little wilson

I definitely plan to be at the release. Although I'm not sure how early I'll be able to get there. Work and all. But since I live in Provo now, nothing short of death will keep me from the release...well. Death and serious maiming. A mini-con sounds cool. I'd have to know more about it to know if it was feasible with my work schedule (I'd prefer to not request any more days off), but I assume it would be and I'd love to meet more Sharders. You guys are awesome. :-)

I envy this ^^ collection. And yes. It is amazing. And not just the Brandon stuff. The first time I walked into their apartment, my reaction was "Holy. Crap! Books. I want." Seriously. I couldn't speak. I could hardly form thought in my head. All I could do was ogle. So ogle I did. And no, I'm not being facetious.

And here is mine: That's most of my books. But not all. It's also most of my movies. But not all. You might not be able to see some of the books behind some of the knick-knacks/statues/pictures. Sorry about that. I don't have much in the way of flat surfaces in my room. Make do with what I got.

Whether The Rithmatist even looks good as a title is debateable. I like Scribbler far, far better, and I know I'm not the only one. But that's irrelevant. I don't think this is a thing like Warbreaker. I would agree with either the Nalizar idea or it being Joel. I'm leaning more towards Joel though. It makes more sense, even if he's not technically a Rithmatist.

Back in 2007, I was in my first semester at BYU-Idaho. My dad called me up halfway into the semester to tell me about an LDS author who teaches Creative Writing at BYU. This author, Brandon Sanderson, was chosen as Robert Jordan's ghost writer. I had only got about 5 books into the WoT before giving up on them (still haven't gone back), but I thought that was pretty cool. (Random side-note. I still remember exactly where I was when my dad called me to tell me this.) A couple days later, I was in the university bookstore, and I saw Elantris. I bought it. But for some reason, I didn't read it. I gave it to my dad to read. He said it was good. I bought Mistborn. That one I did read. And I loved it. Read WoA, and then waited for HoA. After that, I got into TWG, and it was sometime after that I finally read Elantris. And since then, I've read almost everything as soon as it's been released. Except for Legion (I've got it on audible though), and Alcatraz. The only Alcatraz book I've read was the first back in '08. I also got into Writing Excuses, although I only got up to Season 2 or 3. I think. I need to start listening to it again now that I'm writing more....

Perhaps, Kurk. But I assure you, everything in Utah County will be recorded and reported. I'll take care of that personally. I just need to get a recording device first. I like my phone too much to part with it for a few hours during Q&As... :-) And on topic, I think that prologue idea is genius, and I cannot wait to read all 4 or 5 of them. However, I doubt Gavilar will get one. Do you think Sadeas will?

Haha. Shardlet, I did something similar at TWG. Over there , we had classes--things like Student of Light Magic, Student of Dark Magic, Student of Servitude, etc. There were about 7-10 different classes, or something like that. You leveled up based on post count. Well, I kept a list of as many levels as I could find for the various users....still have it too. Not that I look at it much. The missed levels bug me. The point is, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one...

Happy birthday, Mi'ch! Yeah, I know, I already said something on facebook, but hey--multiple mediums never hurt anyone. Also, I just noticed Josh didn't get a birthday wish on here. Therefore, happy birthday, Josh! Just in case you wanted a little (4 days late) 17S recognition... Also also, is it just me, or does that regular smiley face look a little too happy? If ya know what I mean....

Confirmation. Also, I wasn't aware of this. It's what I get for not paying attention to the reddit Q&A.... :/ For those too lazy to click the link, pertinent information here:

I just tried to post my copy of the reading but the file's too big. I'm on my phone right now but I'll get on my laptop later tonight to break up the audio file and then edit this post. That's assuming Paydirt doesn't beat me to it. :-) EDIT: So I couldn't find the program I thought I had on my computer to break up the recording. So you get the full version. It's not quite as clear as Paydirt's. Sorry about that. Also, for some reason, the uploaded version has some sound glitches in it--I'm not sure if it's all the way through it, since I just listened to it from about the place where Paydirt's ended, but the sound does cut out for a split second a few different times. But you can still get a pretty good idea of the end of the reading. Better than nothing....I'll try to figure out how to get a version loaded without the sound cutting out. And if anyone has any ideas, feel free to spit 'em out. I'm sure most of you are more knowledgeable than I am on audio files and such.

