A Mythspent Youth

Happy Second Wizardversary, Ditto!

2012-02-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

Woo! Two whole years of fuzzy, orange awesomeness! It seems like only yesterday when he appeared on the scene, doesn't it?

Congratulations, Ditto!

Lady Gaga - #HairMusicVideo - It Gets Better

2012-01-27T00:18:00.000-08:00

For those who are being bullied, for whatever reason, you are not alone. It gets better.

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Artemis Lives

2012-01-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Today is all about archery! What with Katniss in The Hunger Games and Merida in Brave both making their theater debut later this year, girls and archery are becoming a bit of a thing.

But you know what? Girls and archery go waaay back. Artemis, the ancient Greek Goddess of the hunt was an archer. Jump forward to 1879 and the first National Archery Championship. Despite it being a time of restrictive corsets and strict propriety for "ladies", there were still twenty women participating in that competition!

I found this first video today at a site called The Mary Sue, and I loved it so much I just kept looking for more. Enjoy!

Grub Guardian

2012-01-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

With the brand new Grub Guardian, KingsIsle makes good on last year's promise to bring us a free mini-game that would allow us to advance our pets, without being in Wizard101 itself. Thanks KI, you're the best!

Once you get past all the instructions (and there are plenty) it's a pretty simple idea. Simple, but completely, freaking addictive. Best of all, you can play for either pet experience or, as with the other games, prize codes.

Man-oh-man, I have been playing waaaaay to much of it today. No, seriously, way too much.

It's not slacking if it's research.

Find it for yourself here, but for Pete's sake, make sure your work is done, your chair is comfortable and energy potion is loaded up first. You might also want to leave a trail of breadcrumbs for your family, because they won't be seeing you for awhile.

New Year, New Design

2012-01-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

As you can see, there's been a bit of redecorating going on around here. Truth be told, even though it was all my own creation, I was never really happy with last year's look.

So, what with the changing of the year and all, I decided it was time for a major spruce-up. Now, after a bit of web-searching and a whole lot of fiddling, I am pleased to present to you a shiny new, Mythspent Youth!

I'm still tinkering a bit with the minutiae, but all in all, I'm pretty satisfied. Now all we need is some fresh new content to go with the look.

In any case, I hope you all are having a gorgeous start to the new year, here's hoping it's a good one!

The Chrismoose Has Been Sighted!

2011-12-09T13:13:00.001-08:00

Hey guys!

December is a busy month here at Casa de Mythspent, but I just had to put aside the hunt for sugarplum fairies and tell you about the latest from KingsIsle! Check it out, official Press Release goodness:

Introducing the Charity Chrismoose!Available for a limited time, the Chrismoose mount will directly benefit two organizations devoted to helping children: the Austin Children's Shelter and Children's Medical Center at Legacy.

This loveable moose carries your Wizard around the Spiral 40% faster... even if he is loaded down with presents! Hurry and catch him during the holiday season, because this is one moose that won't be around forever.

Ain't he adorable!

KNOWLEDGE!

2011-11-23T12:09:00.001-08:00

Hey guys!

And here you were thinking that I would sleep through the entire month of November with nary a peep. Incorrect! Ask not for whom the blog peeps, it peeps for thee! Or, uh... something like that. Anyway, here I come, amid the wizardly rampaging through Zafaria, the prepping of turkeys and the frantic writing of holiday gift lists to bring you...

KNOWLEDGE.

Specifically, I bring you the History of English in 10 Minutes; that is, entertaining knowledge, painlessly achieved, delivered in bite-sized pieces. You're welcome.

Zafaria!

2011-11-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

And a happy November to you all! Today there is news of a new world coming to the Spiral, the former home of Morganthe... Zafaria!

(Not Quite) 31 Days of Halloween: Day 31, The Mockingbird Song

2011-10-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Well, it was a valiant effort, but life sometimes gets in the way. Sadly, I just wasn't quite able to manage all 31 days and I must I console myself with the knowledge that 26 out of 31 isn't bad. In any case, before everyone climbs into their costumes and heads out for the night's revelry, I have one last treat for you all:

The Mockingbird Song

Happy Halloween, everybody!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twenty Four & Twenty Five, A Brief History of Candy

2011-10-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Candy! Candy, candy, candy, CANDY!

Oh yeah, and history! The history of candy, to be precise. Today on 31 Days of Halloween, we've got a double post for a big subject, because we are taking on the history of candy. Mmm... delicious candy...

So, what exactly is candy, anyway? Well, the dictionary defines candy as:

...any of a variety of confections made with sugar, syrup, etc., often combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, etc.

But where did that begin? Did ancient people even have sugar? Well, yes and no. While cane sugar was believe to have been processed and used in Persia as early as 640 b.c.e., most societies didn't have the processed, sparkly granules we know of as sugar today, but they did have honey.

"All of the peoples of antiquity made sweetmeats of honey before they had sugar: the Chinese, the Indians, the people of the Middle East, the Egyptians and then the Greeks and Romans used it coat fruits, flowers, and the seeds or stems of plants, to preserve them for use as an ingredient in the kind of confectionery still made in those countries today. "

-History of Food, Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat

The first actual sugar we might recognize wasn't recorded in England until around 1099, but it became popular (amongst those wealthy enough to afford it) pretty quickly. By the time of Henry the VIII, candy was a pretty big, daily deal.

"The Tudors loved sweet things, including puddings made with sugar and honey. They ate "marchpane" (mazipan), a sweet made from ground almonds and sugar. It was often made into fancy shapes. No wonder many of the courtiers had rotten teeth!"

-tudorbritain.org

By the time of Queen Elizabeth the First, (Henry's daughter) well... just watch for yourself, and pay special attenttion to the "Banquet Course" and aftermath between 4:52 and 7:02 minutes in. (Note, if you watch the entire 15 minutes, this video contains a bit of semi-naughty talk about a sweet called, "Spanish Paps". Try not to giggle too much.)

Fast forward a bit to the now not so 'new world' and somewhere 'round the 19th century, this whole candy thing really took off; that is, for everyone who wasn't wealthy.

-1848 John Curtis produces the first branded chewing gum, made from tree sap, called The State of Maine Spruce Gum.
-1854 The first packaged box of Whitman's Chocolate hits the scene.
-1868 Richard Cadbury makes the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates, starting the tradition that continues today.
-1900 A very important year as Milton Hershey introduces a variation of what will eventually become the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar.
-1901 The King Leo pure peppermint stick candy is developed.
-1904 Emil Brach starts Brach's Candy, his second attempt at the candy business. The first product was Wrapped Caramels which sold for $.20 a pound.
-1912 Life Savers, reportedly named because of their resemblance to life preservers, are introduced in peppermint flavor. The five-flavor roll isn’t marketed for another 22 years.
-1922 H.B. Reese makes the first peanut butter candy coated with Hershey's Milk Chocolate, which we now know as the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
-1930 M&M Mars introduces the Snickers Bar, named after the Mars family’s beloved horse, and it is still one of the best-selling candy bars ever.
-1931 Tootsie Roll Pops are introduced, which some consider the first novelty candy since they combine two candies in one.
-1941 M&M's Plain Chocolate candies are introduced in response to depressed chocolate sales during the summer months (these candies will melt in your mouth, not in your hands). 59 years later, M&M Mars shortened the name to M&M’s.
-1950 Sam Altshuler creates The Annabelle Candy Company, named for his daughter. His first product is the Rocky Road Candy Bar. (This one was my favorite as a kid.)
-1954 Just Born introduces Marshmallow Peeps in the shape of Easter chicks.
-1960 Looking to create a healthy candy, M&M Mars introduces Starburst Fruit Chews, which are later fortified with Vitamin C.
This information and oh-so-much-more can be found at:http://www.candyfavorites.com

Well, that about does it for this trip down candy-coated memory lane. But just in case you still have a bit of a sweet tooth, I'll leave you with one more video:

Mmm! Slurry! Until next time, guys!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twenty Three, OmNomNom!

2011-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Helloooo everybody!

Something about October just makes me hungry for certain flavors. One of those flavors is apple, and nothing says Autumn like a big, crunchy, juicy, sticky, sweet caramel apple! So today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween is all about making the perfect caramel apple!

Perfect Caramel Apples

-Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan.

-Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves.

-Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes.

-Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

-Return to low heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool until the caramel is thick enough to coat a spoon.

-Insert sticks into the stem ends of 6 apples and dip the apples into the caramel, letting the excess drip off. Roll in toppings if desired, then let cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Makes 6 Apples.

This recipe via Food Network. Thanks, Food Network!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twenty Two, Happenin' Hats!

2011-10-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

And a very merry October to you all!

We're on the fast track to Halloween here now and it's really time to start getting those costumes into shape. What's that? You still don't know what to wear? Well then, please allow me to be of assistance!

Do you enjoy lightning storms, scaring hapless villagers and stomping about in shoes made from actual elevators? Then might I suggest...

Grr!

This lovely little pile of reanimated body parts (the hat part, anyway) can be yours for the making! Click here for instructions!

Not to your taste, you say? A little too 1817 for you? Then how about something a bit more magical?

Accio candy!

Take a trip (or a train) to Hogwarts for Halloween in this "Half Hour Harry Hat". You'll be the envy of every house in the Great hall. Click here for instructions!

Still not quite the thing? Just not feeling it? Perhaps a detour under the sea would suit your fancy?

It's feasting on my brains!

Nothing says "party" quite like arriving at the soirée with a cephalopod on your head! Click here for instructions!

Well, there you have it; a trio of toppers to make any occasion just that much more special. So what are you waiting for? That costume isn't going to make itself you know!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twenty One, Twice Haunted

2011-10-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Can you believe it? We're already at day 21. Just 10 days to go until November and thoughts of turkey, pie and much needed breaks from school. But before we get to those lazy, gravy-filled daydreams, there's plenty of time for more of the strange, spooky and weird.

To that end, today I have a little video about a haunted attraction that is actually built on a haunted site! That's right, fake scares mingle here with real ghosts at the Dent Schoolhouse.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Nineteen & Twenty, Pepper's Ghost

2011-10-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

BOoooOOOOoo! Ahem, I mean, greetings!

Yesterday's and today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween combine for one, fairly involved, extra-long post about the amazingly low-tech special effect, Pepper's Ghost.

