A to Z Blog Challenge -- F is for Film

It's Day 6 of the A to Z Challenge.

Here at A Piece of My Mind, F is definitely for Film. I graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic University's film program, so it's next to impossible for me to make up Top Ten lists like this one.

Yet, what's a challenge without an obstacle that truly tests my skills and resolve?

Here are my Top Ten Films From 2000 Onwards

I've grouped them by genre, so the numbering is merely to keep track of them and not to rank them against each other. They're basically my favorites in their genres, anyway.

1 - Night Watch (Nochnoy dozor) - (2004) / Day Watch (Dnevnoy dozor) - (2006)

2 - Watchmen (2009)

3 - Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

4 - Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) / Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)

5 - Gladiator (2000)

6 - Kate and Leopold (2001)

7 - The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

8 - Moulin Rouge! (2001)

9 - Hot Fuzz (2007)

10 - Everything is Illuminated (2005)

5 on Friday -- Set 196

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

It's Hal-Con time again!

Starting today and running through Sunday, I'll be at my booth on the main floor at the Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you're looking for print copies of my Dark Ages vampire novel Saint Sanguinus or my dark fantasy novel Bound by Dragonsfyre, I'll be signing copies.

Also appearing at Hal-Con this year: my friend and fellow Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada member Shawna Romkey, who will be signing copies of her angels-and-demons novel Speak of the Devil.

Together, we'll be giving a workshop on Heroes and Villains on Saturday, Nov. 9th at 12:45 until 1:30.

In the meantime, the great NaNoWriMo writing marathon of 2013 continues. If you're doing the marathon and you want to find me, I'm NaNo-ing as vamprom.

Let's celebrate all things superheroic. This week's set features songs written about superhero characters, a super villain and one classic hero of old.

1 - Flash -- Queen

2 - Surfing With the Alien -- Joe Satriani

3 - Joker's Wild -- The Ventures

4 - Superman Song -- Crash Test Dummies

5 - Achilles Last Stand -- Led Zeppelin

Free Comic Book Day - May the 4th Be With You

To celebrate Free Comic Book Day, I'm hosting a giveaway that starts today and runs till the end of the month.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SAINT SANGUINUS features my Dark Ages vampire superhero, Peredur.

Last year, Free Comic Book Day was one of my favorite author events for 2012. This year, I have a special treat to go along with free copies of my book.

Toronto sculptor and illustrator Ted Heeley has created an illustrated version of Peredur for my Free Comic Book Day giveaway.

Six limited prints are up for grabs, along with six e-copies and six paperback copies of SAINT SANGUINUS.

Why six?

This blog turned six years old in February, and I'm celebrating six truly wonderful years by giving away six versions of each prize.

Enter through the Rafflecopter link, and good luck! 

5 on Friday - Set 131

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

In two short weeks, I'll be sitting at my booth

A 49

at the Indie Artist Alley, Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario signing copies of SAINT SANGUINUS and BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE. I'll also have prints of my mom's watercolor ink piece, Stare of the Dragon available. 

If you're in the Toronto area from Aug 23-26, hope you can join me at Fan Expo!

In the meantime, there's one more chance to vote for A Piece of My Mind for the Fascination Award. Click on this link for instructions on how to vote. Contest closes Fri the 10th at midnight EST.

In the spirit of Fan Expo and superheroes like Peredur, my Dark Ages vampire, here's a set of my favorite superhero themes.

1 -  Batman theme - composed by Danny Elfman

2 - Robocop theme - composed by Basil Poledouris  

3 - Animated X-Men theme - composed by Shuki Levy and Ron Wasserman

4 - Mad Max 2 - The Road Warrior theme - composed by Brian May

5 - Iron Man theme - composed by Ramin Djawadi