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by eden

Romantic apocalypse… a beautiful mess

January 25, 2012 in Eden's Posts

There’s a bit of ecstasy in a romantic apocalypse —I really believe this. It’s so easy to get addicted to the tug of war and the push and pull of the love that cannot be or the one you can’t find. No matter what the reason behind it, there’s something about it that you just can’t let go of. I guess it must be like heroin to a junky—you know that hit may possibly kill you, but you can’t do without it. You don’t want to do without it.

Weren’t some of the most famous fantasy romance novels Romeo and Juliet and Gone With the Wind? Wasn’t Casablanca one of the most popular movies of all time? Everyone loves to watch the despair between two people whose love is out of their hands, yet so consuming and gut wrenching that they will endure anything to be with that other person. Even death. Yes, it’s very much an addiction, possibly worse than any drug—because you can feel everything no matter how addicted you are to this kind of tumultuous love. You feel the pain and the uncertainty with every waking breath—sometimes even in your sleep. It sneaks into your dreams like an evil demon that chases you and no matter how hard you try, you can’t get away.

There’s a reason why some call it an adventure romance. It’s not about two people going on some fun adventure together, hiking through some new mountain or sailing off on a booze cruise. It’s the twists and turns they have to endure to be together, the uncertainty and permanent state of limbo. The adrenaline rush of knowing you’re about to see the love of your life—and the not knowing if it will be the last time you ever see them.

When I originally started my campaign to save the pearls, I was dead set against finding a mate. I didn’t want an adventure romance, didn’t believe it really existed. I thought it was like an iconic screen star of the past—the epitome of glamour and perfection, bringing each scene to life effortlessly and without doubt. Something to think about when you look at how much the world has changed.

Now here I am, possibly on the brink of my own romantic apocalypse. Jamal says we’re going to mate, but he’s yet to set a date. He keeps pushing it off, but my time is running out. I should be working on finding another mate with my limited free time. Instead, I’m trying to save the pearls and reading fantasy romance novels, searching for some key to unlocking the success of my own. In the meantime, I’m getting more and more attached to the painfully delicious ups and downs of this feeling. It’s like a rollercoaster I never want to get off of.

Will I or won’t I survive my own romantic apocalypse? I suspect that I may need to get off the rollercoaster if I want to live past my 18th birthday. Yet if I somehow do, whether Jamal finally lives up to his word, I find another or my father’s experiment works, will I be destined to a life filled with the horrific ecstasy that is connected to this kind of relationship? It’s hard to figure out which is better.

Source: Blogs.discovery.com

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by eden

What is a romantic apocalypse?

January 14, 2012 in Eden's Posts

Everyone keeps asking what exactly a romantic apocalypse is, so I figured I should try to explain it for the sSave the Pearls community. I receive messages from so many people trying to guess what it is—some of the funniest include “The world ends because all of the fantasy and adventure is wiped from the face of the planet,” or “When civilization ends abruptly due to the lack of romance throughout,” and my absolutely favorite, “When a jilted lover uses his suffering to fuel a Columbine-style attack on all the major hot spots of the world.” I think these people are reading too many young adult books, because those theories couldn’t be any less realistic.

A romantic apocalypse actually defines the movement that the Coals have secretly launched against us. It’s their quest to eradicate all that is left of the Pearls, extinguishing any chance of our survival or return to happier socioeconomic times. It’s their pledge that if all Pearls don’t find a mate, they will be eliminated from society. It’s obviously an underground movement, just like the Save the Pearls campaign is a stealth community.

In most young adult books, there are the villains who threaten the main characters. In some stories, they are obviously evil and often decked with supernatural powers, while in others they are simply the bane of the protagonist’s existence—whether they stand in the way of a fantasy romance or provide some other obstacle to achieving their dreams. In our world, they are the Coals and the FFP, both trying to use their power in ways that defy humanity and decency.

