I would prefer a version with Friar Tuck than not – but his omission is, in my book, permissible.

Which leads me to my next point: Alan-a-Dale. Warning: I am going to rant here. It’s not that I can’t forgive the omission of Allen – after all, he is a fairly recent addition to the story, and has only been featured in one of the original ballads – but for Pete’s sake, if you’re going to call him Allen a Dale, make him a minstrel! Allen a Dale is now the classic term, almost a synonym for minstrel. The bard category in Dungeons and Dragons is based almost entirely on his character. Allen a Dale = minstrel. Why, then, do they make him nothing but a common pickpocket? Why, oh why must I lament this? Could they not have called him David of Dunsbourn, Richard at the Lee, Will Stutley, or Arthur a Bland? There are dozens of merry men who have accepted names without the associations of minstrel. But no, they had to take the most famous term... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/14804533/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/14804533/ Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:13:12 PDT
I have some pictures I plan to put up as soon as I get the time to finish and scan them. ((Not that anyone is holding their breath...)) Meanwhile...I stole this character surveyish thingy from someone and thought I'd use it xD

General:
1) What's your character's name?
Torivalus Keiuri, but we all call him Tori.

2) How old is he/she?
16

3) Is your OC a boy or girl?
Boy

4) What's his/her race?
Man. His ethnicity plays a big role in the story, but as far as race goes he's just an ordinary human. xD

Appearance:
1) If this character were to suddenly become part of the 3D world, and ended up in a heavily-populated area, how many stares would he/she get?

If he were wearing his normal attire, he would get plenty...other than that, he looks like a normal person.

2) Is your character considered normal in his/her own world?

No...he's considered royalty...but that's abnormal in the positive sense.

3) What would be his/her most recognizable feature(s)?

His adorable little baby face *pinches his cheeks* lol...((the big green eyes mostly))

4) Would you consider your OC as attractive?

People tend to think Tori is younger than he is. He hasn't really lost his baby fat yet. So he's not exactly a stunner, but he's cute in his own way.

Personality:
1) Temper:
Tori has a very mild personality, and he has to really be provoked to get angry. When he is angry, though, he gets very quiet and pouts.

2) Does your character ever get depressed?
He has his angst-in-a-dark-corner moments.

3) Leader or Follower?
He's very much a leader, and this is the aspect of him I'm hoping to develop. He needs to grow up, but becoming emporer so early and having so many people advising him totally stunted his growth both emotionally and intellectually.

4)What is the main aspect of his/her personality?
His naivate...he's in a trap, and he doesn't quite realize it yet.

History:
1) Does your OC have a family of any sort? If so, are they still alive?
His parents are dead ((cliche, I know, but trust me, I don't usually kill off parents)), but his older sister, Ishmiel, is still alive.

2) Is your character out on his/her own? If so, why?
He's separated himself from his sister in order to preserve her life from the beaurocrats in his court who want her executed for witchcraft. So in a sense he is on his own -- separated from his only family -- but at the same time he is surrounded by advisors and ministers, etc. constantly.

3) Has he/she encountered any traumatizing events?
His parents' deaths when he was 13. Other than that, Tori hasn't seen much of the real world.

4) What was probably the best time in his/her life so far?
Haha...hanging out with Evhan and other shady characters between travelling back and forth from councils. Male bonding time, need I say more?

Romance:

2) Has your OC developed any romantic relationships?
He has a crush...but that's all it is so far. xD

3) Virgin?
Most definately...come on, he's only 16.

4) Does your character like flirting?
Only if it's a girl he likes. He's very particular when it comes to girls.

Symbolism:
1) What animal would you associate your OC with?
Umm...a teddy bear? <33

2) Musical Instrument?
Glockenspiel!

3) Element?
Hmm? Oh...maybe snowflakes. ((Is that a valid choice?))

4) Planet?
Mercury.

Showing the Love:
1) Do you draw your character?
*looks ashamed* I attempted once, and it turned out so crappy I haven't tried again. I really need to...

2) Do you write about him/her?
Yes, I have written quite a bit on him, although I've written more about his sister, Ishmiel.

3) Do you use him/her in any rpgs?
I haven't yet, but I would like to. <.< >.>

4) What other ways have you appreciated your OC?
I think I put more detail into his wardrobe than I normally do with my characters, which is why I should really draw him...

RANDOMIZE!
1) Is your character wanted for anything?
By the authorities? He IS the authorities!

2) What are three weaknesses in him/her?
1) He's pathetic in combat of any sort
2) He doesn't know how to confront wrongdoers, even if he entirely opposes them
3) He has a lot of allergies...smoke, cats, all different kinds of plants, dogs.

3) Strengths?
He doesn't judge people basedon the... ]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/14156776/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/14156776/ Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:45:37 PDT
Music is my passion. But that doesn’t mean that all my effort and time should be exclusively dedicated to it. I thought about it a lot this summer when we studied Kant in philosophy. Kant was all about doing one’s duty – doing to others what one would want done to oneself. He believed that if a man had a talent, it was his job to cultivate that talent. It all sounds a little bit ridiculous written out, but I think it’s a good excuse for me to use to go back to writing. It isn’t my number one love and it isn’t the meaning of my life, but I know I can do a good job with it and it gives me pleasure. I shouldn’t have to force myself to choose between two loves; I should learn to integrate them both into my life so that I can have a balance of things that I enjoy.

So that’s over. I don’t know that I will be able to finish any of my stories anytime soon, but I’m going to work on them more this year. I’m feeling industrious, so here’s a list of works in progress:

Guardians
Genre: fantasy (mythological)/romance.
Status: fully outlined, almost complete.
Comments: I love Guardians. It’s my darkest, most passionate story. I’ve worked so hard to get the history and the culture right; however, as a result, this is the piece I’m most anal about…I keep adding new characters and plot twists and revising it. It’s my number one priority to get completed, at least in rough draft form. It may not be my masterpiece in the end, but I want it to be something I’m proud of.

The Twin Dryads
Genre: fantasy (faery tale)/action/adventure.
Status: fully outlined, partly written.
Comments: This is more of a fairy tale story. It’s dedicated to my two younger twin siblings. They really want me to write it out, but I have a few plot points to work out yet. I’ve had the idea floating in my head for a few eons, so I need to get my inspiration for it back.

Unnamed
Genre: fantasy/adventure.
Status: working on outline, partly written.
Comments: This one is strictly high fantasy. I’ve been writing a lot of it lately – the characters I have for it are absolutely delicious. I might end up doing this as a role-play, depending on how things go (Daisy and I already have three or more RPG’s going).

I’m also thinking about a Rome-based fantasy, but my ideas are in the very early stages. I need to finish up my two main stories before I move on much further. Trust me, I’m not one of those writers who never finishes a work; my Fictionpress page contains all but one completed works.

I can’t wait to start writing again. Hopefully writing this all out will give me incentive. I’m so into artist mode right now – watch the new school year start and take all the inspiration out of me.

]]> ~PheobeMeryll http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/13324940/ http://PheobeMeryll.deviantart.com/journal/13324940/ Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:05:26 PDT I'm really just here to look. If you like to read, please feel free to browse my Fictionpress page (I write a lot better than I draw). Thanks!

]]> ~PheobeMeryll