Retro A to Z Challenge: N – Nightwish 2011 (and Ninja Secrets...)

a to z challenge, nightwish imaginarium, samantha may, secrets of the ninja

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Nightwish – Imaginarium – 2011


This is a symphonic metal band turned prog rock. A cool concept album, it tells a very strange tale and even has an accompanying film. Standout tracks are Storytime and I Want My Tears Back. Nightwish is huge in Europe and their videos are some of the most watched on YouTube.

2011 fun facts –
*The Discovery docked with the International Space Station for the last time on February 26 before retiring
*The first synthetic organ transplant was performed
*The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA Championship Title
*The Insecure Writer’s Support Group had its first group posting in September

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Movies released –
X-Men First Class
Super 8
Thor
Captain America
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

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Music released –
Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events
Stream of Passion – Darker Days
Serenity – Death and Legacy

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Games released –
Skyrim
Batman: Arkham City

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And why is 2011 special?
It’s the year Samantha May was the lead in the school musical, graduated from high school, started her blog, went to college, and turned eighteen!

Samantha is a beautiful young lady currently living in Tennessee. She’s a psychology major who loves to write, and her blog chronicles her journey through college. Samantha is a breath of fresh air and her smile comes through in every comment. Samantha blogs at Writing Through College.

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Ninja Secrets and Surprises


Since I often here there’s not much about ME on this blog, I thought I’d give you some interesting tidbits to chew on. Some just might surprise you…

I resisted a cell phone for years. I finally own an iPhone now. (I still will never text though.)

This might be shocking since I am a science fiction writer, but I don’t enjoy reading Isaac Asimov. I find him very dry and boring.

Another surprise – although I write about space, I have no desire to go there. (I saw Gravity – air is very important to me.)

New followers will be surprised to know I never wanted to be an author and wasn’t even online when I signed the deal for my first book.

However, the rock star dream is still a go! So the fact I play guitar in a Christian band is just awesome.

Yes, I am a born-again Christian. I don’t follow a religion or a church, I follow the Word of God, the Bible. My relationship with my Lord and Savior is my peace.

10:00 is my bedtime. Yeah, sucks to get old…

I’ve lived in or visited almost a dozen foreign countries. (Rhonda, stop laughing – I know that doesn’t impress you!)

People seemed surprised when I posted about reality show Face Off yesterday. Yes, I do watch some! I’ll post about another one tomorrow…

Finally, I’m still humbled and thankful for those who’ve read my books, especially those of you who have no interest in science fiction. So a special thanks to Fundy Blue who posted the most wonderful review of CassaStar yesterday, saying how much she enjoyed the character-driven story. Which is good, because that’s all I know how to write!

Any other questions? There won’t be a test, will there?

Fan of Nightwish? Following Samantha? Did I surprise you with any of that? And what do you remember best about 2011…?

I’m also at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website today!