LARP IT UP!

LARP IT UP!!

Live Action Role Play

‘You’ll love it,’ exclaimed Rosalie Pixie.  Her engaging smile was infectious.

‘I already do,’ I replied.

With Rosalie’s help (alias Joe – fun-star of ‘& Co’ fame), the Reel Time team found itself on an open, floodlit field.  Before us was an amazing sight.  A story of epic proportions was unfolding.  Baying cries of valour swept a battlefield where opposing sides had banded for an onslaught.  Beyond the flames of chivalry, personal creeds and communion, stood a solitary figure.  A magus with her white garbs almost lost in the mists of time; as were the details upon which her character had been built.  Her staff was held high.  The eyes of the game masters watched for its fall.  Let the games begin.

It was an honour to be part of the local LARP community for this week’s episode of Reel Time. 

Stylized characters are developed when participants physically act out their characters' actions while pursuing goals in a fictional setting. Game masters facilitate the play, penalize rule breaking and determine outcomes. Established in the 1970’s and now a universal pheromone LARP events are as varied as the people who play them.

‘They come from all walks of life,’ explained Wind Whisperer, a descendent of the Sioux tribe (a real one).  His staff of peace held firm in his hand. ‘All that welcome are welcomed.’

And now that I know where all the intelligent, good-looking, young-people-of-all-ages go on a Wednesday night, I can go there too. So can you.  Follow the link to find out more:

http://www.heroesodyssey.org.au/9/events/

http://www.facebook.com/heroesodysseyinc

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Keep up to date with AJ Escapades by following her on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE

Desperately Seeking Cassie

Desperately Seeking Cassie

‘A movie role is up for grabs!’

This was my booming message given in general commune over the text waves.  ‘Mumble, mumble,’ was The Co’s response.

‘It comes with chocolate,’ I announced.  Suddenly it was on for young and old.  Even the ants got in on the picnic action. By the way, those ant bites are real.  However, several Cassie wannabes did not make the short list – but thanks for volunteering, Mum.

It was a beautiful, sun shiny day down at the Gold Coast spit where this episode was filmed.  The bright day had just as much to do with the atmosphere as it did with the climate, thanks to The Co.  Every five weeks we get to enjoy the company of well, whoever turns up. 

The Co is a hoot in this week’s Reel Time. I love a good laugh like the next person, but side-splitting, breath-stopping convulsions are the limit.

Jasmine’s bestie, the incorrigible, in-your-face Cassie bounces into Reel Time fame in the flimsy guise of a movie audition.  Four wonder-luscious fun-stars are up for the part.  Channelling this character entails some serious chocolate eating, make up wearing, tell it as it is, opinionated self-expression. And when the movie moguls come sniffing for the next Cosmo's Buster Movie, their little wet noses will be right on the money when I tell them – look no further for Cassie.  That role is already under wraps.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

http://www.ajmcmarson.com

CROSSED PURPOSES

CROSSED PUPORSES – TAKE 1, AND ACTION

Introducing: The ‘LOM’

I ‘reel-ly’ was determined to make a significant contribution to the art of writing with this episode.  I had a purpose.  I always do.  But soon after feeding the cats, things begin to blur.

I procured crash test dummies for this week’s Reel Time – the Write Essentials.  Not everyone can relate to this experience.  And after viewing this snippet into my writing practices, you probably won’t ever want too.

I have no idea how the dummies ended up in my virtual shopping cart.  But after paying for them, with my virtual money, I had to have a useful purpose for them.  So, as is my way, I made one up.  However, two purposes don’t always make a ‘Write Essential’.  Cross purposes however, are very essential for an exciting plot.

The purpose of the crash test dummies, procured for your viewing pleasure, was to help illustrate the necessity for a purposeful plot.  Hence, I created a script in which my charming robotic (hmm) assistants could demonstrate the purpose of all characters, which is to keep the plot moving more-or-less in a purposeful direction.  Have I just stumbled on a metaphor for life, or what?

The brief to my (hmm) technical assistants (yes – you can talk to these dummies – in binary blimps), was for them to demonstrate this purpose.

Easier said then done.

It’s even harder with crash test dummies.  All of which brings me to: The LOM.

Please accept my gift to the universe.

LAUGHING OVER ME

Even better – do it with: A LOL!

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

The BIG Died

The Big Died

I have been looking up some Motocross Terminology

Panic REV

Meaning:

The typical reaction when a frightened rider sees that her front end is low in the air [and we aren’t talking about the bike here].  If you hear this at the track, look quick cause you’ll probably see a crash!! [The exclamations marks are mine!!!!!!!]

For more MX terms visit:

http://www.motoxschool.com/mxterms.htm

‘The Big Died’ is my own contribution to the MX repertoire.  I don’t think it needs any explanation.  It is not that I have never ridden during my ‘glory days’.  I recall many sunny afternoons, okay, one – or maybe something about that particular ‘one’ makes it stand out from the rest.