What is Pepper's Ghost?
PG is an optical illusion that uses hidden objects and reflection to make it look as if ghosts are haunting a particular place or setting. The best known use of PG is the Grand Ballroom scene in Disney's Haunted Mansion.

No, those aren't holograms.

There are TONS of secrets behind the Haunted Mansion (and the Ballroom in particular) and the lovely Chef Mayhem details them all here.

Who invented Pepper's Ghost?

A fellow named John Henry Pepper is said to have invented it sometime around 1862. There seems to be some controversy surrounding the initial creation of the Ghost, however, as a fellow named Henry Dircks invented something very similar, for his Phantasmagoria Show. But whether Pepper invented the illusion himself or just modified Dircks design, it was Pepper's (and not Dirck's) name that was attached to the final product. Just to clear up the matter, in 1890 Pepper published a book entitled "The True History of Pepper's Ghost", detailing his account of how the illusion came about. A facsimile version of Pepper's book is available here.

The figure is hidden on the left and the "ghost" appears to the right.

How does Pepper's Ghost work?

I'm glad you asked! PG is actually a really simple trick. A model/figure of whatever it is that you want ghosted, is hidden out of sight of the audience. A plate of glass is used to reflect the hidden figure, with that reflection appearing to be in an area full of regular, solid objects. Because the objects are solid and the reflection is not, the audience can see the reflection as a "ghost".

Lighting and glass placement are extremely important. It's also important to control just what your audience can and can't see, to maintain the illusion. Because if they see the solid figure, it's all over.

Can I make a Pepper's Ghost?
Absolutely! These guys explain it better than I do, but the sound is kinda wonky, so turn it up and listen closely. (Warning, there is one teensy swear toward the end.)

There're also instructions for a larger, more complicated PG to be found here.

Not bad for a 150 year old optical illusion, eh? I hope you enjoyed this mini-history lesson on Pepper's Ghost. Happy haunting!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Eighteen, For the Vampire on a Budget

2011-10-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

We're getting ever closer to The Big Day (dun-dun-DUN) and it's time to turn our thoughts toward parties, costumes, decorations and effects.

For today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween, I bring you the easiest, most inexpensive method of making fake blood that I could find. (And believe me when I tell you, I have seen a LOT of ways of making fake blood.)

Remember to ask your parents FIRST (no cheating on this one) and pay attention to what the fellow in the video says about staining. Really, the last thing you or I need is a destroyed carpet and an angry mob of parents... again.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Seventeen, Haunted or Hoax?

2011-10-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Welcome to day 17 of 31 Days of Halloween! Today I have a pair of portraits that are rumored to be haunted. Thanks to the combined power of time-lapse photography and YouTube, I can present them to you with little inconvenience or, hopefully, incontinence (the fear induced variety.) At any rate, you tell me, are these paintings haunted? Or a hoax?

C'mon, you're not afraid of an old painting, are you?

31 Days of Halloween: Day Sixteen, The Little Girl Who Was Forgotten

2011-10-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Yes, yes, I am fully aware what time it is. Let's just file this one under the heading of "better late than never" and move along, shall we? Excellent! For today's update on 31 Days of Halloween, we have a creepy (and somewhat sad) little bit of animation called, The Little Girl Who Was Forgotten.

Enjoy the story and I'll see you all back here tomorrow!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Fifteen, The Ghost Walks

2011-10-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

It's Saturday and I'm guessing that by now, you've all finished whatever leaf-raking, room-cleaning or dog-walking chores you might have had to do today. Or maybe you were lucky and have spent the whole day eating candied apples and roaming some gorgeous pumpkin patch. Either way, after a busy Autumn day, there's nothing like kicking back with some hot chocolate and a "scary" old movie. So for today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween, that's exactly what I have for you! This one is called:

Direct from a site called Public Domain Flicks, you can either stream it right here, or you can download it yourself from there. Either way, I wish you all a relaxing remainder of the day. See you here tomorrow!

PublicDomainFlicks.com - Free Movie Downloads

31 Days of Halloween: Day Fourteen, Transylmania II

2011-10-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

It's Friday and while that's normally a beautiful thing, this is a Friday in October, which makes it an unbelievably beautiful thing! Now, add to that the fact that this is also one of the 31 Days of Halloween and you have a recipe for: AWESOMESAUCE OF AWESOME SAUCINESS.

Whew! I may just pass out from all this awesomeness! But before I do, let me give you today's installment, a little game called Transylmania II. Behold...

Click me, I'm a link!

Oh, those pesky village people. Will poor little Vampy prevail? Play the game and find out!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Thirteen, Wherein I Cheat

2011-10-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hey guys.

Today, I'm running a little late and I found something scary to talk about for 31 Days of Halloween, but it's not really Halloween related: Scary behavior on the Internet. Yeah, I know, I'm stretching the scary = Halloween thing pretty thin here, but this is important so I'm doing it anyway.

But don't think I'm going to completely miss the Halloween mark today! I also have this for you: The 60 Second Vampire Pumpkin!

No instructions necessary! Just carve, pin, dentures and done!

In any case, see you all back here tomorrow!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twelve, The Black Halloween

2011-10-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Well here we are on day 12 of 31 Days of Halloween! Man, how time flies! Speaking of flies, today I have another creepy, vaguely disturbing but totally entertaining video for you called: The Black Halloween.

It's sort of a modern, candy coated homage to the Black Death. Which, as we all know from history class, while not a total hoot for all involved, was certainly a conversation starter for many centuries to come.

So sit back, enjoy and I'll see you all back here tomorrow.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Eleven, How to: Haunted House Silhouettes

2011-10-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

It's day 11 of 31 Days of Halloween and today I give you something to make! Ooo! I love making things, especially spooky things and this is certainly one spooky project to make: Haunted House Silhouettes. (<-- Psst! Click that!)

Here, take a gander at this...

Honestly, how cool is that? Pretty darned cool! So get going and get your supplies. That house isn't going to haunt itself you know.

NOTE: Even if you can't get your hands on a whole roll of black paper, you can still do some pretty impressive silhouettes with basic black construction paper.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Ten, Silly Symphonies - La Danse Macabre

2011-10-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hola, Amigos!

31 Days of Halloween continues apace! As today is Monday, (boo! hiss!) I bring you something to raise your spirits as it also raises the spirits... of the dead!

Because after all that time confined in a narrow coffin, nothing works the kinks out like a toe-tappin' beat and some synchronized dance moves.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Nine, Braaaiiinnsss!

2011-10-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today we find out what all the zombie fuss is about. Your brain, what is it made of and why is it just so darned tasty? Considering the comparative size of the human brain, it's really no surprise that it's the Official Snack Food of the Zombie Apocalypse.

And in case you think I'm cheating and giving you some actual, science-type information and just pretending it's about Halloween, I ask you, would the Centers for Disease Control joke about Zombie Attacks?* Would they?

*Yes, yes they would and that is BRILLIANT. Seriously, a Government agency that not only has a sense of humor, but uses it to give out real and useful information? MADE. OF. AWESOME.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Eight, Heavy Metal Cellos

2011-10-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody!

It's the weekend and that calls for some celebration, or in this case, cello-bration. Today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween is another piece of classical music, but don't panic! This piece, The Hall of the Mountain King is brought to you today by the goth-classical-metal band Apocalyptica. Trust me, this is like no classical music you have ever heard in your life.

So crank up the sound, get to your feet and give this piece of classical music the manic exuberance it's due. I'm not even remotely kidding about this you guys. Get up and dance, because seriously... HEAVY. METAL. CELLOS.

Today's installment is dedicated to the incredible, Ditto Monster. Bang your fuzzy head, my friend.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Seven, The Danse Macabre

2011-10-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Welcome to the end of another week and to day 7 of 31 Days of Halloween! Today I wallow in my eviliciousness and hit you with a double-whammy of classical music and poetry! MUAHAHAHAHA!

The music is one of my favorite pieces of all time, The Danse Macabre by Saint-Saëns. I chose this particular version to share with you all because the person who made the video has also included an English translation of the original French poem on which the music was based.

So, read the poem, (don't worry, it's short) then close your eyes and just let the music wash over you, and I'll see you all back here tomorrow.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Six, The Legend of the Scarecrow

2011-10-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today we have a delightful story called The Legend of the Scarecrow. Now, this piece is entirely in Spanish, but that's OK. Because it's in Spanish (and I don't speak Spanish) it forces you to pay close attention to the story itself, rather than the voice-over, and that's a good thing. So fullscreen that baby and enjoy!

31 Days of Halloween: Day Five, a Ghostly Gallery

2011-10-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!

Today's post is a blast from the past, specifically the long dead past, the Victorian Era. Today we visit the American Museum of Photography to view a collection of Spirit Photography.

Some claimed that Spirit Photography was a real depiction of the dead reasserting themselves from the other side and caught on film. (History does not say, however, if they just got their pictures taken or stuck around afterward to score a 5x7 and some wallet-sizes.)

The Vanishing Lamplighter:
Long ago debunked as a trick of long exposure, and not
the reappearance of a decomposer.

Others say that this so called "Spirit Photography" was all trickery and nonsense. I'm not sure which side I'm on in every case, but I will say that in college, I made a LOT of spooky double exposures in cemeteries, just for the fun of it.

Anyway, I leave it to you to decide. Click the link above and view the gallery. Do you believe?

31 Days of Halloween: Day Four, The Stately Ghosts of England

2011-10-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

You know, I probably shouldn't be posting this one on a weekday. It's pretty long and heaven knows I would never want to distract you from chores, homework, chores, more homework, chores... wait, what the heck am I saying? After a day like that you need a distraction! Never fear, my friends! Your distraction is at hand:

The Stately Ghosts of England

This documentary-flavored production was put together by NBC News (of all things) back in 1965. Spooky fact: it's said that this production almost never made it to TV, because the fellow assigned to make this picture couldn't get anything on film. The cameras were fine, the film was fine, but nothing he shot would appear. After consulting a clairvoyant, he was told that he had to ask permission of the ghosts! Well, he did ask their permission and, the following day, the cameras and film started working perfectly. Spooky!

Anyway, this whole thing comes in five parts, so get some hot chocolate, put your feet up and enjoy the completely serious delivering of "facts" and the not-at-all-over-the-top acting... er, conversations.

31 Days of Halloween: Day Three, Tim Burton & Christopher Lee

2011-10-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Greetings foolish mortals!

