So yeah...

I'm leaving. Again. To go camping with my school. I'll be back later the 4th. I promise I'll be back. But OMG GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?!?
So, my goal for NaNo this year is 10k (lame!) and my goal for each day is about 335. Since I'm gone for the first 4 days of NaNo, I wanted to make up my word count, which is about 1500 in 4 days, and NOW I HAVE 1504 AND I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED

Ahem. Just thought I'd share that. Good luck, everyone, and happy noveling!

-Cos

75th Post and Guest Blogger!!

Yay! Today is our 75th post! Wow, so much time has gone by. I remember when this first started, when dear Ollie just showed some of her pictures on the forums on NaNo, and I suggested that we make a blog (well, she make a blog and I guest post) and look where we are now! I seriously hope we don't get into any fights. Can't afford that... So, today we have our 75th post, and our dear friend Mikey gets the honor of guest posting! So, put your hands together in a warm, NaNo welcome for Mikey!
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Ever wonder what could happen if your work, whether you take pictures or write stories, became widely available and was seen or read by millions of people? I do.


OK, let’s face it… There are thousands of us out here snapping away at the real world or inventing new ones on paper every day, all over the world. Chances are that our works will be noticed and enjoyed by only a precious few. But that doesn’t mean your work isn’t exceptional. In fact, some of histories most beloved photographers and writers never dreamed that their works would eventually become National Treasures.

John Muir is one such example. He was a Scottish-born American Naturalist, best known for his amazing photographic images of the Sierra Nevadan and other spectacular scenes of the Western Wilderness. In perfect harmony, he used his creative writing skills to describe what he saw and bring his photography to life!

Eventually, with years of experience under his belt, John Muir was able to inspire our Nations leaders to take action for the preservation of Americas forests and wild lands.

And then there is Samuel Clemons. Most of us know him as “Mark Twain”. As a young man fresh out on his own, he got a job at his brother’s newspaper and worked as a typesetter. Occasionally, his brother would have him write articles for publication in the paper. After a time, Samuel became really good at writing and started reporting full time.

Samuel Clemons had found his niche’. Something he did very well. So, he headed west to write about America and the people who lived here. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was the first of his stories to reach a nation-wide audience. Then of course, there came “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn”.

Remember: There was no Internet or the World Wide Web back then. Imagine how difficult it must have been to get your work published for all to behold. We have a huge advantage at our fingertips. With websites like “Blogger”, “Flicker”, “Photobucket” and “NaNoWriMo” (National Novel Writing Month), it’s easier than it’s ever been to put your favorite pieces of work out there just to see what happens!

As Writers we describe with words what we see, think and imagine.

As Photographers we capture those images that best describe the moment or the beauty of what we see or feel. Writing and photography can be very similar in some ways. They can also enhance each other as no dance of creativity can.

Take an amazing picture sometime, anytime of anything! Then, write the story of what you captured in that image. I’ll bet you a “dime to a dozen donuts”, that picture you took really is “worth a thousand words”.
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Wow, that was really inspirational. I hope that got you thinking! Have a good one, everybody, and get writing!
-Cos

Tadaa! I am on time today!

Chyes! That's me, on my post, on time! Boo yah! I've really gotta stop staying that... So, today, I'm gonna show you one of my newest works. I used Picnik, a fantabulous site, and you can use it without signing up! So, I made this last night and showed a buncha people today, and last night, (wait, made it a few days ago xD) But yeah. I made it with Picnik. Here it is!

I like it. Perrrty. So, let me know what you think! Comment, shoot me a PM on NaNo, whatever. So, my tip is: sometimes, photo-editing sites can be good, but don't change all of your pictures, because the originals are almost always the best.
-Cos

Thought I'd share....

....My desk and what not!

I showed Cossy this a while back, and decided to share my shelf. And desk. and yeah! Enjoy folks!

