GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ I Smell Sheep: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sheepception

This comic was inspired by the movie Inception. The comic itself is quite large, so it couldn't fit inline. Click the image for the larger, readable version!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

*Interview with author Gini Koch*


Amber and I recently got the chance to interview Sci-Fi Princess Gini Koch, Author of Touched by an Alien. We both love her work and jumped all over the chance to pick her brain for a while. Grab your popcorn and drinks sit back and enjoy!



Arizona desert. Undisclosed location. 2 Sheep and 1 Alien meet.



Katie: We know you dreamed about Touched by an Alien and then created the story, but what part of the story did you specifically dream about?


The opening sequence, basically the courthouse scene, including Martini arriving -- in complete detail, though not what he looked like, nor any names, etc. In the dream I only saw his back. The dream was very dark, almost noir-ish. Obviously, when I wrote it, it came out differently, but the entire superbeing formation and everything else about that scene was in the dream.


Amber: Are any of the characters in your books, the HOT men in particular lol, inspired by anyone in your life?

If yes, are any of them single???


LOL! In this particular case, no. They all came out of my head. There’s no one out there who looks exactly like Martini, or Reader, etc., because I can “see” them in my mind, and they’re themselves, essentially. I can come up with actors (or models) who could play them in a movie or on TV, but there’s no one these characters were specifically based on.


Amber: Can you tell us who the actors or models are? I’d love to know if the image I have in my head of Martini matches up. Lol


Well, see, that’s sort of the problem. No one out there matches up to the characters, as I see them in my mind. I also sort of hate to list actors, because who *I* think could play Martini isn’t always who the reader is thinking of when they read the book. And I prefer to have the readers keep whatever images they create in their minds than shove them down a particular path. (Because whoever you “see” in your heads is right, because, um, well, that’s who YOU see, so that’s who’s right for YOU.)


That said, right now, if I had to cast someone to come close, the two characters I have the easiest time matching to an actor at this time are Reader and Tim. Reader could/should be played by Matt Bomer (of White Collar) and Tim could/should be played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (of Inception, 3rd Rock from the Sun, etc.). But that’s me fitting an actor to the character, not the character to an actor.


Katie: I've heard from a little birdie about a possible story on how to kill super heroes, is this something we can look forward to in the future?


Well, that was essentially the dark, short, horror story I’d intended to write when Kitty and the rest of the gang took over. I might still do the short story, but it’s not at the top of the list right now -- galley edits on “Alien Tango” and finalizing edits on “Alien in the Family” are what’s on the docket.



Amber: What was your favorite book or series to read when you were a kid? (Mine was Amelia Bedilia)


Sherlock Holmes. I read the complete Sherlock Holmes at least 8 times when I was a kid. I was also into (dating myself alert!): The Happy Hollisters, Trixie Belden, The Three Investigators, and Nancy Drew, as well as Ellery Queen‘s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Presents; moved from one to the next as I got a little older. All were mystery series. Mysteries were my first reading love, basically.


I was also hugely into O. Henry (and still am) and read his complete works at least 8 times growing up, too.


I didn’t get into SF/F until I was an older teenager/early 20-something.


Amber: If mystery was your favorite genre why did you choose to write Sci-fi? Does it have to do with the dream you had about the book?


Yes. I think it’s funny that people assume I “choose” what I’m writing about. The stories and the characters choose me. The ideas come on a very regular basis, the ones who scream and whine the loudest get written. The ones who scream and whine the loudest and the longest get finished, edited, finalized, and sent to my agent. Basically, the Alien gang were extremely persuasive.


BTW, mystery isn’t my favorite genre. I don’t HAVE a favorite genre. I like them all, for the most part. I have some I read far less than others, but mystery isn’t my be-all, end-all any more. Nothing is, other than maybe humor. Though, if you notice, there is a mystery or two in “Touched by an Alien”. There’s usually a mystery sub-plot in any novel I write. I do it naturally, and it’s not the main focus of this story in any way, but it’s there, and that’s because mysteries were my foundation.


