Oddford 14 Applying Gravity

And now the man-fishing. We've all wanted to shut our guy friends up at one point, the girls are actually doing it.

The colored panels are four different instances happening semi-simultaneously. Blue should be read last, preferably.

Oddford 13: Onward and Upward

If you have guy friends, any at all, you understand what this is like.

And we now get to see Helena's boy. At this point has firmly proven Mrs. Campbell correct that he is Helena's boyfriend. He simply had to follow her to America.

And I liked Valentine better with the goatee, ergo I kept it. Next up, keeping the gents from making fools of themselves.

Oddford 12: Not That Show

And we're finally at the party. If anyone's outfit seems familiar in this arc, it is. The theme was pop culture, and it was my chance to put as many movie/book/show asides as I could fit. I had fun. Stay tuned!

Oddford 11: Fine Print

Sorry for the late post guys, all three of you. Art major stuff and all that ;). Anyroad, Sarah and Calria have reached an agreement. Now the men have to go and deal with it. Enjoy the glitter splatting!
Next week is Helena's party, and all sundry drama. Stay tuned!

Oddford 10: Dress to Negotiate

During a shopping trip for Helena's party Friday night, Sarah and Calria discuss the nature of Calria's relationship with her bodyguard, Caleb. Negotiations result that could shake up life in Oddford.

Oddford 9: Motley Crewmen

And now the rest of the regular crowd, who all seem to have some tie to piracy. hmmm.

Understand that this is a fan comic. Half of these people do not belong to me, the other half are children of people who do not belong to me, except for Caleb. Caleb is mine mine. Now let's see if we can get those two kids of mine to get along.

Oddford 8: Handling Real Life

And to add another fandom- erm, friend, to the Oddford cast list, here is the spunky and artistic Helena. She is also the protagonist of a kick-arse movie by the name of Mirrormask which I highly recommend. Next up, meeting the core group of Oddford. Fun times ahead, stay tuned!

Oddford 7: the Big Reveal

And now the results of the havoc that was Jareth's makeover and the end of Oddford's first arc. More fun (and fandoms) to follow. Note: The text may be hard to read on this one, as it was drawn before I thought to refine my chicken scratch. Let me know if you need a translation. :)

Oddford 6: Extreme Makeover

Day one of the new Oddford posting schedule, and it's a doozy. Calria, the mischievous matchmaker she is, has it in her head to completely revamp her cousin overnight. Say goodbye to the glam rock overdose and stay tuned for the results!

(Not So) Lazy Sunday

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is not resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all wil be made alive."

1 Corinthians 15:12-14 & 19-22

Had an all day choir performance today. Spend most of it in a flouncy black dress and heels. It is nice to be in jammies again. On the upside, had lots of fun with old music, and there was pizza.

*IMPORTANT ODDFORD ANNOUNCEMENT*
Due to the influence/reassurance of several webcomics I've started reading and the absolutely ridiculous buffer I've got between this blog and my DevArt, Oddford will now be updating on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. And at the risk of sounding like a complete attention floozy, I would really appreciate it if some of you wonderful people commented. *cough*Kelli*cough*. It would make me feel as if I'm not speaking to the proverbial brick wall. Thank you.

Oddford 5: Dastardly Scheme

For the record, a tiger did once use me as a fire hydrant in the fourth grade. Long story; I think I had to throw that jacket away. Anyroad, there is a new character, Caleb, and a plan being hatched. Keep watching to see how both fare.

Lazy Sunday (Webcomic Edition)

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic- on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg- or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse."

~C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

So, in lieu of Youtube candy, we have Webcomic candy today

I've read them all this weekend. They have both inspired me and left me in the dust. All far out shine Oddford. There may be more later.

Oddford 4: Girlish Gossip

Shorter page this time, but you definitely get a hint of Calria and Jareth's quirky almost-sibling relationship here. Stay tuned for Calria taking Sir Poofy-hair down a couple pegs.

Caption It!