It could have been a scene from the musical ‘Grease’.  I turned up with my girls (sister and the dog).  The local track was filled with dust, petrol fumes and blow flies.  Then there was this cute rider with a brand new 750.  He made the fatal mistake.  He let me ride it.  The front wheel was never found and I still have the burn marks. 

Bleed the Breaks, Block the Pass, Kill the Bike, Dead Sailor, Idle the Screw, Run Choppy, Wash Out, hey, call me a Squid (inconsistent or dangerous driver), call me a Spode (a rider that has no skill, but does not realize it and never improves).  I must admit though, my little sortie in MXF was a blast.  I will be playing this one again – probably on my own.  After all, no one does The Big Died like me.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Find out more: AJ McMarson

Snaky Charmer

What do fish, snakes, cats, lions, ridgebacks, bull elephants and pelicans have in common?  They are all animals in my book.

Superpowers of the cosmos have animalistic tendencies in Jasmine Neutron STAR.  Jasmine has them too.  She is definitely a ‘fishy’ character and one to keep under your biophotonic ‘gaze’ in sequels to come.  Spirems have the unique atomic composition to transform from human form to animal in a micro-second.  It does have a draw back though.

One of these characters - Larzac - a full blooded spirem with a snake anamalic - is the topic under scrutiny in this week's episode of Reel Time.  I feel I need to warn you however.  There is nudity on offer.  NO, NOT MINE - GOOD HEAVENS!!!

No, the role of Larzac, when in his human form, goes to a dishy young buck - who incidentally, did not believe the rumor that he would have to wear his auntie’s billowing bloomers - thank you very much, Jyle, for making sure your brother Cohen wore something over his 'sensitive' regions!

To play the part of Larzac, when in his snake form, we have the slithering sensation - Nessie.  Thank you to Nessie and her dotting owner, Leo.  They all did a great job with minimal rehearsal time.  Actually, there was no rehearsal time.  There was a script.  I think Nessie ate it.   I heard she also ate the billowing bloomers.  After that, well, the best laid plans...

Enjoy, and don't forget to laugh out loudest.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Storm Chaser

STORM CHASER!!

‘Real’ Time Storm Chaser

What is most exhilarating about this week’s Reel Time?

Is it:

A)           This amazing image captured by Tony Porter for the Brisbane Times.  Check out those electric wires, fighting tong and nail with that lightning bolt!  Heaven watches from behind the safety of trees, smiling (or is that smirking) benevolently (or is that malignantly) over the proceedings.

Or does the exhilaration come from:

B)            Watching in horror, as a Twister grows before our very eyes.  Stunned into immobility, the storm-chasers witness this invisible menace close up and personal, as it draws substance from the rush of existence daring to fight it back into oblivion – is anyone else getting ideas for a book here?

Or:

C)            Laughable me doing a horizontal pole dance; 

or,

D)          The technologies that make it possible to keep tabs on these brutes, so lives can be protected.

E)            All the above?

As exhilarating as all that was, meeting a real time storm chaser, Justin, was for me, the big event.  To learn that there are networks of people out there spiralling into cyber space these incredible events of nature is pure adrenaline pumping exhilaration.

To share the huge aliveness of nature, its constant impacting, revolutionary energy, a living supernatural force that can blow you from here to Kingdom Come in a lightning flash, is a pure surge of revelation.  Thanks, Justin.

 Jasmine goes there too – because spirems can.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

The Magi Circle

In this week’s episode of Reel Time I have company, again.  In a cycle of every five weeks, the company, known hereafter as ‘& Co’, will be the star-lings of the show.

http://www.arkive.org/european-starling/sturnus-vulgaris/

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2014/jan/21/starling-mumuration-season-in-pictures

And as their namesake suggests, this week’s ‘& Co’ – youths (of all ages), and a generous bunch of fun-stars they are too, will fun-test all things magi-cal.

Magi are beyond doubt one of the most compelling intrigues to make their way out of ancient mysticism.  The meaning of the word magi, as with its Latin twin, magis, has a multi-talented purpose, as indicated in the reference below. 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Magi

Words are a storyteller’s tools of trade.  A novelist painstakingly chisels away to create and transfer a vision they hold.  For those in the know, that would be a –

Transvision

 For those who have yet to read the book, and therefore aren’t down on magi lingo – that would be a ‘shared vision’.

Magi come with their own set of characteristic pinpoints.  Like stars on a constellation, if you join the dots you will always get self-sacrificing, enlightened, empowered and inspiring old people.  Now that is something worth a-spiralling too!

Of course magi characters have been around for a long time.  Forever and anon, whatever the culture, past, present and, why not, even into the future, magi have inspired.  Writers, artists, musicians and creators of all kind study them, understand and reinvent them and in doing so, emanate them.  Why not, after all magi usually come with stars.

http://magi.wikia.com/wiki/Magi

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.