Network

I have a shoot today. It's also Friday the 13th. Is that bad luck? it might be a bad hair day or something.

Hi, Valarnet. My name is Hazel Grace Lancaster, but you can just call me Hazel. I've heard this is THE place to be on the Interwebs, so here I am.

wow, that was lame

Are there any other book lovers on here? I am completely obsessed with post-apocalyptic fiction right now. I don't know what it is about that genre that has sucked me in, but I think it's really interesting to see all the different versions of the future. So many of them are realistic in the sense that you can see it really happening. I guess it makes me wonder what the world will really be like 150 years from now. I know I won't be around to see it and that's kind of sad, but I still like trying to imagine it.

Inspired by my Pinterest Christmas Board, I'm making Cinnamon-and-Applesauce ornaments. But, Audrey, I know you're thinking, Christmas is like, two months away! And it is. But these ornaments smell like heaven, and can freshen the air of everything from a locker to a car. Or anything else you can think of!

Besides, cinnamon is one of those autumn spices. These little babies will continue releasing the beautiful cinnamon-y scent until New Year's Eve--moneyback guarantee!

Come on by Baxter Bakery, have a Pumpkin Spice Sparkling Latte and pick up an ornament to hang from the rearview mirror in your car. You won't regret it.

I'm thinking of writing a book about the odd happenings of Orange County. Given the frequency and variety of strange experiences this place seems to be quite singular in the world and I feel it would be an amazing tale to document for others to read!

If anyone would like to share their stories with me then I can be found at Gray's Bookstore just around the corner from Baxter's Bakery nearly every day.

Seems like the current strangeness missed me. I'm not entirely sure whether to be happy about that or not. This one sounds like fun. Interesting way to make a new friend at least.

Two days without taking the Yin Fen has left me feeling awful. I stayed in bed all day yesterday after Tessa left and was only able to get up for a little while today. I knew missing my medication could be tough, but I wasn't quite prepared for this.

The last few days have been rather interesting.

Will and I went to the campus bookstore on Friday to get our books early, but we didn't actually get them, because Will got into a fight with another student who was rather rude to me. I could have handled it myself, but I was rather taken aback by the situation so Will jumped in.

It reminded me of Will in the dreams. He has a tendency to jump headlong into fights without thinking about his own well being.

Speaking of my dreams, they had been coming rather regularly lately. I showed Tessa my favorite place, which in the dreams is Blackfriars Bridge. I also explained my condition to her after I collapsed when we got back to the Institute after being attacked by automatons. The next day, we were tricked by Mortmain, who we thought was on our side, but was actually the person controlling the clockwork creatures. Believing that de Quincy was the person we were after, Charlotte and Henry went to kill him while Mortmain came to tell Will and I that the Dark sister was helping the Magister and told us where to find her, but it was all the trick. We got back to the Institute to find it under attack and one the Mundanes who worked for us was killed and we found out that Tessa's brother was actually working for Mortmain.

Before we realized it was all a trick, Will and I found a cat in a cage in the Dark sister's house, which she was using to experiment on and ironically, it was my cat Church. The cat that I have in the waking world. I brought him back with me to the Institute because I wasn't going to leave him there.

It's interesting dreaming about eighteen hundreds while living in the twenty first century. Everything was so different then.

When I woke up the other morning, I found my Stele on my nightstand, which is the wand like tool we use to apply Runes to our bodies. Then this morning I found my cane leaning up against the side of my bed. It's rather beautiful. It has a jade dragon head and it came in quite handy in the dreams in case I needed it for support if I made myself too ill while fighting. It also has a blade hidden inside it. I'm looking forward to learning to fight with it.

Look Jem, Will! I was out shopping today and look what I found! ( My two favourite boys! )

This morning I woke up to find a violin case at the foot of my bed. Anyone who knows me, knows that I've tried multiple times to play an instrument and I simply don't have the talent. However, my dream self is extremely skilled at playing the violin, so I wasn't exactly surprised to see it show up. It's a beautiful instrument and should be an antique, but it's practically new. Even knowing that I would most likely fail at attempting to play it, I had to see if there was a chance that my ability to play in the dreams bled over like my illness has.

And it did. I can now play the violin.

