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vrijdag 30 december 2011

Book: Inheritance Cycle


I'm writing this on December 27, without knowing when I will be able to post is, since the internet at home decided to stop working. I do think I will be able to post it Friday, when I'm going back to my BF, but hopefully it will be sooner.

Now, on with the actual blog. I want to write a review about t the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. For those who do not know the cycle, I will write down a very brief summary.

The Inheritance Cycle consists of four books: Eragon (there is a film based on this book, with the same title, but the film doesn't follow the book entirely and loads of (important) things have been cut out), Eldest, Briningr and Inheritance. The Cycle follow a young boy who because a Dragon Rider after he found a dragon egg while hunting. From a farm boy he grows into a representative of hope, for he is the only free Dragon Rider and he assumed to be the only person who has a change of besting the current power hunger king, Galbatorix. Together with a band of rebels, Eragon tries to become powerful enough to have a chance against Galbatorix, but his journey isn't an easy one.

While I read the books, I can't help but notice that the setting is a bit cliché, but that doesn't make the books less fun to read, since Paolini put a lot of effort in creating the world and making it feel real. There is no prefect race, for everyone of them has flaws, nor is there a flawless character. I love the way we see a lot of the character develop throughout the cycle and how we slowly get to know the world better and it's mysteries. I also like that there is a lot of variation in the books. We see grand and smaller battles, sieges, politics, friendship, a little bit of romance, loads of magic, travelling, etc...

While Paolini isn't the best writer I know, he is a very good storyteller. While I read the books, I was travelling with Eragon and his friends instead of just reading about it. I fought the battles side by side with Eragon and killed as many enemies as he did. I fell in love with the characters and the world and especially the magic. The magic system is so complicated, but not difficult to understand and I love that. I hate simplistic things, but I hate bad explained things even more. That's what so cool about Paolini. He manages to describer complicated things in such a manner, they are easy to understand, if you are willing to use your brains a bit while reading.

This review is getting long! I'm just going to add one more thing. There is still so much we don't know. I am not going to say what, for it will be spoilers. And I am so curious about certain things, that I hope that some time, we will get the answers. In April I am going to meet Paolini (if everything goes as planned) and I have a few question I am going to ask and I hope he will write more books soon, because I really like his writing style.

These four books have enchanted me from the first letter till the very last. At one point, I even had to blink away a tear and I don't cry fast while reading. I'm happy I finished them, because it was such a wonderful journey, but I am sad that I have to wait to read more and I have no idea how long the wait will be.

So if you are looking for a book or a series to read and you like fantasy, especially dragons and magic, I really recommend the Inheritance Cycle.


PS: From now on I'm going to try to write a small review from every book I have read, while I am not a journalist, nor skilled at reviewing, I'll try to make it as interesting as possible. Tips and tricks are always welcome!  At the moment I am reading Dracula by Bram Stooker! 

vrijdag 23 december 2011

Fan girls...


First I have to say that I do not want to offend or hurt anyone, but I just have to express my opinion. If I have offended you, or hurt you nonetheless, then I am very sorry.

Lately I've been using twitter a lot. I like to keep track of what my friends are doing (not that a lot of my friends are on twitter, but whatever) and to follow some persons I like or admire. What I like about twitter is that you can “talk” with people you normally can't, like famous people or people from the other side of the world. The only problem about that is that you get from these fan girls who tweet non stop to their idol and get disappointed when they don't get an answer.

Just place yourself in the shoe of a famous person, would you like to waste hours and hours on replying to every single tweet you get? I wouldn't. It's not because I wouldn't like my fans but more because it takes so much time and so much effort.
Trudi Canavan for example, doesn't even reply on her fanmail because she just doesn't have the time to do it. She just reads it.

I think it is very selfish to demand an answer from someone, or be disappointed when you don't get an answer. Or people who are disappointed that they weren't online when there idol was. To be honest, I have the feeling you are beginning to become a stalker then.  

donderdag 22 december 2011

Creating a world


For a while now, I would love to write a story that would someday be published, in other words, a book. For years I have written (not all finished) stories with characters and worlds that are not my own but I never had an good idea to write a story around until now. I am not going to say what my idea is, because I'm afraid someone else is going to use it.

Before I can write the story however, I have to shape the world and let everything make sense since it is going to be a fantasy story situated in another universe. I never thought writing a fantasy novel is so difficult and needs so much preparation. Every world has a history, and every race has it's own customs and traditions. Who rules the world and how? From what are the houses built and why? Loads of work, and the funniest thing is that most of the things I need to figure out, aren't important in the plot, but will make the world seem more real and realistic. So far I defined the basis of one race, but it still needs a lot more refining.

I will need to put a lot of work and effort in this story if ever want to finish it, but it might be that it would never be published. I know I am not yet good enough, but if I don't practise, or try, how can I get better? So I'm just going to go for it and see where I end up. If I get published, awesome! If I don't, at least I tried.

maandag 19 december 2011

Job rant


I'm looking for a job for about a year, but I must say that I didn't always put a lot of effort in it, and I have been doubting a lot what I really wanted to do with my life (and I'm still not really sure.) But now I decided to go for it. I am going to be a little picky, since I don't want to end up doing something that I absolutely hate. I want to be able to get out of bed in the morning, feeling good and wanting to go to work.

I'm a bit ashamed of myself of sitting home and doing nothing for a year, but I have the feeling I needed that. A break from life. Just sitting home, doing nothing. But now that period is over and I'm ready to go for it, for 200%! I want a job so I can buy a desktop computer, because my laptop, or better failtop, is dying slowly. I also want my drivers license and a car. I'm not a big fan of cars, but I was so frustrated this morning when I missed my bus that I want to be selfish and say: screw the environment, I want a fucking car! The third thing I want is money to buy and take care of a second horse or to go and live with my BF, not sure what will happen first, time will tell.


maandag 12 december 2011

Future...


It has been ages since I last blogged and I kind of gave it up because I have the feeling no one cares or reads it, but I decided I don't care (too much).

Since my last blog (end of September) loads of (bad) things happened, but I don't want to talk about that right now. Perhaps later, perhaps never. I'm really thrilled the new year is coming and I do have the feeling I'm going to make a fresh start. At first I want to rid my self of my insecurities and be proud of who I am. Next I want to find a job and at last I want to lose weight.

Also the approaching of the new year made me wonder what I really want in live. There are a few things I really want to do, but they are still out of reach, unfortunately. So I need to find something closer to focus on. To go for. I've been slacking around for a year now, and that needs to be done. I want to go on but I am afraid of routine. Doing the same thing every day like I am doing right now. On the other hand it has some sense of security.

I also have some regrets. Regrets that I didn't try harder for my studies, because it could have been a great experience. But then I wouldn't be busy with horses right now and I would probably not be able to find a job here in Belgium and I am reluctant to leave everything behind.

I would love to become a writer, but right now, I don't have the character for it. I can't focus enough to write a story and I am still so in experienced. Another thing I would love to become: a professional photographer, but I think I am not good enough to stand out.

Aagh I have the feeling I'm stuck in this big black pit and I just can't crawl out of it. It's frustrating!  

dinsdag 20 september 2011

They really ask money for everything...