Today, for our third installment of 31 Days of Halloween we have something so universally terrifying, so mind-bendingly scary, that the mere mention of it causes most people run in terror! Today we have... POETRY!

Oh no! Not poetry! Anything but that!

But this is not just any old poetry! Today we have the original Tim Burton poem, The Nightmare Before Christmas, as read by the stupendous Christopher Lee!

"What, rhymes? Verse?" I hear you cry. "Are you a madwoman?" YES! Yes I am! So grab your Teddy and huddle under your favorite blanket, it's time to listen... if you dare!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Photo attribution: By Robbie Grubbs from Houston (What????) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

31 Days of Halloween: Day Two, Alma

2011-10-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

For today's installment of 31 Days of Halloween, we have a creepy, creepy little video called Alma. Watch it during the day. Watch it with a friend. It's the sort of thing that will sneak up on you in the wee small hours of the night.

BoooOOOooooo! See you tomorrow!

31 Days of Halloween: Day One, Zombie Quiz

2011-10-01T01:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Happy October to one and all! It's time for the Second Annual 31 Days of Halloween posting marathon, wherein I do my best to bring you something interesting, spooky and fun every day of this month!

Today we have something light to get us into the spirit of things. (No pun intended.) I give you:

The Zombie in Folklore Trivia Quiz

Is it a demon? Is it made of clay? How can it be defeated? Wait, CAN it be defeated?

Take the quiz and test your zombie knowledge, you never know when it might come in handy. For that matter, you never know when it might be absolutely necessary.

Jay Smooth and Beating The Little Hater

2011-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

He says it far better than I can right now. Just exchange "video" for "blog post" and you have entered into the murky metropolis of my mental world.

In any case, I plan to get fully back in to posting mode by having the Mythspent Youth Second Annual 31 Days of Halloween Poststravaganza! Which basically means I'll be posting something spooky or seasonally related every day of October, for your entertainment.

How To Survive High School According to Harry Potter

2011-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Just quick back-to-school (sorry) post to get you all set and ready for the year to come. No, this won't be anywhere near as elaborate as last year's organizational extravaganza. Been there, organized that.

Instead, I give you a couple of entertaining videos; one is informational and the other has a good beat and I can dance to it. (Or is that the other way around?) Anyway, enjoy the vids and have a yourselves a fantastic school year.

Wizard101 House-a-palooza Contest

2011-08-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Contest closed! Thanks to all who participated!

Hey guys!

Sadly, summer is drawing to a close and school is looming ever closer. The good news is, it ain't over yet. There's time left for just one more fantastic contest!

The lovely folks at K.I. are letting us here at A Mythspent Youth give away not one, not two, but FIFTEEN magnificent Myth Houses!

All you have to do to win your very own Myth School House is to solve the following puzzle:

Click the image above to enlarge, then right-click to save-as and print. There are 12 hidden words that you have to discover, and all those words are related specifically to the Myth School.

Ok, here's the important part:

1. When you think you've found all 12: POST YOUR ANSWERS AS A RESPONSE HERE.

2. INCLUDE YOUR WIZARD NAME (the name of your main wizard in Wizard101) AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN GET YOU YOUR PRIZE CODE. (None of your private info will be made public.)

3.WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AS THEY WIN. (That means, if you get all the correct answers and follow the directions to claim your prize, you'll get the code for your new Myth House the same day!)

4. THE CONTEST ENDS AS SOON AS ALL FIFTEEN HOUSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT.

If you have any questions, post them as a response here as well. Those will be published and answered right here. Got it? Good luck, everyone!

THE WINNERS!

Alura HexCaster
Alric Ravensinger
Morgrim Trollfriend
Diana Wildheart
Finnigan Frog
Saffron Rainleaf
Sean RedHammer
Tatiana Shadowflame
Maria Stormheart
Michael Icesword
Morgrim Deathwielder
Fallon Ghostblood
Anna HawkCloud
Richard FrostHunter
Autumn Rainbow

All winning prize codes have been awarded. If your name is on that list and you didn't get your code, post a response and I'll resend it.

So You Want to be an Official Fansite

2011-06-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

A Mythspent Youth is proud to present to you, a guest post from the glorious and witty, IcyWiz! Today she ponders that pernicious puzzle: Just how does a site become an Official Wizard101 Fansite?

Want to be an official Wizard101 Fan Site instead of "Just a Blog"?

Being told that your Wizard101 blog has not been approved as an official Wizard101 fan site can't feel good. Every couple of months, I notice a rehashing of complaints from bloggers who were turned down for official status. Here is some straight talk from someone observing from the outside (i.e., someone who doesn't work for KingsIsle or represent them in any way, as well as someone who doesn't have a Wizard101 blog or fan site).

If you want the job, act as if you already have the job. This is advice that friends give each other when trying to get a new job. You wouldn't go to the interview in cut-off shorts or pick your nose in front of the boss. You would dress the way you would be expected to dress in the office, and behave the way you should behave if you were given the job. Study the requirements for having an official fan site and start meeting those requirements NOW instead of waiting for fan site approval.

What is your blog about? Is your blog about playing Wizard101, or is it about your life INCLUDING Wizard101? There's nothing wrong if your blog is about your life, and playing Wizard101 is not the only thing you write about. However, when I visit an official Wizard101 fan site I'm looking for Wizard101 content. This doesn't mean you should discontinue your current blog, but you might want to consider starting a second blog that's dedicated specifically to Wizard101.

"If I have an official fan site, I'll get stuff. To give away, I mean. I'll get stuff to give away." Okay, it doesn't get much more transparent than this. And I'm not saying that the only reason a blogger hopes to gain official fan site designation is for swag. However, if you tweet or blog about the swag you might get if you're an official fan site, or when you complain on your blog and/or Twitter that official fan sites get swag and you don’t because you’re not an official site, it really makes your motives seem less than sincere.

I know many of the folks who run official Wizard101 fan sites, and I can assure you that “getting codes” is not all fun and games. It’s work. It’s work to think up contests, to set up the rules and publicize the contest across multiple social media platforms, to monitor entries for things like correct answers and meeting deadlines, to award the prizes in a way that holds up to high levels of scrutiny for fairness, and to get the prizes to the winners in a way that is safe in this scary on-line world. Not one person who runs an official Wizard101 fan site has ever complained to me about the work that goes into awarding prizes, not even a whisper. But I can guarantee you that it’s not a cakewalk.

Why do you have to be a subscriber? Because it means you are more likely to play the game on a regular basis, and therefore make relevant posts about the game. If someone sees money going out of the bank every month to play a game, or has paid for a year up front, that person is simply more likely to play that game. This means the person is more likely to write regular, relevant blog entries.

No matter how much money a crowns-player has spend on the game, it’s entirely possible for that player to be short on money when new content is released. Or maybe they player hasn’t bought crowns in the 30 days before the test realm goes live. If that happens, it's likely there won't be blog entries about the new content. I think it's safe to assume that KingsIsle would like the official Wizard101 fan sites to have content on the most current developments in the game.

Also, if you're a crowns-player, you can't participate in ranked PvP or Pet Derby Matches (without paying crowns on a per-match or daily pass basis). This means you probably won't be blogging about progress in these ranked activities, or the cool items you've obtained with arena tickets.

I have no way of verifying this, but I think it's preferable that official fan sites are written by players who have access to all of the features of the game because that means they are more likely to write about all features of the game.

Why aren't free blogs considered? Remember, everything I'm writing here is pure conjecture. But my ideas on this topic are similar to my ideas on why a player must be a subscriber. If you're paying for a domain name and hosting, you're more likely to make frequent entries on your site. It shows a commitment to having an ongoing, vibrant site about Wizard101, regardless of the status of official fan site.

Play well with others. Don't air your dirty laundry in public. Do you make blog entries about other Wizard101 players when you've had a dispute and/or misunderstanding with them? This is cringe-worthy stuff. If you can't resolve issues with other community members without resorting to tearing them apart or repeating gossip, you will not be perceived as mature enough (no matter what your chronological age) to run a fan site that will reflect well on KingsIsle.

Try this: when you're thinking of posting a rant on any subject related to KingsIsle or a Wizard101 community member, wait an hour or two before pushing the "post" or "publish" button. Ask yourself if you've ever seen rant like the one you're thinking of taking public on a currently existing official fan site. I am not talking about constructive criticism of the game, I’m talking about bashing KingsIsle or a fellow Ravenwood student.

If you want the job...revisited: In real life, if you are turned down for a job, it would be a bad idea to go about town complaining about the company that didn’t hire you or the reasons for their decision. If it got back to the company owner, he or she might think you aren’t the type of person they would ever want to bring on board. I'm not suggesting that KingsIsle scrutinizes everything that is said or done regarding the game or the company and has a "naughty or nice" list that helps them automatically screen out prospective official fan site candidates. But I cannot word this strongly enough: Be gracious if you are turned down rather than publicly complaining or picking apart the reasons in any form of social networking.

There’s no such thing as “just a blog”. Most of all, never think of your effort as "just a blog." I have yet to see a Wizard101 blog that has no value. Every single one is important because the person behind it is writing. Writing, in my opinion, is the best way to exercise your brain. Never undervalue your creativity and hard work by describing your blog using the word "just."

See you in The Spiral!

Press Release: Pet-a-palooza!

2011-06-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Wizard101 Pet-a-palooza!

Between June 6th 2011 and June 14th 2011, you can adopt some interesting pets!

All Wizard101 pets are on sale, some up to 50% off their regular Crowns price! For this special event, they've brought back some previously retired pets and there will be new pets released throughout the month of June!

Visit the Crown Shop to buy your pets today!

They're also giving you a pet snack the first time you login during Pet-a-palooza! The random snack will appear in your Gift window the first time you log in to the game between June 6th and June 14th.

Flying Carpet!

2011-05-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, there's a new commercial for Wizard101 on Youtube. Now, normally, I'm not a big fan of commercials, but this one shows some upcoming game features including... A FREAKIN' FLYING CARPET!

Don't believe me? Just watch!

