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Japanese Dragon Time

Japanese Dragon Time

This weekend, I sheparded my ten-year-old son through part of a school project. As the 3-d portion of the display, he wanted to make a Japanese dragon.

Not easy!

First, we had to talk about the materials. He didn’t like the idea of paper maché or plaster of paris. He wanted real clay, and not play clay either but the real deal.

I’m very thankful that there was a Michaels Arts and Crafts store nearby. It was raining and cold, and the store was crowded. We ran into two other 5th-graders, so he’s not the only one running up against the deadline! We got the red backboard display, and some shiney lettering, red felt, gray clay – with tools, red spray paint, gold leaf flakes, ruby-red glitterglue, “jewel” stickers, all kinds of supplies. We also picked up a balsa-wood model of the dragon, to be a base over which he could model the clay. I was thinking that the thicker the clay layers were, the longer it would take to dry. Unfortunately, the “puzzle” aspect was indiscipherable, and eventually both of us gave up on it.
So – freeform it is!

The first attempt was too small, and was gettisoned.

The second attempt was great, but as the clay started to shrink, parts of it – including the whole spinal fin – snapped off.

Art is sometimes a matter of figuring out things as you go along.

Ben patched the dragon, and used the opportunity to add some twirly twigs and pipe-cleaner claws.

Patching the Dragon

We waited as long as we could for stage two to dry, then we went outside. It was very cold, and windy. Spraying the clay with red paint was very easy. While it was wet, Ben wanted to try to get the gold leaf flakes into it. Most of the flakes blew away (although I still have a fair bit in my hair – tenacious stuff!). I thought it looked good just painted red, but he really wanted there to be gold in it. We watered down some Elmer’s glue and smoothed the flakes as much as we could with a toothbrush.

By now, the base was covered with drying glue, and the flakes were more like chunks. Ben wanted to give up – it didn’t look the way he had pictured it!

Glue and Flakes

Continue! Onwards and upwards!

He slopped on more glue over the paint and flakes, and it started to look better. We took a break.

I suggested lots of ideas. “Would you like to use the ruby glitter-glue along the spine?” No.
“Would you like to use a Sharpie to draw scales or texture?” No.
“Would you like to cut out other materials – feathers, paper, anything – to add something to the head and tail?” No.

Finally, he said that the dragon should be set off from the base. We had some vinyl, and some scrapbooking paper, and even aluminum foil. None of these seemed to look right to him.

“I think it needs pebbles because it’s a symbol for a sea god,” he decided.

We went outside. There are a whole bunch of little pebbles. Then he asked me for some of *my* pebbles – tumbled aventurine and other things that I like to collect. Sigh. Ok. I showed him how to spray adhesive to the base, and Ben spent an hour picking his favorite bits of rock from outside and from my collection.

He’s getting good with the painting! This was the easiest part – spray the whole thing with clear shellac. That helped the pebbles stay put and added a nice gloss to the whole thing. Now the gold flakes won’t be falling off like leprosy either. Good!

The last touch? “Jewel” stickers along the edge of the spiny scales. A little bit of sparkle.

All done. He loves it. Yay.

Dragon, Completed

Backboard, first steps… and done for the day. No writing on the novel today… but… it was fun working on some art with my boy. He’s a great artist.

Dragon and Backboard Beginning

Now, does anyone know how to get gold leaf flakes out of your hair? A shower didn’t do it (grin).

My Ninja Army

My Ninja Army

I have a new “zone-out” activity. I crank my iPod and play Pirates vs. Ninjas on Facebook. It’s a simple virtual dice game, on which you wager a specific amount of “gold” per play. You can attack individuals on the other side, and you defend against them too.

After accumulating over a thousand plays as a Pirate (I told you I used it to zone out), I had gained and lost an enormous amount of gold. Someone with a lot more gold can wager up to half my amount, and take it all in a couple of big bites – and this happens a lot.

I had no idea about the background story when I accepted the invitation to play. When you attack, you can send a brief message, and after a few volleys of this sort with a very sweet woman, I decided that I was really more of a Ninja than a Pirate. You can only switch once (and I didn’t realize that you lose your experience points when you do) but evidently the new affiliation agrees with me. Since I switched sides two days ago, I’ve accumulated almost 4000 pieces of gold and only dropped by a couple of hundred points a couple of times.

If you add me as a friend, be prepared to get invitations to vampires, zombies, werewolves and slayers too. I love these little games, and I get points just for inviting you. No worries if you don’t feel like playing.

Dragons, Gods, Goddesses, and Nymphs

Dragons, Gods, Goddesses, and Nymphs

What dragon species are you? (Stunning pics)



Fire Dragon
Rage, passion, you burn with the essence of a powerful flame. You are powerful and majestic and dont let anyone stand in your way without a fight.
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What is your Inner Dragon (neat pictures)



Gold Dragon
Your Inner Dragon is the most honorable of all. You are what one might call a Draconic Knight. Golds live by a strict code of chivalry and commitment.You like to advise humans in their affairs and shapeshift. In fact, if you’re a Gold on the inside, you might be a Gold on the outside, too – just in human form. Your favorite attributes are honor, chivalry, truth, kindness, gold, mining, protection, wisdom and If anyone threatens your humans or tries to kill you, you could could strike back with your breath weapon – Fire. But then, no one’s tried anything that stupid in the last 1000 years. Mainly because your over 54 feet tall.
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Which Greek god/goddess are you?



Apollo
You are Apollo! Apollo was the god of prophesy, music and healing.He is famous for his skill with the lyre, and that he was responsible for the downfall of Achilles, a great hero during the Trojan War.
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Your Greek Goddess Soulmate (With Pictures) Girls Only



Goddess Athena
You are most like Athena. She was the divine sponsor of warriors and heroes, she introduced several of the arts and crafts necessary for civilization, and she represented wisdom. Obviously, the goddess played a prominent role in Greek mythology. The poet Hesiod states that Athena emerged from the head of Zeus; indeed, she sprang out fully grown and armed for battle. The idea that she was born from a male underscores her relationship with men, both divine and human. In the human realm, Athena consistently becomes a protector of heroes; while in the divine she completely avoids sexual liaisons with gods.
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What is your TRUE name?



Aegle
She’s the radiant glowing nymph who polishes the Golden Apples till they shine with Heavenly light.Aegle means: Light, radiance, glory
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How ’bout them apples?