Upvote for being so nice.

Ooo....I can't remember his exact wording. Dang. Now I really wish I'd charged my phone more. I think he just said "Lerasium" but at the same, I'm pretty sure he referred to it as "the bead of Lerasium" so I took it as singular, but maybe that was wrong. Or maybe I'm wrong about his exact wording about that. Maybe one of the others can remember a little better....hopefully.

As of tonight at the Provo Library signing, Brandon confirmed that the element is the bead of Lerasium. Which confirms both this theory, and the theory that Hoid wrote the letter (which, let's face it, everyone knew anyway). Edit for disclaimer: When I asked the question, I also thought the element and the lerasium were different. I asked it as a "Hoid clearly has a habit for taking important items. He has the bead of lerasium and the element. What other items does he have that we should know about?" Brandon's response was that the bead and the element are the same. And that he has many items he should not have. Unfortunately, my phone's battery power was super-low so I couldn't record this response. But if any of you doubt me, ask Mi'ch or Josh. Or Peter. They were all there.

I was at this signing as well. Finally met Mi'ch and Josh and Peter. Good times. Also, I asked Brandon a question about Hoid collecting important items. Because he has the Lerasium bead and the element. I asked if Hoid has any other items we should know about. Brandon responded that the Lerasium bead and the element are the same thing. And that Hoid has many items he should not have. So basically, he confirmed that Hoid wrote the letter. Without saying those words exactly, but when you think about what he did say, yeah. It's confirmed. I just wish I'd had the phone power to record it. But Josh and Mi'ch heard what he said too, so they can confirm this. Also, Hoid knows about forgery. But that's no surprise, since he associated with Shai. But that was Brandon's answer when I asked if Hoid knows forgery. And I can't remember his response when I asked if Hoid has forged anything.

I seriously doubt that it is. And if somehow I'm wrong, I'll be really surprised (and I totally wouldn't deserve it). After finishing it, I talked to a few others at TWG who'd read it, and everything that I noticed that had issues had already been mentioned to Brandon and he knew about it. But he couldn't focus on it yet, so I didn't bother sending anything. I didn't have anything more to add than what had already been said. Except maybe "Awesome! Can't wait for the next one!" which would've felt a little ridiculous to me, since that was '09 and he wasn't even sure when it would be published.... However, I wouldn't mind someday being mentioned in the afterward, for actually legitimately giving some good help. I would squeal for joy. And then probably go and show everyone I know, thereby annoying them endlessly.

Let me first say that I haven't actually read The Rithmatist yet, but I did read Scribbler almost 4 years ago, so I'm familiar with the basic storyline. Maybe not some of certain details that I know have been changed (but no one's mentioned that particular section yet so I'm good). So that is where it ends still. Good. I was worried, by some of the other comments that were made, that he'd changed the very ending, and I was like "NO! It was great before!" And I also agree about AoL. I thought that was a standalone, and although it didn't bug me too terribly much there would be a sequel, I still wish I had known going in that the story would not be complete by the end. I don't like that particular kind of surprise. I've thought this since I found out he'd changed it to The Rithmatist. A very large part of me still likes to refer to it as Scribbler, but I know that I shouldn't because that would confuse too many people....mostly on here.... But yeah. Scribbler just sounds so much cooler. More visual, I think. But maybe that's just me. Also, my disclaimer for not having read The Rithmatist yet is based on financial reasons....And I haven't yet decided if I want to use the Amazon bucks I have for this or save them for something else....

I would like to announce that I just bought a car for the first time. And I did it by myself (meaning no friends or family came with me). Not only am I proud of myself for this rather large step of independence, but I also think I got quite a good deal on it. Today is a great day.

Holy crap, I just realized I might actually be able to go to one of these. The first time I saw this list, I was like, "Dang it. Not happening." But now my plans have changed and I hope to be living in Provo by June 1st. And if everything works out as I hope, I can totally make it to the June 3rd signing. Which would be awesome!

