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from the home of The Great Alliance in Twilight Illusion
Friday, April 22nd
Part One: The Queen's Dilemma
A sumptuous table is set for tea, as the lords and ladies of the Court of Light join Queen Comet. Greetings are exchanged as they all make their way to the table, while the Lady Cia and the Queen's Physician, Lady Malada, make sure that all is well for tea. The Guards Durland and Katina take their places as the subtle verbal sparring begins. Some of the guests choose to merely watch the the courtly graces covering the political machinations of the members of the court and of the guests at the table.
Once everyone is in place, the Queen speaks, telling them all, "I have called you all together today for something rather important..well it is to me. It would seem that the Dark Prince has been busy with a plot to force me into marriage with him and make him king, or I shall lose my lands." The Ladies quickly tell the Queen that they anticipated this and have invited suitors that she might consider and marry before the Dark Prince's plot can come into play.
One by one, the suitors announce their intent to court the Queen for her hand; the dashing and handsome fair haired Prince Vindonus Lianelis, The Dwarven King Bump Wumple, a northern barbarian Prince Zarg, and the dark haired but dashing Prince Kelamoris Miliandrovic of the distant kingdom of Alabaster.
Once the Queen has been presented with the choices, the ladies determine that they wish to test the suitors, to make certain that the one who is picked will be worthy of the Queen. The suitors are invited back to an evening of manners, questions and dancing where they will try and win the queen's favor.
Saturday, April 23rd
A Suitor For The Queen – A Test of Courtly Manners
In the elegant grand ballroom, Queen Comet and her ladies await the suitors when a debonair Bard approaches the Queen and introduces himself as Gage of the The Far Reaches.
A hush falls over the crowds as Pelinor, the Head of the Queen's Guard clears her throat as the courtiers flow into the pavilion… "Please welcome Her Most August Majesty the Queen! Tonight…. suitors, courtiers and ladies will join in dance as we enact a Test of Courtly Manners to scrutinize the would be King of the land! The Suitors will be challenged by our ladies in acts of song, poetry and courtly grace!"
Lady Cia checks with the ladies making sure each of them has an adequate selection of the the very rare light blue roses that have been chosen as a sign of the ladies favor. She glances to the merchant at the edge of the crowd who she suspects is doing a fine business in selling roses to those who wish to give the suitor they favor a boost.
As the suitors begin to step forward and present themselves, Lady Malada suggests that perhaps the Bard might make a fine suitor as well. A lively debate ensues until the Princess Ivy observes, "He doesn't necessarily require the skill to be King… only the skill to make a Prince with the Queen…" The Ladies all agree that the Bard should be added to the list as he was well spoken and a delight to the eye.
The evening progresses with the Ladies dancing with the various Suitors, asking them questions and bestowing favors for answers that please them. The Dwarf King delights one and all by producing a set of stilts for dancing, thus solving the issue of his height. The couples dip and sway in time to the music, flirting and answering each in turn. As the hour grows late, the Queen calls for a counting of the favors, and it seems that the fair elf Prince Vindonus Lianelis has collected the most favors. It is noted that the time for poems has been danced away, so the Ladies decided to hear them at a later event, and to keep the contest of favors open.
Sunday, April 24th
The 2nd Challenge: Test of Metal (Fencing)
There is a tang of excitement in the air as the ladies and the Queen find their seats and choose drinks that suit their natures. The gathered lords and ladies make wagers and comments on the upcoming Corps-à-corps in this test of martial skill.
The large Norseman and the Dwarven king are drawn for the the first match, a pairing that inspires the Lady Jaki to comment, "the Prince Zarg has quite the height advantage but what is that saying now? The bigger they are, the harder they fall.." In the end though, the blond Barbarian took the match.
Prince Kelmor and the Bard Gage are the next pair to exchange blades. Prince Kelmor steps forward, clearly familiar with a blade and how to handle it, meanwhile the Bard's weapon is rather unique, a rose made of steel. Princess Ivy noted that when asked yesterday what type of flower the Queen might be compared to, Ser Gage did choose a rare heirloom rose. It seemed to her that he may have had his weapon fashioned especially for this event as a result.
As the matches continue, and Prince Kelmor's skill at the blade becomes apparent as he triumphs over one suitor after the other, the Lords and Ladies watched and made small wagers. Qυεεŋ Coмεŧ takes a wine goblet from the tray offered to her, observing "I try never to be sober for such occasions. It dampens the spirits." Her ladies are happy to join her in the pursuit, except for Lady Malada, the Queen's physician who offers to salve and bandage the wounds of the combatants, and conduct her own inspections of their forms.
The fencing matches continue as each suitor is pitted against his fellow suitors, but a second subtle competition for the ladies' favors is still being played out. First the Bard steps before the Queen, his shirt open to display a very fine chest, and then Prince Vindonus appears for his next bout shirtless, drawing the attention of the ladies. His bare chest is very much to their liking, so much so that the Queen had to rein them in with a sharp "Ladies please!"
Prince Kelmor steps forward, "This seems to be the deciding fight. Only right we make it a fight to remember. So…." He casts off his cloak and unbuttons his tunic, holding them over his arm, before handing them off to the Lady Jaki, and proceeds to emerge from his last bout, victorious and undefeated. The Queen's guard Pelinor announces "Well fought all…. we shall see whom the Ladies favor. Prince Miliandrovic has taken the day with skill at arms." Lady Acacia quickly counts the suitors favors for the event, telling all that "this evening it seems the darker haired ones took the ladies favor, for the Bard and the dark haired Prince tied."
The event over, people began to make their preparations to leave. With a bow towards the Queen, Prince Kelmor comments, "As defeat was tasted at the end of my blade this day, so too shall the Dark Prince taste the same."
As the Queen prepares to depart, she comments, "I look forward to the next challenge!!"
The ladies nod in agreement, wondering what the suitors will bring for the gifts of gratitude, as the would-be suitors will be presenting the Queen with gifts and explaining why they believe their gifts to be of value.
Tuesday, April 26th
The Third Challenge: Gifts of Gratitude
As the evening begins, Queen Comet takes her seat on her throne, chatting to her ladies. The Bard Gage begins to serenade the ladies with his lute, but is quickly challenged to an impromptu musical challenge by King Bump, who turns out to be quite a musician on the bag pipes.
The Queen's guard Pelinor, calls the room to order "Your Majesty! Lords, ladies and courtesans! Welcome to the third challenge for the Queen's Suitors! Tonight we shall see our worthys present their gifts of affection to Her Majesty for her perusal and the scrutiny of the Court. In doing so the Suitors will be given several minutes to expound upon the virtues of their gift and embellish it with poem or song should they so choose… The Court will comment as they see fit and present Favors accordingly. Are there any questions before we begin?"
King Bump Wumpole was the first to approach with gift. " I'll speak to you and to you alone, my Queen. To me, you are the radiant light that chases the night from my dark life. In honor of our meeting and our hopeful future relations as political allies, I present you with this… the Smile, a ruby of great pedigree being a Sister Stone of our Great Core Stone in the Caverns of Eternity deep beneath my kingdom. I hope you will enjoy wearing it upon your finger, regardless of the dispensation of our affairs here, my Queen…" Stepping forward to present the Queen with a ring set with ruby that was larger than the Queen's hand.
Prince Vindonus Lianelis was the next to present his gift, starting with a poem, then claps his hands. Suddenly they see a small elven child, a girl dressed in a gossamer dress. White with blond hair and blue eyes. The girl is leading two snow white peacocks on mithril leashes. She walks into the room, curtsies to the Queen and smiles. Behind her are two male elves dressed in white and silver livery, carrying a tray covered in purple silk. As they move to the Queen, one pulls the cover off and underneath it is a pile of shining diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Prince Vindonus bows deeply to the Queen "Tari, these peacocks are descendants of the royal peacocks of Verdantis that roam my palace. They are unmatched only by your beauty. These gems are for you and your ladies to have the finest items made, to enhance the loveliness which graces us all."
The Ladies quite approving of this gift, several of them offering him a favor, perhaps hoping that if the Queen does not choose him, he might choose them.
