MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1088 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Trivia/Fluff by LCM46-+AT+-aol.com 2) ordering books/Skif/Tamora Pierce et al by "Emily the invisible" 3) thanks by dbackhau-+AT+-isou10.estec.esa.nl 4) Re: blessing/vegetables/SB & Owlflight by Jaguar 5) Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... by "Cindy Meeks" 6) NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by Deniz 7) Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... by Lady Ambyrle 8) Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... by "Cindy Meeks" 9) Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by "Cindy Meeks" 10) Re: Not me!!! by Lydia Hales 11) Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... by Lady Ambyrle 12) Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by Lady Ambyrle 13) Help! by DAVID MAGINNIS 14) Normal Childhood was (Re: compassion in ML's work...) by Ken Hyde 15) A "normal" childhood by "Sera" 16) Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by Kristin Moran 17) Fluff: Dragon*Con Lackey Fan Secret Pal Gift Exchange -- not boo by "H.D. Wegemer" 18) Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by Stormsong 19) Re: sf in valdemar by Sera 20) Re: A "normal" childhood by "Cindy Meeks" 21) Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight by "Cindy Meeks" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 01:42:33 -0500 (EST) From: LCM46-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Trivia/Fluff Message-ID: <970204215459_74982718-+AT+-emout02.mail.aol.com> Heyla all, In answer to Esmerelda's question, the "silly recording" called "Star Trekkin" was done by a group called -The Firm-, in 1987, and it made #1 on the charts in England. "Star Trekkin' across the universe, boldly going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse"-------------"there's Klingons on the starboard bow", "it's life Jim, but not as we know it", "it's worse than that, he's dead Jim", "we come in peace, shoot to kill, men", and my fave---"ye canna change the laws of physics, Jim". Hope that answers your question/helps. (Oldest son has a 2 cd set--"Dr. Demento's 20th Anniversary Collection, which the 10 year-old is very interested in lately, and the trekkin' song is included--along with the"Masochism Tango" by Tom Lehrer, and that all time "hit" FISH HEADS by Barnes & Barnes, along with many others. "Time Warp" just played!) GGK's Fionavar Books were good reading, but I have not read his others yet--on the "get" list. To all those celebrating birthdays in February, I hereby absolve you for neglecting one day of housework, dishes, room cleaning, laundry (unless you really want to do it/need clean underwear)--any domestic-type chore of your choice. You are NOT to feel guilty, nor hurry to "make it up" the next day--learn to live with it!!! May all your laundry come out clean the first wash! (Don't blame me, tho, if you put something red in with the whites/light colors!) Enjoy your special day! Lorraine Goddess of Domesticity/Laundry Appreciator of Penguins But I'm not dead yet! MP/Holy Grail I spilled spot remover on my dog. He's gone now. Steven Wright ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 06:29:06 +0000 From: "Emily the invisible" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: ordering books/Skif/Tamora Pierce et al Message-ID: <199702051121.DAA10870-+AT+-geocities.com> Jaguar said: >I can't find SoI to save my life. I'm in the DC/VA/MD area, does >anyone around me know if it's out here? I talked to Catherine, and >the bookstores she's been to don't have it either. You go up to the checkout counter at Daltons, Waldens, Encore, Barnes and Noble, or whichever is your fave chain and say that you would like to order an anthology called Sword of Ice: and other tales of Valdemar, and that it is edited by Mercedes Lackey. Then you give the nice salesperson your phone number and wait a week. Voila, you have your book. Having ISBN, publisher and copyright date isn't a bad idea, but usually unnecessary. I know that you can order it out there (home= Harrisburg PA), I didn't cause I wasn't sure it would get in before Christmas break was over. Jennifer said: >Skif mentions inMW somewhere that (before they'd been killed >leaving him with psychological scars), he'd been living with a >contented farming family. Ah, do you mean that they were his permanant place of residence and not-parents? Cause it's pretty clear that he hung around there a lot, but it didn't _sound_ like it was "home". I tend to have a "home" no matter where I go, but home is defined as where my family is... Skif sounded like he was very fond of them but that it was clearly part of the job. Does anyone know the titles for all of Tamora Pierce's "The Immortals" series? I've found the first one (and read it...) and