When I was waiting for the bus the other day, I was checking a few things on my cellphone and guess what? I discovered that Tom Felton was coming to Belgium, to FACTS! I was really thrilled and I was already planning stuff in my head 'til I read you have to pay to get in ( I can understand that) and that you have to pay to get a picture with Tom and if you want an autograph. I was so stunned by the prices as well. 15 euro's for a photograph with Tom...Does a profession photographer make these photo's in a studio or is it a snap shot? I bet it will be a snap shot. At FACTS they ask between 20 to 45 euro's for an autograph... just so insane!

The worst of all is that it actually sells. Fans queuing (for hours?!) to BUY an autograph or picture with a celeb. Hell, I would never ever do that. I'd rather have a day of fun with the money then spend it on something so stupid.  I find it pathetic to spend money to get a pic with a famous person... but well, who am I to judge how other spend their money? I must admit that I'm, sometimes, a little jealous if people "meet" famous people I like/admire but it passes fast.

Or what I really hate is that people, who already got an autograph or a pic (at an event or something) ask the same celeb for a second while others don't even have one yet. Shame that people are so greedy (I am not saying that I can't be greedy), but that how the world works, isn't it?


PS: Something I like to add: I'm looking around to find the perfect horse to buy! More details on it as soon as I found it!

zondag 4 september 2011

Cat issues

I owe this cute tabby cat called Pluisje (which is Dutch for Fluffy). She has always been shy and not much of a cuddle cat. She only wanted to get petted or cuddle when she allowed it, else she just ran away. Normally she comes sleeping at home but now she only gets inside to eat and we can't even get near her.

I have the feeling something happened to her, that she had a bad experience with people. I really want her to spend more time inside, but I can't lock her in, that wouldn't be fair. I just hope she will come back inside when it starts to freeze, but my mother has doubts about it. It's a shame really, because it means that, if I move out, I will never be able to take her with me. I really love my sweet, fluffy tigress,  but I don't want to force things on her.

Tigress she is, she's almost seems to be feral these days.

zaterdag 3 september 2011

Getting creative

I am absolutely NOT handy but despite that, I'm going to start making some stuff. And that stuff is going to be saddlecloth /pad (whatever it's called). I really love fancy pads for underneath the saddle but they are so damn expensive. 

I love this one so much. The colors are so pretty! But it costs 85 euro's... and that just to protect your saddle from sweat.

Another one I like, 75 euro.

So because I can't afford, and don't want to spend so much money on it, I will try and make them myself. I will start with something very simple. A plain one, but if I get better, I could start making more complicated once and perhaps even earn a little bit of money with it if they look good enough. If the weather isn't too bad, I'm going to the market tomorrow to look for some cheap fabric to try and make my first one. I'd love to make one with animals prints, but I think that leopard prints is going to look dull on Amber because she is's brownish. 


Maybe I should go for zebra or something... I'd love to have minty green or lavender/purple as well... 

Wish me luck!




maandag 29 augustus 2011

Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom

Or that is what they say. Today I got a confirmation that I know myself at least a bit. I've got my welcome letter into Pottermore (and it's awesome) and well, I had been sorted. I always wanted to be a Gryffindor because I love the common room so much and I adore the lion and the colors, but deep down I know I'm not really brave. I knew that I will probably be a Ravenclaw. Why? Well I simply love to read and to acquire knowledge of various subjects that interest me and believe me, that a lot.

For instance, I always disliked chemistry and physics at school because it is really hard. But earlier I was discussing chemistry and I discovered I really like it and I used to know the Periodic Table of Elements by heart (well, the primary elements), but not anymore. The only two subjects I hated at school were maths and French because I sucked at it! I'm very good at economics and was almost always the top my class.

The only problem I have, is that I tend to be lazy and that I learn a lot better if something is explained. Sometimes I would love to go to school again, but I know I won't be able to put time in my hobby's then and I really don't want to neglect horse riding because it makes me so happy and so relaxed.

Well maybe I should just lend some books about history or something from the library and learn on my own.

#Mischief Managed,  #Nox.

woensdag 24 augustus 2011

Mother Earth isn't kind.

Like most of us know, Mother Earth isn't kind. She has no mercy and the last couple of weeks, with all the "disasters" that are happening, you should realize that. If you ask why, listen to this song and you'll understand. She rules but nonetheless, I love her.

maandag 22 augustus 2011

How can we let go of the once we call friends?

It's hard to let the ones we love go and that the reason, why I think, it's so hard to accept that Harry Potter has come to an end, even though it will never vanish. I loved some characters on the books more then I loved some of my friends or my family and some people don't understand that.

Not one of my friends stood by my side for ten years and I'm so terrible jealous of the friendship Harry, Ron and Hermione had and probably still have. I have a feeling that I'm never going to experience such boundless friendship. I don't want to accuse my friends for not being a Ron, Harry or Hermione. They are fine as they are I don't want my friends to chance whom they are for my sake, that would be so selfish.

There is just one thing I know that I have from the Harry Potter series: I love by fiancee as much as Snape loved Lily. If he ever stops loving me, I don't know what I will do... 'cause my heart has never been broken.

Some people, well a lot of people, don't understand why I and so many other fans, love Harry and his fantastic tale so much. To be honest, I can't say why I love it so much. I grew up with them. I've been at Harry's side for ten years! I've been solving the riddles to open Rowlings door, in the hope of a small bit of information. I had sleepless night because I refused to close my books. And I think that the Potterfans, the real Potterfans, the Potterheads, the diehardfans, are the most loyal community on the planet. Not many people stick around the same interest with such a passion for ten years. Especially not young people. I love Rowling so much and I wish that someday I could meet her and thank her for what she did for me and millions of other fans.

Yes I'm a crazy diehard Potterfan! (and with that I mean the story and not the actors, though I love most of them  as well) and I'm proud of it! I even considered naming my pets after characters. If I ever own a male dog, it will be called Sirius.

And this is how I feel right now:


vrijdag 19 augustus 2011

The Pukkelpop nightmare

I wasn't there myself, but I knew some people that were and when I heard the news, I was so concerned. Lucky they are okay.

It's really hard to grasp what has happened in Kiewit yesterday. I think it's even harder for the family and friends of does who lost their lives. How do you tell someone's parents that there kid isn't coming back home after a day of (what supposed to be) fun.

I saw footage of what happened, and o my god, I was so glad that I wasn't there and I felt so sorry for all that were. I'm glad the whole festival has been canceled, due respect for the victims. And I don't think, if it wasn't canceled, it would be as fun. Who wants to party where 24 hours ago people lost their lives?

I also hate the people that are just worrying about their money. Okay, it's not fun to lose money, but there are people who lost a part of their family, so stop complaining.

This is all what I have to say about the tragedy, I wish I could do more then just paying my respects, but for now, I can't.