While that may not be an answer that will satisfy fans of fantasy and adventure, it’s the one that counts. We have to be realistic and fully comprehend what we’re dealing with here. Pearls continue to disappear every day, never to be found—all in that same age range: 18 for females and 24 for males. Some are reported, while others are not. Each being that goes missing either refused to find a mate or just had zero luck in the fantasy romance department. Once they reach their “deadline,” it’s only a matter of time before they come. No one has ever escaped to tell the story of exactly who “they” are and what actually happens, but we know it’s no bueno.

Whether a romantic apocalypse is a bloody massacre or a stealth attack that the victim doesn’t see coming, it’s not good and definitely not fun. I wish all other Pearls good luck in mating so they can avoid this dark cloud that infinitely hangs over our heads. In the meantime, I’ll continue to try my hardest to make our cause the thing that stops this horrible movement.

Source: layoutsparks.com

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by eden

Nuns, Priests & Potters—Perfect Jobs for an Apocalypse World

January 12, 2012 in Apocalypse World

In our last post, we shared career options for the apocalypse world. However, if you truly believe the apocalypse is near and you’re not interested in becoming a nurse or mortician (or you haven’t started school for those kind of jobs yet), rest easy, because we’ve got more ideas for you. So put down those young adult fantasy books, enroll where you need to, start studying and get your new career going because that Mayan clock is ticking for some of you, and for others, like you unlucky Pearls, it’s the tick tock of the birthday clock that has you on edge.

Priests and Nuns
You may think “Why would we need priests and nuns in an apocalypse world?” Same reason the demand for morticians will be so great—when your loved ones die, you’ll need comfort. As the world crumbles around you and your life becomes worse than the end of the world scenarios you’ve read about in the most graphic science fiction and fantasy books, you may suddenly want to find God. Many of us find the Lord in our time of need—and priests and nuns can help you do exactly that. They can provide solace in times of desperate grief and provide an ear for that confession you want to make when you believe the end is near.

If this sounds like the perfect career for you, or even if it doesn’t, the path here is easy. Who is going to know whether you’ve truly studied for either of these vocations? Sounds like all you have to do is grab yourself a bible and a nun or priest costume and you’re good to go! You could probably even wrap your favorite young adult fantasy book in a bible cover and wax philosophical if you hate the sound of psalms and passages from the bible. Just call yourself a member of the modern day clergy.

Potter
The next career option may not excite you science fiction and fantasy fans, but it will be a critical role to play in an apocalypse world society: Potter. When all that is left for us to work with is mud caked with the blood and guts of the innocent, someone who knows what to do with this new form of raw material will be cashing in. Artistic talent and mastery of ceramic arts won’t even be necessary for this arena. You just need to be able to make durable goods with practical functions—plates, bowls, shelter, a pot to %$&# in. You’ve got the idea.

If we do actually recover from whatever romantic apocalypse style catastrophe occurs, the career path for a good potter is unlimited—you’ll be the creator of your own destiny. You can make anything from bloody mud and once civilization begins to rebuild, you’ll have a lot of choices for using this coveted talent. If you are artistic, you could become the new Michelangelo if you really want. You could build pueblo style houses, office buildings or even churches! This really could be the chance you’ve been looking for to make a new life for yourself.

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by ethics officer

Hot Jobs for an Apocalypse World

January 5, 2012 in Apocalypse World

Yes, it’s true—2012 is here and whether or not the apocalypse world is upon us, there are masses preparing for the worst case scenario. Since we’re in the habit of trying to save the Pearls, we’ve got an arsenal of strategies to prepare you for this science fiction and fantasy series of speculations that so many of you are most likely subscribing to.

Whether we’re overcome by zombies or the Coals unleash a plan to eradicate the Pearls, once the apocalypse world is in full effect, supplies are going to be scarce. At some point, when we start getting back on track with some form of society, we’re going to need some skills that are specific to this new world we’ll be living in. This means an entirely new career path for all those who want to survive—and those who dream of becoming authors of young adult fantasy novels need not apply. That MFA, degree in Art History or certificate in online marketing is probably not going to be too handy once we find ourselves fighting for our lives.