Katie: In Touched by an Alien there is a very um "intense" elevator ride, or two, did you write these scenes based on any personal experience?


*cough* I’m not at liberty to say. Lawyers are so picky, don’t you find?


Amber: What is the most spontaneous thing you have ever done?


Wow. Gotta think on that one. You mean other than sex in an elevator? Huh…


Went to Santa Barbara with a baby and nothing more than 1 bottle and 2 diapers and no credit card. (Never, ever, be that spontaneous, kids. Unless you live to find markets on a late Sunday afternoon. In a panic. When they aren’t open past 5pm.)


I don’t do spontaneous, partly because I think very fast and so tend to already have weighed the pros and cons before I take action or say, “Sure, let’s go to Vegas over Thanksgiving Weekend with no reservations!” Did that one, too, with my cousin. We had a great time. We got the last room in the entire city and only through connections, but we couldn’t stop winning and came home with more money than we’d left with, so it all worked out.


Hmmm…maybe I should be spontaneous more often…lemme think about it…


Katie: How did you come up with Airport restrooms as travel portal doorways? We love random, was this just a random "why the heck not" type of thing?


No. The characters told me how they transported. Honestly, though, if you think about it, it makes a certain amount of sense. People go in and out of airports, most people aren’t looking at the other people in a restroom, there are stalls with doors which ensures privacy, etc.


Amber: If there was one moment in your life that you could relive, which would it be?


Hmmm. There are a few. I’m really suspicious of the whole “do over” kind of reliving, though, mostly because I love my husband, child and life, and any do-over from the past could mean I don’t get them.


If there was one I’d like to relive to just enjoy fully, probably the first phone call from my agent, when she said she loved “Touched by an Alien” and wanted to represent me. I didn’t scream and jump up and down nearly enough (I went for a calm, cool, professional reaction, to the point where my agent asked if I actually WAS excited) and I’d like to do that all over again.


Katie: What's something (or someone) that impacted you as a child that led you to being the person you are today? Was there one event or a sequence?


Oh, there were so many. Every event, really, shapes you into the person you are. There isn’t one thing I can point to and say, “This one incident is the reason I’m the way I am.” Every incident in my life, and my reactions to them, are the reason I’m the person I am. Though my maternal grandmother was definitely the reason I’m a decent human being and not a complete head case.


Amber: Is there a particular author that inspired you to start writing?

How did they inspire you to start writing?


Truthfully? No, probably not. There are authors I love, respect, admire and, honestly, loathe, but none of them were what made me start writing. The voices in my head made me start writing. My characters finally demanded life so loudly that I had to give in.


Katie: You mention in your books and life that music is a huge part of what makes you tick, Aerosmith being at the top of your music list, but are you musically inclined?


I can sing, and I did learn how to play piano and guitar long, long ago, and used to be able to read music. I cannot play either any more, and was never very good at them anyway, and the musical notes look like so many pretty pictures these days. I do have rhythm, though, and am quite a good dancer.


Katie: can we get a little dance demonstration? Its just us ladies here.


Sure, though I prefer dancing for men -- they’re usually more appreciative of my style. *does the dirty boogie*


Amber: We know you will be attending the upcoming World Fantasy Con, can you tell us a little more about that?


Sure. World Fantasy Con is the big industry con for the Fantasy genre. Science fiction and horror get in there, too, but fantasy is the main focus (as opposed to World Science Fiction Con, or WorldCon as it’s more commonly called, which is more SF focused). I enjoy going to this con because it’s different from most of the others I attend -- it’s not a fan con, or a learning con…it’s a business con and so far the only one like it I go to, so I really love it. Everyone there is networking, wheeling and dealing, catching up with old friends, and so on. It’s really fun and it’s really cool to be standing at the bar next to my heroes and getting to talk shop, as it were. It’s also the con where I normally get to see my editor, and I get to hang out with my agent and a lot of other industry friends I have, in a more relaxed way than we get to at fan or writing cons.


Katie: We are all about Marvel at I Smell Sheep, if you could be any Marvel character who would you be and why?


Whoever’s getting to bang Wolverine. Because then I’d be banging Wolverine.


