This doesn't look right without a subject...

Wow. I ache. Kinda. Behind the eyes, and at the temples. I didn't sleep much last night, and when I did sleep it wasn't very well. I was up playing Magic with Gene until after 2, woke up around 4, fell asleep after 5, and got up before 7. I slept again between 10 and 1:30, I think...

Today's my last day at home. Tomorrow at around 7 I'll be flying out of here. I think it's a 6-hour flight, with one layover, and I lose three hours, so I'll be back east around 4 in the afternoon, or something. Pray for me, that my trip goes well, and in particular that Snow back East doesn't mess anything up.

Today's Gene's Birthday. He's 18 now. That's kinda creepy. It's OK for Rachel to be 18, but Gene... We're going out to dinner to celebrate, either getting Italian, Mexican, Steak, or Japanese. I'm hoping for the Japanese - mom says they have a Sushi bar.

Want to say a quick 'Happy Birthday' to Leslie and Louis a day in advance, and I think Beth is in need of one as well....? Crafty girl neglected to put her Birthday on her LJ Info, hmmm... Also like t'take this oportuinity to wish Rachel and Claire a good free weekend. I think Rachel's is going to be anything but free, but I think alot of things are letting up on her, so that's cool. And Claire actually managed to get a free weekend in January, so w00+! Enjoy that, dear.

And now I'm going to go... do... something, or something. I'm almost all packed, but mom insists on washing more of my clothes. Gene wants to play me in Magic again, and Tim mentioned something, too -- he's going on a Retreat this weekende as well. I always enjoyed my retreats, but I donno if his is Peer-led or not. Anyways, I guess that's that.

Oh, for those who care: I am in Awe of what Legions promises. The new Magic set comming out at the end of the month looks GREAT. I hate leaks greatly, but as a taste -- 100% creatures, morph Triggers, Provoke as a keyword, the new Amplify mechanic, rumors of Double Strike, and the appearance of Phage and Akroma. They aren't going to pull another Belbe on us, folks, thank Garfeild! The biggest dilemma I have now is whether to shell out the cash for the Prerelease or save up and get my full money's worth in Booster Packs later. Imagine, 145 new creatures....

Alchor's Tome

The book which lay before him was enormous, with a thick hard-leather cover and steal bindings. Arcane sigils which he could not make sense of were etched into the cracked leather, and a sturdy lock-latch lay over the front of the great tome. But the lock was unhooked, and the latch unhinged. He went to open it, slowly, hesitantly, and at his touch a vision flashed in his mind. For a moment he was suspended high over a vast land, looking down as though he were an eagle. Great stretches of plains and forests rolled before him, crashing against solid, unmoving mountains. He could see what seemed to be a great kingdom, and small villages spread out around it. To the south was a wide blasted land, where the trees grew gnarled and black, and the very land looked dead. For only a moment this vision burned into his mind, and then it was gone, leaving him gasping. His fingers shook as he curled them around the cover's edge, his heart pounding with both fear and anticipation. He lifted it but a breath's span and the book shot open by it's own power, the multitude of pages flipping past as though caught in a strong wind. The pages glowed, and he was consumed by a harsh blue light. More visions came. A great harbor at the blue seacoast, swarming with both sailors and pickpockets. Deep within the mountains, a great beast spewed fire into his darkened lair, red light glinting off untold treasures. High atop a cliff stood a figure, his black cloak billowing in the mountain-top gales, his hands outstretched, glowing with dark energies. A mighty castle engulfed in flames, the the surrounding town left in ruins. Two armies, one clad in white the other in red, charge towards each other with a deafening cry. Two aged old men sitting in a vast starry void, playing a game of chess with pieces that bleed. He slammed the book shut, his arms aching from effort, his head spinning as the visions lingered on the back of his eyes. The runes of the cover glowed brightly with mystic energy, slowly fading away. He could see things at the edge of his vision, things which vanished when he looked directly at them. The very air seemed to crackle. There is power in these words.