I am absolutely and irrevocably in love with my Samsung Galaxy S II. It is fantastic. My first foray into the world of smartphones, and I am never, ever going back. I think in a year when my contract goes up and we renew, and I go for an upgrade (I typically like to prolong my upgrades til the end of the contract, because you tend to get better deals...although last year when I got my smartphone was an exception. My sister just *had* to upgrade to a smartphone right then, and I didn't want all the contract stuff going all screwy for the different lines), I'll go for the most current version of the Galaxy S series. Maybe that'll still be III, or maybe it'll be IV....Either way, I'm getting it. The only downside is that for some messed-up reason, my phone will not sync with Kies long enough for it to upgrade to the newest firmware. Which I'm pretty sure is Ice Cream Sandwich....I don't know. I know I'm at least a firmware behind, and it's frustrating.

Okay, after far more thought than I initially thought this would take, I have formed my ideas. For locale, I'm picking Hallandren, with Kharbranth and Elantris taking a very close second and third, respectively. In fact, Kharbranth is so close, I very well might be persuaded to world-hop the group there with a convincing argument. Or even a not-so convincing argument.... The housemembers. This was the hardest part. There was a great many considered, but....well. Many were called, but few were chosen. Here are those lucky few: Zane, Ranette, Tonk Fah, Blushweaver, Lopen, Rysn, and Kaise. Wikipedia told me that the housemembers are given season-long tasks. Although we weren't told to figure out a task for them to accomplish, I decided to do so anyway. The task is thus: Organizing the First Annual Cosmere Olympics. This includes choosing events and finding the athletes to participate. But mostly just deciding which events to include since this is the first. In another attempt to stay true to the show (at least Wikipedia's version of the show, since I have never seen it), I decided they needed someone to conduct the weekly confessionals. At first, I thought perhaps this could be Hoid, but then I decided Brandon Sanderson would work better. Therefore, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. I can totally see Ranette and Blushweaver hooking up. I can also see Blushweaver and Zane getting into a heated argument about her divinity. And Rysn joining that argument. Kaise probably watches it, and offers some know-it-all information supporting either side, infuriating everyone involved because of her insufferable knowledge. Zane and Tonk Fah will have a great bromance. Lopen will try to befriend everyone, and be ready with a quip any time he's around and tension gets a little too high. Tonk Fah wants an animal torturing event. Everyone, except Zane, is absolutely against this idea. Zane doesn't say it, but he'd like to include "people" in the definition of the "animal" part of the animal-torturing event. After Rysn, Kaise, and Lopen catch Tonk Fah torturing animals--they catch him separately, and at various stages in the torture process--he finally flips and decides that he's done with inflicting pain on animals. He's upgrading to human torture. Again. And he goes after Kaise. He doesn't succeed in really doing anything to her, except scaring the heeby-jeebies out of her, but he gets kicked out of the house. And is replaced by Zu. Zu doesn't even get along with Lopen. He came in so late and is so contrary, no one likes him. Tension rises in the house so fast Lopen has trouble thinking of quips to dispel it. Zu gets in a few arguments, mostly due to religious and personality differences, although he does get rather heated when Rysn makes what he considers a racial slur about him, to him. Things go downhill really fast after that, and everyone just kind of avoids him. And then, when it comes time for the Games, Zane takes it upon himself to declare a new event -- Death-Dealing -- and tries to make himself the uncontested champion of it.

Funny you should mention UtopiaGreen. It was actually a thread on here (I think it was the "Do we *need* downvotes" thread) that got me over to the archives...and then I just couldn't pull myself away for hours on end. Would it be possible to start some sort of game like that on here? With the levels and stuff? I know very little about site construction, and virtually nothing about whatever something like that would entail. All I know is that it sounds like fun, and I'd like to do it. EDIT: Also, in my further archive binging, I realized that I had purged my memory of the fact that Sort and I hold the record of "shortest time in office" for holding the Shards. Yes. We did get impeached. I guess the people didn't like us using our powers to create two new Shards for us to hold, giving up on the power they'd elected us into. Although, I still kind of think Irony and Discord were better, since Harmony holds Preservation and Ruin. Also also, I think it's safe to say I was the scapegoat. Not only was there an option on the vote about just removing me from office, Kaz later put forth the option of hanging me....

Ooh, I hadn't heard that term before. Spikeocracy. I like it. It fits. Also, that makes sense. I mean, even when Chaos was elected to be Hero of Ages on TWG, he abused his power by demanding to be The Lord Ruler as well, which is a little contradictory to the Hero of Ages....Hence his impeachment. Archive binges are fun. I joined about 3 or 4 years into TWG, and even then I missed out on a lot. Like, apparently, there was initially some sort of game attached to the titles where you could attack other members, and get weapons and stuff when you level up. That sounds awesome. And I missed it.

