Wreck This Journal: Tear Out. Crumple.

(Note: Taken from my Edition of "Wreck This Journal")



Well, I thought of some Batik-thing, but unfortunately the lines from crumpling didn't appear as clear as expected. The Crumple-Effect is a bit better seen in real than on the picture, maybe because the right page is the "Sky background" of my "Paper Airplane Page" and already been saturated once.

HOW-TO-MAKE:
1. Crumple the pages - as instruction was demanding.
2. Sketching the outlines with a pencil.
3. Using watercolors for the soft-flowing-effect.
Note: You don't have to take much care about exact lines! (See step 4) Take care not to use too much color, more watery.
4. After let everything dry, using Flake White for the outlines.
FINISHED! :-)

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One-Minute-Writer: Week 38

(Note: These are writing prompts of "One-Minute-Writer-Blog")

Monday, September-20: Book. Write about a book you're currently reading.
I've just finished the 1st chapter of 'The God Of Small Things' by the Indian writer Arundhati Roy. The book had won a lot of prizes and got brilliant reviews. For my part, it's hard to say much thus far: I'm a bit confused by the many characters and the two time zones. Well, I never judge a book by its cover, and I don't judge a book after the first chapter either! You're welcome to ask again after I'm finished with the book!

Tuesday, September-21: Forget. Complete this thought: "I usually forget ...".
I usually forget ... what was the question?

Wednesday, September-22: Better. Complete this thought: "Someone really needs to design a better ...".
Someone really needs to design better people or a better brain or a better awareness. On the one side our planet provides mankind with everything it needs, but on the other side, we destroy the nature, exploit natural resources, we fight wars for unimportant reasons, half of the world suffers on fatal diseases, hunger and a lack of clean water, some even treat their children very badly! Can you tell me, how this shall work out well, if we don't change our minds soon?

Thursday, September-23: Feel. What do you do, even when you don't feel like it?
Getting up every morning when that damn alarm clock rings! I'm an owl, so PLEASE let me sleep late, but NO! I get up every single morning, again and again. I'm a good girl, am I not?

Friday, September-24: Dinosaur. Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt, "Dinosaur".
»Do you know, what you are? I'll tell you! A dinosaur.«
»There is no need to get loud.«
»Why not? I just tell the truth! You and your ancient attitudes. They're just like dinosaurs, an extinguished species.«
She really loved Corrine, but sometimes she couldn't believe that they were sisters. Nobody, who sees them, could have ever imagined, that two girls, twins, looking totally similar on the outside, could be so different in the inside.
»Come on, Corrine! What's the problem? It's just a picture.«
»Just a picture? You're almost naked! I don't want anybody to see me on that cover.«
»First, it's a wonderful bikini and second, it's not you, it's me!«
»Carolyn, come on please...«

When Dr. Corban made his late evening check through the station, he paused on her door, took a quick look into the room and sighted. Obviously the new medications hadn't had any effect. That poor girl was standing in front of the window discussing with her own reflection.

EDIT: Another win as Daily Winner! *yeah*

Saturday, September-25: Doctor. Write about the best or worst doctor who has treated you.
"I don't know, what your problem is!" is a sentence you don't want to hear from your therapist!

Sunday, September-26: School. Write about your first day of kindergarten (or a memorable first day from another school year.)
I consider my first day in Primary School as most memorable. I was the only girl having a blue "Schultuete" instead of a girlish pink one. I was so proud of it!

I wonder: Is there something like a "Schultuete" in the US or UK? It's a cardboard cone filled with sweets or small presents, given to children on their first school day.

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Wreck This Journal: Close Your Eyes. Connect The Dots From Memory.

(Note: Taken from my Edition of "Wreck This Journal")



Very obviously I was blind according to the first part of the instruction!

It's made just by using pencils of different hardness grades. I used a clockwork as inspiration and pattern, but I doubt this kind of "machine" would ever work! *g*

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One-Minute-Writer: Week 37

(Note: These are writing prompts of "One-Minute-Writer-Blog")

Monday, September-13: Monday. Rename Monday.
Worst-Don't-Do-Mornings-Day.

Tuesday, September-14: Weak. In what way are you weak?
Patience. My private patience is rather weak. I truly HATE e.g. waiting for book releases, especially if the book is a part of a series! You desperately want to know how the story continues and you have to wait felt 10 years! This sucks!

