April Platform Challenge #12

Day '12' - Call to Action

Call to action is directing your readers to another place after reading your post. You can do it to another blog, post, or a social media you are a part of. I thought originally it was getting your readers involved by having them do reply posts, or commenting. So you could comment here, and then create a post on your page and link it to your twitter, facebook, and linkedin!

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to emails, and let me know what you think!

April Platform Challenge #11

Day '11' - Helpful Posts

So for day 11 you get to share a post that is helpful to your platform. Sharing it on twitter, Facebook, and a few other social sites is good. You get to learn new stuff, maybe make new connections, and maybe even help someone else! Here is the site I'm sharing.

April Platform Challenge #10

Day '10' - Checking Yourself Out

Looking yourself up online gives you a great idea of what people can find out about you, and how you look to the public. Here is my findings on the following sites:

Google

• There are 23,900 results
• My live journal shows up as the first thing, but if I take out Joann, Goodreads is the first.
• With out the Joann there are 82,400 results
• Both times only the first few are about myself
• If I google Gothipire (my username for about everything!) there are 1,590 results, and all of the ones I clicked randomly had to deal with myself.

Bing

• There are 42,500 results for full name, and my facebook shows up
• 6,270 results without the middle name
• The first one is my twitter account
• Next is myspace (so old)
• 6,750 results for Gothipire
• Only my personal twitter shows up on the first page

Yahoo!

• Full name only my facebook shows up
• Minus middle name just my myspace
• Gothipire my mibba, twitter, wattpad, and writing.com accounts show up

DuckDuckGo

• My aunt Kim shows up for full name (its done that for all the other sites as well)
• My Linkedin shows up first thing without my middle name
• Gothipire gets a few of my sites twitter being second

Ask

• Full name - nothing
• -Middle name - nothing
• Gothipire - my youtube video links show up

DogPile

• Full name - my aunt
• -Middle - my aunt
• Gothipire - youtube, and finally my blog!

Yippy

• Full name - 0 results 
• -Middle - 0 results
• Gothipire - 1 that is not me...
• This one makes me really sad

YouTube

• Full name - 0 results 
• -Middle - 0 results
• Gothipire - My account, favorites, and videos!

I've learned that only google has a lot on me.

April Challenge Platform #9

Day '9' - Tweet tweet!

Now that the ones that have a twitter account who are doing this challenge have people to follow. The next thing is to reply to a tweet! It is really easy just click reply. It gets your name out there, and creates a bond with the person you are talking too as well. Retweeting does the same, but then shares what you thought was interesting on your page as well. It is all good for everyone! Enjoy the easy day of replying to at least 3 tweets today.

April Platform Challenge #8

Day '8' - New Social Network (for me at least)

This next day is about Linkedin, a media site I haven't heard of until recently. So I'm going to add it to my list of Site seeing! I'm not really sure about the site. So while I write this, I'll create my site!

It'll ask you your basic info: Name (first/last), Area, Password, & Email. Then the company you work for, or if you are a student and go to school. With the knowledge of your contacts in your email, it'll ask if you want to add your friends. Later it will ask if you'd like to share that you joined on Facebook/Twitter. You'll add your industry, current job, other jobs, current school degree & others, profile picture upload, skills you have, and many other details. It is almost like creating a job application. It is great for publishers, and agents to find you. You add so much information about yourself. It made me think a lot as I filled it out. You can find me here! Add me and add your link to the description below!

April Platform Challenge #7

Day '7' - Sharing is very caring

The next part of the section is the sharing options on your blog. My blog has buttons to share on Facebook and Twitter. There are widgets you can add to your blog to have people share it. The site from which I'm doing this challenge is getting a list of people's accounts. So if you'd like to share your Facebook, Twitter, or Blog in the comments, I'll make a massive list of all of them (an organized massive list). Please comment and share!!!!

Site Seeing

Well I'm updating my YouTube page, and you can only have 10 links. I've gone over it.... so I'm making this to keep it all, and add to it as I continue to join everything I find XD! Add me to what ever you'd like!

