Vote for Beth (I’m really excited, can you tell?!)
Current mood: excited

I'm really excited for my cousin Beth.  She and her fiance Will are in the top four to win a Martha Stewart Wedding on the TODAY show.  They were live on the show this morning, competing against three other couples for the top spot.

Beth is one of the sweetest, smartest, nicest people I know.  I've known Will since he was in middle school, and he's a phenomenal guy.  It would be super-cool if you'd vote for them!

And Matt and I would get to go to NYC to be at the wedding!

Here's how to vote:

Go to http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19915231/  and vote for COUPLE 1:  Will and Beth.

Here's the happy couple:


Here is a photo of Beth with Bruce Campbell:

Currently reading : Woman in Red By Eileen Goudge Release date: 30 June, 2007

6:08 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Tagged
Current mood: tired

Well, I got tagged by Nancy Frank to tell 10 unusual things about me. So, here goes!

1) I can't digest processed tomato products.
I have no problem with fresh tomatoes, but as soon as they go through the preservation process, they mutate into poison. I can't eat tomato soup, anything by Chef Boyardee, sun-dried tomatoes, most tomato sauces or drink V8. Oddly, I can eat ketchup.

2) I collect pennies.
The oldest penny I have is from 1899. The most valuable one I have is a1934-D penny, which is worth approximately $15, but I've seen go for as high as $148 on eBay. I'm seeking a 1909-S VDB penny -- if you see one of those, please pick it up for me. It'll only set you back about $800.

3.14) I like math.
I guess it dawned on me when I was the only person in my school taking college-level Calculus 2. Numbers have always made more sense to me than words. I took math courses in college for the fun of it, like Calculus of Several Variables and Fundamental Concepts of Non-Euclidian Geometry. Give me a problem to solve rather than a work of literature to analyze ANY day.

4) I can find four-leaf clovers at a glance.
I used to sit in the field at recess and fill my shoes with four-leaf clovers. I often find them while mowing the lawn. My brother used to claim that they sprouted under my feet.

5) I was quite accident-prone as a child.
First I drove my big-wheel off our deck, resulting in 16 stitches under my right eye. Then I knocked over a kerosene lamp onto my leg in my sleep, resulting in three patches of third-degree burns. Then I banged my head against the side of the swimming pool, giving me a golf-ball-sized knot on my forehead. Then my brother threw a shingle off the roof and it hit me directly in the eye, resulting in a detached retina and six days in the hospital. Then . . . well, you get the picture.

6) I was in a bus safety commercial.
Yep, if you watched videos on bus safety in the mid-'80s, chances are you saw me riding along in that bus.

7) My life has a soundtrack.
I'm one of those people who almost always has music on. I love listening to live music, and most of my hard drive is full of MP3 files. I listen in the car, when I'm working, when I'm cooking . . . whenever I can.

8) I was lost when I was four years old.
My brother and I wandered off in the forest in search of a mythical pool that our neighbor told us about. Just kept going further and further. My parents had to send out the rescue squad to find us. I remember my dad's bearded friend Gray O'Neil (who owned a motorcycle dealership and lived in an underground house) found us and brought us home.

9) I enjoy continuing to learn.
Among the daily emails I get are:
-- German word of the day
-- Knowledge News newsletter
-- Math problem of the day
-- Grammar rule of the day
I also like taking courses. Matt and I took a forensics course and a ballroom dancing course. We have registered for the Citizen's Police Academy, and I have my eye on a local stained glass class.

10) I'm a witch.
Or at least my family claims so. When I was in fourth grade, a boy in my class was neck-and-neck with me in spelling points. I wished that he would have an accident so that he couldn't compete in the final round. That day, before the spelling test, he fell off some playground equipment and broke his arm. Aw, shucks, he couldn't take the test. Don't mess with me, man. I'll getcha!

Folks I'm going to tag: Matt, Ricky, Adrianne, Nanci, Simon, Alethea, Oliver, Brian, Mark, Rob

Currently reading : A Fine Dark Line By Joe R. Lansdale Release date: 01 June, 2002

5:21 AM - 4 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Wow, that's a lot of updates
Current mood: optimistic
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

It's an exciting day for new projects. I've got a lot of new content on my site for your viewing pleasure. Here is a brief breakdown of all that's going on:

Waynesboro Players Website
The revised website for the Waynesboro Players launched today. This community theater group has been around for 40 years and does a phenomenal job with everything it does. There is a gallery of images from past shows, and you can purchase tickets and merchandise online. Visit the site

Small Magics
The new issue of Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show went live Monday. It features the story "Small Magics" by Alethea Kontis with an illustration by me! At just $2.50, this is an affordable and deserving publication. Shoot, Alethea's story alone is worth that price.

Fran Friel banners
Author Fran Friel's new website recently launched. In tandem with the site launch, I created two banner ads, one for the site and one for her book Mama's Boy. View the banners here.

