So, this is it.
The 4 Power’s is finally out in New Zealand and Australia! Depending on its success it may appear in other countries. Who knows? But it deserves the chance for the world to know it. It’s such a great book. But as the author’s sister, I have to argue why it’s such a good book.
So I will!
Please bear in mind that it has been 7 years in the making, and this is the first time I am allowed to say anything about the story to the public. Which is weird!
REASONS WHY THE 4 POWERS DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION
- The plot is original—Someone tell me a story of an advanced race of people stuck on a starship with no destination and no idea where they are from, and a boy who manages to travel back in time because of a strange jewel to an age where their race is still on their planet and have elemental powers? No?
- The entire story is intriguing—the above comment was about the first book. (No more comment about that!) Nah, I like the world better than Harry Potter (which seems really unoriginal in comparison to be honest. Despite it being such an addictive series itself)
- The characters are loveable—all stories should have this quality, and the 4 Powers nails it. You have to be able to want to be the main character, despite their failures and also you have to ‘love to hate’ the bad guy, not just hate him.
- The back story is extensive—Michael has actually created this entire race of people, the world, the language and stories behind all the characters. It’s not a piece of fluff. He takes this story very seriously and most of it hasn’t even been shown … yet
- It’s addictive—It actually is. I’m 20 years old and despite the level of reading, I love it.
- It’s a smart and funny book—if the extensive amount of work behind the creation of the story’s world wasn’t enough for you, and least I can argue that the Robot Toy Superia the Magnificent is a hoot. And I suppose Sir Asutab in brain form too ha ha
- The writing—I thought I should throw this in, despite my lack of knowledge on the subject. I think it’s well written. It has twists, unpredictable outcomes and a way of really making you wish you were from that world instead of Earth
- Boron Delaxid—there I’ve said it. I love Boron Delaxid. Now the world knows. (Yes this counts as a point. You know it’s great when you have sad fangirls crushing on a ficticious character [the difference however, between me and say, a Twilight fangirl? I love the character platonically]).
I know I shouldn’t have been hinting about a sequel when there is no chance yet of it being published. But I just really want this series to run through (because Michael has barely told me 5% of what happens and I am dying to know!)
Oh yeah, and that thing called Semi-Permanent I went to? Amazing. I haven’t enough photos for a blog update yet, but one day! I particularly want to mention how I was in a STORM THORGERSON photo [called F*** Avatar]. For those who don’t know, Storm is a famous graphic designer known for the album cover design The Darker Side of the Moon (and other Pink Floyd album covers), Muse’s album designs and many more. It was an honourable experience.
Buuut…my bro’s book takes priority now anyway.
For those interested in buying a copy but don’t have it at their local book dealer, visit Michael’s website.
HAPPY READING 
Samantha
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A quick note on where I am….
I’m very busy getting into my final degree project [sneak peeks will be coming in over the next 10-12 weeks] and sorting out my 21st but this coming weekend is going to be pretty epic for me. Here’s why…
August 20 + 21st Aotea Center, Auckland
Semi-Permanent Design Conference 2010!
August 22nd, Aotea Center, Auckland (same location as above)
My brother’s first book launch at Storylines Festival!
Talk about coincidence. And I only found out this week that the design conference and book launch were on same weekend and same location! Bonus, because I could BE THERE for my brother, instead of being stuck 6 hours drive south, in a town that nobody cares about.
Anyway, it’s all very exciting—Semi Permanent is going to be AMAZING and if any NZ readers are going to be going, let me know! I’m also
very very very excited for the release of
The 4 Powers of Daren Saner, which is creeping up fast! It’s all still so surreal. I mean, I didn’t write the story, that’s all my brothers creation (although I like to claim that I helped in some small ways) but it’s been such a big part of my life and I’m so happy for him. He’s going to go far (not that he hasn’t already!).
:)
I’ll be back soon!
Samantha
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Just a quick update to let everyone know where I’ve been!
I’ve recently moved to Wanganui for my final year of university. My course starts in a matter of days so I’ve been focusing all my attention to the move and settling in the flat. I had to drive 5 hours straight yesterday so I’m very tired. But everything’s good, and it’s good to be back in lil old Wanganui. But I’m missing Hamilton already!
Thanks for people’s feedback on my illustrations. Hopefully I’ll get some more stuff up shortly. Time is just the issue here.
But before I do go, I want to put a spotlight onto Canadian-Kiwi Anna Paquin. I like her fashion because it’s simple and elegant but not boring. My unwritten rule for fashion is that fashion isn’t about being different or crazy (unless you’re Lady Gaga), it’s about what works for you. and all these outfits work for Anna!