The main YouTube site is: https://www.youtube.com/BlackStar130169 Here are the rest of them.

• Facebook Page
• Old YouTube account
• Fanfiction.net 1
• Fanfiction 2
• Fiction Press 1
• Fiction Press 2
• Figment
• Wattpad
• Mibba
• Instagram
• Ask.fm
• Writing.com
• Spells of Magick
• Meet Me
• Vampire Freaks
• WEbook.com
• NaNoWriMo
• Author Twitter
• This I Believe
• Tumbler
• Twitter
• Myspace
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn
• GoodReads
• LiveJournal
• Writers_Network
• Writer's Cafe
• Wiccan Together

Source: Neopets

April Platform Challenge #6

Day '6' - Commenting

Another way to get your blog out there, is to read other blogs like yours, or ones that catch your interest. You can make friends that later can do guests posts for each other. Also you can gain followers, and learn things to improve your blogging or what you are blogging about! Click day above and see challenge #6!!!! Comment on other blogs, start conversations, make friends! For this challenge I read this article.

April Platform Challenge #5

Day '5' - Blogging!

Blogging! Who what of thought? Of course blogging is part of the platform! So if you got a blog to join on in this challenge, then today just post a blog. Or you can look at some of the articles on the site (click the day at the top). Blogging is great for communicating, sharing your ideas and opinions, and sharing pieces of your work! Have fun with it, and connect to the readers!

April Platform Challenge #4

Day '4' - The little blue bird

Logically the next step would be getting a twitter account. I wasn't sure about getting a twitter at first a while ago. Now, I love being able to update anytime without hearing someone complain that I am updating too much! I used it as if it were my phone's text messaging. There's a lot of great uses for it. I have had one personal account for a while. I use it for friends and such. Just recently I've made one just for my writing platform. I hope you have fun tweeting away! Such short posts!

April Platform Challenge #3

Day '3' - Facebook (creating one & maintaining it)

This day doesn't really have any questionnaire to fill out. So I'm going to add the Facebook link for whoever doesn't have one. Remember to maintain the profile (I did a page instead). Update it often to keep people interested. I have a bad habit of not doing that at all. Have fun on Facebook! If you have on already hit the day link^ he (the blogger) has two links you can look at. Sorry for the short post!

April Platform Challenge #2

Day '2' - Creating your goals

Short Term Goals

• Complete the June's 750 words a day challenge!
• Keep A's & B's in college
• Get a business degree
• Get closer to publishing my novel collection
• Get the job at hot topic
• Defeat writer's block!
• Keeping going to the gym
• Include my religion more in my life

Long Term Goals

• Become a well known author
• Build my own house
• Get married to my sweetheart
• Raise kids
• Make a difference
• Publish several books/book series
• Get the courage to write music
• Learn musical instruments
• Get a degree in Creative Writing/Mythology
• Start my own publishing company
• Travel the world
• Paint my car
• Have my own clothes design
• Own several businesses including two night clubs one of which is open to high schoolers
• Own a 1970 Lincoln that's cherry red (the same car my grandpa has)
• Create my own scholarship

April Platform Challenge #1

Day '1' - Figuring out who you are

Source: Telah Loureiro (edited together by myself)

Name
Raven Joann Maaka-Loureiro

Position(s)
Blogger, tweeter, published writer, (Past): Babysitter, XO - JROTC Staff, Cashier, Ticket Taker, Actress, Swim Team Manager, and Curtsy Clerk. 

Skills
Creative writing (fiction/poetry), friendly, problem solving, fast learner, creative, mediating, staying clam and upbeat.

