The B.A.T. is BACK!!! And thinner, no less, lol. Ramadan was an enjoyable experience, Al-hamdulellah. Of course, also enjoyable was its end. I kinda miss the appetite and extra stomach space, though... yeah. Anyways, reading and writing shall commence once more when finals are over here at college! MWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!! Well, reading shall commence sooner, since I miss so many of my favorite authors' stories it's ridiculous. For those of you who have been patient with me, I thank you so much. I'm not sure if anyone frequently checks my author bio or anything, so I will be sending emails out to send word and assurance that I have fully returned. For those who have been urging me to continue Flight (cowers under angry gazes), that will happen Dec. 12th. I know, I know. More bad news... but there's good news. After finals are over comes five weeks of winter break! I'll have all my brainpower focusing on one thing and more importantly... I'LL BE OUT OF EXCUSES!!! How come I'm not the happy one here... ^_^U But I suppose I need to get back to writing. Believe you me, when I stopped, I wasn't too happy with a huge part, so it's not writing the next chapter I hate, it's revising the disliked part of the chapter that makes my eyes twitch as I sleeplessly type away at this temporary laptop at 12:00 in the morning on Dec. 1 without any food or drink currently in my system that I can remember. I guess I'll make some Oodles of Noodles ramen when I'm done updating. Which reminds me... my lists below need some attention. And I think I'll add some shout-outs below as well, so feel free to blush if you see your name here... or scoff at the self-centered arrogance I may have in deeming myself someone worthy of giving praise as if you are all inferior... if that is the case (which it isn't since I probably think myself inferior to all existing things... that's how humble I am, I suppose...) then I am most assuredly not aware that such is the case. But away with my incoherent, irrelevant ramblings. Let's move on to my COherent, slightly less irrelevant, ramblings.

Favorite Books:
Harry Potter Series-- Yeah, I'll admit it. I jumped on the bandwagon. *ducks out of view as cool people walk by* Anyways... But these days, I'm finding myself wanting to strangle Rowling for mutilating Cho. *sniff* The humanity. WHYYYYYYYYYY!?!?!?!?!?

Ender's Game/Shadow Series-- Orson Scott Card ROCKS!!! He taught me that sarcastic main character kids kick MUCH ASS!!! Literally. ;-)

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison-- The greatest supernatural, symbolic story I can think of. It's funny, meaningful, and highly gripping.

Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya-- Why not? I was highly entertained by this book.

Pit Dragon Trilogy-- Jane Yolen is my muse for the novel I'm working on right now. I always thought it was cool for humans and dragons to communicate. Now they can use actual words and the like. How cool is that!? Love ya much Janey!

Brother Sun, Sister Moon-- by Werecat99. See the Shout-Out section below.

The Quicksilver Medallion-- by Scotia Li. See the instructions in the above story title.

(I don't read a lot, but I still like to read when I get the chance. Good news is that I read more than most people I know, so the fact that I can even point out favorites says something. I read a lot more than the ones aforementioned, that's for sure. Also, don't mind my high, ranting, sugar-induced-sounding way of writing in this bio. I assure you that my brain cells are quite fine. Um... right.)

Anyways...

Favorite Quotes:

"I look in the mirror and hold up the only finger on my mangled hand-- a pinky. I know it's the wrong finger but fuck you all anyway!"
-Don't ask where I got this from.

"Yo, Shorty! What's your major?"
-Beau Sia, Def Poetry

"If it weren't for all the WHITE people..."
-Ahmed Whitt whenever a white person was nearby (don't worry. Neither he nor I are racist.)

"Yusef..."
-Jen (please stop doing that)

"It ain't even gotta be that deep."
-My cousin Jamal with the deep-ass voice

"Take that, infidel!"
-White Knight Leo. Daw-oud and I will carry on your legacy by irritating my sister with that.

"Give her hell from us, Peeves!"
-Weasley Twins. They kick much ass!

"In any case, moving on."
-Me. I know it's obnoxious to quote myself. That's why I do it. I'm obviously obnoxious.

"Eww... you dirty. I like that."
-Heng. My best friend, by the way (please stop that, buddy. If you're gonna do it, do it to girls, not to me, lol!)

(with that out the way, let's move on, shall we?
Warning: quotes are subject to constant additions, so brace yourselves, okay?)

Favorite Animes:
Trigun- took awhile to get into, but I like it now.

Yu Yu Hakusho- Yusuke would be me if I had a big old orb stuck in my body thanks to an old lady. Kurama would be me if I had red hair and a whip that could cut through fruit cake.

Yu-gi-oh-- What can I say? His overdramatic voice is cool to imitate. "Why don't YOU observe?" And yes, I play the cards every once in awhile.

DBZ-- Nuff said.

Neon Genesis Evangelion-- I'm gonna miss it when I leave for college. It's so cool and I only got to see eight episodes. Hurry up and show the rest, On Demand! *growls angrily*

Noir-- two hot chicks killing more hot chicks... oh, and they're trying to resolve their pasts. Just kidding. It's very deep and I love the musical score. Kirika just like Bean, kicks MUCH ASS!!! A must see!

Slayers-- Nuff said.

Samurai X OAV-- better than the series in my opinion. Episode four. So sad. *cries his eyes out*

Cowboy Bebop-- Nuff said.

Outlaw Star-- Nuff said.

Inuyasha-- I know this is the fangirl's paradise, but that does NOT make me gay! Miroku is just so damn funny! Lol!

Cardcaptor Sakura-- one day, I will see the original Japanese.

Gundam Series-- some of them I liked, some of them I thought sucked. I'm not goin into detail here. There's just too many.

Digimon-- particularly season 3. Nuff said.

Golden Boy-- I know he's a pervert but screw you all anyway! Lol!