I've just spent countless hours in the TWG Archives, re-reading some of the awesomeness we old TWG-ers have recorded there. I stayed solely to the Rants and Stuff board, and we were truly an hilarious bunch. A decent portion of that hilariousness can be found in the Stupid Titles threads (VI, VII, VIII, and IX in particular), but there is plenty elsewhere. If not, I could've just resurrected Monsta's "RIP These Crazy Titles" thread from a year and a half ago. Also, on the note of the titles, I kept a list of those titles. It's not completely comprehensive since I do have gaps in what the titles were for some levels, but I'd bet it's far more comprehensive than any other list is out there for them....if any admins are interested in it. I know some people kind of miss those titles, and the mystery at the level up and all of that crazy awesomeness. Anyway. One of the things I noticed in my re-read is that I could be rather clever. And funny. I'm not that funny anymore. Sad, that, But this post isn't supposed to be about that. We were ALL funny. And there were some great times there. Like Chaos' Impeachment from the Hero of Ages. Or his attempt at Dueling to the Death because he contested that perfectly legitimate request for impeachment. Or Peter's admittance to being a Shardbearer when nominated as the new Hero of Ages (and I believe this was before Way of Kings was published). On a side-note, since sortitus and I were elected as dual Hero of Ages, and never impeached, and sort isn't around anymore, does that mean I'm the sole Hero of Ages? I don't think we ever decided on a set term limit, and unless Chaos can prove he overthrew us for being lame Heroes, it didn't happen, and I am still co-Hero, without a co. Which makes me sole. Moving on. Silk can thank me and Monsta for her nickname. That story can be found here. Or at least, that's the post where that story begins. It continues for at least a couple pages. I can't remember how long. I also just found this little gem. I really wish he had've finished that story. I was looking forward to reading it.... And I could go on. And on. And on. But I won't. I guess the point of this post is that I am enormously glad we have access to the Archives. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to go back and re-read all this stuff, reminiscing and busting up with laughter--and believe me, I laughed. A lot. Out loud, shoulder-shaking, hand-to-mouth, unable-to-look-at-the-computer-screen-or-else-I'd-laugh-even-harder laughter. At work. It was terrible. And absolutely fantastic.....and I am so heading back there now. I need to re-read those parts about the naked snowboarding and drunken Japanese karaoke (where the "drunken" part is due to habusake). Great times....

Let's see....My name originated in 7th grade, thanks to a sub who happened to know my older brothers. My last name is Wilson, and when he got to my name on the roll, he said "Oh, so you're the little Wilson!" Now, at the time, I wanted to be Wilson. Not Little Wilson. I hated the fact that I was so short. And yet, one of my friends dubbed me that. She knew I hated it, but she still called me it. All the time. It wasn't until 9th grade that I actually started liking the name--I'd resigned myself to the fact that I was short and that I would likely stay short. And I actually liked being short--and that was when everyone stopped calling me it. Ironic, that. Occasionally, I'll get bored with the nick, so on some forums I'll go by "Lord Otter", which is a name I created for myself about 4 years ago, based on the personality tests. There's the color personality test, but there's also an animal personality test and I'm an Otter. Which is essentially a Yellow personality. I liked the sound of Lord Otter better than Lady Otter. However, most of the time, I'm little wilson. It fits me a little better, I think. As for that discussion on our actual names. Mine means understanding and knowledge. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Hmm. I'm not sure I can peg this to one. For me, there's multiple. I'll sort them by book Mistborn--TLR being Rashek. I guessed this right before Vin realizes it, so it wasn't quite as shocking as it would've been, but it still got me. The other big one was the atium and the Kandra. That totally blind-sided me. Warbreaker-- I'll agree with you about Vasher being Warbreaker. Didn't predict Bluefinger either, but the Vasher reveal surpassed that one in "What the--" -ness. Way of Kings-- Dalinar speaking the Dawnchant. If I was forced to pick one "What the--" moment, this would be it. I thought this one was equal shades shocking, unpredictable, and absolute genius to its core. Scribbler/Rithmatist spoilers below