Nick Jonas Is Wizard101 Mystery Composer

2011-05-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

PLANO, TEXAS (MAY 11, 2011) – KingsIsle Entertainment, creators of the award-winning online game Wizard101, announced today that the soundtrack for its new expansion world, Wintertusk, was wholly written and produced by superstar singer/producer Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. “This was a first for me. I never produced or wrote music for a game or in this case, a whole world before. So I jumped at the chance to work with KingsIsle,” said Nick Jonas. “It was very cool to be part of a project that allowed me to help create the mood for Wintertusk and interact with an audience in an entirely new way.” Over the last two months, Jonas composed seven pieces of environmental music that serve to define the personality of the icy world of Wintertusk. The project required Jonas to create compelling original work fit for a frozen virtual world, while remaining faithful to the game’s exacting musical standards. “Nick Jonas is an extraordinary talent and it’s been an incredible experience to work with him over the last few months,” said Todd Coleman, vice president and creative director for Wizard101. “When you listen to the music for the new world of Wintertusk, it’s clear that Nick is an endlessly creative composer and producer with an amazing degree of versatility.”

Well! Isn't that a kick in the pants! Though I have to say, I'm not so sure about his transformation into the game. He looks kinda like a... a gnome. An EVIL gnome.

In other news, it seems that Wintertusk (and a whole host of other new goodies) is finally LIVE!

You Are Smarter Than You Think

2011-04-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

Even if I've never met you, or only met you via this blog, Wizard101 or Twitter, I know one absolutely certain thing about you: You are smarter than you think. I know this because I know that most of us spend our lives using our school grades as a sort of measurement of how smart we are. I also know that some of us think we're total dummies when we don't get good grades.

But grades don't measure intelligence. Weirdly, grades have little (or nothing) to do with intelligence. Grades are simply a measure of what we can remember from lessons, usually during a test. Yeah, no pressure there! Even the brainiest brainiac can get lousy grades if she doesn't test well, and even the dullest crayon in the box can get fantastic grades if they do. So, it's important to remember that Grades aren't Smarts, or vice versa.

Having said that, I will tell you what I've discovered that can help you show just how smart you are AND get better grades in the long run, no matter where you go to school:

Of all the schools my kids have been in and of all the things we've tried, the Khan Academy has succeeded where nearly everything else has been a bitter disappointment. Best of all? It's free. Let me repeat that, IT IS TOTALLY FREE. Anyone can use the site, even if they go to a regular public or private school.

Is it magic? Nope, not at all. You will have to go there, sign up and make the effort. And, as crazy as it might sound, you really should begin at the beginning. I promise it'll go quickly and it will fill in any gaps that you might not realize are there.

I can tell you that my kids are both doing really well at it, (even the one who has struggled with certain kinds of math for ages.) Better still, if your parents (or teachers) want, they can sign in as your coach and watch your progress. They can even do the lessons themselves!

So give it a shot and let me know how it goes.

Videos! Because it's Friday!

2011-04-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

Things are still ridiculously busy here at Casa de Mythspent, but I jammed a shoehorn into my schedule long enough to bring you one of my traditional Friday Video PostsTM.

Most of my readers are in middle school or older, and these videos are about being in High School, working and so on. No swears, nothing to make your parents uncomfortable, just some real-life ha-ha to help ease us all into the weekend. So sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy the entertainment stylings of a lovely fellow called, Swoozie.

No, I'm pretty sure that's not his real name.
No, I am not advocating cheating; it's just a funny story.
No penguin plushies were hurt during the posting of these videos.

WINNERS of the Wizard101 Community Mount Week Contest!

2011-04-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Whew! It was a long strange trip, filled with hundreds (no kidding) of entries. Anyhoo, my minions (the Flying Myth-monkeys) and I have whittled down the winners from a looong list of correct entries.

First, a giant, 'thank you!' to everyone who entered! You guys are fantastic, every last one of you!

Anyway, without further ado, I'd like to offer my hearty congratulations the winners of the Permanent Ancient Koi Mount:

Kieran Storm

Tristan Sky

Calamity Stormcaller

Justin Lifecaster

Jordan Seadreamer

Megan Spiritsword

Nicholas Dawnstrider

Benjamin Hexgiver

Samantha Drake

Grace MythHammer

Jacqueline Ghostsong

Tristan Thunderriver

Molly Fireweaver

Autumn SkyRider

Kestrel Darkblood

And I'd also like to congratulate the winners of the 15-day Black Panther Mount Rental:

Quinn FrostGrove

Valdus Titanflame

Reed SkyRider

Taylor Darkflame

Molly Fireweaver

Reed DrakeSmith

Autumn PixieDust

Katherine Raingiver

David Legendflame

"But wait!" you say. "What are the correct answers to the riddle themselves?" I'm glad you asked...

The answers to those pesky riddles:

Answer: Unicorn Way

Answer: Professor Cyrus Drake

Answer: Golem Tower

Answer: Gardening

Answer: The Commons

This last one gave the most trouble. Many of you seemed to fixate on one word (bank) or another (damp) without looking at the whole riddle.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. I adore you all. Hope you enjoyed it! (All the winners have already been notified by email.)

Important: Contest Reminder!

2011-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

Guys, too many of you are leaving your wizard names (the name of your main character on Wizard101) and your email addresses off your contest entries.

I can't very well announce that Mystery Person #42 has won an Ancient Koi Mount, now can I?

IF YOU THINK YOU FORGOT TO LIST YOUR WIZARD NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS, PLEASE RESUBMIT YOUR CONTEST ENTRY. ALL ENTRIES WITHOUT THOSE TWO THINGS ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.

Seriously guys, I don't want to leave so many CORRECT entries out of the running.

Wizard101 Community Mount Week Contest!

2011-04-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Whoo boy! There are some big things going on in the world of Wizard101 these days. One of those big things is the Community 'Mount Week' Contest. Most of Wizard101's official fansites are participating in a giveaway of site-specific Permanent Mounts!

Each participating site has 15 permanent mounts to give away in their own unique fashion, and those mounts span the spectrum from brand new to beloved classic.

We here at A Mythspent Youth are ridiculously pleased to be giving away Ancient Koi mounts.

Fishy!

Rrowrr!

But wait! There's more! We also have several 15-day Black Panther Mount Rentals to give away as well!

How fantastic is that?

"So," I hear you say. "Just how do I win one of these amazing prizes?"

Well, I'm glad you asked! All you have to do is solve a few, teensy little riddles...

Yes, I said, riddles. In order to win for yourself one of the aforementioned, fabulously fishy (permanent) mounts, or frightfully furry (rental) mounts, you need to do the following:

1. Solve the riddles.

2. Respond to this thread with your answers, your wizard name and a valid email address by April 6th. (Your responses will NOT be made public.)

3. As usual, there will be a drawing from among everyone who supplies the correct answers to ALL the riddles. Winners of the Ancient Koi permanent mount will be chosen at random in that drawing.

4. Those correct answer-givers who don't get the Ancient Koi will be entered into a second-chance drawing for a 15-day Black Panther Mount rental.

5. There will be 24 winners total: 15 Ancient Koi and 9 Panther Rentals

6. Winners will be announced and prizes given out on April 7th.

So, are you ready to solve some riddles? Sure you are! So let's get to it!

Riddle #1

Riddle #2

Riddle #3

Riddle #4

Riddle #5

There now, that's not so hard is it? Just in case, here's a hint: All the answers can be found in the world before the land of sand and sun.

Now get going!

REMEMBER, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! SUBMISSIONS MISSING WIZARD NAMES OR EMAIL ADDRESSES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

ETA: Your Wizard Name is the name of your main character on Wizard101, NOT your sign-in for the game!

LotRO Mini-guide: Auctions

2011-03-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to what (I hope) will be the first of many LotRO Mini-guides!

These guides, as the name indicates, will be short and basic; not enough to make you an expert, but plenty to get you started. Today's mini-guide is all about: Auctions

Buying

In the main, crafted items (armor, weapons, etc.) are going to be better than the basic items you can get from vendors. Unless you can craft them yourself, (or a friend can) to get crafted items, you have to go to the auction house.

This is the easy part. Buying at the auction house is like buying anywhere else. Do your homework, comparison shop and get the best you can for the price you’re willing to pay. You can bid on items if that interests you, or you can just click the 'buyout' price and get your goods (in the mail) right away.

It’s also a good idea to scope out new equipment a couple of levels before you actually need it. You can check going rates and scoop up deals as they appear, then just keep the stuff handy until your level matches theirs.

Selling

This is where things can get a little tricky, so pay attention.

Clicken to embiggen.

1 = The item you intend to auction. Drag this from your inventory to that little square.

2 = Posting fee. This is what it will cost you just to post the auction and it comes right out of your current cash. A second fee will be taken from your profit when the item is sold.

3 = Auction length. Personally, I don't bother with anything less than 24 hours. You need to give your item time to sell. A longer auction will, however, increase the posting fee somewhat.

4 = Kinship auctions. If you are in a kinship that has been around long enough, you can set up auctions that only those of your kinship can bid on. This is a way to get items to friends all in one go, rather than mailing them.

5 = Initial price & Buyout Price. If you intend to have people bid for your wares, just set the initial price. If you want to top out at a maximum "buy it now" price, put that in the 'buyout' price. If you, like me, prefer to forgo bidding and just sell things at a fixed rate, set your buyout price where you want it and just put an initial price at a little below that. (See #7)

6 = Number of auctions. This will tell you how many auctions you have posted and how many you can have altogether.

7 = Posted auction. The final auction, once it's been posted. Should you change your mind about selling something, you can cancel an auction for an hour after it's been posted. After that, you're out of luck. Also, the posting fee is not refunded.

Pricing

If you’re selling equipment, rates can vary wildly and the prices that allow you to sell out one day can leave you selling nothing the next. The best way to go about it is to look for similar items up for sale first, then price your wares somewhere in the middle range of the prices that others are asking. But again, it’s tricky. If you price too high, people will go for the cheaper item, but if you price too low, then unconsciously, they night assume that your items aren’t as good as the other items; even if those items are identical. This is called ‘perceived value’ and it happens in real life all the time.

While I rarely sell made goods, I often sell crafting supplies. As my vocation is Explorer, I am constantly harvesting wood, hides and ore that I then refine into usable materials for myself and other crafters. When I sell these items, I have a set of prices that I use, based on the material in question and where it falls in the materials hierarchy. For example, Rowan is the first wood you can collect; it's an apprentice level material, so...

Rowan planks = 10 silver each

Ash is the next level of wood you can get so...