Street Fighter V-- Finally something that does Street Fighter justice.

Princess Mononoke-- You aren't a fan until you've seen this masterpiece.

Vampire Hunter D-- Vampires. Anime. Yeah. Nuff said.

Escaflowne-- for the short period I saw it, I still loved it. I'ma miss you man!

Pokemon-- when it first started (didn't we all love it then?) Then it got corny. Too many Pokemon with no personalities now. I miss the days when Charmander (not his evolved forms) fought everybody and Butterfree got laid. LOL!!!

Excel Saga-- Who WOULDN'T love an anime satire about anime?

Boogiepop Phantom-- I'd say nuff said, but this anime deserves some extra recognition. Simply awesome and powerful, it will truly force you to take another look at the inner workings of the human psyche. I'd like to know who in the hell is capable of making anything better than this series. Too bad it was so short. *pouts* I only have two episodes left to see. :(

Favorite Characters (from anything):
Hermione (HP)
Luna (HP)
Cho (HP)
Twins (HP)
Kurama (Yu Yu)
Yusuke (Yu Yu)
Shizuru (Yu Yu)
Bean (anything Ender or Shadow)
Petra (anything Ender or Shadow)
Hagar (Song of Solomon)
Miroku (Inuyasha)
Vash (Trigun)
Charmander, Pidgeotto, and Butterfree (Pokemon-- I
miss you guys!!!)
Naoko (Golden Boy "Aww... look at that boner...
boioioioionggg!!!")
Asuka (Evangelion)
Jim (Outlaw Star)
Piccolo (DBZ)
Zelgadis (Slayers)
Kenshin (Samurai X)
Ed (Cowboy Bebop)
Kirika (Noir)
Rika/Ruki (Digimon 03)
Yami (Yugioh)
Hyatt (Excel Saga)

Now, I decided I'd give a more detailed explanation of my novel, Flight to Deliverance, here. Young Tal has been through hell for sixteen years of his life, and aims to change his life for the better by embarking on a trial to confirm his manhood, all by himself. During this trial, something remarkable happens to him, and it sets him down a path that does more than change his life; he will change the world itself. It's a fantasy novel, with a lot of sci-fi, religious and philosophical implications, war, love, and just about anything to satiate the appetites of craving readers. Needless to say, I would appreciate reviews on this. Those who do this will receive homemade cookies in their mail. And the occasional review here or there. I do not forget feedback easily. Remember that. ;-)

And last but not least...

SHOUT OUTS:

Werecat99-- She's ingenious, that's all I can say... NOT! Her tale, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon", is probably one of the most compelling, creative, and original works I have ever read. If this story doesn't become a bestseller, I don't know what will in the course of the next five years. Her name should be searchable by Pen Name and there you can see for yourself that her reviews for this story speak for themselves. Begin reading, and I challenge you to stop (I'm an exception because I had to fast, so I challenge you to stop and say you didn't like the story.) She brings forth a style I have not seen in a long time, almost creating mythological tales of old all over again. Don't stop at this story, either. She has created an entire world for you to explore. Get familiar with Akretera and its tales of lust, love, power, betrayal, divine forces, humor, twists, and questions of morality and ethics. I guarantee you; this is an engaging investment of the mind the likes of which you won't soon forget. Which reminds me... many new tales I should get to reading.

DedRedHed-- stop making my blush, damn you!!! I haven't updated Flight in awhile, as you have made quite apparent by insisting that I continue, but I will... soon. Very soon. Thank you so much for your reviews, and I promise you that I will do my absolute best not to disappoint. Please check out DedRedHed's works; she is quite underappreciated.

Flamehail-- Describing her work in a word... Rine. Of course, you'd have to read to get the context of what I mean. Flamehail has excellent character development in her works, and is making a series of adventures involving Rine, everyone's favorite mercenary. If she updated a little more often, there would be nothing bad to say at all, lol. But then again, I'm one to talk. Say... when WAS the last time I updated Flight?

Scotia Li-- Everyone who has merely TOUCHED her story, "The Quicksilver Medallion", has come to love it, and all I can say is... "How can they not?" She has a knack for setting a certain tone to her stories, and I love the way she expertly zeroes in on one or several characters. She takes full advantage of capturing the intimacy of certain situations and just like me (which I really like), she spends a lot of time delving into the thought processes of her characters. She's going through a bit of a dry spell right now, thinking of abandoning her story and starting from scratch. It's just writer's block, but try telling HER that. Please, give her support by reading and reviewing her story. She should also be searchable by pen name.

AVIGON-- I once deemed her the Short Story Goddess, and I still stand by that title. Amazing control of reader perspective and perception (even in her poems), and she has a unique sense of humor and storytelling. She doesn't give herself as much credit as she deserves, so we should give her extra to accomodate for the deficiency. I admit, I've been neglecting her works lately. It's a good thing she's on my fav. authors list. That gives me time to catch up, lol. Another searchable by pen name. In face, EVERYONE should be, so no worries in that department!

Swirlygirl-- she loves haikus. I love her haikus. Therefore I love her. Get it. Got it? Good. Swirlygirl writes on millions of topics and frequently updates. She's very skillful at working masterpieces of the 17-syllable kind and her thoughts and feeling shine through all that she writes every time. If you haven't read her works yet, goddamit, you'd better. NOW!!! GET TO IT!!!

AuthorWitch-- She's very deep. Her poetry, essays, and autobiographical pieces pose philosphical questions that reveal a deep interest in the very workings of life and human nature. She is extremely interested in dreams, reality vs. illusion, and a great deal more. Get into this girl's works. You won't regret it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to catch up on for all of these wonderful writers and a whole lot more. This Shout Out list is bound to grow. I hope you enjoy their works as much as I have.