Chapter 2 and onwards

Good evening readers -
Although I am proud of this story, I must confess it may not be my best. It was my first honest attempt into mystery - the type of stories I enjoy the most. And although it may be predictable and glamorous - in the best way described - I did enjoy it.
I have decided to just post the rest of the story - I am pretty sure I am the only one who has ever read it so it probably does not matter. But, in the sake of finishing something (a must for any upcoming New Year's Eve Revolution list) I should do it.
So, after 3 glasses of wine, and a horrible work week, I am posting, via my live journal account (only ever made for the story - my advice: if you ever want to let things let loose - write it on paper, in a journal, so that - should something happen- you could always burn it), here are the last chapters of Camas Valley.
Thank you to Jennifer, who - although extremely busy with finishing her masters degree - was able to proof read. Thank you a billion!

Camas Valley: Chapter One

Here is the link to a livejounal account where the chapter's for Camas Valley can be viewed. Every time I update the account, I will let you know via this blog and my twitter account. Please bare with me when posting......I'm still getting the hang of it!

Let me know if the link does not work - if not, I will post it under the comment section.

Prologue: A Beautiful Night's Sky

The shortening of breath was making it difficult to concentrate as Professor Slidell, of North Western Oregon University, lay in the brush, bleeding to death. A pool of blood soaked through her clothes as she stared up to the clear night’s sky, as she reminisced of her imminent death.

It was a normal summery day and she had been invited to lecture at Camas Valley’s City Hall about the town’s history and of Joseph Keaton, the town’s first wealthy bachelor who had disappeared in the 1890s. Grateful to share her knowledge of the town’s history, Professor Slidell foolishly agreed.

Instead of the warm welcome she had imagined, the professor was met with hostility, especially from the Bryton family, the ancestors of the original settlers of Camas Valley. It had not helped that she felt that the Bryton family ancestors were responsible for the disappearance of Joseph Keaton and had announced it at the end of the first nights lecture. It was only suppose to draw the crowd in for the next days lecture. Instead, the crowd erupted into a shouting match – the Bryton family was none too pleased with her deduction. The Sheriff and his deputies only showed their presence when other crowd members began yelling insults back at the Bryton family members. On accident, Professor Slidell had started another battle between the Camas Valley residents.

Thinking back, as Professor Slidell’s vision blurred and here eyelids felt so heavy, all she could think of was the fact that now no one would ever discover the Keaton treasure.

A creak in the woods let the dying professor know she was not alone. And all she could do was watch her killer come closer, the footsteps heavy on the ground.

The footsteps stopped by her head, and the shadow of a hand drew to her mouth.

Metal pressed into her throat.

The last thought of Professor Slidell was of the beautiful night' sky over Camas Valley.

The Beginnings of a Story

On the 7th of June, 2010, I was at work, bored as usual, and began to plot a story. It had no structure, and really no where to go. Normally, that is how a story ends for me: I grow bored with the idea and get rid of it. I began an outline and then wrote a couple of paragraphs for a story about settlers and treasure. And, as predicted, after that day I thought nothing of it.

Then, on July 16th, while at home, I came up with an idea for that little story plot I had began in June. Using the names from a show I had been watching (i.e. Supernatural), I started writing again. But instead of becoming bored, page after page began emerging. At work, when it was not busy, I took out my little journal and began writing. Between the 16th and the 26th, I wrote an entire story plot. For once, I was actually excited to write.

I must add that the last time I became this interested in writing I wrote a 30 page story which will never come into the light again. The plot of that particular story was from various movies that I had used; all in all, it was crap because I wanted it to be. A high school teacher refused to let me do a project alone so in response, I wrote an incredibly long and horrible story.

So, when I found myself with an entire outline that was not too bad, I was curious. This story is the first one I have ever written in present time; no going back to the past or to a distant land. It was also the first time I had written a full story in the 3rd person. Also, it was more of an adventure and treasure story. I was excited for the challenge.

Two years later, after 3 drafts written, I have finally decided to put it up for friends to read.

This is a warning!

Do not read this story as if it were a masterpiece of literature. Because it certainly is not! Enjoy the experience of a treasure hunt that has mystery and mayhem.

Thank you Jennifer, for your ideas and the corrections! I could not have finished this without your help!

Sketch

One of my New Year's Resolution's last year was to begin doing more art pieces. More for my enjoyment than for display, it was something I used to really enjoy; especially sketching. None of my drawings are even close to being professional, and there are a lot of artists out there who are, by far, better than myself. Up above is my first sketch in years. The image was from a Vanity Fair interview from last year. I'm sure you can guess who it is!

On other news, Liverpool FC won the Carling Cup! I really have not clue what the significance is, but I'm super happy they won (even if it was through penalties).

Have a wonderful day everybody!

DIY Project!

Last week, as I was awaiting to hear if I still had a job, I spent the time doing projects. These projects, small and large, had been put on hold on account that I never had any time to finish (or start) them.

This DIY project can be found on:

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/02/geometric-photo-art-project.html

I had a lot of fun doing this project. I used construction paper, old postcards, some cut outs from magazines as well as pages from an old book my brother ruined. I constructed a perfect triangle, with 2.5" measurements, out of an old note card and used it as a template. Unlike the original DIY project, I first glued (using normal stick glue)the pieces on a long piece of paper that I then glued and taped onto a cardboard cutout.

If I did this project again, I would begin gluing the triangles starting from the middle, then outward. I had to remove half of the triangles on the top row because they started going sideways....

Have fun with this one!

The Return

My oh my, where did 2011 go?

This past year has been….interesting. The start of the year began with my quitting an old job and then having no job until the end of May. Due to my "time off" I created a list of New Year's Eve Resolutions; I began working out and then applying to jobs.

Thankfully I did get a job and my time for blogging disappeared. And now I have some more time on my hands, I will continue blogging.

First off, let us return to those 2011 resolutions….Here are my answers:

1. Stop drinking coffee for one month: I was able to handle one month without coffee. I was absolutely horrible to be around for about 2 weeks, but after that, my

addiction waned. Of course, the second I was able to drink coffee again, I did. However, I now only will let myself have one or two cups of coffee per day.

2. Exercise up to 30 minutes per day. Yeah……I maybe did one month of jogging/pilates/yoga/and-or belly dancing for 30 minutes per day. I started to get really into it - even feeling guilty when I missed out on working out. But then I got a job….

3. Go back to school: I have to say, I nearly made it back to a community college class. I applied, met with a counselor, and sent in my transcripts. Then I got a job…

4. Get a job: Obviously from seeing number's 2 and 3, I got a job at the end of May. I enjoy working where I work….

5. No eating chocolate for one month: I nearly made it a month without eating chocolate but then something happened (I'm guessing it period-related) and I fell off the band wagon.

6. Start writing stories and doing more artwork: I nearly have a story finished that, although my enthusiasm has diminished for it, I am glad it is nearly finished. Once I figure out how I am going to post it, I will share it with you. As for artwork, I did do a drawing of a famous hunk that I will post later. And seeing as I may have some more time to do more artwork, I may do more postings for projects. We will see.

For 2012, I did not make any New Year's Resolutions. I was busy with work and just did not have time to do anything like that. For me, 2011 was about work experience. I was able to create some displays for a part of my work that I may share on this site.

I am excited to see where 2012 will lead me and I am excited to share it with you!

In other news:

Happy Valentine's Day!