Social Media Platforms
Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Google+, Youtube

URLs
http://gothipire.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/GothipireAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/RavenJoannMaakaGothipire?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.youtube.com/BlackStar130169 (has links to many more sites)

Accomplishments
JROTC Leadership medal, Scottish Rite Medal, Superior Cadet Medal, Principal Award, Honor Roll, This I Believe published, 1st Place Rifle/Drill Team (on a few occasions), 4th over all Marksmanship Rifle, 2nd Pistol JV Team, 1st Place Rifle JV Team, Orienteering 2nd in school, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th in Winter Guard, Middle & High school literary magazine publications, Photogenic Award, State Finalist for National American Miss, Swim Team Manager, 1 Degree Level 2 Black Belt, 1st 2nd & 3rd in Dance, Danced in the mall (big deal back then).

Interests
Writing, reading, music, guitar, manga, video games, drums, bass, piano, singing, acting, modeling, architecture, interior design, fashion, goth, video game designs, script writing, fiction, poetry, helping others, being famous, blogging, family, friends, Hot topic, school, mythology, Lord of the Rings, Alice In Wonderland, tattoos, art, drawing, fitness, wicca/paganism, ocean/beaches, travailing, multilingual, marriage, dancing, Nightmare Before Christmas, cards, board games, husky, pomsky, kitties, bats, coffins, Halloween, new years, Victorian, vinyl records, corsets, black widows, different hair color, make up design, scaring, gardening, cooking, vampire/zombies/fairies/werewolves/etc,

In one sentence, who am I?
I am a young goth trying to get a job at hot topic, have a writing career, staying strong for my mother, and being the best girlfriend I can be.

April Platform Challenge

I have been doing a lot of research on writing, and what it takes to get noticed and be published. Here are a few things I've found out.

Writing Platforms

• You really need one for non-fiction writing (not really sure anything more on that).
• For fiction writing it is nice to start before you try to get published. Why?
• Building a fan base ahead of time.
• Shows you have people as potential book buyers.
• You are willing to do the work to promote yourself.
• Editors/Agents/Publishers can find you easier.
• Socialize and show your self.
• If you start ahead you can get better at it, before you have so many people to see you mess up.
• Blogs/Websites - communicate, give updates, pieces of your works, let people get to really know you.
• Social media - Twitter/Facebook etc.  Talk with the fans more, be social and interact  with them, show that you aren't a robot.
• Speaking/Classes - Teach classes on your niche of writing, help others learn what you know, speak in front of people about your experiences, get yourself known.
• Writing Groups - Join groups, talk with other writers, make friends, expand the people you know, share work, and improve on your own writing

You can read up a lot more about it, there is a lot of info. It seems a little overwhelming. There are books out there that can also help. On my search to finding out what the platform is, how to create one, and what am I suppose to do; I did find a blog about the April Platform Challenge. It was originally made to do over 30 days, but I might do more in a day. Here is a link to a list of the 30 tasks. It is suppose to help you build your platform or improve it. You should check it out if you are a writer yourself!

~Writing is my oxygen, I can't breathe without it~

Anxiety

Recently I have gotten anxiety. I personally haven't pin pointed the exact cause. Though it tends to be when I'm overly emotional, some zombie movies, and staying at another persons house. I'd like to do a quick post about what I've learned.

My Anxiety Symptoms
I should explain how my anxiety works. I sometimes get a headache and huge nausea. Sometimes my brain tries to get me to pee every five minutes. The site/smell of food makes me want to vomit, and the only comfortable spot is to lay day and focus on something. To a lot of people it sounded like I was pregnant, but that is impossible.

Stay Busy
That doesn't mean watching TV, a movie, and sometimes reading wont work. Your mind kind wonder, and if it isn't focused on something like Sudoku or a fun phone app it wont calm you down. Focusing can help clam you down, slow your heart rate, and relax. Which is really important for some. Even playing a console like the Xbox helps. Personally I play Skyrim.
*Tip from Leah Mouse, the most important out of all of them! (I think)

Caffeine
Caffeine increases the heart rate. You don't have to give up caffeine  just watch when you do, and how much. If your going to sleep, to the movies, or sitting quietly for a while on a task that doesn't distract you that much, try not to have caffeine before hand. You can have your favorite sodas, I know Pepsi and root beer have caffeine free sodas! The good thing about morning coffee is that it is early enough, where it shouldn't affect you.

Sleeping
If it is late at night, or your tired enough, sleeping can help. It forces you to forget about the days tasks, and worry. It shuts you down, and makes the brain focus on working on itself. When you wake up, most of the time, the anxiety is all gone!

Breathing
Take deep, slow breaths. They help a lot if you feel your heart start to race. If you have control of your breathing, you can calm your heart down. 

Exercise
If your heart is already racing, why not dance your heart out? Get out the old exercise video that you have on VHS and workout! Play the Wii, go for a jog, walk your dog, take a nature walk, walk around the mall. Do anything to give your heart a reason to beat fast.

Anxiety Medicine
There is medicine you can take out there. It has to be prescribed by a doctor. But if you can do it without medicine, you should try to. It does take care of the anxiety, and you only have to take it when needed. My mom takes half of the pill, because that still works, and you don't need the whole thing.

Hope this helps with anyone who has anxiety!

~Magick is everywhere~

Fox News Sticks Their Foot in Their mouth? Part II

This is a lengthy, because I cover a 3 minute YouTube video piece by piece. Here is a link to Part I.

& Friends:
Again they say 20% even though it is 17%. I'm just hoping the guy knows that Wiccanism isn't a word like he did the other video. It is Wicca.

They point out that there are not many Pagans/Wiccans, and why not join it if it is small. First, some go by - To Know, To Will, To Dare, To Be Silent. We don't parade it around and announce it. Despite the law here in the US, and the lack of information people know; we tend to keep it a secret. If you are proud, why keep it a secret  Let me pint you out to the Burning Times/Salem Witch Trials where people were killed if they thought they were a witch. People can still get fired, other places have Witchcraft as a crime, and some are still killed for it. That is why we don't share, and if we do, there's the phrase - Coming out of the broom closet. Secondly, don't join a religion because it is small. That is just as stupid as doing it for the number of holidays.

Its bizarre that there are 20 holidays for Wiccans? Okay if you add in the full moons there is 20, but not everyone considers that and sometimes there are 13 full moons in a year. I don't think it is bizarre if the University has the balls to take a step closer for people understanding the religion, and accepting it.

"On a really bad day, I might turn into one. I don't know." It is not an emotion, or a switch you can flip at random! You also say you don't know any Wiccans. So why make statements about them as if it was fact?

Source and Source2

The Lady said there is 80% of world population that are Christian. Here's what this pie chart says...

"It is less about elevating other religions and other individuals, and its more about deluding the dynamic what's important in people's lives." The hell? Is religion not important in people's lives? The University is putting Paganism and Wicca out there in way better light then this news station is, and is helping people realize it isn't a bad thing.

Pagans are anti establishment, and they don't need to recognize us. Ummm....No. We aren't against establishment or society. How did one conclude such a statement? The establishment enforces the law, freedom of religion is one of those laws that we really love. We need the recognition to stop prejudice, to stop being fired for a religious practice. So people don't shun you or tell you you are going to hell because you believe in a certain religion. I think it is a good thing if they do.

"How can name 8 Wiccan holidays?" I thought you said there was 20? Still can name them: Beltaine, Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Lughnasadh, Litha, Mabon, Ostara. Can you be consistent at least if you are going to be wrong.

"There's like 10 of them." and they out number all the other religions individual holidays. So we lost 12 holidays, and now gained two to get 10. We out number other religion holidays? Even with 10, Christians and Judaism each have 11 in the guide! We don't pass anyone, and when did this become a holiday contest?

There are ways to get out of school, and people would think we are crazy for asking Halloween off. Yes there are ways to get out of school, but Easter and Christmas is off for Christians. So why not for other religious holidays? Yule is in winter break already, because the date is so close to Christmas. I informed my teachers ahead of time that I was taking Halloween off. I didn't get any crazy or weird looks. One, the follow the rules questions everything kind of teacher, asked why. I told him flat out that it was a religious holiday. The next class day we watched a video about the history of Halloween (note: this was in a history class). It isn't crazy to ask that day off. At least she knows the weird looks are insulting.