Rest in Peace, victims of the Pukkelpop 2011 tragedy.

vrijdag 12 augustus 2011

I Love film music

I'm a big fan of film music because it can sound so epic, so violent and so peaceful at the same time. It also brings back great memories. I can't stop listening to the Harry Potter soundtracks and I caught myself smiling at some songs and picturing the scenes in my head. But sometimes I get so sad as well. At the moment my favorite soundtrack is the one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2).

dinsdag 9 augustus 2011

Photography

Yesterday I made a few serious picture in Berendrecht because I was way too early for my horse riding lessons. I picked two that I liked. I'm really going to do some more photographing, but for now, not with human models. I just want to capture beautiful or funny things I see. Nothing that is posed.

I was trying to get a nice shot of the two coldblood ladies, but Vera decided that my camera was so interesting that she needed to see it from close by and Amber just didn't care. 

I really like this picture because it captures what kind of village Berendrecht is. There's a lot of green around, but it's so close to Antwerp Harbor. If  you stand on the dike, you can see at the side of Berendrecht a forest and across the waters you see Doel and BASF. I also think this picture captures the weather from yesterday very well: cold and changing. One minutes it was raining badly, the next the sun was shining.

zondag 7 augustus 2011

Update

It's been a while since I've wrote a blog, not because I had no time but because I didn't had much to talk about. Well I'm still doing the usual stuff: gaming, writing my fanfic, reading and horse riding. I'm trying to get a job, but I have trouble finding one. I almost never get answers and I can't call myself since that costs a fortune and I don't have that kind of money. And if I get an answer, then it is a polite: you're not the person we're looking for.

And tomorrow I'm picking up my photography again. I'm not going to work with people yet, but with animals (horses) and environment and there is a chance that I'm going to do some fantasy like shoot with Amber. I just need to make some stuff to let her saddle and bridle look more fantasy like. And yes, I'm an expert in things like that. Not.

Yesterday night I've finished Bones of the Dragon by Weis and Hickman. I liked the book. I really hate the main character. He's a selfish, lying arrogant brat and still I like the story! Now I'm reading The Shattering, prelude to Cataclysm by Christie Golden. I read the first chapter and well so far, so good. I have high expectations of the book since I loved her: Arthas, Rise of the Lich King so much. It was one of the best books I've read so far.

Beside that, me and my fiance have planned two two major trips: around may/june we hope to go to Ireland and travel around for a week with a covered wagon pulled by a Tinker/Irish cob (my favorite horse breed) and in September/October of 2012 we want to go a midweek to London to do some shopping, museums and, of course, Leavesden Studios (Harry Potter).

I'm still suffering from post Potter depression. Every time I watch something Potter related, I feel a bit down but i'm looking forward to Pottermore! I have an early account so I hope I will get invited to test Pottermore in the next couple of weeks.

donderdag 28 juli 2011

Looking for: Self Discipline

Okay I decided for the x time to lose some weight but I have two problems:

1. I lack self discipline and I'm easily tempted
2. The only sport I enjoy is horse riding

I want to lose weight by changing my eating pattern, not by following a diet, since I don't want to be on a diet for my whole life. So replace candy with healthy snacks like fruit or every now and then a biscuit without chocolate or something. The key to lose weight is to sport, but the only sport I really enjoy is horse riding and while it's a pretty intensive sport (depends a bit what you do, dressage, jumping,...) you won't lose a lot of weight by doing it. But I dislike fitness, jogging,... I like swimming but then you have to wear a bathing suit and I really hate that xD


I haven't stood on the balance (?) for over a year so I have no clue how much I weight and how much I want to lose. For now I'm aiming to lose two dress seizes, but to be honest, I just want to feel better and get rid of my tummy.

Well, I keep you updates!

dinsdag 26 juli 2011

Filmmusic

I love film and game music so much. Especially the music of fantasy films. My favorite soundtracks are

Lord of the Rings trilogy by Howard Shore

Harry Potter series (Deathly Hallows score by Alexandre Desplat is my favorite)

but I also like the music from Narnia (and Artiests for Narnia), Black Swan (I don't like the film though), Pirates of the Caribbean, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Dinosaur and many more...

My favorites tracks:

May it Be  vocals by Enya (The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring)


Gollum's Song vocals by Emiliana Torrini (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)


Into the West vocals by Annie Lennox (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)


Concerning Hobbits (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)


The Tunnel (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2)


Obliviate (Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows part 1)


Double Trouble (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)


Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter)



Evacuating London (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)

zaterdag 23 juli 2011

Norway

Today I saw on the news what happened in Norway and I was so shocked. Such things always shock me. It are always the innocent that suffer. I really hate murders. I can't imagine the fear and pain the victims must have felt and how terrified the family and friends must have been. I hate it when a thing like this happens, shallow people are posting and shouting "everyday people die, why bother now?".

Those people didn't die, they got murdered. They weren't evolved in an accident, they got killed for someone's pleasure. If we all should care about ever dead in the world, every injustice, every suffering, we would be so sad and ours hearts black of sorrow. We are only human, we can't care about everything that is happening in the world, it isn't healthy.

I hope this Kinslayer will suffer until the end of time.

vrijdag 22 juli 2011

The art of potions



"I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses....I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death."

S.S.

Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone by J.K Rowling

donderdag 21 juli 2011

End of and Era

This took me so long to write.

An Era ended last week and I felt so terrible after I watched the movie. I cried an ocean during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. I must say I love and hate that movie. It's a great ending but it hurts a lot. I remember lying in bed, looking at my fiance and just starting to cry because it was over. A piece of me died with Snape and when the credits appeared on the screen.

I've grew up with Harry and his friends. I defended the Philosopher's Stone, saved Ginny from the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secret, freed the Prisoner of Azkaban. My name came out of the Goblet of Fire and I fought along side the Order of the Phoenix. I admired and learned from the Halfblood Prince and I helped destroying the Horcruxed, watched Voldemort being defeated and mastered the Deathly Hallows.

For over ten years I've been at Harry's side, in good and bad times and now his adventured have ended. It hurts so much. Harry Potter wasn't just a book, it wasn't just a movie it has been a huge part of my life for ten year. And that decade flew by as it was only a month.

I have some very big regrets about the ten year. Never in those ten years I camped outside Waterstones to get my book nor did I face the wrath of nature to scream at the actors at the world premiere. The only thing I did was sending fan mail to Dan and getting a standard letter and a signed picture back.

It's really hard to grasp. I know Harry Potter will always be there, as does Hogwarts. It's immortalized on paper and the story and it's characters will always live in my heart, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Today it's 21 july 2011 which means the last book, the end of the story, has been out for four years. What happened with those four years? Where did they go? It seems it was only yesterday when I opened Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, wondering what would happen and how it would end, and read the very first word of the book. I didn't stop reading until "All was well" and I cried so much. I cried because Rowling killed all my favorite characters, I cried because Snape had deserved so much more then a cold dead at the hands of Voldemort, I cried because I hated the epilogue and I cried because I would never ever wonder what would happen in the next Harry Potter.

I never thought a story would affect me so much, but it did and it will be forever in my heart. I doubt there will be another story that would be so exciting, so full of love, friendship, happiness, so full of pain, sorrow, agony and heartbreaking moments.  I doubt any fictional character will touch me so deep as Snape did and will be so brave as Harry. This series was so special for me, it is my childhood and a part of my life. A part of who I am.