Tim Waggoner marketing materials
Tim Waggoner's third novel from Leisure Books, Darkness Wakes, will be released soon. I have created some promotional materials to advertise the book, including a banner ad, flyer and bookmarks.

Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers
I developed some marketing materials for CIAB this month. The first is an old-timey circus-like flyer for their legislative summit. The second is a poster advertising the art show for the annual convention.

New Figure Study
I have uploaded a new image in my figure drawing gallery. Check it out here!

Currently listening : Idlewild By OutKast Release date: 22 August, 2006

12:28 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Horrorfind Wrap-up
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Friends

------------------------------------
PHOTO GALLERY
------------------------------------
I put some photos from the weekend up here: http://www.deenawarner.net/hf_2006.htm

We had a great time, as always. It's so cool that every year we make so many new friends. I especially enjoyed meeting Frazer Lee and Nicholas Grabowsky, two super-cool guys. And, of course, meeting George Stephanopoulos.

------------------------------------
EYES EVERYWHERE RELEASE PARTY
------------------------------------

The launch party RAWKED! Thanks to John and Jennifer at Raw Dog and Val and Diane of Really Scary for sponsoring the event. Thanks to Mark Justice and Laurie Campbell for being our Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Thanks to everyone who purchased the novel and made the launch a success.

We had homemade cookies courtesy Jennifer Barnes. We had great banners courtesy Diane Giles. Jimster brought free books (totally cool!). We had a girl fight, a live-action deviled egg, a balloon toss, a striptease from an upstairs neighbor, a scythe-wielding dead girl, a drunken phone call or two (was one to John Reitan?), and a pair of black lights to set the mood. Sales were conducted, deals were sealed, confessions were made, and schemes were hatched. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

We didn't have a flood this year, but we did have a flood of strange people at one point. We're open to everyone, but I must say I wasn't fond of property destruction and *only* coming for the booze. I'm glad that didn't last long. I really appreciate the help we got cleaning up, even from people we didn't know.

------------------------------------
ART SHOW
------------------------------------

Well, I must say I'm pleased. I sold many things, and most artists had lots of sales. The room was kinda small, which left narrow alleys for walking, but the sloped panels allowed all the pieces to get light. People came to this show ready to buy, so that really made it a success.

The only drawback, I'd say, is that not many people knew the art show was there. It was sorta hidden in the hallway behind the haunted house, and it only got a small mention in the program. I think as years go by, more people will know it's there and seek it out. It would be cool to have a reception next year, too.

------------------------------------
PRINTS AVAILABLE
------------------------------------

A HUGE thank you to everyone who purchased art from me! I am always thrilled when people like my work enough to buy it.I told some folks that I would have prints for sale on my site when I returned -- they're up now! Visit my site to browse and order.

4:46 PM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Two New Sites Launched Today
Current mood: pleased
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

I wanted to share with you two new sites I designed that went live today:

AFTERBIRTH BOOKS
This publisher is known for their bizarro fiction. Heck, they started with a Carlton Mellick III novel, so you know they have good taste.  The website launch corresponds with the announcement of a contest which will allow one lucky winner to have his/her artwork published on an upcoming book.  Check 'em out here!

ROBIN J. THORNBURG
Robin is a real estate agent in Northern Virginia.  Her site includes tips for buyers and sellers and a property search.  If you live in the area, she can help you find your dream home.  Check her out here!

I have a handful of other sites that are on the verge of launching, so stay tuned . . .

10:10 AM - 0 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Fantasy Worlds
Current mood: content
Category: Writing and Poetry

I want to share with you two fantasy worlds for which I created the websites.  One launched today, and one had a major update today.

THE MENAGERIE
Christopher Golden and Tom Sniegoski are co-authoring a series of books about The Menagerie, which they describe as "X-Men meets The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."  With characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Eve (yes, the one from the Bible), this series explores a dark underbelly of our world and other planes of existence. 

The website chronicling this series went live today, and it includes character bios, descriptions of different worlds, and a blog kept by one of the members of the group.  Visit the site at www.the-menagerie.net.

NOREELA
In Tim Lebbon's Noreela there are no dragons or elves, but the fantasy is dark and original.  It is a world where magic has moved on, and creatures have retreated to the far ends of the earth to wait for its return.  A war is waging between groups that are not all good or evil. 