The Bard Gage is next to present, and he also begins with a poem. He lays a simple wooden box at the feet of the Queen, kneeling quietly to do so, tenderly… with reverence both for the object and for what it represents. At first glance it is rather plain, without gilded embellishment or jeweled encrustation of any kind… but upon closer inspection it is subtly carved by careful hand. Lovingly worked into the polished wooden surface is an ivy and rose motif, intertwined. "My gift to you, My Queen… Brightest Star, Sweetest Rose, Love of my Heart's longing." Upon opening the box, a filigree ring is revealed, in Mithril Silver, of Ivy Vines surmounted by a single, rose-cut diamond. The cushion upon which the ring is perched is simple madder-dyed linen belying the humble and hard-working folk of the Far Reaches, but embroidered with thread-of-gold in a trellis pattern. The ring is polished to a buttery sheen from years of wear, worry, hope and fond remembrance, as if it were touched often as it sat upon the finger. It is cunningly wrought, but not perfect in its execution… pretty but not the work of a Master smith. The stone is the opposite, without doubt one of the finest examples of gem craft the Dwarven Kingdoms have ever produced. He then reveals that he is not a lowly common bard, but rather the elder son of the Far Reaches, a Baron.
The bard finishes with a final speech. "Ever since that day, this ring has been passed down in my family, to be worn by each Lady of the Far Reaches. My Grandmother wore it, and my mother after her. And so it is given to me, and with it – by the tradition of our people – comes the full support of our bailiwick, the lives and swords, the lands and their produce of every Man, Woman, and Child now living and yet to live therein. For The Lord of the Far Reaches is but a caretaker, and it is the Lady to whom all swear their oaths. Such is the importance of this token. For I say to you bluntly Comet, Queen of the Sylvans: I have made my choice and there can be no other. Once offered, it cannot be withdrawn. I give to you now the Far Reaches, to have as your own, and my heart and devotion as well; it is everything that I have to give. Should you choose another, still it shall be yours, and my House will end with me."
The court is stunned by this, and the Queen is uncomfortable with this gift and attempts to refuse it, but the bard insists. The Ladies begin to wonder if perhaps the Queen might be allowed to choose more than one. Even King Bump Wumpole turned to the bard and whispered… "I heard these elvish Queens were only swayed by real estate, permanent and mobile. I may have heard incorrectly. You nearly had her with your rhymes, Sir. Well done, I say. "
Prince Miliandrovic was the last to present, having won the right by his victory at last night. Prince Miliandrovic brought forth an elegantly crafted lavender necklace, "This is what we call in my lands a Manawa necklace. Manawa is a term that means heart from the lands from which this necklace originated. It's crafted from the finest Amethyst by master craftsmen and…" He reaches into his tunic and produces a similar necklace which he already wore around his neck, "… when put together with my own, creates an elegantly designed heart. It's symbolic of the love kept between by carrying a part of each other's heart with us always." He then made the ominous statement, I'm afraid my other and greatest gift will have to wait until after the wedding, when I may properly see to the Dark Prince no longer being a problem for you."
This reminded all of the looming threat of the Dark Prince, and the evening broke up on that gloomy note.
Thursday, April 28th
Mysteries Revealed!
A long wooden table was set as the guest came together for dinner. As might well be expected, the conversation turned to the Suitors for the Queen. It was noted that two of the suitors were missing, The Baron Bard Gage and The Prince Kelmor. King Bump and Prince Vindonus took up seats on either side of the Queen. Little did any of the court know that Baron Bard Gage Colinsgrove was stepping out of the bushes as poorly disguised High Elven retainers pass, hearing them discuss various ways to 'solve' the Bard problem. His scarlet doublet is torn and dirty, but he doesn't seem to care at the moment, following them closely from the shadows.
Lady Malada had a question for Prince Vindonus, It seemed that one of the Jewels that had been in his gift had been coated in a love potion. All eyes turned to the Prince and he was hard pressed to explain, but he did so offering ""it seems my sister the romantic has had her hands in the gift. She has been all wide eyed and enamored with you Tari, since she has read some of your history that one of my men was able to obtain. She thinks to be the aunt of our children" This sparked some more questions, and then when he offered Comet his flask here was much debate. Lord Faulkes and Lady Acacia both offered to test it, but it was Lord Faulkes who took a long swig. Very shortly thereafter he began to profess how enamored he was by the Lady Malakyte.
The Queen's guard, has many questions for the member of the court about the suitors, and the ladies answer them, expressing their concerns and thoughts. Qυεεŋ Coмεŧ tells them all "I will confess, as my ladies all suspect, I have played a part to you all for my own reasons. I am neither silly nor frivolous. I wished to observe my suitors from a place where they may not know my intentions nor my intelligence"
Shortly after this announcement, the Queen's guard Pelinor was called away, only to return after a brief absence. She gathers several members of the court and rushes off with them. They discover Druul who is dragging a body across the pavilion of what appears to be the northman before turning to look up, "Huh!? Who goes dar!? You not sposed ta be here!? Yar be trespsin in the lands of the dark prince! Throw ye selves back to the sky king or ye be gettins the guttins!"
Pelinor drews her famous blade, it rings in the air like fine crystal as she took a step forward… "You are outnumbered, outwitted and out-thunk my green friend… perhaps you can profit by explaining yourself? Unless you wish your guts for garters?" Prince Vindonus pulled a dagger from his waist, his knees bend slightly and he comes up on the balls of his feet.
The Orc swiped his axe at the group, "Northman be stickin his nose where it don't belong! He gots the guttins for it! Dark Prince won't be appy ta see youz snoops in 'is land. Git out! Or I be a callin him ta wipe ye outz!"
At this the Prince calls for the capture of the orc, but the Queens guard questions him on the Dark Princes intent. The Orc responded by smacking his head against his shield, "What are ye stupid?! Dark Prince and ye lightie kingdom up there been warring with the dark prince for dese lands for ages! Dark Prince just be a smartin! Be marrying ye queen! Den he gets all o Twilights Illushins for imself!" causig the Lord Linn and the Lady Zemira to question the intent to marry the Queen. Druul laughed and said "Ye think the dark prince be a lettin you suitors win his queen dat easy!? He be a…." He paiuses and scratches his head, "Wait… nope! Da Dark Prince be a tellin ya Druul not ta tell. Be sayin, 'Nope Druuls! I guts ya if ye be talkin!"
Friday, April 29th
Queen Comet speaks quietly with her guests as they arrive back into the hall. Lady Malada checks the place settings and tests the food as always, looking over the remaining suitors gracing the dwarf, King Bump with a smile. However, the tone for the evening is quickly set as Lord Linn frowns at the prince who usurps the chair King Wumpole was in last night.
Prince Vindonus Lianelis looks at the Prince who sits across from him, his eyes narrowed but no other expression on his face.
King Bump Wumpole bows deeply and requests of the Queen, "I do hope you will allow me to attend this evening's affairs armed, My Queen. Considering recent events I think it would be wise, if you indulge me."
The Queen allows this and turns to ask, "Can anyone of our party report what happened last eve after the guards and court went down to the pavilion below?
Queen's Guard Bjorn Tindómë steps up to the table "My Queen, Captain Pelinor has sent me to inform you and those present that an orc has been found and questioned as he was dragging off the body of a Northman, presumed to be the one that had come to court you who has disappeared. This orc let slip that he was working for the Dark Prince, and that his plan was to acquire all of Twilight Illusion by marrying you. Lord Linn, Prince Vindonus and Lady Zemira were there. "
Prince Kelmore tapped his fingers lightly on the table, "That is most interesting. So the dark prince has been paying attention to this courtship after all, closer than originally thought."
The court broke in to questions and accusations Lady Cia asked "Do we know anything of him? It seems it has made off with one, possibly two of your suitors, Has anyone heard anything of the Baron Bard?" As if on cue, Bard Gage appears with an accusation for Prince Vindous, "Is it, Prince? For it would not be possible if two of your retainers were better swordsmen." Arguments over who was where, and other suspicions about behavior break out around the table.
Lord Faulkes notices that the flying accusations were making the Queen tense, and calls for a toast to the Queen. The Lords and Ladies follow suit and a round of toasts is given. Lord Faulkes notes with a frown that some of the suitors are slow to toast the Queen.
This pleases the Queen, but she asks further about the events of the following evening. The dark witch, Lady Lexie noted "A little bit of dark magic could certainly help clarify the suitor's intentions, Queen of Lightness". Those around offer what they know, and further speculation begins. Prince Kelmore and Prince Vindonus start discussing the fact that Prince Kelmore has arrived without his sword for the first time. Prince Vindonus states, "One would think it might be lost or," he hesitates, his smile wider, "possibly found by another?"