I hope that I will have the luck to meet Rowling and thank her on how she influenced my life. I will have a tattoo of this part of my life sometimes, hopefully very soon. It will be a patronus Doe with the words Always, because of Snape and because Hogwarts will always welcome us back home.

Snape is our Prince, Ron our King, Harry our knight and Rowling our Goddess.


This song describes how I felt and sometimes still feel, because it's all over.

maandag 11 juli 2011

Harry James Potter

Harry may not be my favorite character in the series, but I admire him so much. He has suffered so much in his young life and he just keep going on, standing his ground and never ever giving up.

I love that Rowling didn't made him "absolute good" and "flawless". For a long time i felt a bit sorry for Harry for everything that happened to him, but when I read Order of the Phoenix, I realized that I felt sorry for the wrong person. I think few characters in fiction had a tougher youth then Harry and his courage, love, steadfastness... will always inspire me.

I love the song that Ministry of Magic made about the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and it is, in a way, the essence of the series caught in a few sentences.

zaterdag 9 juli 2011

Little bit emotional

Today I went to Brussels to shop and I had a great time! I bought a Hogwarts student outfit and a official Harry Potter Gryffindor Tie and I got the English books in a pretty box!

But I must admit I'm getting pretty emotional now... I cried this afternoon and now, while listening some MoM songs, is started to cry again... just realizing it's all ending in 3 days. My fiance doesn't understand it but Harry Potter means the world to me and it's so hard.
Except my family, it was like the only constant thing in my life for a long time and I spent hours and hours speculating about it, holding silly conversations about Harry Potter....

I have the feeling that I have to go and say goodbye to a friend in a few days, one that has been very dear to me and one that never will return again. It's like a piece of me is slowly dying and it fucking hurts.

I know almost everyone has a hero, someone they look up to. And I have one as well: J.K Rowling.

Rowling is our Queen.

dinsdag 5 juli 2011

Respect for the postman? Not...

Well normally I have a lot of respect for the people who make sure we get our mail, even though it rains, snows or if it's really hot but today something happened that made me very angry with them.

I was expecting a packages (well, 4 to be correct) from The Book Depository  and when I woke up this morning, one package had arrived! I was so happy, but when my mother came home and told me how she found it... I was furious.

The postman had just dumped my book on the doorstep (I live in a flat, on a really busy street) because it didn't fit in the mailbox. Lucky my mother had to go out early and found it... The postman didn't even bother to ring the bell to see anyone was home so he just dumped it there and it could have been stolen and what then? I know that if I mailed the site that my book(s) didn't arrived, they would probably send them again without asking payment, but still, why was the postman so lazy? He shouldn't dropped it there... the least he could to was ring the bell or take it back to the post office. My mother is always up early and she promised me to go and check tomorrow morning if my other books are "dumped" on the door steps as well... If so, I'm going to complain. The books were not expensive, but still.

People are so lazy nowadays, I hate it.

dinsdag 28 juni 2011

Favorite vocalists: female

The females!

5. Emilie Autumn (solo)



4. Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)



3. Liv Kristine (Leaves' Eyes/solo)



2. Simone Simons (Epica)



1. Tarja Turunen (Solo)

Favorite vocalists: male

I decided to make my top 5 for favorite vocalist of each gender, starting with the males.

5.  Lauri Ylönen (Solo/The Rasmus)



4. Macro Hietala (Nightwish/Tarot/Northern Kings)



3. Alex Agnew (Diablo Blvd)



2. Enrique Iglesias



1.Roy Khan (Ex Kamelot)

maandag 27 juni 2011

Hardcore gamer

It's been a while since I wrote a blog about gaming...
The last few weeks I've been gaming pretty "hardcore". If I have nothing else to do, I pretty much game from around 10.00-11.00 until 22.00 or something. A lot that is. Of course I take a break (reading, writing, just lying in my bed,...) so my eyes can rest a bit.

The games I am currently playing are:

World of Warcraft on a roleplaying server. Right now I have 2 active roleplaying characters. A human mage called Liljah Lanismor and is around 22 years old. She has lost her parents because of the scourge and lived with her aunt and uncle. Recently she spread her wings and is trying to find her own way in the world.
My other char is a Night Elf (I prefer Kaldorei) Druid called Syriss "Sy" Moonwing. She about 800 years old and has fought at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. She's really fun to play since she always tries to hide her emotions because she thinks emotions make you look weak.
Well I love both my characters and i think they are amazing! I'm really proud that I made such a believable Kaldorei druid and I worked very hard at her history. Playing a 800 year old char isn't easy (and there are people playing 10 000 year old characters!!!!!) but it's so much fun.

Dungeon Siege III: So far this games has been a disappointment and I only just started! The controls are buuh and the game is very difficult. I don't like game's that are really hard. I always want to start of easy and if I managed to finish and the game is good enough to play again, I will try the harder modes as well. I'm thinking to try and start off with a different char. Perhaps a melee char would be easier to start of with...

Games I want to play:

Oblivion is an amazing game. I've spent already hours playing it, exploring the world and I'm so looking forward to the sequel, Skyrim. The only problem with this game is, as soon as I encounter a firebolt, my whole laptop crashes and believe me, it sucks big time. I'm going to try it again though, since I have had sume updates for my graphic card. Hopefully this will fix my issue. Else I'm going to be very disappointed.

The Witcher 2: I just bought this game this morning and I'l going to install it later today and try it out. It seems like an awesome game and I heard a lot of good things about it, so hopefully it won't be disappointing. I never played the first one, but who cares? 

zondag 26 juni 2011

Graspop 2011: Same Old Song!

One word to describe Graspop 2011 (well the Saturday) : EPIC.

I've been screaming, headbanging, almost moshing and dancing (wut dancing on metal?)

Diablo Blvd: They were so awesome. Alex was so happy that so many people came to listen to them and he first mosh pits, crow surfing and wall of death happened during the Diablo performance. I remember when I went to a performance of a rock band and they asked for a mosh pit... it's silly... how can you mosh on rock? It wasn't even hardrock.

Lacuna Coil: I sang/screamed so hard during their performance and they played all my favorite songs. Awesome! Best performance of the day!

Firewind: They were really good. I'm not a big fan of them, but I really like there sound. Ooh, and the singer is handsome.

Moonspell: Okay, it's not really my type of metal, but I could live with it.

Arch Enemy:  Only heard a few minutes because the marquee was so crowded and I am too small (and no damn screens!) and we decided we wanted a good spot for the next band. But well... Angela is just awesome!!

Pain: It started bad for me because it got pushed the whole time and they were stepping on my feet! Stupid lame ass moshpit! I kicked someone, hit a girl with a bottle and Timothy kicked a guy so hard that he flew two meters far... then I could start enjoying and dancing! Yes, dancing. Industrial metal ftw.