So, in interest of posting more often, I shall be starting a caption free-for-all. I have enough snarky friends, now I want to hear from you.

First off: The Beatles. Monty Python. Wouldn't think they'd have much in common. Well I beg to differ.


Have at it.

Lazy Sunday (again)

How do I speak of the indescribable to you
I will try to explain these feelings that are true
So looking to the sky I will sing and from my heart to you I bring

All of the words in all of my life that could never explain and never describe
All of my love which is nothing to hide so I lift up my hands and I worship
I worship you.

The song is "All of the Words" by Kutless. Yeah.


New people to watch: ImprovEverywhere. How these people manage to have the most creative and awesome flash mobs is astounding. Belhaven kids: We need to get something like this together! Look at some of what they've done.

Oddford 3: Relativity

Ta-da! Plot twist! So what's going to happen now that Sarah knows about Calria's glittery cousin? Stay tuned!

*Note: about 85% of Oddford is from shows/books/movies I enjoy. I obviously don't own the characters or references I'm making. Just clearing up

Lazy Sunday

Verse of the week: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:20-21, NIV

And now for something completely different, like Youtube Candy:

This was done at Freakin Liverpool Station in public. Try and tell me that's not awesome.

Do not adjust your set. This is not a Monty Python sketch. I know; I was in awe too.

Oddford pg. 2: Coffee & Crystals

It was a great way to spend her first day in Oddford, but now Calria and her new friend Sarah have an uninvited visitor. Will our young heroine pay for snapping off her big mouth? Find out next week...

Welcome to Oddford, where Strange is Never a Big Deal

There are many towns like Oddford across the globe. Initially hard to find, but surprisingly pleasant once you've arrived. There is a school, a park, a quaint town square, and even a marina.

But Oddford is no ordinary small town. It's a border town. Surrounding Oddford is a connection to the world of Faerie, and all the wondrous curiosities that come with it. People of both the Human Realm and the Fae Dominion have come here for a quiet and relaxed existence where hiding your true form is only for politeness' sake.

From Mrs. Turner, President of Empress Shipping, to Westley, Partner in the Roberts, Roberts, and Dredd Law Firm; colorful characters abound. But now, Oddford is about to welcome its most prestigious resident. Calria, daughter of the Faerie's High King and heir to the Marline throne, has come to Oddford for a customary exile to be free of the politics and troubles of her homeland.

Follow each week as the princess incognito makes friends, gets into trouble, and learns growing older doesn't always mean growing up.

Back & in Business

I'm back in school & hopefully there's a more timely posting schedule on the way. Drawing class looks like it's going to be intense this year. The fruits of which will possibly come this way some time. In the meantime, one must make do with the current content of my files.
I am something of an amateur make-up artist. During a given evening, I will decide to turn my face into something completely random and photograph it with my, sadly now broken, digital camera. Here is a sampling of some of the results:

Going Tribal.

The silent movie effect. Why so serious Puddin?

I have no idea.

Mrs. Lovette if you please Dearie

And Sweeney Todd to go with her.

Her royal Highness the Queen of Hearts

And continuing on the Wonderland theme we have the Cheshire Cat.

My version of the Little Tramp

Explanations and Side Notes

I suppose it would be normal for a person with a blog to update it more than once a month. I apologize for not being as exciting as I should be, but I have my excuses.
-I happen to be at home for the summer on my family's dial-up internet. Seeing anything is tedious and I like to surf.
-My mother limits my time on the computer. Cause apparently I'm supposed to get stuff done.
-All the fun, cool comics and drabbles I want to put up here are on my laptop, & it's a hassle to transfer.

So, the real fun starts when school does, I promise.

In another note, I was discussing with a friend on Deviantart about the upcoming Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. She had a very pessimistic view, I ver optimistic. The talk got me thinking. What makes a bad movie? Is it the cast or the director? Who's fault is it?

