Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Owls, Out of the Ordinary, and Offutt's Oculus


Oi! OWLS!

I love owls. I don't actually SEE them very often... in fact hardly ever. But for about 7 months of the year, they accompany my walk to work in the morning as they hoot to each other. It's just such a friendly sound. It probably helps that I associate the sound with warm weather...

And when you DO see them, they're SO CUTE!


I admit it. I like this look.
Out of the Ordinary

I spent my formative years trying to pretend I fit in. I was too tall. I was somewhat shy (not one on one, so much, but in a group), my TASTES would fit better in... say Chinatown than anyplace considered 'classy'--which was all well and good in the 70s, but not so much other than that. I like bright colors, shiny things, big jewelry... my husband sometimes tells me I dress like a clown right before the book hits him in the head.

See... I just don't BUY other people's definition of 'nice'. I by FAR prefer FUN.

In college I finally embraced my inner freak. I went to a place it was 'cool to be a rebel'... in fact it was SO 'cool to be a rebel' that I rebelled from THAT by joining a sorority... rebelling against rebellion... erm... it makes sense on some level.

The fact of the matter is, I've tried on the mold, and I just don't fit. So I've embraced not even approving of the mold. It's moldy. Ick. If I had money, I'd be eccentric. As it is, I'm just a little odd.


Michael Offutt and Oculus!

Michael is one of my blogger buddies, and of all the strange things, has actually lived in my hometown (he went to college there). This is Michael's second book in the Crisis of Two Worlds series (Slipstream is first). Here is what it's all about:

Autumn has arrived in New York, and Jordan Pendragon attends his first classes as a freshman at Cornell. Born with a brilliant mathematical mind, he balances life as a research assistant with that of a student athlete.

But Jordan also has a quest. He must find the Black Tower, a monolithic edifice housing a thing that defines the very structure of the universe. Jordan believes it is buried somewhere in Antarctica under miles of prehistoric ice.


And see, I just wonder if Michael was ever tempted to yell 'Oculus Reparo' when he was editing... Probably just me...



15 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

That has got to be the cutest owl picture I've ever seen!

I love it that you joined a sorority...ha! I did too, but then I kept getting in trouble by not attending meetings...

Old Kitty said...

You are uniquely NAKED lovely Tart!! And long may you remain so!!

Take care
x

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Ha! I love how the difference between odd and eccentric is money. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You rebelled from the rebellion - only you, Hart!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Me too on trying fit in. I wasted a lot of time.

ME TOOOOO, also, on loving owls. We have lots in my part of the country. I hear them and often see them.

Unknown said...

Aww that owl is soo cute!!! Great O post.

Unknown said...

Aww that owl is soo cute!!! Great O post.

Jai said...

I love owls and that is the cutest owl.

Johanna Garth said...

I think all the most interesting people go through a period where they felt like they didn't fit in. Can you imagine how bland our world would be if everyone was just another shade of beige?

Lexie Rising said...

The owl is adorable!

I loved that you chose out of the ordinary for O! I've always been that lovely square peg the just doesn't fit the classic round hole, so Yay for the inner freak and non-moldiness. :)

Alison DeLuca said...

OH! Owls! And Oculus Reparo - *faints*

You are awesome.

Kas said...

OWLS!!!

that is all.

Kirsty said...

Don't generally see or hear owls near me but I did go for an owl handling experience day last year and loved it.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Hart .. I love owls and owl photos or pictures .. they're great and those big eyes - full of wisdom. How lovely to have one walk you to work ...

Michael's Oculus - it's on my list to buy after the A-Z is over ..

Cheers Hilary

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Thank you for the spotlight Hart !