Cradle of Filth: I expected a lot of them, but was a bit disappointing. The music was great but the vocals muuh... He screamed so fucking high that my ears ached. And they didn't played songs from my favorite album (Thornography) but I was happy that I saw them live nonetheless.

donderdag 23 juni 2011

Pottermore

Dear Rowling gave us something to look forward to after the last movie! I totally love her!

dinsdag 21 juni 2011

Starting to draw again: Dragons

I decided I want to start drawing again. I know I'm not an artist or anything and probably I will never be good enough to call myself that, but hey, I can try.
I decided to draw on paper and colour (or at least try) it in photoshop. Why not do both in photoshop? Because photoshop isn't meant to be be used to draw and a tablet and a pen are not... well... as good as a plain old pencil.

I decided to start with dragons. Dragons are so fun to draw and there is no right or wrong way to do it, since they don't existed (unless you count komodo dragons). The only thing you have to try is to balance. A giant dragon can't fly with small wings....  A dragon with very small hind legs and long front legs will have trouble walking. The only thing you need to think about is the skeleton and the intestines.

I have seen dragons with wings like birds, bats or even no wings. You have seadragons, earthdragons, icedragones etc...

So hopefully, you will see a dragon sketch / drawing appear here.

Wizards vs. Vampires

With this, I mean Twilight versus Harry Potter and, thought I like both, I know that Harry Potter is much much better. Why? Well J.K Rowling wrote 7 book and in all books (except the last) are so much clues, metaphors and hints to the next book or to the final book. The story also has a lot more depth.

Twilight is a really nice series about "forbidden love" but besides that, it doesn't go about much else and I'm sure there are a lot of books about forbidden love (for example, the Fallen saga).

Harry Potter is also a lot more popular. There are tons of site about Harry Potter, whole wiki's for Harry Potter. The community is just gigantic. And Harry Potter is British and Twilight is American, says enough already.

I was a bit angry that Twilight was copying Harry Potter 7 and split the last book in two movies, while I think they can fit everything in one movie which they couldn't do with Harry Potter.

If I had to chose what I would be, I would, without even doubting, be a wizard. They are so much cooler and interesting.  They can do cool and awesome jobs, they have dragons (woooh!) and they don't live for era's.

Hogwarts, here I come!

maandag 20 juni 2011

No more books

Yesterday night I finished my last book and now I am bookless.

I started in a book of my fiance, but I didn't like the style of the author, so it ended up on the bookshelves again. I'm really frustrated that I don't have anything to read right now. Even more because I have the money to buy a new book and the bookstore is only 5 minutes away, but I can't spent the money because I need to pay other stuff with it. 

I have transferred money from my bank account to my paypal to buy book the day before yesterday, but well it takes a few days and then the book need to be shipped and so I guess I won't have them this week so I think I'm doomed to rereading something... 


zondag 19 juni 2011

Almost Rodeo

Last Friday morning I had (like use all) my lesson horse riding (It's pretty funny that, after about 7 years, I can still learn so much! I love it.) and it was hellish. Amber had spent the whole week doing nothing except eating and walking around in the meadow because I had not much time to go to her and exercise her and it backfired at me completely. I couldn't ride in the arena (piste) because it was too slippery because of the rain and so I had to ride in the meadow. I manage to make it a bit similar to size of the arena thanks to the movable fence, but it was still bigger. I though: great! Now it's not going to be 3 gallop jumps and a turn.

I felt from the beginning that she was very difficult and in a bad mood. She just wouldn't listen to me and I had to pull harder at the reins and punish her for not listening. Eventually, she started to listen and halted when I said so. Time to trot. That was just horrible: she started of slow, but soon she just started to run so fast that I totally lost control and that was my mistake. I tried to do everything my instructor said, but I guess I was a bit too tense to do it right. After a lap of 3 she jumped in a gallop and raced (well, so felt it for me, but I was totally nervous and almost starting to get scared) around the arena and I couldn't bring her back. It was scary but I knew it was my mistake (but she shouldn't have jumped in gallop in the first place). I'm proud that I didn't start pulling at the reins as a maniac but to stop her, I had to turn her in a very small circle and I fell almost of her... but I have a better sit then I thought and I stayed on.

My teacher had ridden her a bit after that (at my request 'cause I just had to get off for a moment) and then it was my turn again. When she was speeding again, I just had to take a few deep breaths so I was calm enough to take her back using just my weight. The gallop was at one side not much better but at the (I think right side) it went pretty good. I was relax and I could hold her with me pretty good.

All by all a hard and tiring lesson, but I have learned a lot.

vrijdag 17 juni 2011

Emotional Trailer

Yesterday night the second trailer of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt2 has been released. This is very likely to be the last Harry Potter trailer....
I really liked the trailer and well it me my so excited and it gave me goosebumps. There is so much emotion in it. I have the feeling that this is going to be an epic end. A very impressive and good movie and hopefully, I am right.


A small note: J.K Rowling has released the name of her next project: Pottermore. No one what it is, but as soon as I know more, I will post it here.

donderdag 16 juni 2011

Human & Animal: photography part 1

I decided to post some old work of mine, and discus it a bit.

(click on it to make it bigger and remember blogger down the quality a lot)
Note: this is not photoshopped! 

What I like about this picture: the composition, the place where the picture is the sharpest and the light.

The composition: there is a good balance in the shot: the cat is in the middle and at the rights side. I decided to put the hand at the left side so it wouldn't be empty. The colors are also nicely balanced. Very sober.

Sharpness:  I like it that the piece of pants and that most the cat (especially the nose) are sharp. I did this on purpose so the stands out. It's the most important part of the picture. The person (in this picture just "decor") is on the background.

Light: I think the light is pretty okay. There aren't any disturbing shadows and the cat isn't one black mass. You can see (except on some parts of his face) every hair, which is to me, very important.

Dislike: What is dislike on this picture is that the hand isn't very pretty. If the fingers were a little bit more open, it would have been better. Another thing I should have done was include the whole ruffle of his sleeve. Also the light is pretty cold and their is a lot of dust and hairs were there shouldn't be. But this is a photoshop work and since I don't have photoshop right now, I'm unable to do it.

woensdag 15 juni 2011

I miss you like a fool, I admit it.

I absolutely love this song... it's so catchy but so good! And O love Lauri's voice. His a great singer and every time he brings out something knew, he seems to be better then before. 
And yes, I miss him, well The Rasmus, so much :(
I miss them like a fool I admit it.



dinsdag 14 juni 2011

Dogs

I've been two weeks home alone with my fiance and the cats but the dog went to stay with my sister. I missed her so much and tomorrow she is finally coming back! Yeah!

I really like dogs, but I'm really a "dog"person like they call it. I'm a horse person.
But my fiance really wants a dog later and I'm okay with that as long as I don't have to walk it everyday and as long as it isn't some insane expensive dog and I prefer one from the animal shelter or someone who sells his dog instead of buying a puppy from a breeder.
There are already a lot of dogs who are living on the streets, are being neglected and abused etc... so why encourage breeding  by buying a cute little puppy?

Okay, if you buy a puppy you can train it all by yourself and you know it since it was a little baby but there are so many older (sweet) dogs around who can use a loving family. It's not because you buy an older dog that you don't get a strong bond...