Being in a secret relationship is extremely thrilling. I've never actually done it in the real world, but in the dream world, Alexander and I have been dating secretly for two reasons. One, homosexuality is frowned upon amongst Shadowhunters and two, relations with Downworlders is frowned upon even more.

Of course Alec almost told everyone, because of a Rune Clary made, so I was forced to use a little magical interference.

Back in the real world, I have a photo shoot coming up in August, so I have to start going to the gym again on a regular basis.

My friend James Carstairs was taken into hospital last night. I don't know how bad it truely is and the doctors didn't seem to either, but he was feverish and hallucinating and they don't know why. At least they didn't when they eventually kicked me out this afternoon. I know he would appreciate visits and support from his friends, so please drop by and see him.

I'm going to try and sleep now then head back in the morning.

Apparently, I spend too much time holed up in the studio surrounded by paint fumes. And apparently it is for my greater good that I reach out and talk to people on the computer because why the hell not. And to do this, apparently my rum is now being held hostage until I relent.

So I'm Grantaire. Help a guy out and show I can make friends so that 'Apollo' decides to give me back my rum.

It would appear that my cousin has decided to move to Paris for a little while. I do wish we had gotten more time to spend together, but hopefully she will find what she's looking for and comes back soon. On a lighter note, I'm officially on spring break. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do this week when I'm not working though.

So this is America. I highly doubt it's ready for me in all honesty but I'm sure it'll adapt quickly. Anybody else here going to UC Irvine? That's where I'll be, for now anyway. Unless something else comes along to grab my attention.

The name's Will Herondale. I know you're pleased to meet me, right? ;)

Book Signing, Reading and Talk

Good evening all!

My name is Theresa Gray and I run Gray's Books near Baxter Bakery.

We would like to announce a joint event scheduled for the evening of the 6th of March!

Come and meet the author Luisa Rey who is promoting the latest in her series!!

There will be a reading and a talk at Baxter’s Bakery with food and drinks followed by a signing with Ms Rey at Gray’s books just round the corner. Copies of all her works can be bought here too!

We hope to see you there!

I suppose the only good thing about this entire situation is that I've been able to catch up with all of my coursework. Not that I was behind, but I was able to spend an appropriate amount of time on each assignment and didn't feel rushed. I realize that I'm probably one of the only people who cares quite so much about this, but it was nice not feeling like I was running out of time.

I can't imagine it's going to be easy to clean up all of this ash once this is over and I still can't quite figure out how this is possible, but I hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence.

I need a library. Or a librarian. Might keep my mind off the fucking brainwashing, oh God.

I think I may be the only one here who enjoys their dreams. I'm sorry.

It's hard to believe that I've already been out here for over two weeks. I've been so busy catching up and getting settled in that the time has simply flown by. I'll admit, I haven't seen much outside of my school and Jubilee & Laura's house. I may need to act like a tourist soon. My mother wants a picture of te Hollywood sign. I've told her that I'm not as close to Hollywood as she thinks, but she insists.

I just woke up from another dream. I haven't had one in a couple weeks, so I wasn't expecting it. My family in my dreams are so different from in real life. Not only is Katherine not in my dreams, but now my aunt and uncle aren't even married. They only just meet in the dream. Ric comes in as the new History teacher at our school and he randomly takes an interest in me. Gives me some extra credit assignment or something. Then Jenna and I are at The Grill and he happens to be there and of course Jenna pervs over him, so I leave. Later on, Jenna comes home with Ric and he starts acting kind of weird, just loitering in the doorway then he left. Seriously, why is my family so different in my dreams?

Of course now I can't get back to sleep. I think I'll play some video games. I'll just skip school and sleep tomorrow.

The worst thing about being the new guy is having to work on Sundays. The office is literally empty except for me and the janitor, and even he keeps giving me looks of pity.


If anyone wanted to bring a lonely lawyer some coffee, it wouldn't go unappreciated.

A friend of mine, who teaches an art class, asked me if I'd model for her class this week. Now how could I say no? And before you ask, no, I won't be nude modeling. I prefer to keep my clothes on when I'm modeling. Well most of them anyway. It should be interesting though. I've never modeled for a art class or anything like it.

[Private to Tessa Grey]

Curious, have you had anymore dreams?