What is your unwritten rule for fashion?
Samantha
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Welcome to twenty-ten and good riddance to those hideous 2000-and-somethings! Looking back over the decade: the schooling years and the decade holding my teenage era, it was well… uneventful. I had my memorable moments of course, and the last two years were the best of them all but well, I was ten when I entered, so I hadn’t had much life experience. The 2010’s hold more experience and excitement for me I should hope. Here’s to a new era!
In New Zealand, the first to celebrate the new year
My best mate Kelly and I decided last minute to go out. There we bumped into some of our other friends by chance. Too bad the countdown was in a crappy nightclub instead of somewhere more beautiful.
The New Zealand Herald listed the top “in” and “out” things for the 2000’s:
What’s in
- Digital Music players (MP3s, iPods)
- Satellite Navigation systems in cars
- Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Bluetooth, internet-capable cellphones
- Flat-screen TVs
- DVDs, Blue-ray discs
- Reality TV
- Barack Obama
- Twenty20 Cricket
- Environmentalism
- Metrosexuality
- Tattoos
What’s out
- Walkmans, discmans
- Fax machines
- VCRs
- Box-shaped TVs
- Five-cent pieces
- George Bush
- Saddam Hussein
- Letterwriting
Frankly, our “in” list wasn’t that exciting, despite our “futuristic” achievements, and our “out” list was just as mediocre. I was a bit disappointed that letter-writing was on the out list. But really, 3 things the last decade predicted never turned out: No significant terror attack in the west, no killer pandemic and no economic depression. I suppose that’s a good thing, but it’s almost..well.. disappointing. Who’s really going to remember these years anyway? We’ll remember these years as the Years of paranoia.
Anyway, 100 years ago it was the 1910’s and 50 years ago the 1960’s. My nostalic-despite-never-having-experienced-them-years. So I’m assuming this decade will be the one for me. It’s my fourth decade, despite me being only 20. Then again, can you count the 3 months of the 80’s I “experienced”?
And what about the “celebrity” deaths this year? It was rather significant actually. Who were the memorable ones?:
- Michael Jackson
- Farrah Fawcett
- Patrick Swayze
- DJ AM
- Brittany Murphy
- Jade Goody
- Jett Travolta
- Ted Kennedy
- Natasha Richardson
I had to google this list. And these mentioned are only a small percentage. Celebrities.. we’ve got too many of them. Three on the list died from Cancer. Two from Heart Attacks (presumed drug-related). One age, one drugs, one a sporting accident and one an epileptic-induced accident (right?). Sad though. Life happens. Or happened, in their case. (maytheyrestinpeace ¬_¬)
So I’ve drifted off from a design related blog but I did want to share one thing. Most holiday bloggers are taking their time off so I haven’t spotted many interior and home designs online recently, apart from this one:
Absolutely. Breathtaking. I love it. It’s so me. Click on the image to see more.
I’m currently reading The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy. It’s interesting, and I wonder where I’m heading with it.
And if anyone cares to know what else I am up to these days? Two words: Jobless and sunburnt. Bring it on 2010!
Samantha
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Hey, remember my “personal goal”? Well, of course you do. It was my last blog post. (Which was in September, I’m bad I know, but I’ve been busy with end of year activities). Well anyway, I accomplished it actually. I met the Prime Minister of my country and it was a real pleasure. Mr Key is, not only a babe in real life, but a true, down-to-earth gentleman. When I met him, I introduced myself, he asked me how old I was and what I do, and proceeded to take a few photos with me (particularly after my friend noted that I had a facebook page dedicated to meeting him, to which he responded: “Well we’ll have to have a photo then”).
So here’s the photo. Doesn’t he look dashing. Never mind me.
I must say, it wasn’t really to do with the FB group I made that got me to complete this goal. It was more having good contacts… So shout out to Chad for helping me out there. Lol.
In other news, I’m suffering Facebook withdrawal symptoms because my account was hacked and “temporarily” disabled, my summer job is my life atm, end of year at course was good, my grades weren’t too bad, and my dad and Stephen and Michael are in Africa until mid January so Christmas has passed (we had it before they left). Well, a small and simple dinner and present-opening session.
Summer is good, but I wish I wasn’t so absorbed with my job, because I’m just not getting things I want to do accomplished coz I’m just so tired when I get home and on my days off.
I’m going to attempt to make a new web layout soon, but planning it is taking fo’ evah because I just cant decide what I want to do. I’ll update more later. Please comment, dear readers, because I just don’t know who reads this site anymore!