Another thing I don't get is why people want a particular breed. Okay some dogs look nicer then other dogs but you don't have to stick to a breed. You need to try to find a dog with a character that fits you. Okay, some types of breed are know for some special things, but that doesn't mean the dog you pick has them.
Every dog is different even thought they belong to the same breed.

I was talking with an internet "friend" earlier this week and she told me about her dogs. She has two Shiba Inu's and she said the young one was so much different then the old one. She had a lot of trouble raising her youngest one because he was such an evil little puppy. And one them (I can't remember which one) has a killer instinct and well she kills everything (except cats, humans and dogs) that she can reach. I know this breed is pretty "primitive" but this shows how a breed isn't defining for a character.

The most important thing about owing a dog is: taking good care of it.
In my eyes taking good care of a dog is: give them food and love, don't leave it alone home for more than a few hours and walk it every day, no matter what the weather is. I can't think of a dog that doesn't enjoy coming outside (unless it never has learned it). All the interesting scents, the sounds etc...

I watched a episode of the Dog Whisperer last week and there was a dog, I think it was a Shiba Inu, but I could be wrong (why do I hear/see a lot of these breed the last few weeks :s), and it had developed "behavior" problems because he only got to go out in the garden. Poor dog.

The other thing that I find funny is that dogs are so expensive! 950 euro's for a puppy seems to be a normal price... and people say horses are expensive... yeah right.

maandag 6 juni 2011

My "dream" jobs...

Lately I've been thinking what I really want to do in life to own money, 'cause you can't live without it. (Well you can, but it's a really hard life then).

The thing I really want to do in life is work with animals, preferably horses. But the horse business is really hard because you have to be really good at what you.  do and don't be "average" since it's a very popular business.
I would love to become a horse riding teacher, but I don't know if I can teach and I don't ride well enough yet. Another part of me wants to become a "horse whisperer" like it's called. A better name would be horse listener.
I think I'l pretty good with horses and I really try to understand their behavior and how they think. If i want to become a horse whisperer, I really need to become better in it and follow lessons and stuff.

I also have an interest to do more with my photography. I know if i work on it, I could get a lot better then I now am, but the hardest part is to be better then the average photographer. And, like with the horses business, this is a very popular business as well. But before I can even think of becoming, or trying, to get pro, I really need a better camera, preferably a middle format camera. I have two photographers I really look up to, because I love their style and would like to become as good as they are and that are: Viona Ielegems and Tim Flanch.

One thing i know for sure:

Now I am looking for a part time job in whatever and I want to do something with my Business Management degree and my limited knowledge of bookkeeping (?).

But I don't think I want to have my own business as my only source of income, because that is way to risky.

Maybe a tip for all of you: if you're planning to open your own business, always marry with a contract so when you have debts you can't pay, then can only your stuff be taken to pay the debts.

donderdag 2 juni 2011

Ministry of Magic

I finally found this amazing band again. There music is so catchy and I just love the lyrics (well, I'm a HP addict, so how could I not?)

Who of you listen to them as well?

My two favorite songs are:


and

woensdag 1 juni 2011

Clean up

I decided to clean up my blog, delete useless posts that don't add anything to my blog like, for example, the challenge stuff.

maandag 23 mei 2011

Priest + PotC 4

This weekend I've seen two movies in the theater: Priest and Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Priest


Priest is an action/Science fiction movie. Normally I don't like the genre, but I really enjoyed this movie.

I can describe Priest with 5 words: The Matrix meets Resident Evil.
You see a lot of matrix like moves and the plot makes me think a lot about Resident Evil. Instead of zombies you get Vampires (who look like zombies).
If you like a movie with a deeper and convincing plot, don't go and see this one. The story begins nice,  but as it evolves it is pretty lame. We saw it all before. Some scenes really reminded me of other movies (not going to say witch onces, since it might spoil a bit).

I can't say I didn't enjoyed it though... it wasn't boring, the effects were pretty nice and the combat scenes were very cool. Of course there had to be romance but it was a bit flat in my opinion.
Overall: a good movie if you just want to see some hack & slash.

I saw the movie in 3D, but it wasn't worth it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Well it's the 4th movie of the saga and well... the story was pretty lame. I liked the atmosphere, the acting, the humor and the decors but the story wasn't that good. But hey, Johnny Depp as "Capitan" Jack Sparrow is already enough to go and see the movie!

I don't think I will rent or buy this movie when it comes on dvd, because I liked the movies with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley a lot better. 

maandag 16 mei 2011

What Loves Means...

I'm almost 4 years (27/07/2007) together with my fiancée and I really have a good feeling about us.

What I've learned in those years is that love is not only about liking each other because who you are but it's also about sharing interest and lucky for us, we share almost every interest!
My fiancée introduced me to serious (no casual puzzle and sim games)  gaming about 4 years ago. He showed me World of Warcarft and I'm still playing it! He gave me my RPG addiction and I kick his ass in most mmo's and rpg's).
I return I'v opened the mysterious world of books to him and we really enjoy reading together!

The biggest thing we share is our love for animals and lately my fiancée stared so get interested in the most noble animal walking this planet: horses.
We even decided to buy our own horses in the near future... damn I'm so happy he fell in love with horses as well!

There are a million other things we both like and of course there are things we don't like both. (He likes camping and I don't for example).

I hope we are mend to be together for the rest of our life.

zondag 15 mei 2011

Currently Reading

Okay I'm really lacking behind with my reading.
I gave myself the challenge to read 40 books this years and I've just read one book in 5 months. That is just terrible!
Why do I always pick the very tick books? (800 pages and more).

Now I am reading the first book of A Song of Fire and Ice: A Game of Thrones and it is so far a really good book.
It is a fantasy book (of course, I barely read anything else these days) but not the highfantasy I love so much. This book is focused on politics and I really like it. The characters are so well written and they seem to be so real. No idealistic heroes or bad guys. If I think about what happened in the book so far, I really wonder why I wasn't bored since there hasn't happened a lot. You just don't notice it because it is so well written.

The second book I am going to start tonight is a comic book from the World of Warcarft series. It's called Warcraft: Dragons of Outland #1.  Not much to tell about that for now, since I still need to start it.

I've also got 3 new books from my fiancée... he thinks it's cute when I read and he thinks I'm a total nerd... (but he knows he is one 2... we are made for each other)

Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak (from the World of Warcraft Series) and the Harry Potter comic relief (which is really funny!).

So I still have a lot to read, so I better stop blogging and go reading!

PS: I have a goodreads acoount: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5020492-carry you can find out what I'm reading over there as well!

vrijdag 13 mei 2011

A Song that You Want to Play at Your Wedding


I love this song... I'd love to waltz on it. Must love irony

and


My favorite ballad

woensdag 11 mei 2011

Decision

Today I went for the first time all alone to the forest with Amber (the pony I ride). It wasn't as fun as I planned it to be. She was really stubborn and kept stopping every few paces. One time we've stood still for about 10 minutes.  She was walking very very slowly. She got me annoyed like hell.

Then when we entered the forest she was so hot. She was really calm until I've galloped one time. After that she wanted to keep galloping and she wanted to do it very fast. I wanted a trot, but she just jumped into gallop and crosses for a few meters and I had so much trouble getting her back into a walk.

After this I decided that I'm going to buy my own horse around august (or perhaps later, need to fin the right horses plus a place to stable it).
It's not that I don't like Amber... she's a very sweet pony, but she wants to go fast, and I don't.
I'm going to "loan" her until my boyfriend and I have found a horse suitable for the both of us and I'm not going to rush that.

Maybe Amber will settle down a bit if we go to the forest more together, then I can postpone a own horse a bit more. I hope it will work out between the two of us, not because it's cheaper, but just because I like her a lot. But it still not the same as having a horse all for myself.

dinsdag 10 mei 2011

Gaming

I finished the Dragon Age saga yesterday and I must say that it was the best rpg I have played so far.
Dragon Age Origins has a much better questline and a better and more interesting environment, thought the combat and the characters are better in part two of the saga.
o-
Whole Dragon Age II takes place in one city and every now and then you can go to the coast or to the mountain pass. Not much variation. But the main character (your character) has a voice and your companions and other key characters are much more interesting then in Origins. The combat system is awesome! Especially the spells you cast as a mage are so cool!

Though the story line in Origins is way better! It's a bit cliché (gives a sort of Lord of the Rings feeling) but it feels grand and very awesome. You can travel to a lot more locations then in it's sequel, so a lot more variety. In my opinion is the sequel a lot easier and a lot more linear. The game isn't as interesting to replay. In Origins you're background is decided by what class, race and origin you chose, so there are a lot of possibilities. In Dragon Age II you are a human and you can't choose you origin. The only thing that has a small influence is your class, but is doesn't have a huge impact as it had in Origins.

What both games have is an excellent possibility to role play.   Every choice you make can influence the whole game (in a small or in a big scale) and your relations with characters. It's really cool how you can start a romance with one (or more) of your companions!

If there will make another Dragon Age, they should really combine the two games. An awesome questline with impressive and different locations. A cool combat system and very interesting characters. I hope if there comes 3th Dragon Age, it will be more friendly for the replay ability.

Now I have finished this game, I'm going back to playing a MMO for a while, combined with Age of Empires II (damn the nostalgia).

As MMO I picked WoW. I don't think RIFT has enough interesting endgame content to keep me (as casual player) interested. Aion is very difficult and gear dependent for the end game content and well WoW is very casual and I know a lot of people there....

vrijdag 29 april 2011

Slacking

We'll I'm slacking on blogging lately...

I'm just so tired at the moment, in a mental way. I really have the feeling that my life is a routine now and I don't like that.  Weeks are flying by and I notice it barely. The only thing I'm looking forward to these days are Fridays. Why? Because then I have my horse riding lesson. It's really fun to learn new stuff and try to work more together with "my" pony.

Lately I'm jealous quickly, but I don't know why...  perhaps because I think my life is boring at the moment? I have no clue... I can't find any music to cheer me up and normally I would have gone with "my" pony to the forest tomorrow, but since she is stiff in her right upper leg, it won't happen. I know if I'll go to the forest with her, she will want to gallop, but that would burden her leg too much.

I think I need to get some changes in my life... but I don't know what I can change right now.

(and damn, what a post to be the 100th)

donderdag 28 april 2011

The first Harry Potter 7 pt 2 trailer

This trailer is surely worth a blog post! I had goosebumps from the first second to the last!

I must warn people: this trailer contains spoilers, also for people who read the books! (plot changes)

zaterdag 23 april 2011

Addicted to Dragon Age

Well I bought this rpg a while ago and started to play it. The only problem I had was that I didn't like the partybased set-up. But now I love it! I have no idea what changed my mind but I'm really happy I still have the game!

Dragon Age: Origins is the best RPG I have played so far. Why? Because your choices influence all the game! you can make a very friendly character or an evil one! You can even start a relationship with one of your companions... how nice is that?
I really want to finish this game and then import my save into Dragon Age II.
For rpg lovers: you should really try this game! It's worth it!

donderdag 21 april 2011

In need of inspiration for a tattoo

For a while I've been thinking to get a tattoo. I don't want a gigantic tattoo that is difficult to cover up.
The reason behind the tattoo I want is: my teenager years. Since February this year they were officially over and it was a great time.
Those ten years are, I think, very special to your life. These are the years you get influenced the most and that you make choices that can influence the rest of your life (school, friends...). I'm not saying that they will be the most important period of my life, but I just don't want to forget them.

Now the hard part: how do I represent this period in a tattoo?
I've been thinking about this for weeks and weeks and finally I might have found something!
For ten years 'from my 10th until my 20th birthday, there always have been something to do around Harry Potter. If it wasn't a movie, then it was a book. For ten years I've been waiting for the next book and next movie until it ends this summer.

So I decided to take something Harry Potter related, but now the question is: what?

I have googled some stuff and I found some very nice tattoos:

“Of course is it happening inside your head, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” (HP7, Quote of Dumbledore)
I love the above tattoo so much! But it's pretty big xD


I've always love this sentence... 


<3


This sentence is so true. I really believe it....

The pictures of above tattoos are taken from this blog


The Deadly Hallows (source: google)



I think it will be a very difficult choice since there are so many quotes, metaphors, events, "things" and characters in the books and movies. I have time until autumn/winter. 
  






donderdag 14 april 2011

Within Temptation - The Unforgiving

I decided to put down my thought and opinion about the new album of Within Temptation: The Unforgiving.
I'm not going to review since this album is a concept album based on a comic and I haven't read the comic yet.


1. Why Not Me?

I really like the intro. It's very mysterious. The voice and the music seems to fit really good together.

2. Shot in the Dark

I love the beginning of the song! It sounds like music from a game or film. I really like Sharon her voice although I prefer higher womens voices. The song is pretty catchy because of the rhythm and the easy words.  The bridge is okay, but nothing to special. I do like the guitar solo, but I almost like very guitar solo on the album :)

3. In the Middle of the Night

I love the music of the song so much! It has a small symphonic touch to it and I like that. The chorus is a bit too catchy for me, but the music makes it good. Sharon sings very low in this song and it sounds good.

4. Faster

I think this is the song on the album I like the least. It's a bit boring and sounds so much as Wicked Games by H.I.M (but I believe they covered it). What I like about the song is the sound of the keyboard in the chorus.
The rhythm is okay, but again too catchy.

5. Fire and Ice

I love this song! The intro sounds a bit dark, but beautiful. Than you hear the piano and Sharon voices. In the background you hear an orchestra. After the chorus  the drums and guitars can be heard. It makes it a little bit more "heavy" but it still stays a ballad. Well the vocals are low again, but hey, she sings really well! I think this is, for now, my favorite song. I really love the lyrics!
The end is really nice. Just a piano and Sharon singing the sentence where she started the song with.

6. Iron

This is a really up tempo song. It gives me a good feeling! It makes me want to stand up and move! I love the part where she sings "Oh damn!...." and I love the chorus!The guitar solo is AWESOME!  I don't have much to say about this song, but I really like it!

7. Where is the Edge

I've heard this song before and I didn't liked it but now I like it! In the beginning Sharon sings "Oeoehoehoe" pretty high! The song has an electric undertone, but it fits.  I like the tempo, it's not slow nor fast. This song makes me wonder if Within Temptation will ever make a instrumental album. I really like Sharon's voice, but I even like the music better!

8. Sinéad

It starts very classical and Sharon sings at a neutral tone. I really like the drums in this song. At the chorus we get the guitars and a catchy tempo and her voice goes down. The song is pretty good, but to my opinion it would be a bit better if the chorus was less catchy. I like it that she sings a bit higher her and there in the song, because that's something I really miss in this album.

9. Lost

This a ballad again, with acoustic guitars and orchestra. I love the chorus so much! I really like the part where she sings "Help me I'm buried alive!" It gives me goosebumps. This is a song that would have fit on The Heart of Everything as well. I really like it! Well I like all the ballads! But if you like Within Temptation you really should check this song out!

10. Murder

This songs sounds very familiar but I have no clue why. I only like the chorus of the song.

11. A Demon's Fate

Starts very electrical with a touch of classical music. I really like it! A lot of orchestra in this song! The music is awesome! In the bridge she sings pretty high. I really love the "Ohoo ohooo" in the background between pieces of lyrics. Again an awesome guitar solo!

12. Stairway to the Skies 

I love this song. I love the rhythm so much. It has a very nice tempo although it's a ballad. Vocal wise I think this is, in my eyes, the best song of the album. This is a song I would love to hear live, but the concert in Brussels is sold out for quite a while and it's postponed till Autumn.
I really enjoy this song so much that I forgive them that they made a lot of catchy songs.


If I had to rate this album I would give them a 6/10 I think...

vrijdag 8 april 2011

A very nice day!

I had a very nice day today!

First my sweet teddy bear went to pick up my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 1 and he brought back a gift (a stuffed bear). We had breakfast together, took the bus to Berendrecht were Amber lives. I did some work with Amber.We are starting to becoming a very good team! She is getting a bit more balanced and more agile.
We still need to work a bit on her left gallop, which is a bit too stiff and clumsy. Also after the gallop she too forward, only wanting to gallop.
After the work we went to dike and then we went home again. we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 1.

I still think it is an amazing movie! I love the special effects, the dark and a bit dramatic touch and the humor. Disc two, with the extra's, is a bit disappointing though. I expected more behind the scenes material.

And now I am writing this complete useless and boring blog xD

donderdag 7 april 2011

Oblivion

I found this game on Graveyard Picnick and it seemed a lot of fun and since I was bored... I had the feeling my windows media player is a big fan of Within Temptation and Hammerfall...


1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 15 friends.
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? Dead Promises (The Rasmus)
2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? Revelation (Symphony X)
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Lappi (Lapland): Witchdrums (Nightwish)
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? En Natt I Nord (Midnattsol)
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Something for the Ages (Hammerfall)
6. IF SOMEONE ASKED 'ARE YOU IN LOVE?' WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? Forgive Me (Evanescence)
7. WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? Where is the Edge (Within Temptation)
8. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? In Memoriam (Garden of Delight)
9. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Puzzled (Manic Movement)
10. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Living Shields (After Forever)
11. WHAT IS 2 + 2? All I Need (Within Temptation)
12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? It's the Fear (Within Temptation)
13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Never, Ever (Hammerfall)
14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? The Pendulous Fall (Kamelot)
15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? I Will Live Again (Arch Eemy)
16. WHAT SONG WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Born in a Mourning Hall (Blind Guardian)
17. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Hearts on Fire (Hammerfall)
18. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Calling (Sengir)
19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Opheliac (Emilie Autumn)
20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Fly (Blind Guardian)
21. WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? Walking in the Air (Nightwish)
22. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? If Tomorrow Came (Kamelot)
23. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Oblivion (Lacuna Coil) 

Tim Flach: Animals at their best


It's been a while since I've posted about photography and I just found out the name of a photographer I had forgotten. I discovered about two or three years ago when I looked into his book Equus at the "Boekenbeurs" The book was way to expensive for me (about  50 euro's) but I never saw such beautiful and artistic photographs of animals before. I wrote down his name but lost the paper. Today I finally came across the book again on the internet and I want to buy all of his books starting with Equus.

I have tons and tons of respect for good animal photographers because you need to have so much patience to work with those animals and it is really difficult to get the result that you have in mind. You have to be ready to take a picture at all times because it about capturing the right moment.


Just look at this amazing picture of the dog. It doesn't even looks like a dog like this! The black against the white works so good! I love the lighting! There is only a bit shadow at the right side of the dogs "fur".
The teeth and nose caught my attention very fast. It's a small but very important detail. The eyes are hard to see, but they are there!

I'm in love with this picture. The pony you see on this picture is a Haflinger and the roots of this breed lie in Austria. I love it how the color of the pony is in contrast with the white, grey and pale blue of the background. The pony only takes in a very small part of the picture and the surroundings dominated it. Because it is at the front, the accent lies on the pony.
This is a picture I want to have on my wall in a really big size. I just love it so much!

Here we have Islander ponies. Again this is a portrait of a horse in his natural environment. The ponies are relaxed because they are cuddling. The clouds begin at a 3th of the picture The rule of the golden mean (that what google made of Gulden snede). The ponies are in the front and because of that the stress is lied on them.
Again you have the color contrast which makes it peaceful and relaxing. 

Below you find some more pictures without my boring commentary



 

All above pictures are made by Tim Flach. I don't have any rights on them. 


Some videos I've found about his pictures:



woensdag 6 april 2011

A piece of text

I've written the original of the this piece of text at least three years ago or something. Now I did a few edits and I kind of like it. Some don't read very fluently (to my feeling), but I think it's not too bad. Any advise is welcome, but I will delete flames because they are useless to me.


De zon was onder en de Nacht heerste over het land. Het was donker, donkerder dan anders. Geen sterren of maan die voor een beetje geruststellend licht zorgde.
De stad leek wel verlaten want niemand durfde op dit nachtelijke uur buiten te komen. De Nacht was te sterk om je tegen te verzetten, hij zou onschuldige in enkele snelle bewegingen verslinden. Zijn handlangers lagen op de loer, wachtend op een onvoorzichtig slachtoffer.
Toch was er één man die door de duistere, verlaten straten wandelden. De man liep zelfverzekerd naar zijn doel. Hij vreesde de Nacht niet omdat hij zich tegen hem kon verdedigen. De Nacht had hem gemaakt tot wie hij nu was. Een onderdaan die zich tegen de Nacht had gekeerd.

The rough translation: (thanks to google translator) 

The sun had set and the Night ruled the Land. It was dark, darker than usual. No stars nor moonlight that shone reassuring.
The city 
 seemed deserted because no one dared to get out at this nightly hour. The Night was too strong for you to resist, he would devour innocent in a few quick moves. Hishenchmen were lurking, waiting for a careless victim.
Yet there was a man that walked in the dark, deserted streets. The man walked confidentlyto his goal. He feared no night because he could defend himself against him. The night had made ​​him who he was. A rebelling accomplice.

Note that the pieces of text that are written above are mine and may not be copied in anyway or used without my permission.