Brotherband Book Five

   Brotherband book 5 officially has a name (well, it has for a while but now it has other things too) It is called....drum roll...Scorpion Mountain!

It has a cover (as you can see) and a synopsis now, I got this from the Random House Australia site (for those who don't know they are the people who publish the books).

"When the worlds of Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband cross over, action and adventure are guaranteed! 

King Duncan of Araluen has an urgent mission for Hal and the Heron Brotherband. One assassination attempt on Princess Cassandra was foiled. But the killers won't be satisfied until they have fulfilled their honour-bound duty. 

The Herons, along with Ranger Gilan, set off for Arrida. There they must track the cult of killers across the desert, and infiltrate the cult's mountain lair to find their leader – and stop him. 

But the giant assassin isn't the only threat they will face. There is a seaside battle looming, and the Herons are called upon to help an old friend of Araluen in his fight. 

Trapped in an unfamiliar land, their forces split between searing hot land and treacherous seas, can the Herons complete their mission – before the killers find their royal target?"

I'm really looking forward to reading this book. I enjoy reading John Flanagan's books and I have all the Ranger's Apprentice series and all the current Brotherband books. I've been watching this one to see when it got a name, information and a cover.(I found out the name when I randomly clicked on the page I'd found about it (with pretty much no information) and it said, 'Buy Scorpion Mountain' and I'm like, 'Whoa, it has a name?!') And now, after watching it for ages, well, only 2 or so months, it finally does. Now I'm just waiting to be able to read it!

~ Jane, Misty Maiden

Awkward but Funny

   I ran out of ideas for blog posts so I  had to resort to all the awkward/funny things I do...

   When I'm in the middle of writing a post and instead of clicking Save, I click Publish…I'm so glad that you can revert posts back into drafts!

   A conversation we had the other day:

Alice: I was thinking of making some honey jumbles later

Me: what are ani wumbles?

Clare and Alice: *laughing* nothing

Me: what did you say though?

Clare: not ani wumbles – Honey Jumbles

Me: Oh…

Clare: *muttering something inaudible in the other room*

Me: what are you talking about?

Clare: I said ‘they're crazy’

Me: no you didn't… you said something about church on Sunday

Clare: you’re a saucepan head

Me: no but what did you really say?

Clare: what did I say if I did not say you are crazy?

Me: what?

Clare: I said ‘they’re crazy’

Everyone *laughing*

Me: *muttering* Why does everyone take me seriously? I'm not really as dumb as I make out. Sometimes I'm just joking… 

Me: *making pancakes and is about to pour the milk in* don’t distract me or I will spill it…

Clare: OK, *goes about being distracting* Hey Jane, what are you doing on Sunday?

Me: I am going to… *puts the full milk bottle down to fast and it splashes everywhere*

Everyone *laughing uncontrollably*

When someone starts talking and say, 'You know, it's really funny..' and I just burst out laughing because they said it was funny.

   When Clare cannot remember my birthday, and when I say, 'It's my birthday soon!' She says, 'Really? Oh is that when your birthday is?'

When I tell my cousin that I've just got a blog and she says, 'could you just remind me what a blog actually is?'….

When I laugh at something someone says, and then realize no one else is laughing and I stop and say, 'That wasn't actually funny, was it?' Then everyone starts laughing because what I said was so funny, and I'm just sitting there wishing I could sink into oblivion.

When my cousin and I are playing this stupid game and we can't stop giggling and we are trying to do it quietly so we don't disturb the other people in the room. I have this great idea of going to our bedroom but I can't stop laughing long enough to suggest it!

When Clare, Alice and I are at the show and we make the mistake of walking up to this Christian book seller and looking at his books. Then he starts talking to us....I didn't actually end up having to resort to my plan to stop him talking. (just walking away so Clare and Alice could say, 'Oh no, where's Jane gone? Sorry Mr Sales Guy, but we have to go and find our sister...' and they walk off. I thought it was a pretty good plan.)

When some one (no names) called C.... sorry, as I said, no names, tells me that my blog is really funny and once one of their siblings thought they were having a seizure because they were laughing so much...I wasn't aware that I was so funny, I mean I'm a really serious person, I never laugh.

When people take me seriously when I am joking. I mean, I'm always sarcastic. Well, not always, but quite often. Alert: No, I am not being sarcastic right now.


~ Jane, Misty Maiden

The Liebster Award

   I have been nominated for the liebster award. So thank you Clare. I'm afraid to say, but I don't see what's so rewarding about these awards, but any way. Here are the rules. 

1. Post the award on your blog. (I don't see the use of leaving this post as a draft, no one would be able to read it.)
2. Thank the blogger who presented this award and link back to their blog. (preferably their Liebster post)
3. Write 11 random facts about yourself (Well, if they're about me they're going to be random). 
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 200 followers. (and if you don't know of that many bloggers nominate less.)
5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions.

And here is my own private rule.
6. Post your post some time other than 11:00 o'clock, just to mess up the pattern.

So, first I'll answer Clare's questions....