Qυεεŋ Coмεŧ turns to question Prince Kelmore, "Prince Miliandrovic, who is your father? I would like to know why I do not know of you and your history in the many lands of my acquaintance?" Prince Kelmore responds, "Has it been llost? Gracious, what a terrible notion! I shall have to check when the festivities are concluded! With all the foul that hast befallen the Queen and her court thus far, it worries me for the safety of my belongings. Treachery fouls the air…." He turns towards the Queen and smiles, "Neither was your kingdom until I arrived here for the faire. The kingdom of Alabaster is set far off to the east, My father, King Brula, has ruled the kingdom for many generations. Mostly human in nature but assorted races living among the people."
Prince Vindonus reveals "Last night was most interesting Tari, once the orc was killed we went through the belongings and found a couple of very interesting items" He questions the Queen about the necklace that Prince Kelmor had given her telling all that the orc was in possession of the other half. The half that the Prince swore he never takes off"
Prince Kelmor sneered at the Elven Prince, "I see. So first you question me on my sword and now my necklace that has been ransacked from me. I see who it is that fouls the air with their dissension. You speak of examining jewelry, but has any asked what the Lord Faulkes was up on his eve to leave him in such a state? Or perhaps enlightened on the Bard with his absence? Seems the dirty hands sit across from me, but Prince Vindonus just kept the smile on his face and relaxed stance. "The reason I brought your sword missing up, is that an exact double of that sword was also found with the necklace. It seems to me that one item would be interesting but two of the items which are so obviously yours in the hands of someone connected to the dark Prince can be …..damning. You still have not answered about the necklace."
The accusations flare again prompting the dwarf King Bump Wumpole to stand on his chair and declare, " tis plain enough to see what i gave you, my Queen, a very large ruby of no small worth. It seems some of your suitors do not comprehend the requirements of royal gift-giving." He folds his arms, looking cross, "Conflagrations and flapdoodle simply to confuse you, my Queen! Listen not to these silver tongued upstarts and pretenders, I implore you."
Queen Comet then drew the evening to a close suggesting we retire for the evening and until she could see the Captain of her Guards."
Saturday, April 30th
The Final Challenge- Suitor for the Queen
In an atmosphere charged with tension the Court gathers once again, The Queen's Guard Pelinor calls for attention.clears her throat… "Lords and ladies, courtiers and courtesans, please attend Queen's table as Her Majesty wishes to knows the results of our efforts in testing out the would be suitors… among other things. We also have some insights into a few mysteries that have had us perplexed of late, I'm sure each of you has some concerns to voice regarding the path Her Majesty has embarked upon."
Bump Wumpole places his gloved hand on the hilt of his bone axe as he looks around the room at those in attendance. In his short time here, the old king has learned many things about the Queen and her subjects… and of the bees drawn to the honey. He recalls with discomfort his own courtships; young dwarven maidens parading before a monarch. "This be no way to find a mate. For where is the jewel hidden among so many flowers?"… he shakes it off and attends to the Queen and her table.
Lady Malada informs the court that she has researched Prince Kelmor and his Kingdom of Alabaster and discovered that they do not exist. That there is no record what so ever. Once again the accusations fly, The Queen then brings up the question of the Necklace and the sword that were found in the possession of the orc. Lady Pelinor produces the necklace and the two are put together, forming a heart. The Queen holds them letting it sway from her hand, slowly becoming hypnotized by the movement. It was then that the Queen's Guard Pelinor let the court know that it was the Prince's sword that slew Northman. Chaos ensued as the Queen called for him to be removed from her presence. King Bump jumps on the table to fight the Prince.
Prince Kelmore glares around the table coldly before turning to look back at the queen, "You asked me a moment before if I was working with the Dark Prince. I can honestly say I am not." He leaps from his chair, grabbing the sword in hand and raising it to the sky, "I….. AM…. The Dark Prince!" A magic bolt crashes down to dissipate the disguise and reveal his true, dark form. A bright orb of swirling light form around him.
He points his sword at the Queen, "Here! Now you see me for who I am! The thing you despise and claim threatens you because of my dark origins! Do not think I was not sincere though in my courting! Many a night I've gazed upon you from below, desiring your hand but knowing you would cast me off only because i am of the shadows! But now you have seen! You can feel affection for me!" The Dark Prince demands that she make her choice.
The Queen speaks telling all "I believe I will choose the Bard Gage! He has been wise and true. Let us do a simple ceremony Pelinor and have done with it" Gage Colinsgrove would have swept her up in his arms a tthat moment, were the Dark Prince not still standing on the table…..
The Dark Prince declares that if he can not have her, than noone can, and lunges, The Queen's Guard swings into action and the lords and ladies all join in the fight untill the Dark Prince is driven from the Pavilion to fall into the firely lava below.
The Queen seeing the Dark Prince fall to his death, realizes that this has solved her delima, and decides not to wed anyone, but instead invites her suitors to make their homes in he court.
We would like to thank all who donated and came to see our roleplay. Thank you.
Gage 6,500L
Kelmore 6,400L
Vindonus 4300L
Bump 3300L
Zarg, 800L
Favors 4100L


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2 Corinthians 3 v 18 (NLT)
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Hebrews 12 v 1 - 2 (NLT)
God's Discipline Proves His Love
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
2 Corinthians 1 v 3 - 4 (NLT)
God Offers Comfort to All
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mark McCusker, CEO of Texthelp and Chair of the British Assistive Technology Association (BATA), comments, "Texthelp is proud to support Dyslexia Awareness week. Not only does it raise awareness of the challenges people with dyslexia face, but it also highlights the unique skill set many dyslexics can bring to the classroom and the workplace."
Texthelp Ltd, has been at the forefront of assistive technology solutions since 1996 and is proud to have been listed as a Deloitte Fast 50 Growth Technology Company for the last 13 years. Its Read&Write Gold software has been developed to support people with dyslexia, literacy problems and English as a second language. The software's discreet and easy-to-use toolbar works alongside familiar applications such as Word, Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader and also offers support in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers.
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To learn more about Texthelp and how Read & Write software can help you contact
T: 02894428105 or E: firstname.lastname@example.com, W: www.texthelp.com/uk


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We are dedicated to delivering fantastic cycling holidays through the most spectacular regions of the world, offering fascinating sceneries and immense cultural interest.
But don't just take our word for it, here is what our customers have had to say about redspokes and our services...
Robert Thomson, Western Australia
This was an amazing experience and a really worthwhile tour. We rode on every kind of surface possible from smooth roads to almost impassable rutted stony tracks. Ox was a great leader with very good local knowledge and everywhere we went people knew and admired him. The scenery was often just so spectacular and quite unforgettable. The Nepalese people seem blessed with the happiness gene, and were friendly everywhere, no matter how poor (and there is a lot of poverty). Any mechanical issues were sorted out on the road by the support crew - no problem. Thanks redspokes!
Thomas Preston, South East, England, UK
Having been on many supported trips in Asia, the situation of lodging and food is always somewhat of an adventure; but usually wonderful, and this trip was no exception. Regardless, the best or worst accommodations and/or food quality become secondary when the guide is a caring and enthusiastic person, such as Mr. Ox in Nepal. No matter the distance, weather, conditions, lodging, food, or whatever, Ox was always there to be a positive force in every aspect of our trip!
David Gardener & Tamasine Tasker, South East, England, UK
We both had a fantastic time on this trip. Ox & his team are great fun, and are very good at what they do. The rest of the group were a great bunch, and we'll all stay friends for a long time.
A trip full of wonderful memories with fantastic people, and a country so beautifully varied in landscape and cultures..... Not to mention the 'Nepalese Flat' ;)
Piero Tassinari, Meldola, Italy
Four days have passed since I left Nepal, nevertheless its stunning sceneries are hovering in my mind while driving my car or walking within the familiar surroundings. This trip has bewitched me!
Since the first finding the redspokes website I had the feeling the people involved in the trip organization knew their job pretty well; then I had a long talk on the phone with Dermot, and my enthusiasm grew up to the point of signing up.
In Nepal I have experienced an unforgettable adventure, thanks also to our tour leader Ox. He proved not only very efficient, coping with all the needs related to the tour organization, but was also a pretty delightful person and we had great fun and so much laughing ... this helped a lot to elate our spirits when the road had worn us out!
I'm 61, I try to keep in shape cycling all the year round ... but guess what? I thought it would be easier, just a piece of cake. Well, some stages proved very demanding, especially the sections off road ... but I always could rely on our guide's assistance, always close, always helpful ... and in the evening, warming up our bodies and spirits around the bonfire, I could say:
"I did it, it was worth it, what a scenery!" Piero, the Italian of the Nepal tour crew
Dave Macfarlane, Mt. Maunganui New Zealand
Great trip all round and up to expectation for a developing country.