it's clear that there are more. Right now I'm classing it as fun, non-fluffy reading, but the first one has some problems with the exposition. I also found (and read...) Mairelon the Magician by Patricia Wrede . If you've ever read a Georgette Heyer regency, you will love this book. Lots of fun. I should be rereading SRising sometime w/in the next few weeks, so watch out. I didn't get to reread it last year before I gave it to Mom as her Bday present, and then she disappeared it! Emily the invisible, who is glad she got lucky and had no homework at all yesterday in combination w/ only 2 classes. Dame of the OAM http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/7726/ ecartier-+AT+-geocities.com (please don't use the one in the header, as it bounces) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 13:40:37 +0100 From: dbackhau-+AT+-isou10.estec.esa.nl To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: thanks Message-ID: <9702051240.AA10384-+AT+-isou10.estec.esa.nl> Greetings, Thanks to Jerry, Lady Lydia, Jennifer, Sean, Lorraine - I think that's all of you, for finally releasing my brain from it's endless trawl through the memory banks for the words and presenters of "Star Trekkin" - for some reason it's one of those songs that's just hung on in there for years - now all I need is a recording, then it can join my singalongame tape reserved for when it's just me in the car. Only 1987 eh? Deary me, seems like forever ago! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 'fraid I'm fresh out of Mistyisms, nope, nothing - ciao ciao, Esmeralda ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:10:07 -0500 (EST) From: Jaguar To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: blessing/vegetables/SB & Owlflight Message-ID: On Tue, 4 Feb 1997, Mat the Cat in Green wrote: > > BAD BAD BAD MAT! Gee, what a way to delurk. > > Hey, I never said that I fired them..... > We all know you, Mat. The innocent face doesn't fool us. > STORM BREAKING SPOILERS HO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sounding like Lion-o saying > "Thunder! Thunder! Thundercats! Ho!!!!!!!!" ) > Yaaay Thundercats! You know, when I was reeeaaallly little, I used to be quite infatuated with Lion-o.. Oh for the simpler days... > (only mini space, since we're probably out of spoilers for SB by now) > > > > > Well, for one thing, my faith in Misty being what it is at the moment, > she ain't that subtle. Karal keeps thinking that Florian will be a > Herald, so he probably will be one. She's that predictable. Besides, > the description of Firebird's page leads me to believe that Owlflight > takes place shortly after SB, not enough years for Florian to be reborn > and grown up. > Good point. Oh well. Actually, given that everything she's done recently has been a trilogy.. (even if we could have done without White and Silver Gryphon [Though Octarine Gryphon was pretty good! ])... you think maybe there will be a Hawkflight, Crowflight, Ravenflight, Winged-Horse-That-ISN'T-Windrider-flight.. something like that? Bleah. > Other minor speculation: Which Clan do you think the new scout will be > from? We've seen k'Treva and k'Sheyna now. Will it be from k'Vaia, > k'Vala, or k'Chona? Or do you think Misty will use one of the previous > Clans? One good thing if it's k'Treva. We'd probably get to meet > Firesong's mother. That'd probably be...interesting. :) > I sort of hope it's K'Vala.. I know we've seen something about them, I'm just not sure where... Then again, given who we've seen out of K'Treva, too.... > > > ... Hey! Wait a minute! Homing coconuts aren't vegetables! > > > > What the heck are they? Fruit? I have no idea. :) > They're... they're..... our noble steeds! :) (And handy projectiles, in a pinch) :) Love, Jaguar Leader of the Cat People J: "You're robbing a govt installation, Goddess of Large Hunter Cats Isn't that treason or something?" Chronicler of the Mage Wars K: "Your point is what?" Lady in Green -- Det. Jordan and Kermit Knight of Amber and Marigold Kung Fu: The Legend Continues ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:05:28 -0600 From: "Cindy Meeks" To: Subject: Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... Message-ID: <199702051400.IAA01172-+AT+-smtp.gte.net> > Esmeralda said > Children seem to be somewhat absent, I can recall no scenes of contented normal family life > (even if it usually is the precursor to total tragedy in most novels!). No, we don't see a lot of what goes on in "normal" life. But... we have seen a few glimpses into it. Elspeth had a fairly "normal" childhood. Especially considering she was the heir. Also in SW, Karal had a normal childhood until he was "chosen" by the priests. I think there might have been more but... can't think of them now. Besides, if you've ever talked to a large group of people, you'd find just how rare a "normal" childhood is. > Question time. Who the devil says "Live long and prosper"? Spock says LLAP as he does the spread finger hand sign. Call me Cindy... Call me Rune... I'll play in the ocean Till I look like a prune!!! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 09:24:07 -0500 From: Deniz To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: <199702051428.JAA22931-+AT+-sirocco.CC.McGill.CA> I've noticed a bunch of newbies joining the list... if any of you need the NewbieFest... an introductory document to the Misty List, it's FAQ, and certain conventions we have, please e-mail me at: dsarik-+AT+-po-box.mcgill.ca Please specify whether you'd prefer to get it as three parts or as one looong message. Jaguar wrote: >Mat the Cat in Green(thank You for the blessing of my illness, I think) wrote: > >> > BAD BAD BAD MAT! Gee, what a way to delurk. >> >> Hey, I never said that I fired them..... >> > We all know you, Mat. The innocent face doesn't fool us. Beware your attempts to accuse/attack mine God, else you shall suffer the collective wrath of Him and His Church! Err... when we get around to it. :) Not to mention suffering the collective wrath of all the LotPW for attempting to malign one of their OoUL/L. OWLFLIGHT SPECULATION > Good point. Oh well. Actually, given that everything she's done >recently has been a trilogy.. (even if we could have done without White >and Silver Gryphon [Though Octarine Gryphon was pretty good! ])... you >think maybe there will be a Hawkflight, Crowflight, Ravenflight, >Winged-Horse-That-ISN'T-Windrider-flight.. something like that? thought> Bleah. Don't forget the rare, hard to find, third book of Vows & Honors... OathBlinded! >> Other minor speculation: Which Clan do you think the new scout will be >> from? We've seen k'Treva and k'Sheyna now. Will it be from k'Vaia, >> k'Vala, or k'Chona? Or do you think Misty will use one of the previous >> Clans? One good thing if it's k'Treva. We'd probably get to meet >> Firesong's mother. That'd probably be...interesting. :) Anyone who can cow Firesong as completely as she can would be a fascinating character to meet. :) > I sort of hope it's K'Vala.. I know we've seen something about >them, I'm just not sure where... Then again, given who we've seen out of >K'Treva, too.... I have the feeling that it'll be a totally new clan, like... k'Chava! They'll all be Chavaphiles, so we'll finally see Misty write more sensually! Maybe we'll finally get to see a bisexual or lesbian person... who knows, with them all addicted to Chava, we'll probably have her depict a huge orgy! >> > ... Hey! Wait a minute! Homing coconuts aren't vegetables! >> > >> >> What the heck are they? Fruit? I have no idea. :) >> > They're... they're..... our noble steeds! :) (And handy >projectiles, in a pinch) :) Hello! Duh! They're NUTS!!!!! Wait a minute... I'm gonna look it up... later :) love, Deniz Sarikaya, High Priestess of |"Perhaps today IS a good to die!"-- Worf Procrastination, Holy Custodian of|"You told him about the statue?"-- Riker the B-Day List, Dame of the OoAM, |"I'm a doctor, not a doorstop." -- EMH and Demon of Deceitful Aliases. |"Definitely not Swedish." -- Lily >dsarik-+AT+-PO-Box.McGill.CA< >freakola-+AT+-geocities.com< >http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/9359/< ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 09:34:33 -0500 From: Lady Ambyrle To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... Message-ID: <32F89A79.5324-+AT+-named.dalton.net> Cindy Meeks wrote: > > No, we don't see a lot of what goes on in "normal" life. But... we have > seen a few glimpses into > it. Elspeth had a fairly "normal" childhood. Especially considering she > was the heir. Also in SW, Karal had a normal childhood until he was > "chosen" by the priests. I think there might have been > more but... can't think of them now. Besides, if you've ever talked to a > large group of people, > you'd find just how rare a "normal" childhood is. > it's been woefully long since i read these books...but in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy, doesn't the first book go into Talia's childhood pretty deeply? (it is talia isn't it?) also, i think we get a pretty good idea of how Vanyel greew up in Magic's Pawn :) love n light ambyrle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 09:41:19 -0600 From: "Cindy Meeks" To: Subject: Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... Message-ID: <199702051541.JAA08376-+AT+-smtp.gte.net> ---------- > Cindy Meeks wrote: > > > > No, we don't see a lot of what goes on in "normal" life. But... we have > > seen a few glimpses into > > it. Elspeth had a fairly "normal" childhood. Especially considering she > > was the heir. Also in SW, Karal had a normal childhood until he was > > "chosen" by the priests. I think there might