1.What series of books did you used to like but now realize is pretty terrible? 
That would be the Pony Pals. I mean, how can they always be ten? How can it always be the summer holidays?

2.Who's your favourite Villain/Baddie?
I thought you weren't supposed to have a favourite/good bad guy, I thought they were supposed to be bad. But I suppose I like Chauvelin from the Scarlet Pimpernel.

3.What is your favourite place to be? (In bed is not allowed) 
Home. Where is my favourite place to be at home? In a tree, reading a book or doing something interesting like that.

4.What is your favorite memory? 
Well, I only have one memory...it remembers lots of things but I only have one so...that is my favourite.

5.Can you solve a rubix cube? 
Umm...yes....is that supposed to be a trick question or is it just that I can't think of a funny answer?

6.Can you dance, if not do you want to learn? 
I don't think I can dance; and if I had to dance, yes, I would want to learn, because I wouldn't want to look silly.'Well I'm not dancing, I don't know how.'

7.Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone, and if so what was it? 
I'm not sure if I have or not, there was that time when I....

8.Flat tire or airplane? 
Airplane. I don't think flat tires would fly very well. In case you wondered, 'airplane' is usually used in America, in Australia generally it is 'aeroplane'.

9.If you could ask your future self one question what would it be?
Are you alive?

10.When playing naughts and crosses which do you pick? 
Naughts. Why is it called 'naughts and crosses' any way? Why not O's and X's? Or something like that?

11.Whats the last thing you drew a picture of? 
No. 'Whats' not the last thing I drew a picture of. It was a picture of a flower. I don't know what 'whats' look like so I can't draw them. 'What?' 'What?' 'That's what I want to know, what?'
Now I have to write 11 random facts about me, so here goes...

1. I like reading books (Especially Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband).
2. I have a fringe, wel1 I think I do, my sister Clare is always telling me so.
3. I like climbing trees.
4. I spelled something wrong (purposely) in one of the other facts.
5. I like having funny answers to questions.
6. I have 5 siblings.
7. This is my blog.
8. That last fact was more about my blog than me.
9. I am writing a novel (hopefully) using 'One Year Adventure Novel.'
10. I know how 10 is spelled.
l l. I did something sneaky in my spelling again.
12. I think I've done too many facts.
13. I know I've done too many facts.
14. I should stop but I need just one more to make an nice number.
15. Why do I think that 15 is a nice number? Don't ask, just don't ask.

Now I nominate... Alice from Hope in our Saviour.

And here are your questions:

1. Did you know that you are the equivalent of 11 people? (well you must be because I only nominated you.)
2. How many views have you had on your 'oh-so-awful-first-blog-post'? (On your old blog)
3. Do you like having everything neat, or are you messy?
4. What would you say if I asked you this question?
5.Did you notice my sneaky spelling in the 15 facts I wrote about myself?
6. Have you ever looked up lots of random blog addresses?
7. Power-poles or fish and chips?
8. Which would you rather have smeared all over your face, peanut-butter or fish guts? (Neither isn't allowed.)
9. Can you read backwards and upside-down?
10. Do you enjoy memorizing scripture?
11. Why have I just asked you all these questions that I (mostly) know the answers of?

So there we go, that was the liebster award, I hope you enjoyed my answers.

~ Jane, Misty Maiden

Things To Do On The Winter Solstice

Here is my list of things to do (that I did) on the winter solstice:

1) Stand on a wobbly log over the creek.

2) Fall in the creek. 

3) Try to swing across the creek on the rope ladder, then try and jump from the edge of the creek and grab onto the rope ladder (and miss).

Originally this was me trying to see how far I could jump, but it turned out to be more of a belly-flop.

4) Jump in the creek and get completely soaked.

5) See if you can make lots of splash for Clare so the photos look cool (and do a silly-sitting-down-jump).

6) Run up a tree and see how high you can touch.



















7) Realize that you have lots of cuts on your leg from doing that silly-sitting-down-jump in the creek.



















8) Go on the flying fox, and jump/climb off it when it is over the creek (get even wetter).

9) Go inside, get dry, go outside and start having a camp-fire.

10) Try to cook bread in a pot-thing and eat the resulting charcoal.

11) Umm, there is no 11, just those ten...

~ Jane, Misty Maiden

Yet another Sunshine award

   I have, yet again, been nominated (twice) for the Sunshine award! Thank you Emily and Clare, I hope you like my answers. But before we get to the questions, we need to review the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their Sunshine award post.
2. Answer the questions they asked you.
3. Nominate other blogger/bloggers.
4. Give them a list of questions.
5. Let them know that they have been nominated.
6. Make a Sunshine Award picture and put it on your post. If you do not wish to make one then at least go back a few blogs and get one that is a good resolution!

So to complete the sixth rule, here is a picture...

I couldn't be bothered to make my own so I used yours, Clare

First Emily's questions and my answers...

1.Why do we eat cereals at Breakfast?
Where is Breakfast? I assume that because Breakfast is capitalized it must be the name of a place, so anyway, I don't know, I've never been there so I don't know why people eat cereals when they're at Breakfast.  