On the chair is my writing binder, the binder on the desk is now the binder that has all my ideas in it, my laptop is reflecting a lamp, the horse thing in the back i got for my b-day last year. I have a box full of pens, 2 library books that i returned that day, headphones, phone, highlighter, pens everywhere, paper everywhere, and  my calendar. (Today it has nothing on it, but a stack of books in the corner by my keepsake box(horses), a notebook that I hold words I don't/do know in, a book called A Guide to Writing your Novel, and a thing of green papers! Yay!)

Look a thesaurus! Okay starting from the left....My writing binder, which holds ideas, randomness, completed work, some not. Next just has random stuff in it for now. The one with 'paint' on it is holding all the ideas I want to work on later next year. The one with the yellow on it is my Anaklusmos binder aka my novel. Then I have like 3 half-empty notebooks, 2 full notebooks (ideas, & poems) and a thesaurus. One top of all this, is my new idea notebook, as my old one is now pretty much full!

Thats it for today! Hope you enjoy getting a piece of my life!
-Olive

*facepalm*

I just can not commit to this! The blog, I mean. Two weeks, I've missed all my posts. I'm pretty sure I broke my promise, too! I'm horrible. *sobs* I've just been real busy, since last week was my brother's homecoming and I was helping the juniors with their float (they were building it at my neighbor's house) and I was out there all week. So I'm sorry. And I might miss my Tuesday post, because I have a science project too, due Wednesday and my group hasn't even started and we're gonna be working every day after school. So just a heads up.

On a different note, Ollie dear added a poll! Thank you everyone that voted, and if you haven't, please do! We care very much about your input, and we care very much about our viewer's opinions and thoughts. Also, I have added my very own writing page, where I will post random stories if I feel like it, and my NaNo novel, so check that out too! Thank you very much, and have fun!
-Cos

Random bit of something.

My legs feel like lead and I fall to my knees.
I grab Adaline's lighter and I hold it up.
I close my hand around it to keep the air from blowing it out.
I watch it flicker in the dark.
Watch it fade as I close my fingers over it.
Feel the heat hit my skin.
Feel the pain of yestarday fall away.
I switch spots more than once.
On both hands.
I close the lighter and look down at my palms.
They are mirroring the image of my heart.


-Olive

Hi! Olive here....sorry about last week, been really busy. I'm hoping this week will be light with school, and yeah! Saturday is going to be pretty awesome come photography wise so be sure to tune in for that one! Oh and I'm going to put up a poll on the side so be sure to vote! Uh and yeah photography time -

Did you know that your camera could have a focus ring? It is a wonderful tool! Of course these images weren't taken with the ring, but oh well. I'll talk more about that next Monday/Wed!

-Olive

Fun Saturday.

Pretty good. Fun, wouldn't really say that 'cause I didn't really do anything. It was a good day. :) Wait, why am I saying 'was'? The day's not over just yet! It's almost 3 where I am. Which I am not disclosing... So, yeah! This morning, my mom woke me up at 7. I looked at my clock and started to freak out because I thought it was a school day and i had to leave in like 15 minutes. But then she reminded me that it's Saturday. Then my dad told me that he did the same thing, so I wasn't alone in that regard. :) So I went to breakfast with my mom, aunt, and cousin, and complained about the school system and how whack it is. Yummy, pancakes, hash browns, bacon. Uh-may-zing! Then from there my mom and I went to the bookstore to spend my first and final paycheck, since I got laid off my job because sixth graders don't know how to spell or use proper grammar or put together a simple sentence. Ridiculous. So yeah, I got a $25 gift card to said bookstore, and bought two books! That was fun. Then I came home, and cleaned my room a bit, so that's where I'm sitting, using my mom's laptop! And I've pretty much been here since then, and it's been fun! I've got some cream soda, clean room, and talking to all my friends on Chatzy! Fun shiz! Now I'm just lounging, chatting, waiting for my AC to hurry up and freeze my room 'cause I'm burnin' up! Oh, and I've gotta apologize. Ollie and I haven't posted all week. We've been uber busy. With NaNo coming up, and school, there's just no time. So, everyone, I'm sorry.

See? Panda says sorry. Goodbye, everyone! See you Tuesday! I promise!
-Cos

So very late!