For the past eight weeks, Tim has been posting parts of a novella set in Noreela.  Today the final installment went live, so the entire story is available for you to read.  It won't stay up long, since the novella will be out in print soon, so visit the site while you can!  www.noreela.com

Currently reading : Wolf's Trap By W. D. Gagliani Release date: 02 May, 2006

7:28 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Music Quiz
Current mood: relaxed
Category: Music

1. Of all the bands & artists in your collection, which one do you own the most by?
Meat Puppets (9)

2. What was the last song you listened to?
"A Praise Chorus" by Jimmy Eat World

3. What's in your CD player right now?
The Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

4. What is your favorite instrument?
Bass Guitar

5. Who's your favorite local band?
Rhythm Road (website)

6. What was the last concert you attended?
The Lime Aid benefit concert

7. What was the greatest concert you've ever been to?
Oh, probably Deftones 1997

8. What's the worst band you've ever seen in concert?
Ugly Duckling

9. What band do you love musically but hate the members of?
Er, I don't know anything about the people in bands

10. What is the most musically involved you have ever been?
I was in a band in high school, wrote CD reviews in college

11. What show are you looking forward to?
Weird Al (one day I'll see him, darnit!)

12. What is your favorite band shirt?
Mustard Plug ("Old people like beer")

13. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day?
Kory Clarke

14. What musician would you like to be in love with you for a day?
My husband Matt

15. What was your last musical "phase" before you wizened up?
I haven't wizened up yet!

16. Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
Sabbath

17. Did you know that filling out this survey makes you a music geek?
Oh, I don't need a survey to tell me that

18. What was the greatest decade for music?
I have a huge soft spot for all things '50s

19. What is your favourite movie soundtrack?
The Sound of Music

20. What would you be without music?
Um, quiet.

Currently listening : The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf By Edith Piaf Release date: 30 July, 1991

12:01 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

What I've been doing . . .
Current mood: busy
Category: Travel and Places

Well, I've been awful quiet on my blog lately.  That's because we've been doing all kinds of fun stuff!  Here's a brief survey of our last month:

VICTORIAN FEST
Matt and I dressed up in full Victorian gear to celebrate the city's annual festival.  We even got on the evening news!

WHC
We went to San Francisco for the World Horror Convention.  I displayed artwork in the show and sold over half of my pieces.  One sold to a guest of honor, so that's really cool.  You can view all the WHC pictures here. 

MOUNTAIN LAKE
My father and I took a trip to Mountain Lake, the place where they filmed Dirty Dancing.  It was a great vacation, and we took lots of great waterfall pictures.  The infamous lake of Mountain Lake Resort left a little to be desired, though.  The water levels were so low, the dock was in mud!



CROZET TUNNEL
Some friends and I went on an excursion to the Crozet Tunnel, located in Afton, Virginia.  This is a Civil War-era train tunnel that is no longer in use.  It's in outstanding shape and is very creepy.  We even scared some other folks off with our echo-y cave voices!



FOAMHENGE
A visit to Virginia isn't complete unless you visit this modern wonder.  Someone actually replicated (in full size) Stonehenge, but all out of foam. Yep, people around here are crazy.



EVAN ALMIGHTY
Tomorrow I start my work as an extra on this film.  Woo hoo!  In this movie, Steve Carrell plays Moses, and he's rebuilding the ark.  Here's a shot of the ark on the set:


Wish me luck!!

Currently listening : Behind Bars By 88 Fingers Louie Release date: 11 September, 1995

6:11 PM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

"Almighty" Shenandoah Valley
Current mood: curious
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

 We are having an exciting brush with Hollywood here in sleepy small-town Virginia.  They are filming the movie "Evan Almighty" (the sequel to "Bruce Almighty") in areas near here.

This week, the majority of the filming is taking place on Main Street in Waynesboro, just two blocks from Matt's office.  They spruced up the buildings, added fake trees, and turned the city into "Huntsville."  Matt said this morning he noticed the Wayne community theater says "The 40-Year-Old Virgin Mary" on its marquee.  A nice nod to lead actor Steve Carrell.

Another major location is Crozet, about 40 minutes east of here ("The other side of the mountain").  Since the movie revolves around a second great flood, they have build a full-scale ark in Crozet.  Steve Carrell's character Evan builds the ark in his yard, so the structure is in the middle of a neighborhood.  According to some friends of ours, the houses in the "neighborhood" are made of foam and plaster, but look just like real houses.  Cool!

Everyone on the sets is welcoming and supportive of the community.  The actors have been spotted in local restaurants.  When locals show up on the ark set, the crew is happy to show them around and talk with them.

Filming will take place in our town of Staunton later this month, so I may catch a glimpse.  For now, here are some photos of the shooting in Waynesboro:
"Evan Almighty" in Waynesboro

Currently listening : Eye to the Telescope By K.T. Tunstall Release date: 03 March, 2005

5:23 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

DeJarnette Center revisited
Current mood: amused
Category: Art and Photography

I reported last month that the DeJarnette Center was scheduled to be torn down.  Fortunately, I have friends* who were willing to sneak in and get me pictures of the place before it gets demolished.  So, here is a photo gallery of over 100 pictures of both the Former Western State Lunatic Asylum and the DeJarnette Center, both within 2 miles of our house:

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

There are pictures of empty beds, a dead bird, phone directories, broken windows, crazy peeling paint and vines growing out of control.  It's amazing that the children's workbook and school papers are still just scattered on the floor.  I hope you enjoy it!

*who shall remain nameless 

Currently listening : Now You See Inside By SR-71 Release date: 20 June, 2000

8:26 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment