Manon Eileen – a Writer's Blog

And yes, it be Sunday again!

Today I’d like to discuss guilty pleasures.

I always thought I didn’t really have one, but I do.

I absolutely ADORE this website TomandLorenzo.com. It’s a blog written by a gay married couple, who post approximately six blogs a day (impressive, right).

These blogs are on fashion (my favorite is their red carpet commentary), reality TV (although I only read the posts on Project Runway, I’m a fan) and television shows (they covered Lost, V, Mad Men, Glee, you name it).

What I love is that they’re incredibly sharp, open-minded and witty! They usually make me laugh at least once a day. If I haven’t read their blog for a couple of days, I’ll make a cup of tea, sit down and just read all the blogs they posted (and with their high output rate, that usually has me settled for an hour).

They have thousands of readers and get hundreds of comments on every post. I know I write in a very different genre than they do, but I truly admire them as bloggers. I think they’re a great example of “how to do it”.

Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t be wasting my time with superficial stuff like red carpet commentary. But it’s so much fun to just look at a dress of some lame celebrity and say “OH MY GOD YOU LOOK HORRIBLE” with the appropriate facial expression. It’s just a way of letting off steam! That’s what makes it my guilty pleasure.

So tell me, because I’m curious, how do you let off steam? What is your guilty pleasure?

And now, it’s time for another blog mashup!

Fun & Interesting blogs

The Past, Present & Future of Email [INFOGRAPHIC] @ Mashable.com – This was pretty interesting to see!

Cybernetic cat ears read your brainwaves and let the world know if you need a cheeseburger @ io9.com – Somehow I’m afraid I’d get brain damage if I’d wear these ;p

Will Ferrell Reprises Role as George Bush Impersonator, Reacts to Bin Laden’s Death [VIDEO] @ Youtube – this seriously had me laughing my ass off.

32 Examples of Awesome Star Wars Graffiti @ io9.com – May 4th was Star Wars day (“May the Fourth be with you”) – reason for this awesome collection of Star Wars graffiti!

Explore Twitter’s Evolution: 2006 to Present @ Mashable.com – Another really interesting article

Find your sign on the sci-fi geek zodiac @ Blastr.com – What’s your sign? Mine was Pirate. In all seriousness, I’ve always wanted to be a pirate, so this was kinda cool and satisfying :p.

Speaking multiple languages can give you multiple personalities @ io9.com – quite interesting. Is my English speaking personality very different to my Dutch one? I do wonder…

Blogs on Books, Writing, Publishing, Social Media and all that

Genre Map @ Bookcountry.com – This is awesome. Explore the genre maps and find out what other books are closest to your writing style.

Twitter v. Facebook @ Bookends, LLC. – Interesting insights.

Subtle Ways to Come Out of the Writing Closet @ Elizabeth Craig’s Mystery Writing is Murder – I need to practice this. I did add my title “author” and contact info to my email signature!

Join in the Love Revolution–#MyWANA @ Kristen Lamb’s Warrior Writers – This is no joke – join us, writers! You’ll get brownies and good coffee!

My Secret Lover @ Jack Flacco –  Ah yes, the secret lover. A great description of the writer’s odd habits!

The Art Of The Blurb Request @ Pub Rants

My Secrets to Successfully Growing My Social Media Followings @ Jody Hedlund

What’s in a Name? @ Jami Gold – Kvothe told me names are powerful things.

and of course… Progeny @ xkcd.com

‘Tis Sunday again. Last week’s been a very hectic week. I’m glad it’s past now, and I’ll have a somewhat more relaxed week next week (if you don’t count the exam I have this week Wednesday and next week Wednesday). From 20-26 April there’ll be no school, though, which is pure bliss!

Last week I found out TED.com (for the second time, actually). You might know it for their slogan, “Ideas Worth Spreading”. It’s been gaining popularity last year.

From TED.com’s about page:

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences — the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer — TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

I watched a TED film featuring the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and I found it very impressive. Please read the following:

The news that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been detained by authorities has prompted significant concern here at TED HQ. We had shown a film of him at last month’s conference, an unexpected and courageous statement about his treatment by the government, social change, the power of the web, and his hope for the future of China. The film, which was shown as Ai Weiwei himself watched live over the web in the middle of the night, prompted a huge standing ovation from the TED audience.

TED is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization, and we understand the Chinese authorities’ concern at anything which might provoke social unrest. But for anyone who believes in the power of ideas, of human imagination, it is heartbreaking to see one of the world’s great artists shackled in this way. We will be tracking developments carefully.

This is the film:

Acting against a government like he does takes a lot of courage, for which I admire and respect him greatly.

More Charity for Japan

Last week was Genre for Japan week. People could bid on (sci-fi/fantasy) special edition books and collections and all sorts of other cool stuff. They collected £11.139,36 which is amazing!

I found two other great initiatives to collect money to help the victims of the disaster in Japan. At KeepRecipes you can donate and receive a collection of 21 exclusive recipes:

This unique cookbook includes 21 recipes including Japanese classics, fusions, haute cuisine and more. From Braised Black Cod to Miso Ramen to Japanese Tai Snapper Taco, you’ll get a great selection of recipes. Your donation will also get you a free membership with KeepRecipes, the “iTunes for Recipes”. Donate now!

Your gift will go to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

Donations start at $10. You can donate until June 30th.

At CharityBuzz they organized Fashion & Friends for Japan, an auction, which is also quite cool.

Bid on one-of-a-kind experiences and over the top fashions, including a made-to-measure Tom Ford suit, a one week stay at Parrot Cay, invitation to the Elton John Oscars party, tickets to the Victoria’s Secret show, seats at Vera Wang’s fashion show followed by a meeting with her backstage and a shopping spree, a stay at CFDA President Diane von Furstenburg’s Bahamas home, and much, much more.

All proceeds will go to the Japan Society, which has created a disaster relief fund to aid victims of the earthquake.

You can find the auctions here. If I wasn’t such a poor student I’d totally go out with Paris & Nicky Hilton for a shopping spree. Rofl,  that would be hilarious!

Go check out those auctions folks. There’s so much good stuff.

And since it’s Sunday that means it’s time for another blog mashup!

Interesting & Fun stuff

Jared Leto imitates Kurt Cobain, last week it was 17 years ago Cobain passed.

This week, Eric Whitacre’s new Virtual Choir (with 2000+ singers) video was released: Sleep. Lux Aurumque was published last year, with only 185 singers. Wow, right? I wish I could sing and participate! Also, I was quite impressed with this kid, who sang all 8 parts of Sleep and put them together.

YouTube Video of the Day: Invisible Instruments Can’t Be Seen To Be Believed @ Mashable.com

Win a signed copy of The Rough Guide to Psychology @ BPS Research Digest

QS – Under the Sea @ Mirrors, Musings and Magic

Where are you from? @ Chronicles of an ABCD

New App Translates Food Photos Into Calorie Counts @ Mashable.com

Why You Should Stop Obsessing Over Your Competitors @ Mashable.com

Social Media, Writing, Publishing, etc.

Almost Famous – Live from L.A. @ Kristen Lamb – don’t hide behind a picture of you cat, writers, show us your face!

The Little Button That Is Hijacking Your Blog @ Pushing Social

The Dark Side of the New Age of Self-Publishing @ Storyfix.com

What’s Your Most Embarrassing Moment As a Writer? @ There Are No Rules

3 Tips For Finding Something To Say When You’re Out of Ideas @ Jody Hedlund

Working with Your Editor @ BookEnds LLC

And of course… Headache @ xkcd.com