"If you are Atheist or a Pagan isn't everyday a holiday?" When did atheists get into this? And yes everyday is a gift. There are other religions (at least one that I can't remember the name of) that don't celebrate any holidays, because everyday is a celebration. I'm pretty sure you should celebrate that you have a blood flow, oxygen in your lungs, and other signs of life in your body. Yes we celebrate nature. Sometimes when we cook, take nature walks, volunteering, gardening: those are ways to celebrate it. We don't have to make 365 holidays to celebrate it. Just in daily tasks is enough.

"Only a country that has been too rich for too long, can be this frivolousness and silly." Too rich? Last time I checked we were in debt for 4 trillion dollars, and it increases fast then we can lower it. And it hasn't really been that long. How is it silly to recognize a growing religion, or any religion for that matter. There is nothing wrong with it, and it isn't silly.

"So they hate Orthodox Christianity, that's kind of what it comes down to." - Guy There is no hate. Why would this be hate to another religion, by recognizing another? That's egotistical for a religion. Making it about another religion, don't flatter it. It has nothing to do with it!

"Its about Pagans and Wiccan being used for a political agenda to down grade what's important to the majority of Americans." Used? Being recognized in a University in a good way is being used? That is silly! Down grade what's important? You seem to know what all Americans seem to think is important. Please do tell me. I thought it was things like family, career, happiness, and spiritual fulfillment (those are general and don't work for all, and differ according to the person). Being able to have the day free of stress to celebrate a religious holiday fits the spiritual fulfillment part! It isn't down grading a thing. Would you like it if winter break was in November at Thanksgiving time, and you had to go to school on Christmas? I don't think you would. You would protest, boycott, do petitions, and just take that day off. Think of how we feel.

"This is an anti-tradition action. I think Pagans and Wiccans should be very angry about being used by the establishment. And I think that...there should be a backlash. Look the tradition of this country is what allows people to be Pagans and Wiccans to enjoy their lives freely. Good luck doing that in any other country."

Anti-tradition action...to show freedom of religion by recognizing it is against tradition. It used to be tradition to burn someone for being accused of being a Witch, it used to be tradition for women not to vote, it was tradition to have slaves, to have different bathrooms because of skin color, to kick people out of their land, and it was tradition to have no airbags in a car. Yet tradition changed, and so did the laws. They even changed for the better. Yet keeping the tradition of freedom of religion is anti-tradition. Please think before opening your mouth.

Again we are not being used. Recognition isn't bad. I think more colleges should follow the footsteps of University of Missouri. They are a great role model in this, and took a step forward that others should follow. We aren't going to backlash. First that's really bad karma. Second they did a good thing, so there is no need. What you probably didn't think is how much of a backlash your words would bring.

It isn't tradition that allows Pagans and Wiccans to enjoy life freely (like everyone else does). It is the law that people have fought and died for that gave us freedom. That became tradition, and it changes as the world changes and people become more accepting and understanding.

Other countries have Pagan and Wiccans. They originated in Europe and Africa. Some follow the Egyptian path (Africa), others follow Norse, Celtic Greek, Roman, and Druid paths (Europe). Both Celtic and Druids are known to be the first Pagans. They are everywhere just like Christianity is.

"You wouldn't want to see Wiccans when they are angry." We react like everyone else. We get pissed, frustrated, scream/yell, or whatever people do when they are upset. We wont curse you or your future children/generations. That is bad karma. How do you like the anger they have showed to your lack of knowledge?

Sites:
The Guide link is for the guide of the University so you can see the holidays they have listed, and learn more about them. Fox is for Part I, it is a YouTube video. & Friends is a YouTube video I cover in this section. Humors Approach is a funny video I found of commentary from a Pagan/Wiccan (not sure which and don't want to accidentally state the wrong thing). He gives good information in a good humorous why. Informative is another long video that goes over a lot more information. I think it is really good to take the time to watch. It is down in a (what seems like) an unbiased manner. The last link, Petition, is of the petition people signed for them to do a formal apology. Though it is closed, I think if nothing is done, maybe more people will support and redo the petition. 

