MAGHAFFAR

OK, here goes, second attempt. . .

MAGHAFFAR

Yup. Show #3 of "Understanding Islam".. . Airs on KSPA 1510AM in So-Cal/IE area 10:30am-11:00am Call-in number if you have a question (Topic is Importance of a Mosque) is: 1-866-584-3434 Listen vian the internet at : www.am1510kspa.com Click on the LISTEN LIVE button, top left. -- Jonathan M.A.Ghaffar

FROMTHEDARK

Been around the world, see things i never thought i would see and still am in love with serenity!

JANE0904

MASKS. Over 102,000 words. Thirty-one chapters (and lots of one-offs/short stories in between). Nine months in the telling (and yes, it was like giving birth). And innumerable headaches wrestling with the plot. When I first started writing this back in September 09, I didn’t realise there would be times when I didn’t think I was going to finish it, when I seriously considered writing a sort of précis for the remainder of the story, and leaving it at that. But I didn’t, and it’s finally done. Now it is, honestly, I'm happy with it - as much as a writer ever can be! I learned a lot from writing this, not least in trying to keep basically two different stories going at the same time, with complicated characters who had minds of their own. But to the point of this blog, which is basically to give a little insight into why I wrote it. A long time ago, before I ever started uploading fiction at all, I wrote the start of a Firefly story where Mal and the crew come across a ship that has been attacked by pirates, and he is asked to help. I won't go into much more detail than that, because I may still recycle some of the ideas (Alliance who aren’t, and kidnappers who might be something else), but suffice it to say there were elements that appeared here. When I started I had pictures in my mind – returning to Ling Miao, for instance, and the twins going on a cruise – but the other story of Cherokee was a miraculous coincidence (besides, I thought it might make up for the fact that I – or rather Becca Morgan – blew up Road Runner). I had, I admit, always intended to bring back the Laus, for when a villain intrigues, they’re worth a return visit. And I don’t doubt we will see them again: like a bad penny, they always turn up. Chester, however, was sacrificed so Flynn could redeem himself. I do have to thank QMX and Geoffrey Mandel for their wonderful map of the ‘verse – this gave me the setting for the denouement of The Halo, but I took it a step further and made communication well nigh impossible inside it. And me being me, I couldn’t leave all that wonderful fluff, the magic of Mal and Freya just walking together through Eavesdown, without adding just a taste of something yet to come. Not yet, because my muse is insisting on a vacation, and there are going to be one-shots and humour in between, but remember Adam Rostov – maybe not in the next multi-chapter, but he will be a major player in a big, dramatic story arc. And for Katesfriend who asked if she missed the memo about him ... no. He’s a new OC, inspired by a comment a long time ago that the reviewer would like to see what would happen if Freya ever found out there were other academies still running, and what she’d do about the children in them. Wrath unleashed, perhaps ... As for now, I want to thank those readers who have stuck with me, and those who have commented. I hope you enjoyed the story, and will continue to watch out for my tales. Until next time ... see you in the world! Jane :biggrin:

ANOTHERSKY

Thought of the day...a contemplative entry. This is, strangely, neither an apology, rant, or plea. Just thinking. Yet another person asked me today why I want to learn as many other languages besides my native tongue as I can. Besides communicating with others, and partially "seeing through their eyes"(as cliche as that is), I want to see all the variable beauty that I can. Because as a language, English is inadequate for subtleties of poetry and other artistic usages of language.{Besides the fact that other languages have gotten to certain concepts "first", by way of their idea sets. Thus certain 'thoughts' are untranslatable--though a non-native reader can get closer to understanding them by speaking the language.} Let me clarify. I don't think English is a big hacking sword when what you need is a penknife (being mightier...), I'm just saying it's blunter than necessary when a certain fineness of emotional or physical description is required. On the other hand, English's multifaceted words are excellent for different and simultaneous interpretation--aka double meanings. However, a particular word or phrase carrying many connotations must be used in a different way than one with few, like any artistic medium.[surprisingly, words are in fact an artistic medium...]. This effect is amplified when it's applied to the language as a whole. Also, I just want the author's original intent. Reading a translation, even a good translation, can never be like your Italian grandmother's polenta,only a pale imitation tagged with the quid-pro-quo of a sell-by date. It gives you the idea, but not the full flavor. So I want to not only read their words, but also their idea, as they thought it.