Wednesday, September-15: Slang. Create a slang word and define it.
I'm awful with slang. Really. So finally, I began playing acronym with my name 'Karin' ... and got out: Ikran. You may have heard that, haven't you? Ikran is incidentally that flying creature in the movie 'Avatar', a Na'vi has to tame and ride to become a warrior.
It's no slang word, but interesting, isn't it?

Thursday, September-16: Gift. Write about an unexpected gift you've received.
This prompt made me think really hard. After reading all the other wonderful posts, I have to say, it makes me a bit sad that I can't enlist something similar moving. I could say, it's a gift to live in the century of internet and find all those wonderful people I otherwise wouldn't have met. But honestly, this sounds rather shallow and exaggerated, right? So, my unexpected gift was a plain book, sent by my dear friend Stefanie, that I was absolutely rejoiced over!

Friday, September-17: Swing. Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt, "Swing".
When I was a kid I stayed at my Granny's house every summer. The tiny village she lived in, had a little playground with a sand box, a see-saw, two swings and a little fountain. But this was no ordinary playground. Huge oaks covered the place and the sunlight, which came through the leaves, was sparkly and transformed everything into a place of magic. We were the heroes, who had to conquer big adventures, fight the enemies and find the hidden treasures.
I wonder, if this playground still exists ... I don't think so! Even if, it will never be the same like the magical one in my childhood! Thank you for bringing me back there!

Saturday, September-18: Time. Write about an experience you had when you lost track of time.
Books seem to make the funniest things with time. Waiting for one of these objects give you additional, very extended time and you don't want it! It feels like ages and ages. Your patience is put to a real acid test. Then, just the minute you have the book in your hand, the counterbalance begins: Time slows down. You start to read and time even vanishes. Just one more chapter, please, I simply have to know how this situation could ever work out well. Some more, just a little more, okay? You turn page after page after page, you have to ... until there is no more page! How could that happen? Even more, you've read the whole night through? How could THAT happen? You're tired to death, your eyes burn, you're absolutely disorientated, because you don't know, where all the time had gone, but you're absolutely ... at peace!

Sunday, September-19: Alien. Tomorrow morning you wake up to find a visitor from another planet, on your doorstep. What do you say to it?
Hi (saying-unintelligible-name-in-alien-language)! It's about time! Can I come home now, please?

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Wreck This Journal: Place Sticky Things Here.

(Note: Taken from my Edition of "Wreck This Journal")



The whole page is taped shut with red and white insulating tape. I can tell you, the smell is rather nasty! *yuk*

Do you remember "la linea"? :-)))

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One-Minute-Writer: Week 36

(Note: These are writing prompts of "One-Minute-Writer-Blog")

Monday, September-06: Question. What do you think is the most important question in life?
I'm very intrigued by questions (more than answers), that's what made me immediately think of that prompt. And I was sooo curious about the answers! So, thanks for taking the prompt and thanks for answering … or questioning! *smiles* Finally, the one I choose:

J.R.R. Tolkien once said: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - So, my question is: "What have you decided to do with the time that is given to you?"

Tuesday, September-07: Conspiracy. Create a conspiracy theory to explain an historical event.
Oh, my own birth. Definitively. Besides very obvious similarities on the outside - without doubt I'm my parent's child - I have in the inside nothing in common with the whole family tribe. I don't do what's expected to be done, I behave absolutely different, I think totally different.
I suppose some alien experiment involved. The try of an successful brain switch and the lifetime observation to answer the question, what is stronger: The influence of the family or the own personality! I guess, they already have their answer!

Wednesday, September-08: Memory. Write the earliest memory you can recall.
There are different flickering images in my head. I suppose the oldest is when I should stay at my grandmother's house, but I couldn't because my beloved little cuddly toy wasn't with me.

Thursday, September-09: Campaign. Imagine you are running for public office. What will be your primary campaign promise?
To get everyone a job!
Everything else will develop from there on. Hopefully.

Friday, September-10: Extracurricular . Write about an extracurricular activity you did when you were growing up, and how it affects (or doesn't affect) your life now. If you didn't do any extracurricular activities, write about what you would have liked to do.
This prompt made me think a little. To be honest, in my years of study I was VERY career driven. If it was "Business English" or becoming a member of a student consulting team, every single extracurricular activity was focused on career. These points look good in your curriculum vitae and I'd learnt a lot, but be sure, consulting teams are also very talented in organizing parties!