Thanks for the enriched experience and I look forward to the next redspokes adventure.
Joanne Bradley, Bexleyheath, UK
Ox and his amazing team made our two week bike ride through Nepal magical. They were so friendly, helpful, fun and supportive, they were just perfect!
Nepal is such a colourful, fascinating country full of friendly, caring people. The scenery is beyond beautiful and the tour takes in a perfect combination of all Nepal has to offer. Thank you to Ox and his team for a very special two weeks!
David Harris, Luz-Lagos, Portugal
I can hardly imagine a better local team: Omniscient omnipotent Ox - shepherding us (mostly) Nepal neophytes through a diverse voyage of discovery. The ever grinning, ever encouraging Turek - ready for any eventuality. And Lama, always there with great snacks & water, water, water. And, check out his 'stealth' mode: filling our bike bottles without anyone noticing - amazing. 3 of the hardest working guys I have ever seen!
This tour has some of the most spectacular bicycling on the planet interwoven with a broad range of rich cultural experiences. Spent with a great group of open-minded, inquisitive and enthusiastic fellow cyclists, this became a truly life-affirming adventure.
And the Nepalese? The poverty of these people will break your heart but their nobility will lift it up again!
So many thanks redspokes.
Clive Smith, Bexley, England
A great tour - varied and value for money.
Ox is a cool guy and looked after the group well - the bike was really good - far better than I expected.The whole team were good and I would recommend them...
Tobi Grimminger, Zurich Switzerland
What a wonderful trip! Thanks for supporting us so much for the Thorung La attempt and organizing flights/helicopter, guide, hotels... These were the best mountains I ever did on my bike.
And Ox and the guides were such a fantastic team to explain Nepal and help in every situation (plus teaching us how to eat with hands properly). 11/10 points!
Nathaniel Lloyd, Zurich, Switzerland
Ox and his team exceeded my expectations, they were extremely professional and did everything in their power to make the tour run as smoothly as possible. Whenever something went wrong, such as when Tobi and I had our flight to Jomsom cancelled for two days in a row due to bad weather, Ox would pour limitless energy into resolving the problem. In the case of the Jomsom flight problem, we watched other tour groups turn sour as their prospects of getting on a flight vanished. We were lucky to have Ox, while the other groups were arguing with the airline he was quietly booking us on the next helicopter up.
Ox was also extremely good at understanding what each person in the group expected out of the tour. He had guides to go ahead with the fast riders, he made sure the slow riders were ok and encouraged them to take their time and enjoy, he always made sure the end of the day was as organized as possible and he was always up in the morning making sure the bikes were ready and the plans for the day organized. On our days off he was also busy working and his boys busy cleaning bikes.
Without Ox this trip would have been much less enjoyable, he socialized extremely well with all people in the tour, and has an extremely large Nepalese social network to draw help from when something needs to be resolved or fixed. Ox and his team were absolutely committed to making the most out of the tour, his guides and driver were also extraordinary.
In conclusion - I don't think there is another Ox, or team as strong as his, in Kathmandu.


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Batman postsWednesday June 14, 2017
Adam West (1928-2017)
He was the Batman when I was growing up, the only real Batman, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized just how funny Adam West was. His '66-'68 take is still the best superhero satire we've ever had. He's lampooning not only superheroes, not ony the movie serials of the 1940s, but our post-war cultural pomposity. What I wrote 10 years ago about the '66 movie is still true:
Batman, who started out as a vigilante, is here not only an establishment figure but the establishment figure. Cops put their hats over their hearts when the batcopter flies by. During a press conference Batman feeds the press misinformation as easily as any politician. The disappearing yacht? "Nonsense. How can a yacht simply disappear?" The exploding shark? "Doubtless an unfortunate animal who chanced to swallow a floating mine." He and Robin are, according to Commissioner Gordon during that same press conference, "fully deputized agents of the law," to which Robin responds, fist pounding palm, "Support your police! That's our message!" Batman has access to federal agencies as well, not only phoning the Pentagon but chastising an Admiral (seen playing tiddly-winks with his secretary) for "disposing of a pre-atomic submarine to people who don't leave their addresses."
A few years ago, in another look at the '66 movie, I wrote, "Donald Trump wishes he were as self-important as Adam West's Batman," but that was before the former ran for president, and won, so I guess I have to take that back. But West's Batman is still the funniest in his self-importance. Trump stopped being funny ... OK, he was never funny.
It must be odd to have the world at your feet and then not. West was supposedly type-cast after "Batman" but I remember seeing him as a junior villain/schnook in the 1973 TV movie "Poor Devil," starring Sammy Davis Jr. and Jack Klugman, and being shocked. Batman? The bad guy? How could that be? I felt the same seeing William Shatner as the bad guy in an episode of "Mission: Impossible." No one typecasts more than kids—or those who can't grow up.
I still like that slogan: "Be Yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Then be Batman." West got to do that. And inspired so many others in the process.
Me in the middle of mid-1960s Batmania.
Posted at 04:34 PM on Jun 14, 2017 in category Batman | Permalink
Is Batman 75 Years Old ... or 2,000?
Director Zack Synder (I know) has released a new photo of Ben Affleck as Batman. You can see it here. It looks good, but, you know, Batman's all about demeanor, and Affleck doesn't really have the demeanor. At least that I've seen. But fingers crossed.
A few days ago, Warner Bros. and DC Comics celebrated the 75th anniversary of Batman with the usual marketing tweets and posts and blarghs. But aren't they underestimating Batman's age? Last January, P and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and in the Egyptian wing I found this:
Seventy-five years old? How about 2,000?
Posted at 10:12 AM on Jul 25, 2014 in category Batman | Permalink
Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Batman: The Movie (1966)
Nathaniel Rogers over at The Film Experience has a long-running series, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," in which he and other film writers post favorite frames from favorite (or not-so-favorite) movies. It's an always interesting and frequently surprising exercise. How can two people, for example, with all of those frames to choose from, choose the same frame? Yet it keeps happening.
It's also difficult. Man. After deciding to participate in the latest (any Batman movie), and halfway through the '66 "Batman," starring Adam West, I wondered, "Wait. Do we want the best aesthetic shot or the shot that best represents the movie?" I was going with the latter. But kind of a moot point with Batman '66 since the movie doesn't have many great aesthetic shots. Just devastating ones.
I still think "Batman: The Movie" is the best superhero parody ever made, but then it doesn't have a lot of competition. "The Specials"? Meh. "Superhero Movie"? Blah. Rainn Wilson in "Super"? More a parody of vigilante movies, and more gross than funny. "Kick Ass"? Buys into the very thing it's parodying. It takes superheroes way too seriously.
Not Batman '66. Basically it's a parody of movie serials and the post-war pomposity that often accompanied them. (Donald Trump wishes he were as self-important as Adam West's Batman.)
Maybe it helps to be several decades removed from the heyday of the genre? Serials were usurped by TV and died, then played for laughs (at least the "Batman" ones) at the Playboy Club, which led to this spot-on parody. But movie serials had the last laugh. In the next decade, first George Lucas ("Star Wars") and then Steven Spielberg ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"), would revive the genre with A-list production values and a relentless pace, and we haven't gotten off of that roller coaster ride.
For "best shot," I wanted a moment that captured the brilliant absurdity of it all. Here's a slideshow of runners up.
The TV show began as a midseason replacement in January 1966, became a huge hit, and the movie was released the following summer amidst "Batmania." This is a classic shot, against blue screen, that we often saw on the TV show. It's from the beginning of the movie. Robin is phoning the airport so they'll get the batcopter ready. Because everyone in Gotham is at Batman's beck-and-call.
Shots like these indicate the movie had the budget to go outdoors, but these outdoor shots actually make the movie seem cheaper. It's as if the Batman universe needs false lighting; it shrinks in the sun.
Cops holding hats over hearts as the batcopter goes by. Love this. You really need to see the second Batman serial from 1949, "Batman and Robin," to understand how perfect this is.
Again, better production values lead to a cheaper look. It's the shark jumping Batman rather than vice-versa.
Batman and Robin, with Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara, talking themselves through a complex riddle and into an absurd answer. This was a serious contender for a while.
As was this. I just love the briefcase with the little bat emblem on it. That's the thing about these superheroes and villains: everyone labels everything. Even the periscope the Penguin uses is in the shape of a penguin. Subtlety was not an option.
Another classic shot. Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at Any Speed" was published two months before the show aired and was certainly being buzzed about. Not sure if Nader is the reason for the shot or it would've been a good bit no matter what. I.e., these guys are such milk-drinking, straight-arrow heroes they buckle up every time. Plus crotch shot.