JAYNESRIVER

Hey, been a long while. Not much going on but I do have a new story that is up on Fanfic.net. If you are not familiar with that site than I will tell you what it is. It is a site with fanfics, shocking I know. Seriously you can find fanfics on practically anything. Manga, TV shows, movies, etc. I posted my Sleep Tight Story there and am working on a new one called "The Aftermath." I am trying to go at a slow pace but it's hard when once I start typing I can't stop, especially when I am really into the story I'm writing. I plan to take out the stories that I have here and rewrite them for this new story. All except for Sleep Tight. I might continue that one but in a different way; I don't know yet. Well, hope that you come and read my new story at this site and maybe I will post it here as well. Note: Is anyone else having trouble looking at the references here? Every time I try to look up the Chinese translations an error page comes up. Please let me know if you have found alternatives or know where I could go for other firefly references. Thanks!

ANGELINTHEBLACK

So iraq pretty much blows... this base aint uch in the way of m.w.r. but thats really as bad as it gets. The jobs boring and for over here thats a good thing i hope it stays that way just wish the higher ups didnt like to meddle so gorram much in our business. They fail to realize that if they dont have to do anything that means they're doing a good job... but sigh they dont. im working on revising y old fanficts and writing some new ones so maybe ill have one up sometime soon. got some scetches in the works that go along with some of the ship types i came up with too so well see how that turns out.

SERENITYRIDDLE

I finally got my key chain in the mail yesterday and it is awesome! Now I can Serenity with me where ever I go!! Did anyone else order one??

JAMERON4EVA

OMG i have like ten loves in my life. My love of God, my family, Dark Angel, Firefly,(same spot btw), um school, the Yankees, this girl in one of my classes, Omg, k, scratch that, THREE LOVES. God, my familia, and the girl. Damn her bf, so what if he a gunna be a yankee, GET WITH ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BYTEMITE

During a morning walk, if you should observe a hornet on the sidewalk, lying in the shade on its side and not moving, the proper response is NOT to nudge it gently with your foot. I'm kinda known among friends for my inclinations towards inspired idiocy. I might make a series out of these sorts of learning experiences, to share so that people don't make the same mistakes.

BRIGLAD

But I'm too gorram tired to do anything about em'... Officially put in 46 hours at work this week. ad in the three hour round trip commute for three of those days (and having to get up at Oh-dark- thirty to boot) and I'm beat. Maybe I can write something tomorrow... Bri

JAYNESRIVER

So, I decided to post the new story that I made with an Original Character of my own imagination on this site. I was only going to post it on Fanfic.net but only one person has left feedback. I can't complain too much since the feedback they left was really good constructive criticism. I hope you all read my new story AFTERMATH and leave constructive criticism to give me the ammunition to continue. Thanks!

ANGELLEMARCS

In an episode of Warehouse 13 this season....I am so excited to see the pair at work again.....for info on the series, check out....

MICJWELCH

I know, it's shameless self-promotion, but I just finished my new Batman Fan Film.

JANE0904

That's what I've written in the Firefly canon. If an average book is around 75,000 words then that's around 27 book lengths I've written, not including other fandoms. No wonder my fingers are tired! At this point I'd like to thank those of you who comment. I know my stories aren't to everyone's tastes - particularly those who don't like OCs - but it's gratifying for me to know that you take the time to read and review. BTW, hope you're liking the new one-off series Interludes. I'm working on the next multi-part arc, which will headline Jayne in particular, so keep an eye out for it. It is called INDIGO. Again, thank you. Jane :smokin:

JAYNESRIVER

Okay, so a few are a little confused with my new story. Okay, strike that, only one. Well, he's the only one that left a bloody comment on it. Anyway, to help answer his questions about the time frame of my fanfic. It takes place a month after Miranda. Secondly, the reason why Dustee let Mal put the gun to her head, is because she's not afraid of death. She knew what he was doing but it didn't matter to her. To her it wouldn't make a difference if she lived or died, since to her it's the same things (considering what she's been through at the Academy). Thirdly, ummm, what was the other question he had....ahhhhh....hold on, it'll come to me....River doesn't remember clearly about Dustee. I will go into that in later chapters as to why. Fourth point, they didn't realize what their flaw on River until it was too late to fix it. The flaw was stripping her of her amygdala. They are still interested in River since she is 'the' prototype for the ultimate weapon. It's like steps, you go up one step but you're not at your destination you're just a step closer. Each experiment whether failed or successful is a step. River was two steps forward to their goal. Last point, Mal doesn't kick her off because he sees that she has a lot of valuable information. Seeing as how she openly admitted that she is the perfect weapon, he knows her power. However, he respects the fact that she has not been violent toward any of them and has provided them, mainly Simon, with a lot of information having to do with the Academy. This is why he let's her stay for the ride to Beaumonde, then she may be on her own. I know it may seem confusing, but to me it's not. However, to each his own, right? I do appreciate constructive criticism and welcome feedback, but if you don't like it that's okay. Hopefully you give it a chance. Thanks to all those who have read and reviewed my little stories.