Saturday, September-11: Ticket. Write about a time you've gotten a ticket from a police officer (or sheriff, etc.) If you've never gotten a ticket, write about how you've avoided it.
Actually, I've never been stopped by a police officer. I only got a few tickets for false parking and one for driving too fast. Driving has something to do with freedom. While my car glides over the roads, my mind can fly free. It's something spiritual, something very relaxing. There's no need to drive over speed limits or breaking any other rules. Just driving for the sake of driving.

Sunday, September-12: Strong. In what way are you strong?
I'm very sure about my own views and opinions. I guess, that's what enables me to be very diplomatic on others. I always try to see both sides of the medal. Even if I don't agree or simply can't understand the other's point of view, at least I TRY to follow the arguments. And I try not to judge. This attitude makes me very strong to get more information, the basis for almost everything I do.

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Quiz: Are you skilled?

I was doing a google research. The context was a about art, which made me stumble over this quiz here:

Of course, curious as I am, I had to participate. Not just because of the results, but more HOW they will find out what my chances are to see my talent burst out.

Don't you worry, I won't post the whole 5 pages of the result pdf-file (that's why they ask you for your email address!), just a few notes:

• Time: You took a little too long to do the test.
  Yeah, that's right! I had to look up several words, because I simply didn't know the meaning!
• Artistic culture: You probably know that you are short of knowledge in this domain.
  I don't deny that!
• Technical knowledge: You already know quite a lot but there are still gaps to be filled.
  Okay!
• Talents, gifts and predispositions: You have quite a lot of talent and you should try to make the most of it. (...)You are quite rigorous and precise. (...) You have demonstrated your organizational qualities.
  I can agree totally ... and I'm on my way!
• Are you made more for a "craft" or a "fine-arts" activity? Your nature seems to suit you for forms of pure artistic expression, although technique, know-how and expertise also play an important part. You could express yourself by practicing a technique provided that artistic objectives were involved.
  All right!
• Detailed personal evaluation: You do unquestionably possess a talent. But is it really a hidden talent? I don't think so.
  I wouldn't have expected anything else! *g*

I consider it very fascinating how close the results are to my personal sense and judgment. Anyway, it was fun and interesting!

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Writing Exercise 07: Writing Dialogues

(Note: This is a unit of "Schreibaufgabe.de")

THE CHALLENGE
»Can you give me the salt, please?«
»Okay. Here.«
»Thanks.«
»You're welcome.«

Obviously a dialogue. Maybe two persons are having dinner. One of them needs salt, asks and gets what he/she wants. Quite boring, isn't it? To make a dialogue interesting there had to be a conflict or controversy.

The task is to pep up the dialogue above. Write about half a page and remember: What does each character want? Here's the start:

»Can you give me the salt, please?«
»No!«

MY OUTCOME
When he passed through the door it was not the usual Darling-I'm-home-feeling, it was more like entering a refrigerator. And now, half an hour later, they sat on the dining table and the only thing you could hear was the ticking of the watch and the sound of silver tines on porcelain.
He had to clear his throat before he was able to break the silence.
»Can you give me the salt?«
He still concentrated on the piece of meat in front of him, but when there was no reaction, he looked up, pointed with the knife in his hand in her direction.
»Bee, the salt! Right next to you!«
This time she looked up, frowned.
»Don't call me Bee! I have a name!«, she said with suppressed voice.
Okaaay!, he thought. This was so not right. Usually she liked calling her his honey bee.
»Can you, please, give me the salt, BARBARA?«
Damn it! He didn't want to sound her name like 'bitch'. She gave him a sharp look, gripped the salt ... and salted her own meat! Something she usually never does!
»God damn it! What is wrong with you today?«, he demanded and threw down his cutlery.
»I saw you!« Her voice was cold as ice.
»Saw what?« He tried to be cool.
»Oh, you know exactly, what I mean!«, she snapped.
»No, I don't! And if, I would call myself a mind reader and use this wonderful gift for some other useful purposes.« He so knew, that sarcasm wasn't right in here, but he simply couldn't help. And right, now her fiery temperament got loud.

QUESTION
Thanks, half the page is full! I'm so not good in doing those kind of scenes, neither in real life nor in written worlds. Got any idea how to improve these skills?

---
Continue with Exercise 08: A Photo As Inspiration

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Wreck This Journal: A Page For Four-Letter Words.