*Amber and Katie simultaneously agree: Amen Sister!*


I knew I liked you girls.


Otherwise, I think part of why I’m a writer is I’ve never been an “Oh, I want to be HER” kind of person. I’m an “Oh, I want to be in this MYSELF” kind of person. I’d love to create my own Marvel Superhero, and that would be the character I’d want to be.


I actually have several superhero characters I’ve played around with for a few years, that aren’t a part of my Alien series in any way, in case any comics companies are reading this.


Amber: What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? Why?

Ex. Mine is ‘P’. It names all my favorite foods like pasta, potatoes, pizza, poultry, peanut butter and Oreos, etc. lol


I have real challenges with most of the ‘favorite’ questions, ‘cause I tend to have more than one, and letters of the alphabet would fall into this category. I’m a writer -- I love ALL the letters. If forced to pick, the letter “V” because that’s what my daughter’s name starts with.


Katie: So I have noticed in your books Coke is the drink of choice; to once and for all settle the Coke/Pepsi debate between Amber and I which one do you choose?


There’s a debate? One of you likes that swill they put into Pepsi cans? Really? Wow, I guess it really does take all kinds to build a village, or something like that.


Coca-Cola ALL THE WAY. The only Pepsi product I can stand is Mt. Dew. Dr Pepper straddles that weird line where it’s with the Coke products AND with the Pepsi products, and I do love Dr Pepper as well. But when it comes to colas, there is one king, and all the others aren’t worth my time. The only cola I’ll drink is Coca-Cola.


Oh, and the Mexican Coke in glass bottles, aka Crack Coke, is the greatest drink IN THE WORLD and I guard my stash of it more carefully than my jewelry.


And I loved the Coke-Espresso combo, Coke Black, they had for a while. It was seriously like drinking crack and cost the same. But I LOVED it and am almost thankful it’s not available any more -- my bank account couldn’t handle that addiction. (But if the Coca-Cola Company has some of that elixir of so bad it’s goodness available, um, I pimp your products in my books and a little Coke Black wouldn’t be looked at as a bribe but more of a thank you for years of Coca-Cola product addiction.)


Geez…I just yakked about Coke for like 20 minutes. Can we say “passionate” (aka “addicted”), boys and girls? I knew we could…


Katie: Ok time for some rapid-fire questions, don't think just answer…clear your mind…and GO!


I never clear my mind. For me, that’s literally asking the impossible. But, I can do rapid-fire…


Katie: Coffee or Tea

Both

Katie: Shower or Bath

Shower at home, bath at hotels

Katie: Baked or Fried

Baked (don’t really care for fried foods)

Katie: Cereal or Oatmeal

Oatmeal

Katie: Cake or Pie

Cake, preferably chocolate or marble with vanilla butter cream frosting

Katie: True Blood or Twilight

Blade

Katie*-hey hey hey…not a choice…but I guess we'll let it slide lol

Hey, that’s my answer, and I’m sticking with it. Besides, I learned a long time ago -- just because someone only offers you two choices doesn’t mean you have to pick one, the other, or either. Make your own choice and get down with your bad self, that’s MY motto.

Amber: Dog or Cat

Both, and horses, too (but, if FORCED to pick, cats)

Amber*-I knew I loved you for a reason! lol. My little man (Deke) is the cutest kitty in the world!… If you couldn’t tell I’m slightly obsessed about him.

Oh, I worship, WORSHIP, He Who Rules All (aka Mr. Fluffikins, aka my male cat). But I love my other babies, too. Basically, if it has fur and four paws, or if I can ride it, I’m probably gonna at least like it.

Amber: Crest or Colgate

Colgate, ‘cause my dentist insists

Amber*-I gave in to the pressure too! I’m not sure why since Crest has much better flavors. lol

Because we live in fear of making the dentist, and the DRILL, angry.