Ash planks = 15 silver each

As I go up each material level, I add 5 silver to the price. I use the same pricing for refined metal ingots. (I don't sell leather, as I use that for Tailoring.) I never auction off fewer than 12 of any material item at a time and I almost always sell out my materials auctions on the first try.

So, there you have it. I hope that gives you enough information to start buying and selling.

New Pet Sighting!

2011-03-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Just a quick note and screencap of the two most famous pets in the Spiral! They're the new hybrids: Nightmare and Pet Egg.

Aren't they adorable? For those who don't know, the Nightmare is a blending of a Helephant and a regular old Unicorn, while the Pet Egg is a blending of a Colossus and a regular Dragon. It's pretty much guesswork at the moment to see what combos make what. Also, it may take several tries before you finally get the hybrid you want, so be warned. But still, I'm all a-squee!

Moon, June, Spoon... uh... Loon?

2011-03-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

You were born during a Waxing Crescent moon

This phase occurs right after the New Moon, when we can start to see part of the moon that's illuminated by the sun.

- what it says about you -

You like having a clear vision of the future, and are good at helping people set out plans to accomplish important goals. Once you're done with a task, you're done with it. You don't like revisiting or rehashing issues you think are settled. You're inventive and encourage people around you to be new and different instead of copying from the past.

What phase was the moon at on your birthday? Find out at Spacefem.com

Prepare Ye for Wintertusk!

2011-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

The upcoming Wizard101 World will be called Wintertusk.

Wintertusk will complete the epic storyline that began with Grizzleheim.

The update will offer new things to do, and areas to explore, for powerful high-level Wizards AND lower-level students just beginning their adventures.

Some of the things that players will have to look forward to with this update include:

-Brand new areas for high-level Wizards to discover and explore
-New spells
-Level 58 class pets for each primary School
-A revamped underwater introduction zone for lower level characters. This area will continue the story of the Crab King.
-Many additional surprises!

I know that Grizzleheim wasn't as popular with everyone as it was with me, but I LOVE IT! I love the look of the place and it's always been my go-to world for farming. So this news has me so excited I can barely stand still!

A Message from K.I.: Gardening Update

2011-02-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

KingsIsle has just sent out the following message with regard to that whole, can't-teleport-to-my-house issue:

As many of you know, yesterday we experienced some technical difficulties which required us to temporarily lock our players out of their dorms, Castles & Lands. We realize that during this time many gardens may have suffered from some neglect. To apologize for this inconvenience, and to help you get your plants looking spry again we're giving each player TWO Energy Elixirs at no cost the next time you log in to the game!

To receive your TWO Energy Elixirs, simply log in to the game between now and 11:59pm Central US time on Friday February 11th 2011. Please note that each account will be able to receive this gift only once. The Energy Elixirs will appear in your Gift window and you can claim them at any time.

Two free energy elixirs? Sweet!

Humongofrogs! In Spaaaace!

2011-01-18T12:12:00.000-08:00

Marleybonian Reasearchers Unveil New Images of Mysterious Blob Seen Beyond the Spiral Edge

CELESTIA, THE SPIRAL (JANUARY 18 , 2011) – Extraordinary images from deep space distributed last week by NASA, a space agency on the Earth, reveal a mysterious green blob looming in the vast empty darkness. Today, Marleybonian researchers with the Spiral Geographic Society have unveiled a new image of the same region in space. Using advanced astronomical devices recently discovered in the ancient undersea world of Celestia, the image reveals startling new details that raise many additional questions.

“The new image clearly reveals a new monstrous variation of the well-known Humongofrog creature,” explained Thurston Plunkett, leader of the Spiral Geographic Society’s expedition to Celestia. “Could this creature be one of Morganthe’s powerful minions? Might this simply be an elaborate hoax by a mischievous denizen of Wizard City? We just don’t know right now.”

Additional information about the original image distributed by NASA can be found here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110111/ap_on_sc/us_sci_space_blob

* * *

Well, why not have frogs in space? After all, we need something to balance out with all the pigs...

Wizard101 Magical Home Contest

2011-01-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

Woot! Have you guys heard?

Beckett Fun Online Games is holding a Wizard101 Magical Home Contest! And the prizes! Ooo! THE PRIZES!

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive 60,000 Crowns and an epic bundle, (that's the $40 value card with the huge fantasy castle, gryphon mount, etc.)

Three (3) Runners-Up will receive 60,000 Crowns apiece!

So what are you waiting for? Call the decorator! Start weeding those gardens! Enter!

At the Close of the Year

2010-12-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Holy smokes, has it ever been crazy here at Casa de Mythspent! First, I'd like to thank everyone who came to my party a little while back. A good time was had by all, and now my friends list is packed-to-bursting with lovely people. And next time, (no, I wasn't kidding) I really do intend to find a way to have streaming music that we can all listen to at the same time. Because parties, they need the tunes. As for this party, behold! I took pictures!

Second, lots of things will be happening in my world during the new year, (especially as regards my job) and there may be times when I can't update as often as I'd like. I beg your patience in advance, and promise to keep you all as updated as possible. And now, I leave you to enjoy the rest of your winter break.

Happy New Year to all the inhabitants of the Spiral!

You Are Cordially Invited...

2010-12-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

...to a PARTY!

Abigail MythHammer: Legendary Conjurer, Grand Master Crafter and somewhat middling Gardener, invites you to a gathering at her house.

Date: Sunday, December 19th
Time: 5pm Pacific Time
Reason: Because it's about time, don'tcha think?

Come one, come all! Bring friends! See you there!

ETA: Find me in Golem Court, Torrence realm, at 4:45. I'll be friending and taking people to my house until 5:00.

Give the Gift of Magic with this Giving Tree!

2010-12-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Last year Wizard101 players raised $125,000 for Charity! This year, KI is offering players a chance to give a little Magic to someone in need.

When you purchase of a Giving Tree Seed from the Crowns Shop at the price of 2500 Crowns (approximately $5), KingsIsle Entertainment will donate the net proceeds to the following two charities: Children's Medical Center in Plano Texas and Austin Children’s Shelter.

Children's Medical Center in Plano Texas is a private, not-for-profit, and is the seventh largest pediatric healthcare provider in the country with 559 licensed beds, two full-service campuses and 10 outpatient sites. Children's was the state's first pediatric hospital to achieve Level 1 Trauma status and is the only pediatric teaching facility in North Texas affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical Center.

For more information about Children's Medical Center in Plano Texas or how to give, please visit www.childrens.com.

Austin Children’s Shelter protects and heals children, young adults and families in need. Established in 1984, ACS provides emergency shelter and long-term residential care for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect or are at extreme risk. Through a variety of critical services designed to reduce emotional trauma, a teen mother program and services for youth aging out of foster care, ACS can have a sustaining, positive effect on young lives.

To learn more about the Shelter, visit the website at www.austinchildrenshelter.org.

A Humble Holiday Wish or Two

2010-12-08T21:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Professor Ambrose,

It’s that time of year again. A chill is in the air, the decorations are up in the Commons and gobblers have begun sneaking out of Colossus Boulevard to eat them. (Somebody really should do something about that, you know. The tree ornaments give them the worst indigestion and their obnoxious emissions are now filled with glitter. This is not an improvement.)

I write to you today because there are rumors going around that Felix Navidad is not, in fact, an Official Representative of Santa™. I don’t want to point fingers or anything but last year I asked for a year of 3-day weekends and no homework, but instead got nothing but socks. Also, I’m beginning to suspect that Felix’s beard isn’t even real. (Scandalous, I know. Perhaps our holiday representatives should go through more stringent background checks.)

In any case, I have it on good authority that you and the man in red are pretty tight, so this year, I am entrusting you with my wishlist. Please be sure he gets it.

When Happiness Comes Calling, Always Give It a Comfortable Seat

2010-12-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

“When it is darkest, men see the stars.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, here we are, hurtling through the holiday season in a wretched economy and a world led by politicians who act more like petulant toddlers than sensible adults. So many of us are angry, angry at the government, angry at those who seem different from ourselves, angry at pretty much anyone or anything that presents itself because we have little control over that economy or those politicians and getting angry is our only way of asserting our will in the chaos that threatens to overwhelm us. Frankly, things kind of suck. And yet, in these times that try the soul (not to mention the patience) there is proof that human beings are, at their core, completely, utterly and stupendously awesome.

Turkey-Day Giveaway: And The Winners Are...

2010-11-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

The winners have been randomly chosen from all the fabulous posts on our Turkey-Day Giveaway! So, if you posted to enter the contest*, take a look at the list below. If you see your Wizard's name, respond to this post with your email address** and I'll send you your code.

*Yes, I'll be checking, so no trying to cheat by claiming another wizard's name.
**No one's email address will be published, all those posts are for my eyes only.

And the winners are...

1. ~~Cassandra DragonHeart~~  Prize claimed!
2. ~~Arlen DawnEyes~~   Prize claimed!
3. ~~Sierra DragonBright~~   Prize claimed!
4. ~~Jordan HexStalker~~  Prize claimed!
5. ~~Paige DawnPyre~~   Prize claimed!
6. Blake BattleHunter
7. Dugan TitanTamer
8. ~~Elizabeth ShadowDreamer~~  Prize claimed!
9. ~~Kevin Life~~  Prize claimed!
10. ~~Autumn IceWeaver~~  Prize claimed!
11. ~~Christopher SkyWalker~~   Prize claimed!
12. ~~Jeff DawnBreaker~~   Prize claimed!
13. ~~Hunter RedBlade~~   Prize claimed!
14. Scarlet WindThief
15. Esmee Rose
16. Aaron ShadowMancer
17. Edward DarkCaller
18. ~~Malvin DragonBreeze~~  Prize claimed!
19. ~~Ginelle MythWhisper~~  Prize claimed!
20. ~~Amanda WaterFlame~~  Prize claimed!
21. Nora RavenWard
22. Kaitlyn CrowRider
23. Morgan FireWraith
24. Allan LegendSword

Congratulations to all the winners! Enjoy your prize and I'll see you all around the Spiral!

Turkey-Day Giveaway

2010-11-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Thanks to the good offices of KingsIsle, I find that my code cup runneth over. That is to say, I have a bounty, a bumper-crop, a veritable cornucopia of 15-day Panther Mount Rental codes to give away! So, you know, of course this means contest...