Not a contender. I just find it hilarious that Cesar Romero didn't even bother to shave his moustache for the role.
Our only shot of the batsignal. Way too cool-looking to get my vote.
Titilation was a big part of the Batman shows. Julie Newmar's Catwoman was totally unfair to the libidos of young men but Lee Meriwether wasn't far behind.
Frank Gorshin seems to agree.
A serious contender. It looks diabolical, but Romero's Joker is more right-hand man to Burgess Meredith's Penguin, who runs the show.
Not many shots with all four supervillains together. Here, Catwoman licks herself.
Another classic TV series bit.
Probably the movie's most famous scene: Batman attempting to get rid of a bomb along the Gotham waterfront, but constantly running into the more innocent members of society, such as mother and child.
Then a Salvation Amy band. Baby ducks were next.
"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!" West's gift for physical comedy is underrated.
Another serious contender. The worst aspect of movie serials was the often serendipitous (read: lame) resolution to the previous week's cliffhanger. Here, the batcopter crash lands ... at a Foam Rubber Wholesalers Convention.
Another blue screen shot. It's intercut with footage of Batman and Robin running through ... is it New York? Does anyone know?
This is one of the better shots to include all four supervillains, and contains the extra absurdity of each of them wearing a mask as if to hide their identities.
Nathaniel posted a similar shot. Penguin and Catwoman celebrate their abduction of the United World Security Council (see vials).
I considered this, too. It's from the final epic battle atop the Penguin's pre-atomic submarine that he purchased under the pseudonym "P.N. Gwynn." Here, Batman and Penguin thrust and parry while the Joker takes a swing at Robin and misses by a mile.
Not a contender but always good to have another shot of Catwoman.
Batman is stunned to learn that his "love," Miss Kitka, was really Catwoman. In the background, Parisian music plays. We were still on a WWII wavelength.
How can you not love this? Batman's utility belt outside his smock? The label on ... well, everything? Another contender.
One of the final shots of the movie. The grand pomposity is there in West's eyes, while Robin looks ready to receive his fatherly wisdom. "Who knows, Robin. This strange mixing of the minds may be ... the greatest single service ever performed for humanity." *FIN*
All good contenders, but here's my best shot:
Everything comes together. Robin, intense as ever, is in the midst of his signature move, pounding fist into palm, while Batman crosses his arms like a bat. Meanwhile you have that great comic look from Stafford Repp's Chief O'Hara.
It's really a meta-message on the absurdity of the dialogue. After Batman and Robin escape the magnetic buoy, a Polaris missile writes two riddles in the sky. "What does a turkey do when he flies upside-down?" "He gobbles up!" Robin says. That's actually a legitimate answer to a legitimate riddle. Less so the second one: "What weights six ounces, sits in a tree, and is very dangerous?" It's when Robin gives the answer, "A sparrow with a machine gun!" that O'Hara gives us this look. Gordon adds to the absurdity by saying, "Of course," but the greater, unspoken absurdity is the fact that Gordon and O'Hara, a police commissioner and his chief of police, follow the lead of a man dressed like a bat and a short-tempered teenager in tights. That's why this one gets my vote.
Posted at 06:10 AM on Jul 14, 2014 in category Batman | Permalink
Wait'll They Get a Load of Me: Ben Affleck as Batman
So the internet went apeshit yesterday over the photo director Zack Snyder tweeted of Ben Affleck in costume on the set of the new "Batman vs. Superman" movie:
I like how Snyder used hashtags after the photo: #Batman #Batmobile #Gotham. As if the news wouldn't have gotten out otherwise.
I have qualms about all of this, of course. One, Batman vs. Superman is always a stupid concept, since Batman can barely hold his own against the Joker and Riddler, and Superman is, you know, Superman: superstrong, invulnerable, heat vision, flight, etc. Two, it's still Synder, and Snyder's never directed anything decent. The opposite, usually.
And three, Affleck, for all of his talents, doesn't project the intensity Batman is supposed to have. Here's something I wrote in 2008:
Christian Bale is the perfect choice for the caped crusader. He's tall, dark, good-looking, and even before Batman, and certainly after, he tends to play intense, off-kilter guys, and that's what you want for Bruce Wayne. This is a man, after all, who can do anything he wants with his wealth and chooses to put on cape and cowl and prowl the night in search of crime. He's got to have a big chunk of himself missing. He's got to be lost within his own passion. So why not use an actor lost within his own passion?
Has Affleck projected this in any role? He feels sleepy to me. The best acting I've seen him do was as George Reeves, TV's Superman in the 1950s, which was about the absurdity of a grown-up playing a strong man in tights. Now that's the norm. Now that's the goal. Which is the biggest qualm of all.
Oh well. As the saying goes: "Be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Then be Batman."
This is me in about ... 1967? During the Adam West Batman craze, no doubt. The cape is Batman's, the mask is Robin's, the belly is all mine.
Posted at 06:51 AM on May 14, 2014 in category Batman | Permalink
Why Ben Affleck is All Wrong to Play Batman
Batman has to be fierce and intense. He has to be crazy enough to dress up like a freakin' bat and hang out in Gotham City and fight crime. Michael Keaton embodied this intensity, Christian Bale embodied it even more. But Affleck? He's usually the mellow guy dealing with a short, short-tempered friend. See "Good Will Hunting" and "The Town." He's pretty good at this. But intense? Not.
The best acting I've seen from him was when he played George Reeves, the original Superman on TV, in "Hollywoodland." It's the anti-superhero movie that made up for Affleck's turn as "Daredevil." And now he's going back to the superhero role? Did he not talk to George Clooney first? Clooney was as wrong for Batman as Affleck is. Both men are too cool, too even-tempered. You can't play Batman as cool and even-tempered.
Bad move for Affleck, who's recovered his credibility. Bad move for Warner Bros. and DC, who are attempting to recover theirs.
Extra reading: Why does Superman attract unknowns and Batman established stars?
To play Bruce Wayne/Batman, you need something of the intensity of Michael Keaton and Christian Bale.
I've never seen that level of intensity in any role Ben Affleck has played—with the possible exception of O'Bannion.
Posted at 08:39 PM on Aug 22, 2013 in category Batman | Permalink
Twitter: @ErikLundegaardTweets by @ErikLundegaard
Opening Day 2019: Your Active Leaders
2019 Reviews
The Fall of the American Empire (2018)
Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
The Whole Town's Talking (1935)
Oil for the Lamps of China (1935)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Something to Sing About (1937)
Recommended Movies
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri


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Sridevi dies at 54 of cardiac arrest: India, Bollywood in shock - February 25, 2018
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Walmart In Talks To Buy Large Stake In Flipkart At $20-23 Billion Valuation - February 24, 2018
Banking Shares Fall As PNB Fraud Impact Deepens - February 24, 2018
Indo-Canadian Man Kehar Garry Sangha Charged With Imprisoning And Beating Woman Trial Begins - February 24, 2018
Private Indian Hospitals Made 200-2000% Profits On The Backs Of Patients: Report - February 24, 2018
Indian Media's Preoccupation With Khalistan Has Derailed Focus Of Justin Trudeau's Visit : Former MP Dhaliwal - February 24, 2018
Three Kg Heroin Seized From Samjhauta Express
In yet another incident of drugs being smuggled into India through trains coming from Pakistan, the Indian customs authorities seized 3 kg heroin from the Samjhauta Express at Attari railway station on Thursday. Glaringly, the consignment of drug was seized from a cavity which was made on top of the cabin of the train guard. Although the customs authorities denied any involvement of the Pakistani guard and claimed that although the statement of the guard with the train was recorded but let off later.
Confirming the incident, Additional Commissioner of the Customs, SM Akhtar said, "ever since the fake currency was recovered from a Pakistan goods train few days back, our officials at the Attari station were very vigilant. We also had some tip-off and working on that only extensive checking was on and that led to this recovery." On a question regarding the seizure from the cabin of the guard, the officer said, "we are looking into it and go into the minute details of the incident."
It may be mentioned that a few days ago fake currency was seized from a Pakistani goods train. A customs official at the Attari Railway station said, 'the seizure was made from the guard's cabin which was just next to the train engine. The total consignment was in six packets. We have taken the statement of the guard and we are now releasing him since there was no connivance found."


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High School Baseball
Lafayette baseball trying to field a winner
If Lafayette baseball coach Chris Langston were grading his team 20 games into the season, he'd probably give the Generals' pitching a solid "A" and their hitting a C-plus.