have been > > more but... can't think of them now. Besides, if you've ever talked to a > > large group of people, > > you'd find just how rare a "normal" childhood is. > > > it's been woefully long since i read these books...but in the Arrows of > the Queen trilogy, doesn't the first book go into Talia's childhood > pretty deeply? (it is talia isn't it?) > > also, i think we get a pretty good idea of how Vanyel greew up in > Magic's Pawn :) > > love n light > ambyrle The problems with these examples are... Talia (yes, it is Talia) lived in a very suppressive home. Her hopes, dreams etc... were squelched. She knew from an early age that she was expected to fit into a certain mold in life. That's why she had to sneak off and hide when she wanted to read. Van's life wasn't within the normal realm either. If I remember correctly, the relationships with his parents and between his parents were... to say the least strained. Of course, some experts say that the greatest gifts are given to those who grow up with adversity. The greater the adversity, the greater the gift... (Just food for thought) Call me Cindy... Call me Rune... I'll play in the ocean Till I look like a prune!!! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 09:47:17 -0600 From: "Cindy Meeks" To: Subject: Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: <199702051551.JAA09297-+AT+-smtp.gte.net> ---------- > From: Deniz > > I have the feeling that it'll be a totally new clan, like... k'Chava! > They'll all be Chavaphiles, so we'll finally see Misty write more > sensually! Maybe we'll finally get to see a bisexual or lesbian person... > who knows, with them all addicted to Chava, we'll probably have her depict > a huge orgy! ideas> Wait a minute... I thought there were several characters in her books that were bisexual and/or lesbian. There was at least one lesbian couple... In MP (running to get my book) (Darn, it's out on loan) My mind wants to say Ylsa.. but I'm not sure. Not only were they lovers but they were life bonded too! Call me Cindy... Call me Rune... I'll play in the ocean Till I look like a prune!!! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:49:16 -0800 (PST) From: Lydia Hales To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Not me!!! Message-ID: On Wed, 5 Feb 1997, Steve Mattila wrote: > >>>> On Mon, 3 Feb 1997, Steve Mattila wrote: > >>>>hmmmmm... let's see here.... > >>>> ARGH! I can't think of anything. Do you think that Sayvil was > >>>> really Van's Aunt Savil? :) (Couldn't resist). Now I had better > >>>> go hide in my practice room before I get pelted with rotten > >>>> vegetables by list members.THIS WAS NOT MY DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > I asked that question a LONG time ago. Besides, I don't hind in the > practice room! I hide in my closet with my sexy closet monster! > -Rowain > >. Nope, the comment was from me, in a response to one of Rowain's posts. Lady Lydia Dodger of Rotten Vegetables (and unripe, and coconuts (those hurt!)) :) Sorry about the fluff, but I know how annoying having something mis-attributed can be. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 12:06:11 -0600 From: Lady Ambyrle To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: compassion in ML's work / GGK (just a bit) / a question ... Message-ID: <32F8CC12.6121-+AT+-named.dalton.net> Cindy Meeks wrote: > The problems with these examples are... Talia (yes, it is Talia) lived in a > very suppressive home. Her hopes, dreams etc... were squelched. She knew > from an early age that she was expected to fit into a certain mold in life. > That's why she had to sneak off and hide when she wanted to read. > > Van's life wasn't within the normal realm either. If I remember correctly, > the relationships with his parents and between his parents were... to say > the least strained. > > Of course, some experts say that the greatest gifts are given to those who > grow up with adversity. The greater the adversity, the greater the gift... > (Just food for thought) > oops :) i didn't realize we were looking for examples of normal childhoods...altho reading back over that i can't tell how i missed it...prolly cuz i read it in the morning :P anyway, i just meant that those as examples of childhoods in general. i think the majority of her characters would *have* to have disturbed childhoods. usually one of the major charicteristics of those she writes about are being very unique...it would make sense that they would grow up misunderstood. it's something that afects who they are...i don't think van could've been van or talia, talia had they had a peachy childhood ;) my $.02 anyway :) love n light ambyrle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 12:10:37 -0600 From: Lady Ambyrle To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: <32F8CD1C.3E85-+AT+-named.dalton.net> Cindy