• Guide
• Fox
• & Friends
• Humors Approach
• Informative
• Petition

Note: I do understand that the first video is a talk show, which is other people opinions. However, you should still have the correct facts if talking about something. That is why I signed the petition. I think if you are going to state an opinion live you should know the true facts and due a tad bit of research.

Fox News Sticks Their Foot in Their mouth? Part I

This is a lengthy, because I cover a 3 minute YouTube video piece by piece.

Fox:
A week or more ago, Fox News talked about University of Missouri for having Pagan/Wiccan holidays requested as a day for not to plan exams. There is a guide that contains all of the holidays for people to be informed. I think it's great for others to read and maybe learn a little something, and the teachers can respect other people's religion, that isn't the majority. Now you probably think, if they just talked about that, what is so bad? Personally they stuck their foot in their mouth by almost bashing on the religion itself.

They state that "The bad thing of Wicca is of course that it is Witchcraft." First thing wrong with that, not all Pagans are Wiccans, not all Pagans or Wiccans are Witches, and not all Witches are Pagans or Wiccans. For the Wiccans that are Witches, Witchcraft isn't bad. If you use magick for evil, then yeah, that isn't a good thing. However, everything has a good and bad side. To ride something off you know nothing about as bad, isn't a very nice thing or smart thing to do. In this case you'll look like an idiot to the people who do understand.

Next they state that the upside of being a Pagan/Wiccan is how many holidays we have. That 20% of the school's holidays are Pagan/Wiccan. There are 8 Pagan/Wiccan holidays, not including the Full Moons that not all Pagans/Wiccans celebrate all of the time. In the book there are 8 Pagan/Wiccan holidays. But wait, you said it takes up 20% of the holidays in the guide, right? Yes I did.

Lets do a little math: There are 47 holidays in the guide, and 8 Pagan holidays. 47*.20= 9.4. 9.4 doesn't equal 8, now does it?  47*X=8, divide by 47, times 100 = 17.02%. They really make it sound bad, but there are 5 Hindu Holidays (10.64%), 1 Sikh (2.13%), 3 Buddhism (6.38%), 2 Shinto (4.26%), 3 Baha'i (6.38%), 3 Islamic (6.38%), 11 Catholic/Christian (23.40%), and 11 Jewish (23.40%). Do to rounding it only equals 99.99%. Christian and Jewish are the ones with the most holidays. Why is it a big deal that Pagans have 8 (3 less)? Maybe if they did math they would understand it isn't such a big deal.

Source

Why can't we all coexist?

Another statement you can't say Merry Christmas to people without people feeling that you are pushing the Christian religion. People can say what they want, and people can feel what they want. I've said happy Yule to a few people in a store, and they corrected me saying it is Merry Christmas (then I pointed out Yule is sooner, and explained the holiday). I've also been given weird looks by telling people merry met, and blessed be. So Merry Christmas's reactions aren't as bad as some of the things I have said (out of politeness) to others. The Christians I do know don't care what other people think, it is Christmas for them, and they are going to say Merry Christmas! There is nothing wrong with that. Have you ever stated anything holiday related and gotten a weird reaction? Please share in the comments below!

"You get 20 holidays if you are Wiccan. That's the one to go with, right?....If you are going to pick one, pick the one with the most holidays." We've already established there are only 8 holidays. They should really brush up on facts, if they are sharing things with a bunch of viewers who might not know the real ones. Religions aren't picked based on how many days you could call into work, and call it a holiday based off your religion. They are picked because you believe in it. If the days off are the only reason you switched, not many people will respect you, from your lack of morals. I mean really? Why would someone do that?