With those kinds of marks, shouldn't Lafayette's record be a little better than 14-6?
Yes, but while the Generals' arms and bats have performed consistently well, their gloves have been a little shaky.
"Our pitching was supposed to be good this season, and it has held up," Langston said. "And our offense has probably overachieved from what we expected.
"But I've been a little disappointed in our defense. We've given up way too many (34) unearned runs.
"We've dropped fly balls and some third strikes, misplayed some ground balls. The confusing thing is, it's been anybody and everybody."
If No. 16 Lafayette can shore up its defense, it could be a factor in the 43rd District and 11th Region tournaments.
When the Generals make the routine plays, they can compete with anybody as they showed in knocking off No. 4 Eastern 5-1 last week.
They've also beaten top-25 foes Manual, Mercer County and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Strong arms keep Lafayette in most games, especially when seniors Brent Cobb and Connor Asay, and junior Logan Shaftner are on the mound.
"Our pitching usually puts us in good position," Cobb said. "If we get four or five runs, I can't see us losing."
Cobb, Asay and Shaftner all have been throwing for the Generals since they were freshmen, so they have plenty of experience to bank on.
Last year the right-handers combined for 11 victories, and each had an earned run average under 3.80.
This spring they've been even stingier. Cobb (3-2, 1.72 ERA, 1 save), Asay (1-1, 2.21) and Shaftner (3-1, 2.66, 1 save) have helped Lafayette post a team 2.84 ERA.
Left-hander Chris Graves is the set-up reliever; Chad Warner has been a strong closer, and Blake Smith (2-1, 2.33) has been reliable, too.
"This staff is as deep as we've had here," said Langston, who is in his 13th season with the Generals.
Cobb, who's getting looks from Wabash Valley, relies on movement in his fastball to get ground balls.
Asay, who is going to Northwestern Ohio, is a control pitcher. "I just try to hit my spots and get outs," he said.
Shaftner, who beat Eastern, uses his 6-foot-4 frame to generate heat — his fastball hits 86-87 mph.
"All of us have strong arms, and I think our staff is going to keep getting better," he said.
Cobb agreed.
"It's a long season. We've still got room to grow."
Lafayette's offense has been led by senior infielder Tanner Lockard (.472, 19 runs, 15 RBI). "He's been knocking the fire out of it," Langston said.
Jason Fibel (.354), Blake Smith (.353), Johnny Youngblood (.309, 21 runs) and Michael Morton (15 RBI) have also done the job at the plate.
The Generals took a hit last week, though, when senior left fielder Nick Fergerson (.364, 17 runs, 13 RBI) broke his hand while diving for a ball.
In recent years Lafayette has been sometimes overlooked as district rivals Dunbar, Lexington Christian and Lexington Catholic have won state titles, and Tates Creek has been rated in the state's top five.
But Shaftner said the Generals could shake things up this post-season.
"I think we can pull through and win some big-time games," he said. "We've got something to prove."


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Capital Raise Blog Series - Vol 12 - What is Microlending?
As investment bankers, RKJ Partners possesses a breadth of knowledge and experience in advising clients that seek growth capital. In our latest blog installment, we define and discuss the evolution of microlending.
Before the economic collapse, microlending (also called microfinance) was a concept typically associated with developing and emerging countries. But the growing disparity of income distribution, the loss of blue-collar jobs, the shift from relatively well-paying manufacturing jobs to minimum wage service-sector jobs, corporate downsizing, outsourcing, and unemployment all have contributed to the increased demand for smaller loans in the United States. As a result, the popularity of microlending is currently at an all-time high and has the potential to have a real impact on the business culture and climate of the United States. Microlending was specifically earmarked in the 2009 economic stimulus bill which granted $54 million to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for lending and technical assistance to microlending groups. In addition, cities such as San Francisco and New York have taken initiative by expanding and/or introducing their own microloan programs. Microlenders expect their loan applications to continue to rise as other financing streams remain unachievable for most entrepreneurs and small companies.
The evolution of microlending in the U.S
The foundation for microlending in the United States was laid in 1977 through the passage of the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"), which first started the process of banks being rated by regulators based in part on their participation of funneling resources directly or indirectly (through nonprofit organizations) into low-income communities. It was not until 1991 that the SBA first recognized "microenterprise" as a separate category of business and established the Microloan Demonstration Project. Also in 1991, a trade organization for microlenders, the Association for Enterprise Organization ("AEO"), was founded. By 1992, only a year after this official recognition, there were already 108 separate organizations working in American microfinance. Even with this sudden surge of interest, by 1995 no microlender in the United States had come anywhere close to breaking even. Each individual microlender was functioning strictly as a charity, unable to make a sustainable difference. In 1999, federal funding for microlending programs increased through the passing of the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs ("PRIME") Act; however, during the Bush administration era from 2001 to 2005, federal funding for microfinance was cut drastically. By 2002, there were 650 separate organizations in microfinance. Between 2002 and 2008, the total number of microenterprises in the United States grew from 21.5 million to 25.4 million, which was a growth from 13.1 million in 1999. Microenterprises now make up roughly eighty-eight percent of the total businesses in America.
Today, virtually all microlenders in America are organized as non-profit organizations and serve as local intermediaries for federal funds. The federal funds are first loaned to the specially designated nonprofit, community-based organizations that then deal directly with the borrowers. The SBA dominates the American microloan market with approved loans averaging approximately $13,000. There are also a few non-profit organizations in the private sector that issue smaller loans without federal backing.
How microlending works
Microlending involves providing small, short-term loans to small business concerns and entrepreneurs. Mainly through the SBA, funds are made available to specially designated intermediary lenders, which are nonprofit community-based organizations with experience in lending as well as management and technical assistance. These intermediaries make loans to eligible borrowers. Each intermediary lender has its own lending and credit requirements. Generally, intermediaries require some type of collateral as well as the personal guarantee of the business owner. The maximum loan amount is typically in the $35,000 to $50,000 range, but the average microloan is about $13,000. Loan terms vary according to: size of the loan, planned use of funds, requirements of intermediary lender, and needs of the borrower.
Each intermediary (lender) is required to provide business training and technical assistance to its micro-borrowers. If you apply for microloan financing, you may be required to fulfill training and/or planning requirements before your loan application is considered. This business training can be helpful to you as you launch or expand your small business.
Microloans can be typically used for the following business purposes: 1) working capital, 2) the purchase of inventory or supplies, 3) the purchase of furniture or fixtures, and 4) the purchase of machinery or equipment. Typically proceeds from a microloan cannot be used to purchase real estate.
Key steps to take first
- There are some steps you can take before asking for a microloan:
- Put together a business plan that includes an analysis of your market and its competitors.
- Update your resume and obtain the resumes of other senior managers.
- Pull your business and personal tax returns for the last three years.
- Provide revenue, cash flow and profit expectations for the next three years with thorough explanation.
- If you have an existing business, assemble your financial statements for the last three years.
- Prepare as detailed an explanation as possible for why you need the loan and how it will help your business prosper.
- Identify microlenders in your area. You can find them at The Small Business Administration, or SBA, and at Microenterprise.


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I love writing advice. I love writing advice blogs (like mine), I love writing advice YouTube videos made by AuthorTubers, I love writing advice Twitter threads by authors and agents… I love it all. However, I also think it can be detrimental to new writers. Let me explain why.Continue reading
Let's Talk About Writing – Use Your Scenes (And Use Them Well)
Scenes. I love 'em. I love reading them, and I love writing them. My favorite thing to do is sit down and write out a random scene from one of the many story ideas kicking around in my head. It's almost like a stress reliever, and it's a surefire way for me to push past any writer's block I might have. However, during my time at Columbia College Chicago, I learned that, for some people, scenes are difficult to write. It shocked me to learn that some people actually prefer summary to scene. I mean, don't get me wrong, summary can be a great tool. We all know that not every moment in a story needs to be a scene. The last thing I want is a step-by-step account of how a character gets ready in the morning. But to write a story entirely in summary? Well, I'd argue that's not really a story at all.Continue reading
Why I Keep Losing NaNoWriMo (And Why I Just Can't Quit It)
Remember last October, when I made 31 posts about prepping for NaNoWriMo… and then promptly lost NaNoWriMo? I do. And you'd think I would've learned from that experience. But, no. This year, I got all jazzed up about it again, did some prepping for a new book idea, hammered out about 30,000 words, and then dropped the ball. So what is it about NaNoWriMo that just doesn't work for me? Why do I do great for the first half of it, and then just… quit? Case in point:Continue reading
Let's Talk About Writing – Creative Writing Degrees: Yay or Nay?