Amber: Boxers or briefs

FINALLY! ‘THE’ QUESTION! FINALLY! I’ve been waiting since my first interview for someone to ask me this! And, my answer is:

Thong or Commando

Amber*-Uhh….are we talking about men or women here? lol. But so EXCITED that we got the question right! I told you we’re geniuses (and if I didn’t than it was definitely implied!)! Haha

I was talking about me. For men, I like boxer-briefs. Or commando. Or, depending on the man, a thong. So I guess I was answering for both. LOL

Amber: Chevy or Ford

Lexus (used to be a Chevy girl, but now I’d have to pick Ford ‘cause they didn’t take the bailout and after owning a Cadillac, Chevy’s dead to me)

Amber: Blonde or Brunette

Redhead

Amber*-I’d ask Pepsi or Coke but everyone knows PEPSI is the winner! ;)

Coke or nothing, babe (So, Amber’s the weirdo of the team. Got it.)

Katie*laughing so hard she cant breathe*

Amber: I am not weird! I simply have a more developed pallet than you.. *Ahem* Ladies…. lol.

I hate lemon (Pepsi’s “secret ingredient”) and love cinnamon (Coke’s “secret ingredient”) so it’s BECAUSE my palet is developed and sensitive that I cannot stand Pepsi and its products (other than the Dew)

Amber: Rain or sunshine

Sunshine

Amber: East coast or West coast

I’m a California girl who now lives in the Arizona desert…what’s this East Coast you all speak of? Can’t be nearly as nice as living on the WEST COAST, baby!



Katie: This has been an honor Gini and a ton of fun for us, you're better then we could have imagined, thank you on behalf of I Smell Sheep and all your fans.

Thanks, you guys! This was a lot of fun. I’d make a crack about how clearly you could imagine quite a bit, but I’ll just save the brainpower it would take and let it pass on by and merely say I had a blaaaaaaast.




*Touched by an Alien is out now and can be found at a bookstore near you.

Alien Tango releases December 7, 2010 and we recommend you pre-order a copy today!


While Amber and I fight over who is going to marry Gini (her husband just better deal with it) lets move on to the giveaway.

One lucky winner will get a fabulous Sheeped by an Alien T-Shirt. In the comments below leave two things to be automatically entered to win.

1. Your email address

2. When kicking Alien butt what song would you rock out to?

Contest ends Sunday October 3rd at Midnight.

Good luck everyone!

Monday, September 27, 2010

From a galaxy far, far away, Lucasfilm announces the discovery of the “last surviving copy” of THE JEDI PATH.




A very cool book is hitting stores this week. As a fan of Star Wars, when I heard about this latest edition I was geekin out! If you're a Jedi like me (or wanna be) I think this is going to interest

you. ;)

I have tons of info on this book so make sure to check it all out below!



Is the dark side getting you down? Fear not, Padawans, Jedi Knights, and STAR WARS™ fans. Now that the last surviving copy of THE JEDI PATH: A MANUAL FOR STUDENTS OF THE FORCE has been discovered, there will soon be balance in the Force.


A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… a group of ancient Jedi Masters painstakingly set out to define the roles and training practices within the Jedi Order. Just one copy of the venerable tome has survived throughout the centuries, passed from Jedi Masters to their Padawans—and annotated over the years by Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Luke Skywalker, among others.


That’s the legend behind THE JEDI PATH, the training manual for Jedi that’s headed for new generations of STAR WARS fans in a deluxe Special Edition produced by becker&mayer! in collaboration with Lucasfilm, New York Times bestselling author Daniel Wallace, and celebrated STAR WARS illustrators.


"This is the first time a STAR WARS book has been treated as an actual artifact that originated in the STAR WARS universe. This thousand-year old textbook bears the handwritten notes of everyone from Yoda to Luke Skywalker, and it contains souvenirs including Qui-Gon's Padawan braid and a napkin from Dex's Diner," says Carol Roeder, director of publishing for Lucasfilm Ltd.


To heighten the drama of the revered text’s backstory, THE JEDI PATH Special Edition is housed within a sleek mechanical vault that opens with the touch of a button. Accompanied by light and authentic STAR WARS sounds, the book then rises on a platform within the vault.