Meeks wrote: > > > Wait a minute... I thought there were several characters in her books that > were bisexual and/or lesbian. There was at least one lesbian couple... In > MP (running to get my book) (Darn, it's out on loan) My mind wants to say > Ylsa.. but I'm not sure. Not only were they lovers but they were life > bonded too! > yep, you're right. i don't remember their names either, but there was a lesbian couple and they were life-bonded. and when one of them dies, the one left is kept in the world of the living by the love of another girl who had fallen in love with her and consoled her through her loss :) love n light ambyrle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 17:46:20 +0000 From: DAVID MAGINNIS To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Help! Message-ID: <32F8C76C.47C5-+AT+-netcomuk.co.uk> Hi everyone, I just wondered if any American subscibers to this list could help me.A couple of weeks ago someone mentioned the trilogy by Lisanne Norman, my local bookstore did not have them as they have'nt been published in the U.K. but they got them for me from their American suppliers. The manager of the store told me today when I bought the books that they are looking to increase their number of imports from the U.S. but need the names of authors and titles that are known to have sold well. We have no problem getting Mistys books or other Authors like Mccaffrey, Jordan or Eddings. I would be grateful if anyone in the U.S. could let me know of new Authors who are selling well or established ones and I'll see if their available here, if not I can let the shop know they are missing out on sales and hopefully improve the selection of Sci-fi/Fantasy books in my area. Moonsight P.S. Lisanne Norman's books are very good so far thanks for recomending them! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 13:18:11 -0500 (EST) From: Ken Hyde To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Normal Childhood was (Re: compassion in ML's work...) Message-ID: On Wed, 5 Feb 1997, Lady Ambyrle wrote: > oops :) i didn't realize we were looking for examples of normal > childhoods... [snip] Well, what is normal? Are we talking about "normal" for our world? And if so, what kind of "normal": statistical or "common sense" norms? In other words, are we talking about what is the most common actual pattern of behavior (statistical norm) vs. what is society's concept of how a childhood *should* be (common sense norm). And are we talking about "normal" for Valdemar? And we still have the same question about "common sense" vs. statistical norms. Here is a horrific thought, what if Van and Talia's lives were "normal" in the statistical sense? In other words, what if the average childhood in Valdemar was as oppressive as Talia's and Van's? It might be that "normal" children would not fare to badly, but extraordinary (which is a nice way of saying "statistically abnormal") children like Van and Talia might find themselves in pretty dire straits. Which they did. > anyway, i just meant that those as examples of childhoods in general. i > think the majority of her characters would *have* to have disturbed > childhoods. Well, in this sense, the childhoods that we have seen were "normal" for Misty's ouevre, although they might be deplorable. I have a feeling that, if you assume a Medieval base for Velgarth, you can pretty much count on the fact that a "normal" childhood in that world would seem pretty awful by our modern standards. Another issue is that we don't really see the formative childhood years for any characters. Van and Talia were already teenagers by the time we meet them. Elspeth's childhood was clearly not normal, since her care-givers used the process of Elspeth's socialization as a battle ground upon which to fight out ideological differences (has anyone tried to re-read Elspeth's childhood as a metaphor for the conflict between good and evil in Misty's world? Try it, it's interesting--if not particularly profound.) May the seas be your solace and the forests a refuge for your spirit, Cennydd, Kenneth Allen Hyde | No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife Univ. of Delaware | between the shoulder blades will seriously Dept. of Linguistics | cramp his style -- Old Jhereg proverb kenny-+AT+-Udel.Edu | A mind is a terrible toy to waste! -- Me **http://www.udel.edu/kenny/ken.html or .../kenny/green.silences.html** ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 12:41:05 CST From: "Sera" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: A "normal" childhood Message-ID: Ambyrle wrote: > it's been woefully long since i read these books...but in the Arrows of > the Queen trilogy, doesn't the first book go into Talia's childhood > pretty deeply? (it is talia isn't it?) > > also, i think we get a pretty good idea of how Vanyel