When you go to Google and type in "Are creative writing degrees…", the very first auto-fill that pops up is "worth it?" And, it's a legitimate question. If you're going to go to college and spend tens of thousands of dollars on a higher education, you want to make sure you're getting some bang for your buck, right? Because the last thing you want when you leave college is to feel like you not only wasted your money, but your time. I get it. And, having gone through four years of college to graduate with a BA in Fiction Writing, I feel pretty damn qualified to help you make that decision. So, with that said, let's get started.
Don't Let the World Bring You Down
The best thing I've ever done for myself is getting off of social media.
I know, it sounds crazy. How can an aspiring author exist in this world without social media? How can they live without scrolling through the bookstagram tag or retweeting helpful threads written by agents? If they don't stay up-to-date on the publishing world every minute of every day, how will they know if it's the right time to query their debut novel? I wondered all of this at first, too. I believed the lie that the modern professional had to spend hours of their day on social media, or else they weren't going to get anywhere. But I'm here to tell you that it simply isn't true.
Let's Talk About Writing – The Shiny Thing
A little over a year ago, I wrote a blog post titled "The Allure of the Shiny Thing" in which I discussed how I was struggling to write one novel because ideas for a million other novels were vying for my attention. The phrase had been one I'd learned from a professor at Columbia College Chicago, and at the time I was adamant that pursuing the shiny thing was the worst thing I could possibly do. However, recently I actually did give in to the shiny thing. And that's what I want to talk about today.
Let's Talk About Writing – Dust Off Those Vocal Chords
The title says it all. Dust off those vocal chords, because today we're going to be talking about the benefits of reading your writing aloud!
"But Leighton," you say, "why would I have to read my writing aloud? The whole point of reading is that it's done silently." To that, I say: Tell that to the audio book listeners out there. No, but seriously, this advice that I have to give you has nothing to do with whether your book will be read aloud someday or not (which, it totally will). It has to do with making your book the best it can be. That may also seem confusing, though. Like, how could reading a manuscript aloud make it better? Well, it helps in a few ways. Allow me to enlighten you.
First, it clues you in to how your novel's language flows. As you're reading aloud, you'll be two thousand times more aware of any awkwardly-phrased lines, and you'll be able to get a sense of the rhythm of your writing. For example, when reading your manuscript silently, those five sentences in a row that consist of seven words each may not even register. But when you're reading aloud, the odds are better that you'll realize the rhythm is starting to get monotonous, and then you'll be able to pinpoint the problem and shake things up with shorter and longer sentences.
Second, repeated words and phrases will stand out to you more. As humans, we can sometimes become fixated on certain things. I'm especially guilty of this. Once I hear a word or phrase I like, I use it until I've run the well dry. In high school, I had this problem with the word "juxtapose." I used it EVERYWHERE. The thing is, I didn't realize I was using it everywhere. But if I had read my essays and writing aloud back then, it would've stood out like a sore thumb, and I would've been able to exchange a few of the "juxtapose"s with some "compare"s and "contrast"s. And, in case you're wondering why it matters if you use the same word or phrase a lot, here's the long and short of it: Word repetition just sounds clunky and lazy to a reader. The general rule is that common words (like "the," "and," "had," "my," "it," etc.) can be repeated without someone noticing, but more complex words and any phrases should be used sparingly and interchanged with synonyms when possible. So keep your ears peeled for those repeated words while you're reading your novel aloud.
Third, it gives you a better idea of your narrative voice and/or the first person narrator's voice. When writing in your own voice, you want the narration to sound like… Well, like you! And when you're writing in a character's voice, you want the narration to sound like your character. As it turns out, this is easier said than done. A lot of the time, novice writers fall into the trap of writing awkwardly, for lack of a better term. They don't use contractions, their language is stiff… There's just nothing to the narration. And if a writer doesn't read their writing aloud, it's going to stay that way. If they do read their writing aloud, though, there's a much greater chance that they'll hear the awkward stiffness, and they can then work on correcting that. (On a related note, if you'd like me to make a post specifically about writing voice in the future, let me know in the comments!)
Fourth, it makes it easier to notice grammatical errors. When you're reading your writing silently, you tend to skim. I mean, odds are you know your story inside and out, so skimming is only natural. The problem with this is that you can't catch errors if your eyes are flying over the words faster than your brain can actually comprehend any of what you're reading. When you read your work aloud, however, it forces you to slow down and actually read. When you do this, most of your grammatical and punctuation errors will be pretty obvious. They'll make you stumble, trip over the awkward phrasing or oddly placed comma. For me personally, my biggest sin is accidentally putting a period where a question mark should go. Reading aloud helps me spot those moments and correct them without anyone else having to point them out to me.
Fifth, your dialogue will improve tremendously. It's kind of like the voice thing I mentioned earlier. Many writers really struggle with writing realistic dialogue, and it's because they allow it to become stiff and awkward. Reading the dialogue aloud, however, is the perfect cure. Doing so will help you recognize all of the parts that feel not-so-realistic. Then, you can work toward writing something more true to life. Sometimes I speak my dialogue aloud before I even write it down, in order to make sure it sounds how I wanted it to sound.
And if you take my advice and find that reading your writing aloud really does help to improve your writing, then I've got a challenge for you to take it one step further: Have someone else read your writing aloud for you. Or, at the very least, record yourself reading it aloud and then listen back to the recording. Trust me. Reading it aloud to yourself is one thing, but listening to someone else read your writing is so enlightening. You'll be able to hear all of these things I've talked about in this post, especially if you recruit a friend to help you out and don't just record yourself. This is because your friend won't know the nuances of your story, while you do. So, with someone else reading for you, you'll hear how your reader will perceive things rather than how you, the writer, perceive them. It's like a beta reader for your ears. This, of course, is not as necessary as reading your own writing aloud, but it will make your book even better if you do follow through with it.
The most important thing to take from this post, though, is to take the time to make your book the best it can be. Dust off those vocal chords and really put in some effort to tidy up your story. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Let's Talk About Writing – Cutting Your Manuscript Down to Size
Today we're going to be talking about one of the most dreaded words to a writer: "Cut." The word that makes us quake and hug our manuscripts tightly to our chests. "No, please, anything but the cut!" we cry. No matter how much we hate the word "cut," though, I think we all realize that sometimes there's just no way around it. Some things just have to be cut.
Before we get into this dreaded topic, I wanted to remind you that I'm always looking for topic recommendations for these posts, which can be sent to me via Twitter and Tumblr Ask, or in the comments section of the corresponding YouTube video to this post, which can be found here.
Believe it or not, even if you're an underwriter, you're not immune to cuts. It isn't something that only plagues the overwriters of the world. Even the most bare-bones underwriters can insert a fluffy scene that adds nothing to the overall plot, and that's exactly the type of thing that needs to be amputated from your otherwise beautiful manuscript. It hurts. It sucks. But trust me, it's actually not as bad as we make it out to be. Us writers tend to have an air for the dramatic. The truth is, if you cut something from your novel, by the next time you pick up your manuscript you'll have forgotten it was even there in the first place.
So how do you know what needs to be cut? Well, if you have an agent or editor, a lot of the time they'll tell you what scenes they think are extraneous and need to be given the boot. You don't have to wait for an agent or editor, though. In fact, you can increase your chances of being picked up by one or the other by taking a surgical eye to your own manuscript and cleaning it up before it even reaches them. It's definitely more difficult than being told by someone else what needs to go–because odds are, to you, everything seems important–but with a little practice you can definitely pick out a few scenes that really don't need to be taking up space in your novel. So I've got a few tips for you when it comes to cutting scenes from your own manuscript.
1.) Is there a lot of pointless dialogue that goes nowhere? Cut it.
I'm serious. Even it holds some of the funniest lines you've ever written, it's got to go. Your readers aren't going to want to sit through a shit ton of banter that ends with no real conclusion or purpose. In fact, it may frustrate them enough to shut the book and never pick it back up again, and, like I always say, that's not what you want.
2.) Is there a scene where there's one or two important issues surrounded by fluff? Cut the scene and add the issues into a different, fuller scene.
By this I don't mean over-saturate an already full scene with even more information. But if you've got a nice, rounded scene that has room for one or two more bits of information, squeeze them in there. For example, in my novel The Forbidden Prophecy, my main character needed to learn a bit of information about his new teacher. Originally, I had him learn the information while being fitted for his school uniform, a scene that was mostly fluff with only a little bit of stuff. In one of my later edits, however, I cut the fitting scene entirely and gave the information to his new friends to tell him during a fuller scene that was all about learning about the teacher and the school anyway. It just made more sense, and made the novel flow much smoother.