So today shall be a writing post, cause I'm late. Which I'm sorry about. I meant to do it after dinner, but the library site got in the way. So very sorry! Anyways here goes nothing:

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Maria was reading when he came in. Adam laid down next to her and glanced at the book. "Whats up?" He asked, as he gently pulled the blue cord that went to her headphones. Seeing him, she smiled. "shouldn't you be with my brother?
"eh. Bothering you is funnier." He returned the smile and for a moment they listened to the sound coming from the earbud. "I feel like a hero and you are my heroine," He said from memory as the song restarted. She looked at him, almost a bit suprised. He gently pushed away a strand of hair and placed it behind her ear. Maria blushed slightly and tried to find her place in her book. For the whole song Adam softly sang the song to her, whispering into her ear.

Maria's best friend Lia,  was also at the house, and had just gotten out of the bathroom. She paused when she reached the door. Seeing the boy she had a major crush on whispering to her best friend, who apperntly wanted nothing do with the boy. She watched them, unsure what to do.

When the song had ended, Maria paused the song and quoted the lyrics. "I've got a closet full to the brim with the ghosts of my past and the skeletons, and I don't know why you'd even try but I wont lie, you caught me off gaurd...."

Adam smiled at her and ran a hand down her cheek.

"I feel like a newborn child every time I get a chance to see you smile, it's not complicated,"
He stopped her from going on, by touching her lips with his own. She didn't even have time to blush as her mind went numb, the emotions taking over and wrapping themselfs around her mind. She felt warm and giddy. She wanted to laugh, and when he pulled away she grinned at him. He grinned back and kissed her again.

Lia covered her mouth and ran from the room. Tears streamed down her face, as she ran out the door. Trying to hold back her shock, her pain, her hurt, her anger at her one and only friend, she started running.
-

Yeah so thats lame.
Lyrics from Hero/Heroine - boys like girls. =) Found it on my Zune today during history...lets just say its been on repeat all day.

My Turn!

My writing post for today! It took me a long time to come up with an idea, but I finally got one. Hopefully.
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   "Okay, how about these: Noble, blue, elegant, and sports?" my friend Olivia says, looking up from the laptop in her lap. I sigh and lay down on my bed, my laptop next to me. The four words run through my head, trying to find other words that can piece them together to make some sense. I sit up with a single sentence in my head.
   "A queen in an elegant blue dress shot someone at a rugby match. How does that sound?" I picked up my laptop and opened Word, which would most likely just sit there, untouched, while I cruise some other site. Olivia laughs and starts typing away at her keyboard. "I know, I'm not making any progress," I mumble, setting down my laptop and springing off my bed.
   Olivia puts down her laptop as well and stands next to me, stretching her cramped legs. "You know," she says, looking at me with half of a serious look on her face, "you do have to come up with something soon. It is your day, and you don't want to keep those hungry viewers waiting for very long. One of them could be some super-genius and use your IP to track you down with a bunch of angry villagers with pitchforks and torches." She grinned at me and walked past, hopping loudly down the stairs.
   I slipped on my slippers and slowly shuffled after her, mumbling to myself, "Yeah, the few viewers we actually have.
   Later that day, she did finally come up with an idea, but it was rather short. For that girl, ladies and gentlemen, was me about a half-hour ago.

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That's ma post! Don't hate! Okay, have a good day/evening/morning/ whatever everyone!
-Costello

Not To... Steal Olive's Thunder or Anything...

I'm real sorry. I was super busy yesterday and I just couldn't find time to make a post. And so I'm doing it today, not to try and steal Olive's thunder, because her post was beautiful. So I took 3 of these pictures a few minutes ago, in between the rain, because it was raining when I got home from school, then stopped a while ago, then when I was taking pictures, it started to sprinkle, and now it's pouring and my dad's gonna go to my brother's school to pick him up from football practice while I'm sitting here in my pajamas and in my warm house. Haha, brother! Then the others I took a while ago.