greew up in > Magic's Pawn :) You are right on both accounts. Though Talia's life might not have been the most pleasant to us, it was a "normal" life for the society she belonged in. Personally, I think that though the stories aren't centered on these events they are mentioned in little places so the reader has to piece together a person's history. Besides, as someone mentioned before (I'm sorry, but I don't off hand who said it) not many people live a "normal" life. On top of all that, what would you classify as a "normal" childhood anyway? Sera * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Truly madam, you have a dizzying intellect." The Princess Bride "On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essential est invisible pour les yeux." Le Petit Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Liz Blaszak Goddess of the Eventide Apprentice to the Guild of Typoists blaszael-+AT+-email.rosary.edu http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/3772/ http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/4537/ (708) 524-6997 X2076 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 14:09:12 -0500 (EST) From: Kristin Moran To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: ~~wanders out to offer her $.02... If I'm not mistaken, Ylsa was killed, Keren was her lifebond (twin of Teren, who taught one of Talia's classes) and someone w/ an "S" name stepped in to take the 3rd point position for Keren's stability (2nd point being taken, of course, by Keren's Companion)...Shellan?? I don't remember, and am on campus, w/ my books at my apt. Anyway, correct me if I'm wrong, it's been over a year since I last read the Arrows trilogy. ~~Kristin ashkevrn-+AT+-expert.cc.purdue.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 14:23:21 +0000 From: "H.D. Wegemer" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Fluff: Dragon*Con Lackey Fan Secret Pal Gift Exchange -- not boo Message-ID: <9702051918.AA18252-+AT+-flash> [I apologize for the fluffiness and the length of this post; I did pass it by our Esteemed Listmistress first. Please reply off-list to DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com Do not reply on-list, please.] In America Online's Arrows Online club, secret pal exchanges have become quite popular fun and social events. Several rounds of Aquila's Secret Pal Conspiracy, which involves mailed gifts over a six month period, have executed successfully. Dean Anne's Winter Gifting involved a single midwinter gift, also mailed, and was a lot of fun. Now, for those lucky enough to be attending Dragon*Con . . . The DRAGON CON EXCHANGE OVERVIEW This exchange is designed to combine the anticipation of Aquila's Conspiracy with a shorter time period (i.e. a single month, mostly within the four days of the convention) and culminating in realspace rather than online. In addition, this exchange is -not- limited to America Online users, nor to members of Arrows Online. This is because Dragon*Con IS NOT and SHOULD NOT BE a primarily America Online gathering. The Dragon*Con exchange is my responsibility, and as the Person in Charge and Blame Collector If Things Go Wrong, I say the exchange is also open to anybody on the Mercedes Lackey mailing list who might be interested. My view is that Arrows Online tends to be a little insular, as does the list; this mixed-group exchange will be an opportunity to meet socially other fans of Ms. Lackey's work whom you may not have otherwise encountered. SIGNING UP Dragon*Con Secret Pals will be allowed to sign up for the conspiracy any time between now and Sunday, June 1. After signing up, participants will receive a questionnaire to complete. Information on this form will be kept almost confidential; it will be shared only with the kind person who shall be sending you gifts :-) Once registered, you will be added to the list of folks who receive detailed updates whenever I get around to writing them :-) These reports will include things like general progress reports, calls for suggestions, suggested web sites for purely virtual gifts, and nifty stuff like that. Matches should be made by Saturday, June 7. RESPONSIBILITIES As a Dragon*Con Secret pal, you would be responsible for sending one item to your secret pal recipient on each day of the convention. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday gifts should have an approximate value of $1-$2; the goal is to let your secret pal know that you exist, you are thinking about them, and to get said secret pal wondering at your identity. Ideally, these gifts would include an obscure hint, so that your pal can have some fun trying to guess. Secret pals are also STRONGLY encouraged to send purely virtual gifts, cards, and hints in the weeks preceding the convention. WRAP-UP PARTY The wrap-up party will be held Sunday morning; the exact time is not yet set, but it will be before noon, so as long as you don't leave until after that, you should be fine. Morgan has even been kind enough to offer us use of convention space :-) The final gift, given here, may have a value of $10-$15. This gift may be brought to the convention with the sender or bought there; the dealer's room shall surely provide many opportunities if you are low on room in your luggage. LOGISTICS If you can't make it to the convention in time to deliver a Thursday gift, let me know so that we can make arrangements to have the gift delivered by another; you will be responsible for getting it to the other in time for that other to get it to the convention. These situations will be handled as they arise and, if necessary, can be extended to cover Friday delivery, as well. Because you will not be receiving gifts at home, YOUR SNAILMAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED. Because your secret pal sender needs to be able to recognize you, A SMALL PHOTO WILL BE REQUIRED. A solid one can be mailed to me, or a PC-compatible graphic file will do fine. This photo will be incorporated into the information sheet your secret pal gets about you, and will be used on the special, final gift tag so the recipient knows who has been so nice to him or her :-) CONTACTS This e-mail address will reach me, but e-mails sent to this one tend to be lost or negelected if I'm not rready to deal with the issue when I get the e-mail. The address to e-mail for this program is DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com , which will route it to a folder where I can find it when mundania eases up enough for me to deal with things. This is not currently an issue, but mundanian invasions are a way of life . . . just use DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com PLEASE USE THAT ADDRESS RATHER THAN REPLYING ON-LIST. Helping me with this whole scheme is Topher Cashell, StarThorn on DALnet's or Sorcery's IRC networks, or NexusStar if he's ever on AOL. You won't see him on the list here, but if you need help at the convention proper he will be able to assist you as well as I. Don't bother e-mailing him, as I'm doing most of the pre-convention planning; he tends to get swamped with e-mail and not respond quickly anyhow. As far as recognizing contacts in realspace, photos of both of us and some other information important to participants will be on a TOP SECRET CONSPIRATORS ONLY WEB SITE by June or so. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Any questions, suggestions, comments, sign-up requests, or other communications can be sent to DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com Please don't just e-mail asking for more details; it's early, and I'm just getting organized. Chances are that your specific question will be the first chance I get to think about an issue. Hope to hear from interested entities soon, Heather (Not What She Said, not the singer, not some adequate back-up Heather for either of those, but still a possibly valid entity who begs forgiveness for a long, not-book-related-and-of- interest-only-to-those- attending-Dragon*Con-and- probably-not-all-of-them post) Replies off-list, please: DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com * DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com * DragonConSPs-+AT+-scififan.com --- Although I dwell by choice in realms Ephemeral as phosphor glow It is a life -- it is _my_ life -- As real as aught you know. H. Wegemer ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 14:13:35 EST From: Stormsong To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-HERALD.CO.UK Subject: Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: <199702051928.TAA18949-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk> There were and are several same sex couples in Misty's books... Ylsa was in Arr ows of the Queen or Arrows Flight... she was lifebonded to kerry I think.. she is the one that is killed and Talia help retrieve her arrows and save her lifem ate from joining her in death.... mentions the fact that Female couples are com mon among the holderkin... especially among lesser wives.. Her presentation of same sex couples in a respectful light is one of the things that I like about h er writing.. I also eagerly await Owlflight.. I heard that Vows and Honor's third part.. if there will be one .. was supposed to be coming out soon.. If I am wrong please correct me.. PLEASE.. I have been waiting hoping and praying to see more advent ures of Tarma + Kethry.. also have a question.. in Oathbound it mentions that t hey are pretending to be shieldmates(lovers??? if I read the story right) are t hey lovers or just "two made one" as the translation in oathbound suggests... sorry... but one of the songs on OathBreakers said "u are more than shieldmate now" so I was