The truth is, no one faction can ruin a movie. From my experience with production companies, it takes a village to raise a film, and everyone is usually working their tails off. There's the story department, the producers and director, pre-procuction, the cast, the art department, the effects department, post-production, and even the music. Hundreds if not thousands of people pull together to make a film, and usually, it shows. If one or two of the departments check out, the other departments have the potential to make up for it. So if a movie is bad, it means around half of the different areas are slacking off. It's not always the wardrobe department's fault the actor is horrible, but that's how it works. So, a bad movie is like bad art. Not genuine enough, not passionate enough, just not enough.

My Apologies to Mr. Wednesday

Anyone who has spend an extended period of time talking books with me knows my favorite author is Neil Gaiman. I first encountered him while watching the extras for Mirrormask sophmore year, followed quickly by the movie Stardust later that summer. I remember thinking, who's this dry, self-depricating Brit here who knows the rules to Faerie. He is bloody awesome!

I was slowly sucked in. I remember in the seventh grade when I was introduced to J.R.R. Tolkein. I didn't even like fantasy before then. Now it's my preferred genre for writing. Freshman year I reread the Narnia Chronicles. The simplicity and honesty of Lewis' work astounded me. How someone could put that much faith and imagination into the same story was incredible. It inspired me and greatly effected my writing.

Neil's work hit me the same way. He has a very frank style of writing, like magical beings were as much a part of the mundane as doorknobs and dental floss. (For him, they probably are.) So I started reading. I started reading his blog http://journal.neilgaiman.com/ which he is a regular updater and alot cooler than me. So, pull that up in a new tab and go. I read most of his books. (we'll get to that.) And when I couldn't read, I watched.

Mirrormask was an excellent introduction. The humor, the simplicity, Dave McKean's to-die-for designs, I was totally hooked. Stardust was quite a departure from Mirrormask. It was a classic fairytale, but it had a certain frankness to it that I enjoy seeing as well as writing. I read the Graveyard book next. The premise was great and Neil has really hit his stride with that baby. Then I plowed through Coraline two days before seeing the movie. It was also excellent and quirky. (I just wish I could have read it in elementary school. I could've turned out so much cooler.) This summer, I found Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, and American Gods at my local library. I was ecstatic. Neverwhere was awesome. I fell in love with London even more -if that's possible- and you know my opinions on the Marquis. Anansi boys was also wonderful. I grew up with my share of Anansi stories, as well as identifying with the perpetually embarrassed Charlie. It was exciting, yet simultaneously comfortable.

Then I started on American Gods. And here's were the apology comes in. I'm sorry, so sorry Neil, but I couldn't finish it. I feel horrible, like I let you down. But, this one didn't grab me like the others. One reason is probably the language. I didn't grow up in a swearing household, so it's always been like static in anything I watch or read. Another thing is that I serve a God who doesn't need me worship Him. He deserves it, and I'm sure He certainly appreciates it, but Adonai just wouldn't be God if he needed us for survival. It's something He's really been teaching me as I read American Gods so the story became increasingly irrelevant to me. I will be taking it back to the library and will never know how it ends.

So, pleas Mr. Gaiman, accept my apology for jumping out of Shadow's truck prematurely. It just wasn't my roadtrip. But know worries, my thanks for Mr. Gaiman far outweigh my apologies. I will be writing him a properly lengthy thank-you note complete with gift shortly. Then hopefully he can write something else and I will be happily sucked into his Faerie again.

This is My Daily Breath

"Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
-Psalms 34:5

"For with you is the fountain of lif; in your light we see light."
-Psalm 36:9


I cannot tell you how liberating it feels to look in the mirror and see a child of God once more.

And I defy you not to watch this and bawl.

T-Belle’s Top Ten Tricksters and Why:

It should come as no surprise who my favorite character type in mythology would be. The Trickster archetype has popped up in many world cultures and in modern media. A trickster's job is to challenge convention, introduce chaos, and encourage thinking differently. They often have a breed of chaotic wisdom that helps them find a solution to the problem at hand.