"Except any religion who's most sacred day is Halloween, I just can't take seriously." O.O When I first heard that, I just paused the video, and starred at the screen. First it isn't Halloween, it is Samhain. Samhain is the 'new year' for Pagans/Wiccans, is usually celebrated Oct.31st and Nov.1st, and is the day we celebrate and honor our ancestors. If you can't take a religion seriously because they respect the dead, then I could never take you seriously and I would think you wouldn't celebrate or honor your dead at all. All Saints Day was originally May 13th, starting in 609. In 835, it was moved to November 1st in order to convert more people from the Celtic/Pagan/Wiccan traditions to Christianity by Pope Gregory IV.

They also said that Halloween is the Pagan side....The Pagan side? There aren't sides, there is two different beliefs/tradition. Both have the same holidays. Just like Christianity has Lutherans and Catholics. It's like Paganism is similar to Christianity. lO.Ol

"How many Pagans can name every holiday?" There's 8: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltaine, Litha, Lughnasadh, and Mabon. I did that with only questioning, and double checking spelling. I'm pretty sure Pagans/Wiccans know their holidays, just like Christians. It is not that complicated.

They did state that Pagans/Wiccans are of the earth; commented how we say that we are harmless, peacefully, and don't do anything bad. Which is the only thing I haven't disagreed with.

They continue to state that the only Wiccans/Pagans they know tend to play "compulsive deep dungeons and dragons player, or a middle age twice divorced old women living in a rural area who works as a mid wife." I have yet to be married, I don't live in a rural area, I don't work as a mid wife, and I've never played deep dungeons and dragons, but I am Pagan! That is really bad stereo typing. There is no logic to it. I'm glad we aren't the  stereotypical witch with green skin and warts. Just wow! 

Then they added we like a lot of incense  A lot is too much. However, I do like it. It smells good, and gives it gives off a soothing feel that is nice at home. I know none Pagans/Wiccans that use incense too.

Sites:
The Guide link is for the guide of the University so you can see the holidays they have listed, and learn more about them. Fox is for this section, it is a YouTube video. & Friends is a YouTube video I cover in part II. Humors Approach is a funny video I found of commentary from a Pagan/Wiccan (not sure which and don't want to accidentally state the wrong thing). He gives good information in a good humorous why. Informative is another long video that goes over a lot more information. I think it is really good to take the time to watch. It is down in a (what seems like) an unbiased manner. The last link, Petition, is of the petition people signed for them to do a formal apology. Though it is closed, I think if nothing is done, maybe more people will support and redo the petition. 

• Guide
• Fox
• & Friends
• Humors Approach
• Informative
• Petition

Here you'll find a link to Part II.

Writing Sites

For this blog I decided to share all of the writing sites I have found. When looking for a publisher, or getting a beginner's fan base, these sites can help. Plus it is great to get other people's opinions!

Sites!!!
A very well known and popular site is Fanfiction.net: 

• For fan fiction writing: Own version of any story, movie, or game.
• Mostly a place where people put to characters together that don't usually end up together.
• Easy set up with traffic, messaging, reviews, and able to read other's work.
• Not a place for original work.

Then you have fictionpress.com:

• Made by the same people who do fan fiction, but for original works.
• Has the same features as fanfiction, just without the use of copyrighted characters.
• Down side to both, not many views.

Next is Figment.com:

• You can heart, comment, or give a review.
• You can hook up to your web page, twitter, and Facebook.
• People can also say they got shivers, a blush, wow, cry, and laugh from your writing.
• Can be shared on tumbler, Facebook, twitter, or email from readers to share your work.
• You can start over on a story, or (if it is long enough) you can start from the chapter you left off of.
• People follow you if they want to be notified of updates.
• Shows how many chapters, words, and approximate time of your story/poem would be to read.
• There's contests, forums, shop, the daily fig, spotlight, library, and groups.
• The my writing section has all of your stories that you can destroy, edit, or view, and the last few people who commented, hearted, reviewed, ext. on your story.
• My desk contains: People you are followings updates, and figment news.
• My groups shows all the groups you are a part of.
• With groups you can add a discussion, or be part of one already made, and look at other member's works.
• Let of people wont read your work, unless you swap, and read/review or comment theirs first.