wondering... Lady light thy road, Stormsong ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 13:04:03 CST From: Sera To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: sf in valdemar Message-ID: Aimee said: > Lee posed the intriguing question can Valdemar have science fiction. My > goodness, I really don't know. When did science fiction start developing as a > genre in real life? > Does Valdemar have printing presses? If they don't then I would say they could > not develop science fiction -- novels, short stories, etc really all depended > on the printing press. I am finally deciding to put my two cents in, unfortunately, I will be broke after this...Anyway, I think that science fiction can exist ANYWHERE, in cluding in science fiction itself. Science fiction, or at least fantasy, are the dreams people have that aren't true for their own world. To us, Valdemr is a fantastical land, but if you reverse it, Earth could be a fantastical place for the people of Valdemar! Science fiction and fantasy all depend on the point of view. When did science fiction start in reality...I am not sure if a definite date can be placed on that since people have always been dreaming about the future. A date can be placed on the time of the first stories, but that is only written dreams and fantasies, but that doesn't define when the dreams and fantasies and thoughts began. Oops, I am running off on a tangent....sorry.... They other thing about printing presses in Valdemar....YES, they had presses. In one of the Arrows books (I can't remember off hand which one) Talia receives a bound book of music and ballards. Granted, it was music, but it was still a bound book so my bet is that there were presses. Oh, I just thought of another point with Talia from when she was taking lessons. She often found notes in her books and they were often ruined by the pranks of others. If there were no presses then books would be rare and valuable and therefore cause Talia even more trouble than simply having a ruined book. Does that make sense? Putting Her Two Cents Into The Pot, Sera * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Truly madam, you have a dizzying intellect." The Princess Bride "On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essential est invisible pour les yeux." Le Petit Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Liz Blaszak Goddess of the Eventide Apprentice to the Guild of Typoists blaszael-+AT+-email.rosary.edu http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/3772/ http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/4537/ (708) 524-6997 X2076 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 13:42:47 -0600 From: "Cindy Meeks" To: Subject: Re: A "normal" childhood Message-ID: <199702051939.NAA00451-+AT+-smtp.gte.net> ---------- > From: Sera > Personally, I think that though the stories aren't centered on these > events they are mentioned in little places so the reader has to piece > together a person's history. Besides, as someone mentioned before > (I'm sorry, but I don't off hand who said it) not many people live a > "normal" life. On top of all that, what would you classify as a > "normal" childhood anyway? Well, you are right that Talia's childhood would be typical of this type of society. Normally, (there's that word again) when people refer to a normal childhood, I find they mean one with nurturing parents where they are allowed to grow and explore. Usually with the parents acting as guides instead of jailers or abusers. I'm the one who pointed out that not many people live a "normal" life. I'm affraid that modern society prefers to leave blinders on when it comes to how children are raised. They label this idyllic and deserved childhood as normal when... it is more of something to strive toward than what usually happens. Again, in most conversations, the "normal" childhood really isn't. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 13:45:11 -0600 From: "Cindy Meeks" To: Subject: Re: NewbieFest/vegetables/Owlflight Message-ID: <199702051939.NAA00455-+AT+-smtp.gte.net> ---------- > From: Kristin Moran > If I'm not mistaken, Ylsa was killed, Keren was her lifebond (twin of Teren, > who taught one of Talia's classes) and someone w/ an "S" name stepped in > to take the 3rd point position for Keren's stability (2nd point being taken, > of course, by Keren's Companion)...Shellan?? I don't remember, and am on > campus, w/ my books at my apt. > > Anyway, correct me if I'm wrong, it's been over a year since I last read > the Arrows trilogy. That certainly sounds right to me. As I stated earlier, my books are loaned out. But it is all coming back to me now. Thanks! Call me Cindy... Call me Rune... I'll play in the ocean Till I look like a prune!!! ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1088 **********************************