The 160-page manual has a faux-leather cover featuring embossing and foil stamping, as well as eight removable mementoes tucked within its pages—including Obi-Wan Kenobi’s sketch of his lightsaber (scribbled on a napkin from Dex’s Diner) and the Padawan braid of Qui-Gon Jinn, which was cut off during his Knighting ceremony. The book’s elegant design showcases more than 150 original illustrations by acclaimed STAR WARS artists including Tommy Lee Edwards, Chris Trevas, and Terryl Whitlatch.


1) Get an insider's perspective: For the first time, Lucasfilm™ has authorized a book that comes from INSIDE the STAR WARS universe. This is the "last surviving copy" of a famous Jedi textbook that was all but eliminated following the Clone Wars.


2) STAR WARS artifacts: A metal Jedi credit, a cloth starfighter patch from the Jedi Aces, and a doodled-on napkin from Dex's Diner are among the treasures tuck within the books pages.


3) Yoda's handwriting—and not just Yoda's: The book bears the handwritten notations of the movies' famous Jedi (and Sith), including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Emperor Palpatine, and Luke Skywalker.


4) Qui-Gon's Padawan braid: The venerable Jedi Master placed his severed braid between pages of the book after becoming a Knight. Now it is yours.


5) Secrets never before revealed: Many creatures, characters, and starships have been created exclusively for THE JEDI PATH and are illustrated here for the first time.


6) What they don’t want you to know: The book, authentically aged, even has a section of missing pages where the Emperor tore out sensitive information. Sections that remain contai

n dangerous information on heretics, forbidden Force tech

niques, and the Sith warn of the seductive lure of the dark side


7) Wisdom of the Jedi: The book's text is written by seven all-new Jedi Masters, who put together this collection of teachings a thousand years before the events of the STAR WARS movies. In the movies the Jedi wear utility belts, but what do they keep in all those pouches? THE JEDI PATH provides a detailed look at Jedi field equipment.


8) Graffiti chains: In the book's margins you can follow the scrawled comments of the book's various owners, as an observation from Obi-Wan leads to a clarification by Anakin and a sarcastic follow-up from The Clone Wars' Ahsoka Tano.


9) Lightsaber lore: THE JEDI PATH contains a comprehensive guide to the lightsaber, including combat forms, countermeasures, and eight different lightsaber types.


10) The Jedi Trials: How does a Padawan become a Knight? For the first time the Jedi Trials are explained in detail. And now, the way to Ultimate achievement is revealed. Learn how you might attain the rank of Grand Master, the ultimate title with

in the Jedi Order.


See more about it at www.amazon.com/jedipath and there is also a cool Lucasfilm trailer there.

KD

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. yeah well i came close



Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone, stars Michael Douglas, Josh Brolin, Shia LaBeouf and Carey Mulligan. It hit theaters this weekend. Never one to miss a movie staring Michael Douglas, I made my way to the theater with my movie gal pal, Ceci. :)

Plot Summary:
The sequel to the 1987 popular movie, "Wall Street". This film follows the actions of a Wall Street trader Gordon Gekko after his release from prison. As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor.

This movie review for me is a little hard to write. Let me explain a bit. Something definitely felt off in the script. Ceci and I discussed this for at length after the movie but could not put our finger on exactly what the problem was. To quote her words "the whole thing just needed to be redone". I don't know if I agree with that 100% but I get where she was coming from. Something did not work out, there was a big lack of finesse missing. More smoothness needed maybe? Definitely tricky.

Okay, review time. Bling is one of the big themes in this movie. So much time was taken to show who was wearing what and what fancy shmacny place they got it from. Really? Ok if thats what you want to waste film footage on. Oh wait! Film makes big money on showing off corporate names...got it. No wonder Heineken and Ducati are mentioned so much as well. :P

As for the acting, it was decent. Carey can sure cry on cue, had that water faucet pouring a plenty. Almost became annoying IMO. Michael, Shia and Josh put forth the best performance they could, but it all seems to come back to that script. Not much you can do if its horribly lacking. Cinematography was done well enough, but focus felt more on the architecture around the actors and left me with a feeling of emotion detachment.