Wattpad.com is up:

• Contains a profile page that has: Fans, fan of, your recent votes and recent comment, status, the about you section, your works, message board, and reading list.
• You can connect to your web page, Facebook, and twitter.
• There is also an inbox, my works for editing what you have posted, my library/ reading lists that you can save works you want to read or show what you have read, invite friends.
• There is a create button to go straight to making a new piece.
• The community drop down connects you to insider, clubs, contests, and the Atty's (an award).
• On your work page it contains: # of reads, comments, and votes; a pin it button; rating; small about you section; a button to add to library  and the table of contents of your work.
• You can decorate your profile page, and it's main color is bright orange.

Mibba.com:

• Easy to navigate
• Well organized (separates short stories, poems, photos, and can create characters).
• There's a lot of stuff to do, you can write an article, blog, forum, add friends.
• Kind of like a social network for writers.
• When reading a story the first page is your long summer, and table of contents which is really nice.
• This is one of my favorites to use.

Finally Writing.com:

• There's a side bar that shows you things you can do, points, email, number of projects, and your page link.
• Free members can only have up to 10 projects, for more space you'd have to be a paid member.
• There are monthly contests, and lots of prices.
• Points (if you have thousands of them) can be used to by from the shop instead of cash.
• Boring set up.
• People have left reviews sooner than other sites after you have posted (they are really helpful).

For quick response, use writing.com. For a Facebook/social like feel, use Mibba. For colorful/self done profile page and a way to remember what you want to read, use wattpad. For groups, fine set up, better details on what people think, use figment. For using characters from games, books, movies, and more that aren't yours, use fanfiction.net. And if you like fanfiction, but you have original work you want to share, use fictionpress.com.

To get a better feel for each one of the sites you'll have to look and mess with it yourself. Joining all of them is free. Need a friend, or want someone to read your work, just let me know and I'll add/friend/follow you. Hope this helps!

~Write on, fellow writers!!!~

The Hobbit (Movie)

Source: Google

Back in December the movie The Hobbit came out! Now I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan, so I attended the midnight premier. I was expecting the theater to have more people dressed for the occasion. My friends and I were slightly dressed as elves (they had the ears, and I had the clothes). We ran into a Gandalf, which made us want to go up and try to get passed him in hopes that he will stomp his stick in the ground, and say "You shall not pass!" (but we are shy :/)

Off to the actual movie review (spoilers most likely)! The color and the imagery was really amazing. The affects were really great. One of my favorite scenes was the dwarves singing about breaking dishes. They did well with making the dishes be tossed, but never breaking them. Another thing that was really great was the fact that they used the songs that were in the book. 

Compared to the book they did make the brown wizard, Radagast the Brown, was given a bigger role. In the book he was in a paragraph but in the movie they make him a more important character which is really nice to see. They change the troll scene, and inside the caves with the goblins. They make Bilbo seem a lot more of a weaker person, and not as much as a hero. Gandalf seems to save the day instead. 

Source: Google

The dwarves were really awesome characters. They have all the care free love to party and drink, as well as the determination and work ethic. Appearance wise their beards are funny. All of them are different from the others. The way they are presented in the beginning is different. Gandalf doesn't get invited to tea, so them showing up instead is a bigger surprise then in the book. I feel like they treated Bilbo better in the book, and not so harshly as they do in the movie. Thorin seems more rude, but in the book he wasn't really sure about the hobbit's skills anyways.

For Lord of the Rings fans, and people who aren't really into it will love this movie. Its comical, pleasing to the eye, and action filled. It is just as good as the Lord of the Rings movies. It is a must see movie! Plus you will be glad to know that the book has been split into more than one movie. When the next one will come out? I have no idea (sadly)!

~Enjoy the weirder things in life!~