What does one need to do to win one of these Panther Mount Rental codes? Why, I thought you'd never ask! Simply post below, telling me what you are thankful for this year. Personally, I'm thankful that my mother no longer makes Tomato Aspic or Waldorf Salad. Bleh.

In any case, I have 24 codes to give away. TWENTY FOUR. If I only get 24 posts, then everyone will get a mount! If I get more than that, then winners will be chosen randomly, via ultra-high-tech, super scientific methods. (Or I'll just flip a coin, whatever.)

1. In your post, please include: Your wizard's name and what you/they are thankful for.
2. Contest ends Thanksgiving Day at 11:59pm, Pacific Time.
3. When the winners are determined, (probably Friday) I will post them on this blog.
4. Winners will then post their email address (I'll keep those private) so that I can send out the codes.

Please, DO NOT post your email address in your Thankful Post. Wait for the winners list.

Got it? Good! Now get posting!

ETA: Contest is now closed! I'll be randomizing and awarding prizes later. :)

Above image: Frances Brundage [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Teeny Tiny Twitter Contest

2010-11-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

As the title of this post says, I'm holding a Teeny Tiny Twitter Contest! All you have to do is: Tweet about this post! You have just over 1HOUR, at which point, the contest will close and the winners will be chosen at random from all those who tweeted. BE SURE TO INCLUDE @MythspentYouth (and a link back to this post) in your tweet so I can track it! There are three prizes and, naturally, will be three winners. The prizes are:

Beckett Magazine Codes for the followin Wizard101 items:

1 Wand
1 Mount Rental
1 Housing item

So get Tweeting! This contest ends precisely at 4pm Pacific time!

Thinky-thoughts Make My Brain Hurt

2010-11-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

Well it's been rather sparse with the posting around here of late, hasn't it? Yeah, it has. As some of you already know, in late October I started writing for a gaming-news-&-commentary site called MMOCrunch. Not long after that, I went from being a writer to being an editor, (Content Editor, to be precise) and suddenly my busy-quotient exploded.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I absolutely LOVE what I'm doing, even if it sometimes feels like I'm juggling a combination of priceless Ming porcelain and angry wolverines.

But you guys aren't here for that, are you? No, you're here to talk about Wizard101 and storytelling, and you've been remarkably patient with my lack of communication. To reward that patience, Monday I will be holding a teeny little contest.

I have three Beckett Wizard101 codes to give away for the following:

1 Wand
1 Mount Rental
1 Housing item

So come back here Monday and I'll fill you in on all the details. :)

Commemorative Statue

2010-11-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Look what's available in-game right now! It's a Commemorative Statue in honor of Veteran's Day in the US.

KI says:

"As many of you know, last year we offered a Valor Sword to our players, in recognition of all those who have served their countries.

This year, for that same recognition, every player who logs in to the game between November 10th at 11:59pm Central US time, and November 14th at 11:59pm Central US time, will receive this commemorative statue!

Each account that logs in during that time will receive one statue in the Gift Window."

How fantastic is that?

Celestia, a Few Observations

2010-11-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

The last couple weeks have been pretty chaotic around Casa de MythSpent. First, for those who haven't heard, I've begun writing for a site called MMOCrunch. Second, there are things I'm juggling in my personal life that have me quite busy. However, despite all that, I've still managed to get some questing time in Celestia and here's what I've noticed so far...

1. The monsters aren't necessarily tougher, but they sure do hit harder. They also hit faster. One boss began the fight with four, FOUR power pips. With that kind of starter battery, I'm frequently getting pasted before I get in a shot of my own and I'm running through minions like they're water.

2. Minions behave differently. Well, at least the Minotaur Minion does, I haven't had the chance to test out most of the others yet. (The puppet is still pretty much the same.) Where the Minotaur used to shield himself, (tower shield and spirit armor) he now will sometimes shield you. He will also heal you with the occasional Sprite. This is a mixed blessing. Having that shield and healing can mean the difference between surviving a battle and not. However. it also means he isn't as protected as he used to be and now dies a lot faster, leaving you as the solo target until you can conjure another. And if you're spending pips on another minion, you're not building them for attack.

3. Battles have become trickier and take longer. Even if you're not going it solo (as I often do) more strategy is needed to get through Celestian battles than on any other world. Monsters hit harder. They attack sooner. Bosses cheat more often. And more than other worlds, a single new wizard jumping into a battle can spell disaster for the ones already there. So if you're not a Life Wizard, start carrying healing treasure cards for those times you join a battle in progress. Chances are, those already there will be pretty battered by the time you jump in, and the bad guys will keep targeting them.

4. Equipment drops sell for more. Lots more. 'Nuff said.

5. The new schools can be your salvation. For my Myth Wizard, Sun school in particular has been fantastic. Suddenly, Humungo frog is a real AOE player again. Star school is an excellent back-up too, that 15% reduction to incoming damage alone is enough to tip the balance in a fight. Moon school is a whole different animal. At lower levels (which is all I've seen so far) it essentially allows a player to transform into an intelligent minion and support the rest of the team. That can completely tip the balance in a long hard fight, but it takes a player who is willing to give up the mega-damage spotlight to do it.

Ok, that's all I have time for today. I'll see you guys 'round the spiral!

Día de los Muertos

2010-10-31T12:30:00.000-07:00

Buenos dias mi amigos!

Well, it's the last day of A Month of Halloween and I could think of no better way to end it than to spotlight another holiday that I think is just as awesome: El Día de los Muertos! If I ever had to miss Halloween at home, I would do it for a trip to Mexico to see this, because in Mexico they sure know how to throw a party!

Final Celestia Wallpaper!

2010-10-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

Celestia is live and here's the final reveal on the wallpaper. Enjoy!

A Month of Halloween - Haunted Mansion Re-imagined

2010-10-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

This week has been pure chaos (and not the good kind) here at Casa de MythSpent, but here we are nonetheless at another Friday. Halloween weekend stretches out before us like a spooky paradise. For today's installment of A Month of Halloween I bring you an original, animated re-imagining of Disney's Haunted Mansion. So, as they say, look alive, and let's begin our tour...

Next week I'll get back to talking about Wizard101, gaming, storytelling and all that jazz. Oh, the things I've discovered since Celestia went live...

A Month of Halloween - Pumpkin Head!

2010-10-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

First, I think we all know that Celestia went live today! WOO! Now, I don't want to keep you all from the game, (and getting your butts handed to you by angry, bipedal crabs) so today's installment of A Month of Halloween will be a quick one: pumpkin carving!

I have two sites to send you to, the first is Extreme Pumpkins.com.

The other is The Pumpkin Lady.com

Both sites have free patterns, carving instructions and advice, as well as plenty of inspiration. So, if you (like me) haven't carved your pumpkins yet, this should be the prefect way to get you started.

And The Winners Are...

2010-10-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

What a fantastic 13 days it's been and you have all been amazing! There were tons of entries for the contest (approaching 200 all together) and I wish I could give everyone a prize, (oh, I really do) but I only have 13 to give away. So here goes...

The winners of the Silly Halloween Staff are...

Jacob Thundersword
Kevin BattleBlood
John P.
Mario B.
Christopher LegendCaster
Cory M.
Jason Ashweaver
Sari

The winners of the Ninja Pig Costume are...

Alex R.
Stephanie
Jake S.
Anthony H.

And finally, the winner of the Black Cat Pet is...

Josh V.

And an Honorable Mention goes to Sierra DragonBright (aka DragonBrightWiz) who not only entered the contest, but wrote a poem finishing the story of our two hapless wizards! Thank you Sierra!

Congratulations to all the winners (check your email for your prize codes!) and thank you for making this such a great contest to host! Happy Halloween!

The Ghostly Music of Nox Arcana

2010-10-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I swear, some days I don't know what I'd do without YouTube. Anyway, today for A Month of Halloween, I'm going to tell you about the some of the best spooky musicians ever; Nox Arcana. Now, you've already had a sample of their work in last week's post about Edgar Allen Poe, but their music is so good I just had to give them a post all their own.

Halloween wouldn't be Halloween at my house if I didn't have a selection of their tracks playing in the front yard after dark. Below are some samples of their music accompanied by some truly gorgeous videos. Woo! It sends a shiver down my spine! Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

2010-10-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday! It's Saturday in October!
Traditionally (at least for oooold folks like me) Saturday means cartoons. And of course, October means Halloween with all the witches, monsters and mad scientists that entails. So today for A Month of Halloween, I bring you a combination of all of the above, with the magnificent addition of Bugs Bunny. How perfect is that?

Bewitched Bunny

Water, Water Every Hare

Hair Raising Hare

Mmmm! Brainloaf!

2010-10-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today's installment of A Month of Halloween takes us to a delightfully creepy website called: the Halloween Alliance. In particular, I'd like to draw your attention to their recipes page, and in further particular to their recipes for Brain Dip and Bone Breadsticks.

Mmm... Brainloaf!

Ahh... food fit for a zombie king.

In other news, it seems that Selena Gomez' time in the Spiral is almost at an end. If you haven't completed her quest with all your eligible wizards, you'd better hurry up! Each completed quest is an entry into a contest, remember. Personally, I'm hoping for the shark mount.

A Month of Halloween - Wherein I Cheat a Little Bit

2010-10-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hey guys.

Today for A Month of Halloween, I'm going to skip the usual things one might expect to see (gerbil zombies, haunted lawnmowers, etc.) and focus on something that personally scares the bejeebus out of me; the current state of our educational system.

Now, I'm not going to bore you with dusty facts and statistics (schools are doing enough of that already) instead I'm going to show you a brilliant video featuring Sir Ken Robinson, one of the world's leading thinkers on creativity and innovation (and also, a pretty funny guy.) So, watch the video. Watch it with your parents. Email it to your teachers. Start a conversation. Maybe if we can exorcise some of the antiquated beasties from the way school is taught, the idea of getting an education won't be so scary anymore.

A Month of Halloween - Tim Burton

2010-10-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

BOoooOOOooooo!

Is there a man alive with a creepier, more Halloween-aligned vision than Tim Burton? I think not! So, for today's bit of A Month of Halloween, I bring you a Tim Burton mini-film-fest, beginning with my favorite vintage Burton short: Vincent.

A very early 2D animated short called "Stalk of the Celery Monster" - it's rough and there's no sound for the first half, but it's delightfully creepy and an interesting look at the animation process.