Overall, it's a bunch of bling-bling look at my ring and Wall Street mind games. As I myself am such a direct person and HATE being manipulated in any fashion. The whole back stabbing and cut throat business that is Big Money was a huge turn off in it's own right. So again, writing this review comes with mixed emotions for me. And seeing how I was just recently screwed out of some money by a cleaver con-artist, this movie hit very very close to home.

Gets 2 1/2 sheep from me and a big recommendation to miss the high theater ticket price and wait for the dvd.
KD

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Town, a big Boston hug!



The Town, directed by Ben Affleck is signed sealed delivered Boston love. For a reason, Ben (yummy cakes) is the beloved son of Boston. This movie leaves no doubts of his roots and love for that city. The whole cast sports shirts, hats, jogging suits….it's almost overkill but we get the idea. ;) Movie was beyond anything I expected, blew me away with its intensity and over all acting from cast.


Ben not only directed but starts in the film, along with Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm (Hamm and Bubble baby!) Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively. I loved Renner in Hurt Locker. LOVED him in that movie. Now? I have a new favorite for this fine man. He keeps surprising me with acting ability. In this film he's the BFF you want in your conner when things go down, but he's the wild card man. Never know what you're gonna get. mmmm sexy. lol


Blake Lively, again, shocked! I would never have thought her

capable of playing such a dirty part. I'll say this though, girlfriend worked it out! Major kudos to her.


Can you pass the Hamm please. Pass that man all the way down to me. ;) He's the cop you love to hate, got down in the trenches for this role. *you can catch him hosting SNL once again on Oct 30th*


This movie is packed to the brim with action. I am talking edge of your seat, nail biting action! Intense story plot building, so intense you almost want to close your eyes before the tenses explodes. (ask my gf Ceci she looked away several times! lol) Oh yes and I must say there is a definite "thats hot" moment. ;) Ceci knows. Ladies will know, and men please take notes. lol


Overall LOVED this film, keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Best action movie I have seen, hands down all year! Do not miss this one.

KD


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

*Interview with author Gini Koch 9/28/2010*




I Smell Sheep is proud to announce our next author interview! We will be throwing our battery of off kilter questions at talented Sci-Fi Princess, Gini Koch!

If you have not heard of this author (and really what planet are you from if you haven't?) you can check out her latest book Touched by an Alien, reviewed on this very blog by Amber!
Excellent piece of work people and a must read!

The Interview will be posted on Tuesday, September 28th. Amber and I have been known to uncover some juice…and let me just say the juices will be flowin! ;)

Did I mention a giveaway yet? No? Well lets fix that right now!

*in game show host voice* Ladies…lets show our contestants what they might win! Whats behind door number 1!
The winner of this contest will win a fabulous T-Shirt with our very own nerdy-but-oh-so-lovable Richard's design, "Sheeped by an Alien". You do NOT want to miss this.

Tune in next week folks for all the drama that happens when Gini is taken hostage by 2 crazy sheep. ;) same baaat-time, same baaat-place.

Fuzzy Sheep Love;
Amber, Katie and Richard

Monday, September 20, 2010

Easy A




Easy A is a coming of age comedy that stars Emmma Stone as Olive Penderghast; a run of the mill high school girl who gets thrust into infamy by rumors of promiscuity. I have to admit, going into the movie, the only thing that seemed appealing to me was Emma Stone, who's cute but awkward type casting makes her a little like this generation's Drew Berrymore.

To me, the heartfelt flick plays a lot like a modern interpretation of 16 candles with pop heavy, but enjoyable soundtrack. The plot is pretty typical for the genre. It's a narrative walk through the significant points of the movie, concluding in a very nicely tied together ending. I really want to delve into what I enjoyed about the characters, but meh... I'm afraid I'll give away too much! Go see the movie!

Below is an official featurette about Easy A which summarizes the movie from the point of view of several actors in the film. I'd have to say the video's a little spoiler heavy, so if spoilers upset you, don't watch it.




In the end, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the film. It's witty, sarcastic, and funny. If you enjoyed movies like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, you'll really enjoy this film.

I give this movie 4 sheep.