Everyone has a little trickster in them. Some more evident than others. And often enough, it's the tricksters in films and stories that we rally behind and love. So, for my maiden blog post, here is a list of my ten favorite tricksters and the scheming qualities that make them great.

10. Howl Jenkins- Don’t sweat the small(ish) stuff

No matter what horrid, torrential problems come his way, this gent doesn't let his problems show. It's that nearly Vulcan emotional control coupled with the roguish smirk that epitomizes a trickster's facial expression.

9. Westley- Master the mighty power of the bluff

Everyone in the audience knew Westley couldn't stand up decently, much less beat the pulp out of Humperdink. And yet, that did not stop our boy from bluffing his numb arse off. When you're a trickster, it doesn't matter what you're capable of doing, it's what they think you can do.

8. The Weasley Twins- Laughter is the best weapon

One of the most serious problems plaguing our villains today is the absence of a sense of humor. While tragic for them, it offers the trickster a spectacular advantage. Nothing irritates an opponent so much as being laughed at and not taken seriously. And when they get irritated, they get sloppy. This dynamic duo made a bloody business out of throwing then enemy off guard.

7. The Cheshire Cat- Know who’s in charge, and if they need a wake-up call

The classic suavity of the trickster is never to usurp authority but to offer a needed foil. Cheshire never tried to take the Queen of Hearts' place, although he was obviously more savvy. He simply showed how silly the situation was. A good trickster walks into any situation knowing who's really in charge and how to best them. For this Christian trickster-belle, there is an added bonus knowing that God is ultimately in charge. Being perfect, Adonai needs no berating, but all other leaders are human & therefore must be reminded of their limits.

6. Cpt. Hawkeye Pierce- Blarney knows no bounds

When my brother was in Officer training and was asked who was his Army role model. He did not say Patton or Macarthur, he named Benjamin Franklin Pierce. Not only was he one of the best surgeons east of Seoul, he was a first class trickster major general. One of his best qualities was his motor mouth able to get him out of any trouble he got into.

5. The Marquis De Carabas- Plan around the motives of others

Debonair, genteel, and more dodgy than a rat has fur, the most honorable Marquis is a superb example of planning like a trickster. Most people plan to get what they want, but De Carabas -oh no- he plans knowing the motives and wants of everyone else. And by catering to the needs of others in his plans, he is able to get what he wants with little interference.

4. Bugs Bunny- Optimism in the face of futility

Think for a moment how a normal rabbit deals with a hunter. He runs away in a panicked rabbitty terror. Not our buddy Bugs. He knows from the moment Elmer walks on screen who will be triumphant. A trickster is inherently free. Even if he or she is beaten, they will never be defeated. The knowledge of that is powerful, for Bugs, and the rest of us.

3. Jack Sparrow- Take down the prideful a peg or ten

If you're going to be a trickster, there are a couple job requirements. One of them is to remind others that they are not gods. Arrogance is a type of blindness; our weakest links are hidden from us. Jack -erm, Captain Jack- had the time of his life fulfilling this. Barbossa took his immortality for granted, BOOM right in the ticker. Beckett is an annoying sod who thinks he owns the sea, 'Hey Will, wanna go for some target practice?' Chaos is healthy. It reminds us not to put too much confidence in our own lives.

2. The Scarlet Pimpernel- Selfishness is a disguise, not an identity

As stated before, bravado is an important weapon in the trickster's arsenal. Appearing to have atmospheric self-confidence puts a buffer between the trickster and everyone else. No one knows what you're really thinking if they assume you only think of yourself. The fabulous and dreamy Sir Percy Blakeney made this attribute a specialty of his.

1. Anansi- Life should never be taken too seriously

Ah yes, the first and best of the tricksters. Most all children have heard Anansi stories in one way or another. His goal was to have the deepest laughs, eat the best food, and do the least work possible. And honestly, what's the fun in toiling all day. Life is short, and this world is temporary. It's futile to take everything seriously. That is the trickster's point. God is in control. Just enjoy the crazy