On all those sites like Monster, Craigs List and MSN, there are already a slew of what they call “recession-proof jobs,” and those for areas in failed economies, like the places where foreclosures were rampant. One of the number one post-meltdown jobs that will stand the test of all the atrocities any type of apocalypse world can incur is: Nurse.

It’s hard to think of what could be more valuable than a nurse in times of distress. Even those of you who had that dream of writing young adult fantasy novels can find some romance in nursing others back to health.

While all the best science fiction and fantasy novels lead us to believe that zombies will be out to kill and eat us all, we don’t know this for a fact. When was the last time you actually hung out with a zombie? In fact, the undead may need our help as well. That brings me to another hot career for the apocalypse world: Mortician. This will come in handy no matter what form the end of the world occurs in—whether it’s zombies, natural disasters or in the sad case that we don’t save the Pearls.

There will be piles of dead to embalm and prepare for funerals and eventual burials. Morticians will be critical to preventing the spread of whatever diseases occur in the aftermath. Plus, even when their lives are at stake, people are by nature very superstitious and will go to great lengths to ensure their loved ones receive proper burials. Not the most enticing career, but fundamental to the survival of whatever is left of the population, and therefore, very lucrative.

Source: Medcitynews.com

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by eden

Cleaning the slate for an adventure romance

January 4, 2012 in Eden's Posts

It’s a new year and we’re all still here. Some of us Pearls have found that adventure romance, while others struggle to find a mate—especially the girls who are about to turn 18. Yeah, that’s me. Even though I’m secretly dating a Coal (okay, maybe not so secretly, since all of you know), who made me believe in love again at first. Now it feels like I’m back where I started, worried about meeting my doomed fate: a romantic apocalypse. I’m having issues with trusting him and am wondering about the way he acts.

What my super wise Ethics Officer told me to do is make sure that I’m seeing Jamal for who he is, not what I want him to be. She says I think I’m the heroine in one of my fantasy and adventure books, with some supernatural ability to see the future, and that I’m mistaking who he really is with his potential. So what do I do from here? How do I clean the slate and see him for who he is, since from what I hear, boys just do not change—especially a Coal? If I don’t fix the way I’m feeling, it will surely be the end of our adventure romance.

Maybe I should just sage my room and chant to get rid of my evil thoughts. Or I could do a voodoo spell on him that will make him put our adventure romance on top of his list of priorities. There has to be some way to remove the last few weeks from my mind, all the times I’ve caught him flirting with my skanky coworker Ashina. I wouldn’t care if she wasn’t a Coal too. He says that doesn’t matter to him, but at the same time, he seems really into his image. Can I trust that he’ll really be okay with mating a lowly Pearl when he can live out all the fantasy and adventure he’s ever wanted with someone of his own kind?

If I want to make this work and avoid the romantic apocalypse that’s looming over me, then I’ve got to get rid of this energy. I’ve got to purge it, be open to who he really is and stop trying to put enough Midnight Luster on to coat an entire schoolroom. Any suggestions?

Source: Hackadelic.com

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by eden

Resolutions— Keeping the Fantasy Romance Alive

December 30, 2011 in Eden's Posts

I’m working on my resolutions, even though 2012 could be my last year here, since I’m a lowly, coming-of-age Pearl. I’ve got two sets of resolutions: the first is focused on keeping my fantasy romance alive—because if I don’t, I’m history.

Become a better listener. Sometimes your mate needs you to just be there and listen, so I’m going to focus on doing that, instead of always trying to come up with a solution. I’ve got enough on my plate with the Save the Pearls campaign, working on my young adult fantasy novels and preparing for 2012—I just need to be there to listen, not solve everything.

Make time for dates. I’m going to come up with new things we can try to do together and make sure that we squeeze one-on-one time in whenever we can get away with it. I’m going to keep the fantasy romance alive by treating every time like it’s a first date—I’ll get dressed up and make sure my Midnight Luster is applied perfectly, make my room looks nice and not talk about the romantic apocalypse with him anymore!

Get myself together. I’m going to get in the best shape possible, which will help me prepare for the instance of an apocalypse world as well. My plan is to study hand-to-hand combat so that I can be as strong as the heroines of all my favorite young adult fantasy novels.

Be appreciative. Instead of worrying about what I think Jamal’s doing wrong or what he isn’t doing, I plan to show my appreciation for what he does do. I’m going to make sure that I don’t complain and instead give lots of compliments.

Be positive. I’m also going to look at the glass as half full—meaning, I will think positively about my future and forget about the possibility of a romantic apocalypse.

Source: Realityolympia.com

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by ethics officer

Strategies for an Apocalypse World

December 29, 2011 in Apocalypse World

All the media headlines about terrorism, global warming and conflicts in the Middle East, coupled with the publicity surrounding the end of the Mayan calendar, seem to point to the imminence of an apocalypse world. While some of our focus at the Save the Pearls headquarters is to diffuse the hype, we also want the population to be prepared for anything. For all we know, a romantic apocalypse could indicate the beginning of the end.

A friendly Coal I know who is an expert in apocalypse world safety was nice enough to share some helpful strategies with us. Put these into effect immediately!

1) Get in prime physical shape. This is an obvious advantage for finding an adventure romance, but it’s going to be a prerequisite for survival. You’re going to need to be able to stay up for hours on end, travel by foot, run lengthy distances and possibly fight off otherworldly creatures.

2) Find a mate quick. Not only is this critical for Pearls, but it will improve your chances of survival. While it’s always fun to be involved in adventure romance, this will be a whole other level of getting to know one another, so it’s best to already have your relationship established. If you’re currently single, create online profiles on the save the pearls site and get out there and meet others who are trying to find a mate. Make yourself as attractive as possible, go on dates as much as possible, and read books and blog posts on how to have a successful relationship.

3) Get acquainted with weaponry. Stockpile as many guns, knives, hatchets and machetes as possible—and learn how to use them like a pro. Take safety classes as well as combat classes so that you can master the arts and give yourself the best chances possible of surviving in an apocalypse world. You may even want to take up some bad a&$ form of martial arts such as Jiu Jitsu, Karate or Judo to improve your physical health and improve your chances in the case of hand to hand combat.

Source: monstersandcritics.com

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by eden

Fantasy romance—is honesty key?

December 29, 2011 in Eden's Posts

Is honesty crucial for having a successful fantasy romance? People have told me that without it, a relationship is destined to fail. In young adult books, there’s always some sort of repercussion or punishment for not telling the truth. Yet aren’t there some things that can be excluded to save another’s feelings? Aren’t there some small details that you can hide from your partner if they don’t ask? Does your perfect mate really need to know everything—I mean, does Jamal really need to see me apply my Midnight Luster or know that I have to wear three coats of it?

Isn’t keeping the fantasy romance alive more important than your mate knowing every single detail about you? There’s something about mystery that makes someone hotter. I’m beginning to think that while it’s important to be honest about some things, being too open can massacre love. While honesty is literally about telling the truth when asked a question, openness falls under the TMI category (too much information!). Constantly spitting out the truth when no one’s asking can ruin some of the relationship’s fantasy and adventure.

The protagonists in young adult books often end up in successful relationships, though in the beginning they may be hiding a secret. While lying about something can possibly ruin even the strongest fantasy romance, so can offering TMI. It may be good to share all your feelings with your perfect mate, yet will intimacy really be lost if you tell them about all of your exes? There may be some truth to that the old adage, “What you don’t know doesn’t hurt you.” Is it worth it more to keep the fantasy and adventure alive in your relationship or should you tell all? Clearly, one choice sounds more fun than the other. Let me know what you guys think!

Source: cmichellestyles.com

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by eden

Fantasy romance… should this be my solstice goal?

December 24, 2011 in Apocalypse World

I’m blown away by all the responses to my last post about the solstice. I had so many emails asking whether my goal is to find a new fantasy romance or work out the one I have with Jamal. Lol, what about the more important things, like my campaign to save the pearls?

Clearly, this campaign and helping my father succeed with his experiment are my ultimate goals.  Yet I’m also focused on saving myself from a romantic apocalypse. Who wouldn’t be? And it looks like the only way to do so is to keep things going with Jamal and hope that he finally commits or once again get back in the game, trying to find a mate—which sounds so gross!

I’ve been trying to maintain our fantasy romance, but honestly, it’s getting tougher by the day. He’s got the upper hand, since he’s a coal and all. I feel like the whole honeymoon period must be wearing off—before, all I could think about was him and I had no issues with him whatsoever. I was blind to his flaws and just wanted to make him happy. Now I’m starting to feel uncomfortable with some of the things I see him doing and my trust is fading.

At first, every time we saw each other, there was an overwhelming feeling of fantasy romance—it was almost tangible. The spark and chemistry that made me feel so alive—the kind of thing you read about in young adult books. Yet I’m starting to realize that you can’t force those feelings. If they fade, you’ve got to accept it—or maybe they were never really there in the first place. After all, I’m a pearl and he’s a coal. Could we really ever have a future?

So in answer to everyone’s question—my priority is still the save the pearls campaign.  If, at the same time, I can save myself from a romantic apocalypse, then that’s pure awesomeness.

The only other goal I set this solstice is to continue to get my story out there—I’ve got to get the rest out there before it’s too late. Whether it’s disguised as fodder for young adult books or accepted as a memoir doesn’t matter to me. The pearls know the truth, and the more people who get exposed to it, the greater our chance of survival.

 

Source: StJohnweddings.com

 

 

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by ethics officer

Is the Apocalypse World upon us?

December 22, 2011 in Apocalypse World

Since the solstice is upon us, many are talking about all the signs and rumors around the future existence of an apocalypse world. While I agree that we should prepare for the worst, at the same time, some of these rumors have no basis and others simply stem from a paranoid mentality. Many cite the Gulf oil spill, the tsunami in Japan, various earthquakes throughout the world and the uprisings in the Middle East as indicators of the end of the world. In reality, science shows us that these natural disasters are exactly that, and not the result of the anger of the gods above. This is not science fiction and fantasy—this is a real world we live in, and if we have anything to worry about, it’s The Heat or the inability to find a mate.

Many others, especially those who spend their days buried in  young adult fantasy books, refer to the “Mayan prediction of the 2012 apocalypse.” They cite the Mayan’s ability to predict future events, but there is no physical evidence of the 2012 prediction—they simply had a calendar system that ended in 2012. The Mayans never said the world would end that year, and modern day Mayans show irritation at this widespread rumor. Again, more fodder for science fiction and fantasy books.

In terms of other “signs” of an apocalypse world referred to by proponents of this rumor, oil spills happen often—according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, approximately one billion gallons of oil spills into oceans each year. While devastating, natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis have occurred for thousands of years. And we’re still here, aren’t we?

While they may not be written about in the oh-so-popular young adult fantasy books, uprisings in the Middle East have gone on since the beginning of time.

Whether or not 2012 brings “the end,” via the Heat, the Uni-Gov or the apocalypse of 2012, people are capitalizing on it. There’s been a flood of films, young adult books, survival kits and more to hit the marketplace. It sounds like a hoax and a half to this Ethics Officer! The only real threat of an apocalypse we really have to worry about is the one caused by the Heat or what the Uni-Gov has in store for Pearls. Instead of falling for the hype, my advice is to spend your time trying to find a mate or a way to permanently protect yourself from the heat.

Source: Belieftnet.com

 

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