And to round things off, a clip from the Nightmare Before Christmas: Jack's Lament.

That's it for today, guys. The contest is still going great and in a few days I'll be drawing the winners. Stay tuned!

A Month of Halloween - Music

2010-10-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I'm busy, buys, busy, so just a quick one today. For A Month of Halloween, I direct you to a site full of free, downloadable Halloween music at a site called: All About Halloween!

So hop on over and grab some musical atmosphere and I'll meet you right back here tomorrow.

How to Draw: Halloween

2010-10-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I have always loved to draw. I especially like mixing cute with creepy. Sadly, thanks to a raging case of Carpal Tunnel, I can't draw as much as I used to, but you can!

Today for A Month of Halloween, I bring you a whole page full of spooky drawing tutorials.

There are lessons for all ability levels; beginning, intermediate and advanced. (There are also lots of ads, my apologies, I can't do anything about that.)

So get your art supplies and take a look. Give it a try! Show me some skills! Email me your spooky (or fantasy, or whatever inspires you) drawings and I'll post them here on Halloween!

email to: lrjonte at gmail dot com

Quoth the Raven...

2010-10-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat."

-Edgar Allen Poe

Hey guys!

Today, for A Month of Halloween I bring you a celebration of the master of subtle horror, Edgar Allen Poe.

There is no one better suited than Poe to set a proper October mood.

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

"The Raven" a free downloadable MP3 on Librivox

Nox Arcana - Edgar Allen Poe 1809/1849

I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation.
He was stone dead.

Short Horror & Ghost Stories - free downloadable MP3s on Librivox

Nox Arcana - Edgar Allen Poe: Descent Into Madness

Now, if all that hasn't gotten you ready for Halloween, nothing will. Sweet dreams...

MAKE: A Month of Halloween!

2010-10-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

We're halfway through October now and it's time to start some serious costume planning and to finish up those decorations. So today, for A Month of Halloween, I bring you the best DIY site ever: Instructables

A membership to the site is free and it allows you to download your favorite Instructables tutorials as PDF files.

Man, do these guys know how to celebrate Halloween! And they have everything from food to costumes to pumpkins and plushies.

So go get inspired, get some instructions and make something!

Welcome, Foolish Mortals...

2010-10-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! First, just let me say that the response to the 13th Hour contest has been fantastic! You guys are absolutely amazing!

Second, I won't be around tomorrow (Friday) so today I'm giving you an installment for A Month of Halloween that should keep you busy till Saturday: DoomBuggies.com

DoomBuggies is a tribute to Disney's Haunted Mansion and is chock full of entertaining things to see, do and download. So go have fun and explore! I'll see you all back here on Saturday.

PS, that little video up top? Yeah, I made that all by myself.

CONTEST: The 13th Hour

2010-10-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings wary wizards,

Today I bring you a tragic tale of woe, a tale of two wizards with more greed than good sense, lured by ambition to a forbidden tower inhabited by a vengeful spirit with some pretty intense pack-rat issues.

As evidence of the truth of my narrative, I offer up the following note, found amid a pile of dead leaves at the edges of the Sunken City...

Click to enlarge

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to discover the necessary items to secure our hapless wizards' release. To do that, you must brave the tower yourself and search below...

Click the image to enlarge it to full size, then right-click it and "save as".

Study the picture and find 13 clocks and 13 keys in the jumble of junk that our vengeful spirit has collected over the years. Then, open the picture in an image editing program (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc.) and circle the location of each necessary item.

If you don't have any image editing software, I recommend downloading Gimp, it's quite good and it's free.

When you've finished, save the image and email it to: lrjonte at gmail dot com - Put 13th Hour in the subject line.

-Prize list can be seen here.
-You will have 13 days to solve the puzzle.
-13 winners will be drawn from all correct submissions.
-Winners will be announced and prizes awarded on October 26th.
-Good luck!

If any of this is unclear, please post your questions as a response to this post.

A Month of Halloween - Dead Man's Party

2010-10-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Smack me upside the head and call me a goober, I almost forgot today's Month of Halloween post! Today I bring you the best, most Halloween appropriate group ever: Oingo Boingo! Don't blame me if you start dancing.

No One Lives Forever

Dead Man's Party

Grey Matter

Celestia Sneak Peek #14

2010-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

It's time for another Celestia reveal! I'm completely overwhelmed with the test realm so far. If you haven't seen it yet, I guarantee you will be impressed. It's HUGE!

How to Post YouTube Videos to Your Blog Like A Pro

2010-10-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today's topic is one of those things that everybody else seems to know how to do and yet there are no clear instructions anywhere. What's an uninformed (but otherwise witty and intelligent) blogger to do? Read on!

How to Post YouTube Videos to Your Blog Like A Pro

First, it's important to understand a few terms:

1. Rich Text Editor - This is the default setting for most blogs these days. It's all point-n-click easy.
2. HTML Editor - This is where those who know some basic code can fancy things up a bit.
2. Embed Code - This is the code that tells your blog to display a particular video.

Ok, now that we have that down, it's time to choose your video; open that in a separate tab or window. Since this is still A Month of Halloween, I've chosen a thematically appropriate video for the job. (You'll get to watch it at the end of the tutorial.)

Now that you have the video you want, find and click the "embed" button just below the views counter. That will open a little pocket of highlighted code. Choose the size and frame color you prefer, then copy that code (ctrl + C) and head back to your blog.

Now, you can paste in that code two different ways. You can use the Rich Text Editor and click the little movie clapper icon. This will open another little pocket for you to paste the code into.

Or, you can use the HTML Editor (my preferred way) and just paste the code into the body of the post wherever you like. Either way, the end result will be the same, but I find that some browsers can be twitchy with the Rich Text Editor.

If you're ever unsure, just scroll down and click the preview button for a reality check. You can't break anything, so no worries. If you guys have any other questions, post them here and I'll do my best to answer.

And now, as a demonstration of my tutorial mojo, your Halloween vid for the day:

Celestia, Initial Findings

2010-10-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Things are pretty busy here at Casa de MythSpent, I'm working feverishly to finish the last piece of the 13th Hour contest for next week, but I wanted to stop and share a few observations of Celestia from the test realm.

Ouch!

1. The critters are tougher. They start with multiple and power pips just like we do.

2. The critters (not just the bosses) can throw level 48 spells.

3. None but the Balance critters seem to be throwing weakness blade, so that's a plus.

4. The three new schools are all support in one form or another. Briefly:
--Moon spells polymorph the caster into (basically) an intelligent minion.
--Sun spells allow you to buff and target your own regular spells
--Star spells allow you to buff yourself and others
I totally support the idea of making the three new schools available as secondary schools rather than just tertiary.

5. CRITICAL. Ok, so far, this one is the biggie. The ability to crit is amazing. Sadly, I've only experienced it on the receiving end, but it was devastating. It took me out of a boss fight just before I was about to finish it and win. (There was a lot of swearing on my part after that.) Fortunately, you get a helmet from Diego right off the bat that increases your crit chances and there are good equipment drops to be had all over the place. Do yourself a favor and beef up your crit range as soon as possible. Because, dang...

Anyway, I'm trying not to rush through the quests in hopes of seeing things that others might miss, so that's it for now.

And finally, just a quickie upload for today's installment of A Month of Halloween.

STOP THE PRESSES! Celestia Live On Test Realm!

2010-10-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

WOOT!

Celestia is LIVE on the Test Realm!

Posted this very day on the Wizard101 October Update Notes:

Journey to Celestia!

Merle has determined that Celestia is safe for his strongest Wizard students!

New quests, new badges, new reagents, new creatures, new friends and new foes, new mounts, new pets, new spells and many new adventures await!

Players who have reached level 48 and completed the Dragonspyre quest "The Final Countdown" should speak to Merle Ambrose for more information about Celestia.

I'm freaking out, here!

Ice Cream... FOR THE DEAD!

2010-10-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it's Friday!

In honor of the end of the week, for today's edition of A Month of Halloween I entertain you by sending you to the Ben & Jerry's website for a deliciously spooky time waster.

There are sounds, animations, things to mouse over and click, everything a diligent slacker needs to keep from getting any meaningful work done, for hours and hours and hours...

No need to thank me, your lack of industrious productivity is thanks enough. Oh, and when the angry emails start flowing in from parents, teachers and bosses... you never heard of me.

History (of Halloween) Lesson!

2010-10-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today on A Month of Halloween, we're going to explore the history of this most excellent holiday.

Over at History.com - Halloween

For example, did you know that, for the ancient Celts, Halloween or Samhain (pronounced sao-when) was New Year's Eve?

Or that later, after the Romans had come, that Samhain was combined with two Roman holidays, Feralia (commemorating the dead) and Pamona (honoring the Goddess of fruit and trees) and that that is where the tradition of bobbing for apples comes from?

There are also links to other articles about Halloween around the world, pumpkin facts and the history of the Jack-o-lantern.

So go take a look! Amaze your friends (or at least your history teacher) with your new-found knowledge!

Favorite Haunts

2010-10-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, nothing says "Halloween" better than a haunted house. Be they historic mansions with documented paranormal activity, or carved foam and fake blood attractions, haunted houses are a much-beloved part of the Halloween tradition.

In today's installment of A Month of Halloween I bring you HauntedHouses.com:

The site features locators for finding both kinds of haunts in your area, reviews and commentary. My personal favorites are the pages full of paranormal places, like these in San Francisco.

A Note of Caution: when looking for the entertainment kind of haunt, (instead of the paranormal kind) be aware that many seasonal haunts feature some pretty disturbing scenes. Some people like that kind of scare, but it's not for everyone. (Personally, I prefer the spooky kind over the guts-n-gore kind.) So, you know, beware.

Nostalgic Halloween

2010-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today's installment of A Month of Halloween is a "two-for". First, we set the way-back machine for the early 20th century, to a gorgeous blog where it's Halloween all year long: A Nostalgic Halloween. The artist uses vintage images to make beautiful decorations. It's all kinds of inspiring!

Second, we zoom forward to the Dover Publications website where you can get tons of turn-of-the-century Halloween images to use in your own creations as well as free e-cards!

So, what are you waiting for? Get out some art supplies, collect some of those gorgeous old-time pics and make something great!

A Month of Halloween!