Samantha
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Like Star Trek before it, Harry Potter is inspiring inventors to created new media technologies that reflect those in the book. Of course, we can’t create magic, but we can create techno-magic! (Haha shout outs to Michael for that one!)
Posted on Mugglenet:
Potter meets real world: moving pictures in print!
We all know that there have been numerous attempts at a real life invisibility cloak in the Muggle world, but here’s a new one: in the next issue of Entertainment Weekly, CBS will be publishing video ads within the printed magazine itself! Daily Prophet and/or moving portraits much? From the Financial Times:
The cost of the full-motion video ad was not disclosed, but it will be far more expensive than traditional print ads, according to executives familiar with the technology, developed by a US company called Americhip.
The willingness to spend on such a promotion highlights the radical means marketers are employing to reach consumers at a time when a growing number of people are using new technologies such as digital video recorders to avoid ads.
“It’s part of the future—a way to engage consumers in new and surprising ways,” said George Schweitzer, president of CBS marketing group. “How do you sample a drink? You give them a taste.”
Unfortunately, the ads will only be issues delivered to New York and Los Angeles residents.
Paving the way for the future! Go fiction!
Now onto my personal life… Please don’t read on if you’re from my class! Haha
Scholastic had a look at the illustration I did for my brother’s novel, and they said it was brilliant, however they were already looking into members of their illustration crew and all that. They wanted a professional with industry experience. Which is fair enough, but why say they want to see some of my work? I mean, I guess they were being courteous to Michael, which was decent of them because Michael shouldn’t have asked (though yey, my brother rocks) but still it kinda wasted my time… Ah well. Michael liked the drawings so that’s fine.
I noticed I haven’t updated in a month. Why? Just imagine school work is like a piled up closet, and I open the door…
Yes.
That, and I haven’t been bothered blogging in a while. That scam thing was all sorted—I got me moneh back! Yey!
Oh I had the most bizarre dream last night (I hope it continues tonight). I had a dream that someone was meant to get married but it ended up it was MY marriage to some guy (perhaps the first couple canceled so we didn’t want to waste a good ceremony?). Now half of me was my dream self, where everything made perfect sense, the other half was my wake self, who was thinking “wait.. I’m only 19! Wait.. who IS this guy I’m marrying, I’m single!” So I was half freaking out and not wanting to go through with it and half thinking that this was all so so exciting.
Obviously in dreams it takes forever and a day to get to the wedding. Make up took forever to get on, I myself took until nightfall before I finally left the building (the wedding was outside) and I kept getting held up. I wasn’t even in a white dress (one of my nice dresses, but still) and my best friends weren’t there. Like two of my high school friends (WHO?? I can’t put a finger on it) were my bridesmaids and they weren’t even in matching dresses. Which made me think this really all WAS a sudden idea. My DAD even came into the building (when I was taking forever to get out) to tell me that I should go through with it…My DAD supporting me getting MARRIED at MY AGE! Yeah right!.. (In my dream everyone thought I was having cold feet, but I just kept getting held up). So eventually I got out and walked down the aisle. It was dark though. And I “saw” who it was I was getting married to, but not really. Some tall guy with brown hair who was a bit older than me—about 10 years? And I sensed he was good looking, although I couldn’t see the face. And I got a name too—although I don’t know anyone called that. So if I meet someone with that name I’ll completely freak! (Though I searched it up on google and it turned out to be some british actor—fitted the description too! Too bad he’s married haha).
I woke up feeling I had not slept a wink. And I went online to find out the interpretation and Dreammoods.com said this: “To dream that you are planning your own wedding to someone you never met, is a metaphor symbolizing the union of your masculine and feminine side. It represents a transitional phase where you are seeking some sort of balance between your aggressive side and emotional side. Two previously conflicting aspects are merging together as one.”
What aggressive side? I know I’m a man*, but really, the most aggressive I get is watching Dragonball Z politics.
Hmm. Well Kelly had a dream I gave this guy I used to think liked me a chance. So hey, I might marry this gorgeous guy but before I have to date this other boy I don’t even like. But we all know dreams don’t come true. If so, I would be pashing Ralph Fiennes any day now! (That was the raunchiest dream I’ve ever had. It was great! Hahahahaha..?)
*I say I’m a man coz I’m surrounded by too many guys and it’s probably affected my DNA in some way.
Samantha
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Samantha Oehley is a 20 year old undergraduate at the Wanganui School of Design in New Zealand. Her interests include the 1960s and 1910s, the Beatles, politics, reading, music and drawing. She has a thing for Priests and Authority figures, and has the habit of always exaggerating things to a more dramatic scale 