3.) Is there a scene with information in it that really isn't all that important? Snip snip.
This is similar to my earlier tip, but instead of moving the information, you cut it altogether. Obviously, make sure this isn't information that's pivotal to the plot or any of the subplots. This would be more like information about a certain character that isn't really consequential in the long run. Maybe you learn that a character's parents are getting divorced, but that information doesn't really hold any weight in the grand scheme of things. If that's the case, it should go.
4.) Is there a scene with too much information? Slice and dice, and sprinkle the information throughout the novel instead.
This is similar to tip number two, in that you'll be finding scenes with space to add some information, but it's different because instead of pulling from a mostly-barren scene, you're pulling from an over-saturated scene. If you've info-dumped a ton of your research or your world building into one section, you need to split it up. I've actually made an entire post about fixing info dumps, which can be found here.
5.) Is there a plot device that keeps recurring over and over again? Get rid of it.
If we're on the second or third time in the novel that your main character is having an argument with their significant other about how she wants to be with him but he's too dangerous for her (I'm lookin' at you, Twilight), and there's no real progress being made, you've got to cut it. Each scene needs to reveal something new about a character, move the plot forward, or raise the tension. If you have a scene like this, where none of that is happening, why is it even in there? Kick it to the curb, my friend.
And remember, cutting scenes is important if you plan on self-publishing, too. Maybe even more so, because unless you hire a developmental editor, you won't have anyone telling you which scenes to cut. It'll be entirely up to you.
I know it may be tempting to just leave your manuscript how it is. To you, it probably seems perfect. Like no scenes are extraneous, like every single one has a reason for existing. This is where I stress that you should put on a hyper-critical eye, and view your novel not as the author, but as a reader. If you were a reader, would you really care about a scene where two characters exchanged small talk and then went on their way with no real reason for the exchange to have happened in the first place? Or would that drive you nuts? Of course, your novel should make you happy, but at some point you also have to think about what will make your readers happy.
Hopefully that gave you a better understanding of what to cut from your manuscript and when, and hopefully you're able to walk away without too much emotional trauma. Cutting scenes from your novel is rarely fun, but trust me, it is rewarding in the end.
Let's Talk About Writing – Taking a Big Ol' Info Dump
Info dumps. They plague the writing community, and nobody is immune. Amateurs and professionals alike can find themselves with a bit too much information to give, and when that happens the test of a talented writer is whether or not they can get that info across without leaving it in a messy pile at the reader's feet. And that's why I'm here! To teach you the best practices for avoiding the info dump, or for polishing up your info dump when you find there's no way to avoid it altogether.
But before we get into today's topic, here's an obligatory reminder that I'm always looking for topic recommendations for these posts, which can be sent to me via Twitter and Tumblr Ask, or in the comments section of the corresponding YouTube video to this post, which can be found here.
In my earliest writing years, info dumps were my bread and butter. Why aim for subtlety when you can just get the world building and characterization out of the way right at the beginning and spend the rest of the novel writing the fun stuff? And I know of a lot of writers, be they aspiring or published, who think the same way. They stuff all of this really important information in the front of their novel, many times as a prologue, and never look back. They may even think that their world building and characterization is so unique and interesting that a reader will want to kick off their reading experience by learning all there is to know about this world the author has built or the characters they've created. The thing is, this isn't usually the case. Kick off a novel with an info dump, and the reader will either completely skip it altogether (therefore missing out on some pretty important information that they'll need to know if they hope to understand what the heck is going on in the novel) or they'll just decide to read a different book.
The way I realized this lesson was after starting about seven or eight different novels and never making it past the info dump. It suddenly dawned on me that if I was getting bored writing these info dumps, the reader would inevitably get bored of reading them. After that, I found ways to incorporate the information I was dumping in the beginning of my novel into the actual meat of the story, and that made all the difference. So, my first tip to avoid writing info dumps is to refrain from telling the reader everything they may need to know in one large clump at the beginning. Evenly distribute the info throughout the novel, introducing it only when it becomes pertinent to the story.
This isn't the only type of info dump out there, though. By this, I mean they don't always come at the beginning. And in these cases, sometimes they're avoidable, and other times they aren't. This can be frustrating, because either way, correcting it is never as simple as if the info dump occurred at the beginning of the novel. In these cases, you really have to assess if the information needs to be in the place you've put it or not. Like I said, information should only be introduced when it's actually pertinent to the story. So if your character is learning about a fantasy world you've created but they don't need to understand the magic system just yet, don't teach them about it until they absolutely have to have that information. Or, if your character is one who already knows everything about the world, avoid having them explain it all to the reader at once. Again, have them only explain something once it becomes pertinent. The reader will survive if they don't know everything about the world or characters right away, and will probably really enjoy learning more about these things little by little instead of having them shoved in their face.
But what do you do when you have a lot of info to give, and there's no way you can put it off any longer? This was something I ran into a couple of times in my novel The Forbidden Prophecy. I did my best to sprinkle the world building throughout the book, but sometimes there were moments where I just had to spit out a bunch of it all at once. Dread filled me when I realized there was no way around it, and I thought that my novel was doomed to be boring and hated by all who read it. Then, I stood up straight, rolled my shoulders back, and decided that, no, I was going to make these info dumps interesting, damnit! So that was what I did, and though they by far weren't the most exciting moments in the story, my beta readers assured me that they worked and didn't slow the story down too much. And, really, that's all you can hope for in those instances.
So how did I do it? Well, I used a couple of tactics: Dialogue and Textbooks. I'll preface this by saying that these methods work best with information that the main character doesn't know. If your main character does have inside knowledge that the reader doesn't, then you probably won't want to use these methods, because they can sound cheesy. "As you know" dialogue is one of the biggest no-nos when it comes to info dumping. It makes the reader wonder why these characters are even discussing this information if all of them already know what's going on. The only instance this would really work is if another character doesn't have this inside knowledge, and you have your main character explain it all to them (and, in turn, the audience). But, if this isn't an option, then you'd be better off having your main character and/or narrator explain the information to your reader directly through inner monologue. If you decide to do this, though, try to give your main character and/or narrator a unique and interesting voice that could make reading all of this information fun for the reader.
If your main character doesn't know any of the information, through, then dialogue and textbooks (or newspaper articles, news shows, etc.) might be right for you. If you decide to use dialogue, don't just make one character yammer on and on endlessly at your main character. Have the two–or more–characters interact with each other. Have your main character ask questions. Have some back and forth, some teasing or misunderstanding. Add some humor. Do something, anything, to make the information just a little bit easier for your reader to swallow. If they see giant blocks of text with no end in sight, they'll dread what's coming next instead of eagerly pushing on to learn more. This goes for textbooks and the other forms of info dumping I mentioned, too. I mean, readers will put up with a lot from authors, but at some point they're bound to break, and horribly boring info dumps could easily be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Also, combining the textbook and dialogue methods was the best thing I could have done for my novel. I would get a lot of information down in a couple of short paragraphs in textbook form, and then I would have my main character, Cas, ask his friends or teacher about what he'd read, gathering more information and getting their differently-biased views on the topic. This way, the readers got the information they needed, and an element of intrigue was added by giving my characters opinions on the different topics. If there were moments where I could only use dialogue, I also made sure to give the characters obvious opinions on whatever they were teaching Cas about, and sometimes I even made it where the characters didn't know they were teaching Cas. Again, it's all about adding those extra elements in order to give your reader a reason to care about what they're learning, other than the fact that it's important world building or characterization.
Info dumps are, frankly, a pain in the ass. They can give you major anxiety when you have to get rid of them or, even worse, can't get rid of them. But don't fret. As long as you take the time to clean them up, they won't ruin your novel. In fact, your readers may not even recognize them as info dumps, if you're skilled enough at hiding them. So keep your chin up, and best of luck!
When Great Ideas Collide
This is a phenomenon that has only happened twice in my life now, but MAN do I love it when it does. Basically, what happens is that I've been kicking a few ideas around for a while, with one that's really been drawing my attention more than the others. Still, whenever I try to write it, I can't seem to get words down, or at least not many. I tend to not even make it past the first page. Then, one day, I suddenly realize that combining a few of these less-developed ideas with my big idea is exactly what I need to make this story work. And then BLAMO! I've finally got something I can work with!