2010-10-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

So, over the weekend I was struck with a flash of inspiration! (Either that or someone smacked me upside the head.) Anyway, I had a great idea; I will attempt to bring you guys something awesome and Halloween related every day this month!

Can I do it? Is there enough Halloween-awesomeness out there? Can I find it all? Who knows? But I'm going to try!

Today, I give you a bit of behind-the-scenes from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. This is a recording of the "singing heads" before they were projected on the actual busts in the Haunted Mansion ride.

"C" is for Contest...

2010-09-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! In two weeks A Mythspent Youth will be holding a contest called... (drum-roll please)

The 13th Hour

Dun, dun DUUUNNNN!

The basics: It will begin on October 13th! You will have 13 days to work it out! You can win one of 13 prizes graciously provided by KingsIsle!

So prep your eyeballs to work! (You know, get them out of the jar, pop them in, blink a bit...) And just to get you worked up, those prizes are...

(8) Silly Halloween Staff

(4) Ninja Pig Outfit

(1) Black Cat Pet

Celestia Sneak Peek Number 13!

2010-09-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

TURTLE!

Music and Contest News

2010-09-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

So, right now I'm in the middle of putting together a Halloween/Wizard101 themed contest for next month called, The 13th Hour.

It's a pretty labor intensive project and it's kind of eating my brain. However, for completing the arduous task of soldiering through another week of school and work, you all deserve some entertainment this lovely Friday afternoon. So, today I give you, Vienna Teng:

That's it for now, have a great weekend!

Wizard101 Downtime and New Quest

2010-09-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Wizard101 is going down for during the wee small hours of the morning of Tuesday, September 21st, so that they can bring the Selena Gomez Quest to the live realm for wizards level 6 and up. So get ready to dive in!

I'd like to say that I've been good this year...

2010-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Spooky Bob,

How are you? I would like to say that I have been very good this year. I’d like to, but I’m not entirely sure that I can say so without crossing the line between actual fact and complete horse-hockey.

I suppose it all depends on how you see certain events that *might* have involved a couple snotty Storm School kids, several hungry trolls, and about forty gallons of barbecue sauce. I *might* have had a hand in it and I *might* have had some help from my old dorm-mate Abigail MythHammer. Abby could give you more concise details; unfortunately she’s still in detention. (In hindsight, it was a mistake to use Professor Drake’s office as a staging area. I see that now.)

In any case, it’s almost Halloween again and nearly time for you to come back to the Spiral. Assuming you aren’t put off by what my guidance counselor described as, “a ~~wanton display~~ bit of ~~inveterate~~ youthful hooliganism…” I have enclosed my holiday wishlist.

1. A way to sort, categorize and delete quests. Perhaps the quest list could be set up like a binder and sorted by world, with tabs.

2. A wider range of colors in the dye shop, maybe even a system for mixing custom colors.

3. A hair salon in the shopping district. Look, I’m not vain, but even I would like a change of pace now and again. I’d gladly pay gold for that.

4. Some new faces in the neighborhood. Some days I swear everyone looks the same.

Send in the clones...

5. Some new mounts. Considering my history with the big green jerk, a Jade Oni mount would be AWESOME. No saddle, thanks, I’d just ride on his shoulders.

OHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASE!

6. The ability to trade in old mounts to get a discount on a new one.

7. Team up with Coinstar to offer Wizard101 codes in exchange for loose change. Hey, if it works for Amazon and iTunes, why not us?

Well, that’s about it for this year. Thanks for delivering on the spooky housing that I asked for last year. Having one’s own backyard cemetery is really quite the time saver.

Sincerely,

Sestiva Hex
Necromancer Extraordinaire

Choice Online Audience Award

2010-09-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Do you really love a certain *koff*wizardly*koff* online game? Do you long for a new way to show your love? Have you exhausted the possibilities in fan sites, blogs and interpretive dance? Then do I have the answer for you!

The Choice Online Audience Award

Voting is easy peasy, but its only open for a limited time. So put up those tap shoes and go show your love.

Make Something Ugly!

2010-09-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Summer is just beginning its slow retreat and autumn is right around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about making things! To help gear us all up for cool, blustery days, falling leaves and neighborhoods full of goblins and imps, I've collected a few videos from the incredible paper mache artist, Dan Reeder.

I've been in love with Dan's work for ages now, ever since reading his first book, the Simple Screamer. What the man can't do with paper and paste hasn't been invented yet.

Now, these videos aren't really tutorials, so don't worry about trying to keep up with specifics. Instead, just watch the process and see how the whole thing unfolds. We'll get into actual tutorials a little later on. For now, just sit back and be inspired.

Friday: The Get Up and Dance Mix

2010-09-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! After a long week at school or work and then a long stretch wadded up in your computer chair playing video games, you know what you need? Yes! You need to get up and DANCE! To help you get some circulation back in that backside, below are videos of some of my favorite tracks.

Celestia Sneak Peek #12

2010-09-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, another reveal on the Celestia wallpaper.

So what's that, six silhouettes left to reveal?

Abby Goes to Sea: A Deeply Weird Love Story

2010-09-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

The Wizard101 Test Realm is open!

There's a brand new, limited time only quest to rescue one very confused Wizard of Waverly Place from the amorous attentions of an equally confused crustacean. The ever intrepid Abigail MythHammer took on the task of saving the sea-bound singing sensation and has made a small scrapbook of her endeavors under the briny blue. Because with a story this weird, if it weren't for pictures, no one would believe it really happened.

Abby Goes to Sea: A Deeply Weird Love Story

To see Abby's photo album detailing her adventures rescuing Selena Gomez

from a fate worse than tartar sauce, click here.

Selena Gomez Promo Video!

2010-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Behold the Selena Gomez/Wizard101 promo! Thoughts on some of those new spells? I'm thinking the Genie is a Fire School spell and that... is it Horus? Ra? Is that a Sun School spell? And the shark mount? MADE OF AWESOME!

On the Craft of Writing: Naming Your Characters

2010-09-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I know some of you were probably expecting the weekly puzzle. Unfortunately,due to scheduling logistics, the puzzle schedule is going to change. When I know how that's going to work out, I'll let you know.

Today, I offer you a new installment in our Advice to Young Writers series. This one is about how (and how not) to name your characters.

What's In a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

-Romeo & Juliet (Act II, Scene II)

While Juliet may have had a point when it comes to roses, the same can’t be said for fictional characters. Sure, her passion for Romeo might have been just as intense had he been named Throttleman P. Kinslayer, but I’m betting she probably would have thought twice about it.

When it comes to naming your fictional characters, there are a few things to consider:

1. Names Must Be Legible

“Greetings, weary traveler,” the elf maiden sighed diaphanously. “I am Qxxymystae’a’thallasallon D’urdiallyys O’Maschanahae, Princess and CEO of the Penumbrian Elven Waybread Konsortium.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you trying to derail your story? Because that’s exactly what that name does, it stops the story cold. As cool and exotic as they might seem at the time, extra letters, substituted vowels and apostrophes* make for cumbersome, overwrought character names. Names like that are the literary equivalent of throwing rice at a vampire, interrupting the story flow and causing one of the following reactions:

-Some readers will stop reading and spend entirely too long to trying puzzle out the exact pronunciation (you know, until the sun comes up and they burst into flame.)

-Some will bump over it, mentally inserting “stupid name” every time it appears. Do that often enough and at best they’ll think your whole story is stupid, at worst they’ll think you are.

-The rest will turn on you with a hiss and a snarl and rend the flesh from your metaphorical bones, (usually in the form of a scathing online review.)

The Princess of P.E.W.K. can be just as impressive with a more manageable name. A good rule of thumb; read your character names out loud. Have a friend do the same. If the names you’ve chosen are difficult (or impossible) to pronounce, change them.

*An apostrophe in a name generally indicates a glottal stop. Throw those around too frequently and any dialogue will read as if all your characters have the hiccups.

2. Names Must Read True

Thellimecium paused to gaze over the ruined city, the foul stench of burnt waybread filling the air. “How will I ever explain this to Scheenoo and Bob?” he fretted aloud.

Your fantasy characters don’t have to have common, everyday names, but the names they do have need to read true. That is, they must seem like real names, even if they’re not; more so if some of your other characters actually do have everyday names.

If your world requires a more unusual flavor, by all means, avoid common, modern-day monikers. History and archaic language both offer a wealth of names that, while uncommon (or even unused) now, still sound reasonable as names to the modern ear. You can use them as you find them, or alter them slightly to fit the needs of your story.

This is important. If your reader doesn’t accept a made-up name as a real name, she won’t accept your character as a real person worth caring about. If she doesn’t care about your character, she won’t read the rest of your story and that’s the ballgame.

Once you have a name you like, give it the ‘Mom’ test. Yell it out loud as if you’re about to take away your character’s allowance,

“Acton Bromley McSnood! You get in here this instant and clean your room or you are grounded, mister!”

If you can pull that off without tripping over it, or sounding like you’re ordering off the à la carte menu at a nightclub in R'lyeh, you’re golden.

3. Names Must Fade Into the Background

Duke Fairfax Florentinius McTavish Postprandial Smith smiled as he reviewed his dastardly handiwork. “There’s no way the Penumbrian Elven Waybread Konsortium will recover their market share now,” he chortled.

Much like the word ‘said’, a name must become invisible to the reader as he reads. It asserts itself just enough to differentiate which character is doing what or, in dialogue, which speaker is speaking, then it fades into the background.

If your character names assert themselves and then go on asserting themselves, like that one kid in class that just won’t shut up, they will derail the story again and again.

This doesn’t mean that certain characters can’t have long-winded formal names, but it does mean that you only need to mention the whole name once, after that, go with an honorific (His Lordship) or an informal version (Duke Fairfax.) Otherwise, your story will read like an extended version of that Schoolhouse Rock song with the aardvark.

4. Names from Other Languages Must Be Made Clear

Baoithein fell to his knees before the Princess/CEO and swore, “As waybread is my witness, P.E.W.K. will rise again!”

If you’re going to mine other languages for character or place names, (I’m looking at you, Gaelic) then you need to do your readers the courtesy of telling them how those names are pronounced. You can either add the pronunciations as a one-time parenthetical aside:

Baoithein (BOOY en) fell to his knees…

Or you can put all the uncommon/unfamiliar names together in a glossary at the end of your story. Either way, your readers will thank you for it.

That's it for this installment, guys. Now go write a story.