2.If you got to choose any instrument to play (that you don't already) what would it be?
Now, stop right there. I looked up on google (just for fun) what an instrument was and one of the things it came up with was this: a person who is exploited or made use of. I'm not sure that I like the idea of being used. So can the answer be nothing/no one? Because if it can, then good, if it can't, too bad, that's my answer anyway.

3.Why run if you can walk?
Well, if you are trying to get away from someone, walking wont do much good. And also because running is fun.

4.What is your favourite chemical?
I don't really have a favourite chemical, so I guess the answer will have to be a boring one; nothing. 

5.What is the most annoying movie ever made?
What is it? It's annoying of course...Well, you asked what it was, and you also said that it was annoying, so you answered your own question.

6.Most over-used song?  (I think I know the answer I'll get from all three of you!  :P )
Hmm...do I really have to tell you? Definitely Let It Go... 

7.Look behind you.  What is the first thing you see?
I'm afraid to say that I can't see what is behind me, I don't have eyes in the back of my head so it's a little hard to do. Any way, if I did, they would be covered in hair so they wouldn't be much use.

8.Would you eat kangaroo meat?
Possibly, it depends if there is anything else to eat or not.

9.What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done?
And why in the world do you think I would post the most embarrassing thing I've ever done on my blog so every one in the world could read it? So afterwards that would be the most embarrassing thing? 

10.What is your favourite button on the TV remote?
Now, let me specify, TV stands for Terrifying Vulture. I wasn't aware that Terrifying Vulture's had remotes, or buttons. Or maybe you meant, 'What is your favourite button on a remote TV?' In that case, why is the Terrifying Vulture wearing something with buttons on it? But let's just sum up. There is a Terrifying Vulture that is a long way away (remote) and it is wearing a jacket with buttons on it. I'd say my favourite button would be the fourth button from the top. Why? Don't ask, just don't ask.

11.What is your middle name and are you named after anyone?
My middle name is Maree. As far as I know, I am named Jane after my identical twin sister who lives in the mirror.


And now for the answers to Clare's questions...

1.How long is a list?

Well I'm not sure, because I don't think that they are around much any more. People rarely go to tournaments lately. I looked up the definition of list on google and it said: Lists: Historical: Palisades enclosing an area for a tournament. I then looked up how long they were but google failed me, it seems that no one thought that piece of information was very important. But I think you made a slight spelling mistake in your question, you said, 'how long is a list?'  From what I gather they where generally called lists, so you should have said, 'how long are the lists?' or maybe even, 'how long were the lists?' because, as I said before, there aren't many around any more.

2. Do you brush your teeth every night?
No, sometimes I'm really tired and I couldn't be bothered, but I do most nights.

3. What sound do you really like?
Silence.

4. If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
It would most certainly be a jousting tournament so I could measure the length of the lists, so I could answer your most pressing question number 1.

5. What’s one of the strangest things you've ever done?
I don't know what the strangest thing is, but it is rather strange playing badminton with a blue-tack-and-feather-home-made-shuttle-cock (thingy). I was playing it with one of my sisters, take your pick which one would be crazy enough to do that.

6. What do you like least about yourself?
The fact that I can't think of a funny answer to this question. 

7. Oranges or mulberry pie?
I think I would prefer to have mulberry pie smashed into my face, oranges might be a bit hard.

8. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
I have no idea. Why would I want to write an autobiography of my life anyway? Or more to the point, why would anyone want to read it?

10.Have you ever had to fight for your life?
Of course I have. It is very dangerous to do some things when you have a sister like Clare, which, of course, makes it all the more fun to do them.

11.Drawbridge or moat?
Well, I would think that the moat would be better, because when Halt throws me out of the window, I would assume that a drawbridge would be harder to land on than in the moat.

12.Would you rather be able to fly or read people's minds?
I don't really know. Maybe flying, because reading people's minds would be strange, and I can already read my sisters' minds to some extent. But I would only want to fly if I could fly as high as I wanted to, not like in dreams.

13.What are cats for? (In your opinion)
No offence, but possibly something like a guest for birds of prey?

Now I have to nominate someone, so I nominate the person the rules tell me to...Other Blogger! So if anyone reads this and wants to answer my questions then go ahead, I have let you know that you have been nominated. You need some questions to answer, or not answer if you choose.

What colour walls do you have in your bedroom?
Can you understand HTML?
Do you like climbing trees?
How many books do you think you've read in your life?
Do you have eyes in the back of your head?
Can you think of a funny answer to this question?
What colour is a mirror?
What do you think HG stand for?
What is the longest word you can think of?
Do you know the second verse of Advance Australia Fair?
Have you ever played badminton?
Do you like quoting?
Why am I asking questions that probably no one will answer?
Do you ever think that the questions other people get are easier to answer than the ones people ask you?
Do you like wearing shoes?

Thanks for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed my answers.

~ Jane, Misty Maiden