ANOTHERSKY

[i]Because eating time comes [b]before[/b] sleeping time...or is it after? I can never remember...[/i] So the Halo [i]Reach[/i] BETA ended today. I wish I could be talking about how awesome it was, but since I didn't actually have an xbox at the time when ODST came out I didn't buy it...ergo did not play the beta ergo blah blah blah. But I've seen the cool screenshots and gameplay videos, many of them on bungie's site. Lots of them. In fact, there are probably more screenshots on there than paparazzi vomit in the checkout line. People magazine, take note. You've been pwned like a nub, and need to increase your output. Which leads to another philosophical question: the...(I must not speak it's name, but I will)...

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER

Hey all! Just thought I would pass along this fantastic little "getting to know me/you" icebreaker. Go ahead...copy and paste, and do your own! 1. High heels or boots? [b]Much as heels can definitely create a visual enhancement on certain parts of the female gender’s body, I prefer a sturdy pair or hiking boots or steel-toed romper-stompers ;)[/b] 2. What time did you get up this morning? [b]Uh…think it was about 1110 Zulu (11:10 AM Eastern for those not into the military side of things ;D)[/b] 3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? [b]Alice In Wonderland 3D (yes, the Tim Burton one with Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter…I admit it, I caved to my female best friend’s puppy dog eyes)[/b] 4. What is your maiden name? [b]Lewis…same family name I’ve carried since I was officially listed as a legally-independent entity with rights and freedoms almost 27 years ago (rather than a foetus)[/b] 5. What is/are your favourite TV show(s)? [b]Honestly haven’t been watching much TV lately, which is ironic for someone who works for a satellite TV company…so I would have to say [i]Chuck[/i], [i]Doctor Who[/i], and [i]Castle[/i] for currently airing shows. Have a whole laundry list of shows that are no longer on the air, with the top spot being Joss Whedon’s cruelly cancelled Firefly.[/b] 6. What do you usually have for breakfast? [b]Don’t eat breakfast much these days, but when I do? OJ or apple juice and a granola bar if it’s lazy-ish day, OJ or apple juice and toast if I have to go somewhere nearby, and OJ or apple juice and a Timmie’s breakfast sandwich if I am long-hauling somewhere.[/b] 7. What is your middle name? [b]Actually have two: Huw and Gwyn[/b] 8. What food(s) do you dislike? [b]Nothing really comes to mind…will honestly eat anything put in front of me.[/b] 9. What is your favourite CD at the moment? [b]Not really my favourite per say, but I listened to my 20th Century Masters collection of top songs of 1983 about 3 complete times when I was driving to and from Toronto on a trip recently. Other than that? I find the majority of commercially released albums to be technically hit and miss, since I will love a few songs or audio tracks on an album, like a few others and the rest? Will either skip or mute the volume temporarily…doesn’t make much for “loving” an album. I guess the last album I was a fan boy over was The Best of James Bond (40th anniversary edition, I think), which is a collection of all the James Bond film themes up to Die Another Day plus a couple of related tracks.[/b] 10. What characteristic do you despise? [b]It’s a toss-up between egotism, stupidity and cruelty.[/b] 11. Favourite Clothing? [b]A tattered-looking fleece sweatshirt I got in my 2nd year of university. Was sort of my dorm job uniform, but it fits me so well and it’s warm in the right amount too![/b] 12. Anywhere in the world on vacation? [b]Hmm…would love to explore Australia, and I really wanna see more of the US besides NYC (which is a great city, don’t get me wrong). Willing to go any place really if I had the chance…[/b] 13. Are you an organized person? [b]Technically not…I have orderly piles of junk and mess ;)[/b] 14. Where would you retire to? [b]Good question…part of me wants to say Wales because it’s where my dad’s family is from, it’s spectacular country to experience and it’s where the family I know and care about live right now (other than my dad and brother, who are here in Canada).[/b] 15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? [b]My most recent one (no. 26), where I got to celebrate it with all of my close family, including relatives I had not seen in the flesh if over 20 years…except my recently deceased mother. That was the one black cloud on an otherwise fantastic day...[/b] 16. What are you going to do when you finish this? [b]Laundry…haircut maybe…write an e-mail to my family overseas…not sure for certain other than the laundry thing ;)[/b] 17. Furthest place you are sending this? [b]Not actually sure…the UK