Brr, cold and wet. Not so fun. I just might make myself some coffee... So, my tip! And my good friend Olive most likely agrees with it. A good photo opportunity arises right after a rain, when the flowers have raindrops nestled on their petals and stems, thick, green leaves holding water until they're about to spill... always good. Just don't get your camera wet! Those are some wise words... Well, goodbye everyone! Stay dry and warm, or, if it's summer for you, keep cool and hydrate!
-Costello

Befriend or not to befriend.

I look outside and see girls. Blonde haired, brown haired, they are just like me. They laugh and talk. I sit in my room, watching them pass as they look like me, but are nothing like me. I sit upstairs, at my desk, typing away, trying to think through this program. I listen to my music, while they listen to the wind and each other’s voices.




They are beautiful. Simple, but so much prettier than I am. I look down at my clothes and back at theirs. If I walked down stairs and out my door, they’d stare at me. My red shorts from soccer last fall, my all star’s shirt. I look like some girl that runs a lot, and likes it.



They will probably see me around the corner, but they won’t stop to get to know me. They already have each other, why add someone else? They are already perfect, why add someone who isn’t to their group of perfectness?



Would you?



If you were in a group, and saw a girl or boy your age, watching you all alone, would you go over and introduce yourself? Or would you walk away?



Thinking about it now, even though I’m not part of anyone’s fancy groups, I know I probably wouldn’t. I’m already shy, already took me forever to befriend the friends I have, why ruin it by adding someone who looks so out of place? Why risk everything for someone who could be the one you should have met. That kid could have been one of your best friends. But you walked away.



Now I didn’t stop them, as they laughed their ways home for dinner. I didn’t introduce myself. Instead I watched from above as they walked farther away. Maybe they’ll come back one day, when I’m outside, and don’t have a choice but to say hi. Maybe someone will see me outside one day and the next they’ll come over. As they walk away, I don’t feel forgotten, abandon, but I do feel alone. So I turn my music up louder, listen to my best friend’s voice on my phone, asking for prayer. I spin in my non-spinning chair and hope I meet someone mighty soon. Can’t spend forever working on absolutely nothing.



I mean I could, but who would want to do that?

-Olive

Old photos today!

Hey all! Today I'm going to show you some old photos, from like when I first started photography! From like April 2010! That is a long time for me, I think.

One of my firsts....still my favorite.

Even bikes make great models!

There ya go! Some of my favorites, and some of my older ones! I don't have a tip tonight, as I'm tired, and haven't gotten much photography done. (That will change soon) Hence the old photos. :)
Hope you all had a great day!
-Olive

Upgraded blog!

Hello! Olive here! I'm going to talk about the 'new' blog! We added some things, and I want to make sure every one knows what images/ect we own and which ones we don't. =)

There are three new images on the side, a new button, and a new header. The 3 images were found online, so we don't own them. They are not us either. It is just something we are using.
The button image is owned by me. The rose in the header is Cossy's and the half rose image is mine. The middle image is not ours.

I just wanted to make sure everyone knew so we wern't dealing with questions and such. If we post an image that we do not own it will be stated. =)

Also, we changed up the days that we post. Cossy will be posting on Tuesdays and Thursdays now, while I will be taking over Mondays and Wendsays. We each will be doing a writing and a photography post, so you will be getting a good share of each subject. Fridays are still guest blogger day! =)

We hope old and new readers like our newly upgraded blog, and enjoy our new mix of posting.
If you have any questions or concerns or anything like that, please let us know by leaving a comment below or contacting us on YWP. (We will have links to our profiles on the side.)

Thanks!
-Olive

So Gross!

So, today, my mom found this big blue-green thing that looked like a caterpillar on our dried-up tomato plant. It looked super cool, so I took a ton of pictures. I even touched it! It was all fuzzy and squishy... Then I looked up what it was. Big mistake. Turns out, it's not really a caterpillar. It's known as a tomato hornworm, and can be also found on tobacco plants. Click here to learn more about them. Well, here are some pictures! I named it Absolom. :)

I'm not really sure which end is the head... I think it's the one with the horn. But yeah! Isn't that gross? Yuck. *shiver* Well, there's a post for today! Have a good day, everyone. :)
-Cos