I arrived in America over the weekend and have gotten settled in as much as I can in only two days. Church seems a little confused, but that's understandable. Give it a day or two and once he's explored the house, he'll more than likely keep to himself in my room. I do hope he'll get a long with my cousin's dog. I start classes on Monday at UCI. I'm nervous, but excited at the same time. I've been in touch with my professors since classes have already started, so hopefully I'll catch up quickly.

Oh, I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm James Carstairs, but mostly everyone calls me Jem. I just moved here from England and will be staying with my cousin, Jubilee, and her wife for the time being. I honestly can't thank them enough for letting me stay for now. I hope I won't be a bother for them.

I think I might be getting the hang of this internet thing! I've ordered books off Amazon now, though I haven't been able to purchase one of those electronic readers. I enjoy the smell and feel of books too much.

I've also looked at that netflicks business! Quite interesting, and so many films I haven't seen! I quite like the period dramas.

What's next? Tweeter?

For some reason I didn't think that moving across the country would take so much out of me. After a four day nap I think I'll be back on my feet. If I didn't have work tomorrow. Although I'm not completely unpacked.

I heard that this was the thing to join. I'm Simon. Just moved here as you could probably tell. Currently living in a room that was designed for an old lady. Floral walls wouldn't exactly have been my first pick but I can't afford to be picky.

( Dory )

I'm pretty sure that she has more energy than me right now. And she naps about 70% of the day.

So. My dreams are worse than I knew. Woke up crying this morning. Does that even happen? I didn't know it was possible.

Raise your hand if you think that song, "The best song ever" is the worse song ever? Really there were some awesome boy bands in the 90's but One Direction isn't even close. It's like a group full of Bieber want-a-be's in one place. Not that I would strive to be him either.

I think I've had one of those dreams everyone talks about! It was quite strange, though. First I was in Victorian-era England, getting off a boat in... Southampton, I think it was? I was meant to be meeting my brother Nate there -- which is strange in itself because Nate is my cousin, not my brother -- but instead two women called the Dark Sisters picked me up.

Then the dream jumps forward six weeks, and it turns out I've been kidnapped. The Dark Sisters have my brother... somewhere, and they're forcing me to... change. Into other people. It's very strange, I don't think I can describe it very well. Apparently they were training me to use my power, and once they decided I was ready they wanted me to marry someone called the "Magister", whoever that is. I tried to flee, but I was caught. Then the dream ends.

I admit, I am curious as to where the dreams will take me next. I can't see how I could get out of that dreadful house alone, but no one in London even knew I existed, save for my brother and the Sisters. Is it normal to be interested in your dreams, rather than frightened by them? Most people whose posts I have seen have dreaded their dreams, but I welcome mine.

HEY DAMON!

I got pics in front of all the coasters. Went on everything TWICE. How'd you do??

Thanks to everyone who came yesterday. I told you it would kick ass.

Now, where's the fucking opt out button for these dreams. Dream me is a dick. No more. And then to top it all off, I woke up with a special surprise. First I killed Lexi, then turned Isobel who is Elena's mom, shit's not cool, I blamed my brother, killed Jeremy, I can't even keep all this shit straight. And I have fucking fangs. Fangs and feelings. I'm not even going to go into what happened with Katherine. FUCKFUCKFUCK. Then there is Elena who I do -

Now me and my best friend Jack Daniels are celebrating.

I think I remember a post about a trip to Magic Mountain sometime this weekend -- is that still happening? Because I think I'd like to go if it is. I've never been on a rollercoaster before, and I think it's high time I did something about that.

My mom says I need to make more friends so --
That's lame, don't start like that.

Is anyone else looking forward to school starting this year?

Definitely having a case of the Mondays. My kingdom for whoever brings me a coffee. The largest coffee possible.

Time is flying so fast. It still feels as though summer has just started, but in just a few weeks I'll have to go back. Much as I enjoy my major, and excited as I am to finally have my general ed out of the way, I can't help but wish summer would go on forever. Alas! I'll just have to wring all the fun out of the remaining days of summer that I can. To that end: Does anyone know of anywhere in the OC to go to have some fun? I'm not much of a beach person, so that's out. I think I saw some posts about a trip to Disneyland, is that close by? I've never been, but it is meant to be the happiest place on Earth, so maybe I should.

Oh, I suppose I should introduce myself as well, shouldn't I? My name is Theresa Gray, but everyone calls me Tessa. I heard people talking about this forum at school and finally got around to joining myself.