(Note: Taken from my Edition of "Wreck This Journal")



It's given proof, that the German edition of WTJ is slightly different from the English one. I hadn't found any English page for nasty cusses/curses. Instead only a page for four-letter words, which most of the user literally had filled with words having 4 letters.
After publishing my page on flickr, MikkaArt, one of the users, was so kind, to undeceive my lack of knowledge:
Curse words = four-letter words
So, mission accomplished - learnt something new that day! *g*

Now some words to the page itself:

• In general I'm no fan of cusses and curses, I use bad words very rarely. So I have to find a solution, what I could do with this page. And that's my compromise.
• I had some help with the graffiti. Have a look at:
  The Graffiti Creator
• I had already done the background and all the outlines, when I came to the conclusion, I should better have printed out the graffiti and glued it on the page, but it was pretty late, so I had to draw everything!

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One-Minute-Writer: Week 35

(Note: These are writing prompts of "One-Minute-Writer-Blog")

Monday, August-30: Forget. What would you like to forget?
For sure I have memories I wished to be erased out of my brain. But considering the quote "Without the darkness we can't appreciate the light" I also honor my bad memories. And thinking in a much greater scale: Do we really want to forget tragedies like the Holocaust?

Tuesday, August-31: Family. Write about someone you know/knew who was not related to you, but was like a family member.
I'm the one my family entitles "the black sheep", because I did not what was expected and stood career over marriage, children, house and tree, because I had "uncommon" interests and dared to expect more from life and tried to reach out for the starts. So sorry, when I don't give much about something like "family".
BUT there are close confidants I can talk to about my concerns, there are friends I can share my laughter and tears with, there are pen pals, I can ask about all my various interests. Even if some of them I've never met in person, they give me what my family was never able to: They let me be me! And, in my opinion, that's more worth than something like a biological family!

Wednesday, September-01: Necessity. Think about something you enjoy that is not a necessity. How much would you miss it if it were no longer available to you?
*shaking-in-Balu-style-and-singing*
"Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife..."

Oh, I love that song! Okay, okay, I should better focus:
*hmm* *thinking* I would say, everything I do is a "necessity" for me, that's why (have to) I do it! *lol* Something like eating chocolate. Oh lord, I love chocolate, I'm a chocoholic. But is it REALLY a necessity? My brain says "absolutely yes", my hips say "definitively no"! So, I THINK, as there is no substitute drug, I have to go on a heavy rehabilitation when there is no more chocolate. Better not thinking on that, better not! *g*

Thursday, September-02: Transportation. Write about the type of transportation you hope people are using most in 50 years.
First, I was also thinking on something similar like cars driven by sun energy, flying and teleportation ... but then another thought manifested in my mind: The way mankind develops, and speaking not in a good way, the trend would be completely oppositional. Everything would be virtual: Living, working, communication, traveling, etc. Everything we need would be brought into our houses by robots. We won't need any transportation at all!

Friday, September-03: Prompt. What should tomorrow's Writing Prompt be?
Question. What do you think is the most important question in life?
Eyes. Complete the sentence: "Eyes are not only the entrance to your soul, but also ..."
Body switch. Imagine, one day you wake up and found yourself to be the leader of your country. What would you think/do?
Time switch. Imagine, one day you wake up and found yourself back in the Seventies. What would you think/do?
Intriguing. Write a short bit of dark, sarcastic fiction using the word "intriguing".
Over night. Where would you be pleased to find yourself locked up over night?
Fairy tales. What character of a fairy tales would suit to you?
Elevator. With which famous person would you like be trapped in an elevator? With whom in absolutely no case?

Saturday, September-04: Six Word Saturday. Describe your life in six words.
Sometimes six words are not enough! *sigh*
(*sigh* is NOT a word! *g*)

Sunday, September-05: Salt. Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Salt".
I love to go to the movies, but I'm not enough fan of Angelina Jolie to see her latest movie "Salt".

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Quiz: What Is Your Animal Personality?

I have an email book club with my wonderful friend Dolly. At the moment we are discussing "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and we came to the point to talk about "Patronus". While I was quite sure, my own Patronus had to be some catlike, preferably a black panther or a snow leopard, dear Dolly had no idea. She said:

"To be honest, I really would like to know the answers to these question. But I have no affinity with animals - but of course these Patronus are reflection of one's personality, so I guess it would be similar to whatever animal my personality relates to, and I have no idea what that would be. But perhaps I should take some fun online quizzes that say "what animal are you" and let's see what comes up."

SHE had the thought, I just did the google research and ... OMG there are plenty of them, like this one:
Quizilla: What Is Your Animal Personality

MY RESULT IS

Okay, it's not a predatory feline, but can I live with that! *hoowwwl*

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